(Showcase of the current state of the game)
Week 10
Hi and welcome to the tenth development blog for Unleash!
The game has seen a myriad of bug fixes during the week, as well as three game updates - including the one today. A lot of our work this week has been on preparing the game graphically for the launch trailer, which we have started working on as well. We need a new and better launch trailer before we release the game in Early Access. Some of the graphical refinements include new models for the Teleporter Tower and an animated audience present on the stands.
Launch Trailer
Our old gameplay trailer has become very outdated, as it is based on the old UI and the old lighting model, with no image effects on the camera yet. Thus, the game looks quite differently today than it did at the time of recording our first gameplay trailer. Therefore, we must have a new launch trailer in place before releasing in Early Access, so that we can show players exactly how the game looks and what state it is in.
(A very early test made with Cinemachine and Timeline to prepare for actual work on the Launch Trailer.)
The launch trailer is meant to show in-game footage captured in the game engine, but in a more cinematic way than the first gameplay trailer did. The idea is to show the game from an empty arena to a final state with huge bases and massive monsters. The camera is not restricted to normal gameplay and can for an example move in between towers and monsters, showing the game from their point of view.
Scoreboards
Scoreboards have been upgraded with nicer, more consistent UI, and a much nicer list view for selection of TD scenario. Additionally, scoreboards are now available for all TD scenarios and for the Line Tower Wars game mode. Together with the ‘game overview’ screen received after completing a match, it is possible to view the relevant scoreboard for the played game. Thus, ranking is now fully implemented for Unleash in its current state, although we are still considering how to structure Line Wars scoring practically for the future.
(Scoreboards are now accessible in-game through the overview screen after completing a match.)
Teleporter Tower Models
The Teleporter Tower now has new, unique 3D models for each tier, where it previously only had one model that was scaled across tiers. Thus, each upgrade level for the tower can now be distinctly recognized and there is a clear progression in the way that the models are made. They use the same particle systems, which should help with a sense of connectedness. This also means that all towers have unique models for each upgrade level as of today’s update.
(New Teleporter Tower Tier 2 and Tier 3 models in action.)
The Crowd
We have been working on the map design for weeks. This week we reached the point where we could release the first version of an audience or crowd with our own custom 3D model and animations. While they are still lacking sound and more variety, this first implementation shows the concept at work and helps reinforce the idea that the battle takes place within an arena of sorts.
(First version of a crowd/audience cheering the battle on.)
Bug Fixes
As mentioned a myriad of bug fixes were implemented during the week, including but not limited to: A range of fixes for the Classic TD game mode means that the game mode is finally fully playable in multiplayer with the new UI. Stats recording was also fixed, enabling scoreboards for Line Tower Wars game mode. Additionally, all button icons are now stored with high quality compression to avoid an unacceptable loss of quality in-game.
Closing Remarks
This week saw a lot of stability improvements, bug fixes and small upgrades. The larger theme is preparation for Early Access release, which includes preparations and testing ahead of a launch trailer. Additionally, scoreboards are now pretty much fully implemented, bringing ranking to all relevant game modes in Unleash.
We play Unleash every week, and you can join us for our play sessions. Next one is Tuesday the 1st of December at 17:00 / 5 PM (CET). Join us online for a multiplayer Unleash match!
If you want to see how we play, but cannot join the play session, you can watch gameplay videos without commentary through our Twitch profile. We live stream almost every session.
And remember… Monsters never come alone.