Terramental #3
- Oliver
- Jan 25, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 30, 2023
25/01/2023
Over the winter break, I was able to focus on Terramental and made several additions to the project. Our team also had time to ideate on the vision, and we have decided to delay the game's release to add more content. This blog discusses the various new additions and gives a detailed overview of how these changes/new features will impact the experience.
Inventory Menu
An improved inventory menu has added new possibilities for choice and management of resources. It also has enhanced objectives, as rewards have more significance. The player can view items in the inventory, and the item is accompanied with a description. The player can choose to discard and equip certain items. For example, a 'key' quest item cannot be discarded or equipped, but a healing potion can.
When the player chooses to equip an item, they choose the desired slot. Once chosen, the item is ready to use with the use of 'Q'.
If the player chooses to discard an item, they may choose the quantity they wish to discard.
Quest Menu
Quests add a new way for the player to set and achieve goals.
To obtain a quest, the player will interact with an item or speak with a non-player-character. Choosing certain responses during dialogue encounters will give opportunity to decline quests advertently, allowing the player to set their own goals.
Artefacts Menu
Adding the artefacts menu will reward those who enjoy collecting in games. Viewing an item will give a short summary or a relevant piece of lore.
The main objective with this menu was to keep it simple. I had the choice of adding another category to the inventory, but decided to implement a separate menu as this would allow the player to differentiate between items and interests of lore.
Skills Menu
With the addition of quests and rewards, skills that the player could unlock became a useful addition. Previously, when the game was being implemented into Unity, skills were a part of the new plan, but quickly became obsolete as a progression system had not been decided upon. With the addition of all these new features, skills will be an exciting aspect of the player's journey, and can keep them satisfied with their achievements.
Once unlocked, skills will appear in full colour. Each skill's description can be viewed by selecting one in the menu. Selecting a skill will also give the option of unlocking it, and displays the requirements for unlocking the specified skill.
World Map
The map menu gives the player a better way to explore the world. Portals can be found in various places across zones, and these allow the player to travel to unlocked locations. Previously, the idea was that the player would travel to locations via portals that were placed in Restshore (the hub world). Zones were represented more like traditional levels, but this limited the amount of exploring. This world map offers a more thematic experience, while also opening the world for the player to explore. It also accompanies quests well, as the player can receive one, and choose to travel to the location at anytime they desire.
Crafting System V2
In the last blog, I discussed the crafting system and how the player could collect ingredients to make potions that would benefit them in combat and when exploring.
The changes that have been made aim to make crafting potions easier, and offers goals that the player can set themselves. Instead of guessing the required combination to craft a potion, the player can instead view what ingredients they need. The addition of gems being a requirement, as a currency, also contributes to the reward system and how the player chooses to spend their time in the game.
Once all ingredients are collected, the player can craft the potion, consuming the resources. This potion will then be added to the inventory. With the redesign of the inventory, the crafting system works better as the player has more ability to manage their items.
Another feature that could be added in the future to this crafting system is the ability to unlock new recipes. This could add a better flow of progression, as currently the player has all recipes unlocked, and this could be overwhelming. Potions can also be found when exploring zones by chance.
Branching Dialogue System
Finally the dialogue system, the one feature that made all these other menus and systems make sense to add! Using the dialogue scripting language by inkle, ink, it has been made easy to customise dialogue and player responses. With the benefits of the scripting language, it has been easy to communicate actions in Unity. For example, giving the player an item or a quest after dialogue.
The player can cycle through dialogue, but may encounter the choice interface, requiring them to reply with either two options. This choice could be the difference of obtaining a reward, quest or information that may help them in future endeavours. Once selected, the non-player-character will display the specific next lines of dialogue, and this repeats until the encounter is over.
I used existing code as part of the 'ink' package, and modified/added the code to meet the requirements of the desired system. The system uses a serialized class 'Dialogue' that stores dialogue, character name, player responses and the connected quest. The class 'DialogueManager' handles the display and cycle of dialogue. The class 'DialogueTrigger' activates the dialogue encounter when the player interacts. Samples of some of this code can be viewed on GitHub using the links below.
Tutorial Level
The tutorial level showcases some of these new implemented systems and menus. This is still an early version, but should give an indication of what the player experience in the game will be like. The level sees the player encounter a wisp-like character named Spark. The main objective is to find two keys to open a gateway, allowing for the continuation of the game. Note that all of this is still a work in progress, and some systems may be adapted before the final version.
Upcoming Plans
A huge amount of progress has been made in recent weeks, and we are happy with how the game is shaping up. Instead of being a quick project that we quickly and half-heartedly produce, we aim to make an experience that can be enjoyed and hopefully feel rewarding. The next steps involve adding content to the game, developing the base narrative and world already defined, and with this new features are most likely needed. One feature that I aim to work on next will be a trading interface, enhancing the game's economy, and offering new ways for the player to manage their inventory.
Thank you for reading this blog, I should have more updates in the near future.