I am using chat gpt to closely work together to stay true to my plan of building this game by myself. I asked them what would be a good approach getting started.
1. Sketch Your Initial Setting
- Concept Art: Draw or sketch the abandoned house, the canyon, and the bunker hatch. This doesn’t have to be artistic; it's more about layout and key elements.
- Story Elements: Note any significant story elements you want to introduce in this area.
2. Create a Basic Environment in Unreal Engine
- Terrain: Start by sculpting the basic terrain for the canyon using Unreal Engine’s landscape tools.
- Basic Structures: Add a simple model of the abandoned house and the bunker hatch. Initially, these can be basic shapes or blocks (often called "greyboxing").
3. Develop a Basic Player Character
- Player Model: You can start with a basic character model or use a placeholder from Unreal’s asset store.
- Basic Movement: Implement simple movement controls – walking, turning, and interacting with the environment (e.g., opening the bunker hatch).
4. Add Key Gameplay Elements
- Exploration: Allow the player to explore the immediate area. This can include entering the house, examining objects, or simple environmental interactions.
- Narrative Clues: Place items or cues that give context to the setting and hint at the larger game world.
5. Implement Basic Mechanics
- Survival Elements: If you plan to include basic survival elements, implement a simple version. For example, a meter indicating exposure to the toxic environment.
- Inventory: Start with a basic inventory system if the player will collect or use items.
6. Focus on Atmosphere
- Lighting and Sound: Use lighting and sound effects to create the right mood for the canyon and abandoned house.
- Visual Style: Even in a prototype, having a consistent visual style can help convey the game's atmosphere.
7. Test and Iterate
- Playtesting: Walk through the environment, interact with objects, and test the basic mechanics.
- Iterate: Make changes based on your experience. Is the environment engaging? Do the controls feel right?
8. Documentation and Feedback
- Keep Notes: Document what works, what doesn’t, and any new ideas that emerge.
- Seek Early Feedback: If possible, let someone else test this basic environment and provide feedback.
9. Plan Next Steps
- Expand Environment: Once satisfied with the basic setup, start expanding the environment.
- Add Complexity: Gradually introduce more complex game mechanics, such as advanced survival elements or AI interactions.