STRATEGY

Dungeon Shooter

Tools & Workflow:

Task Management: Notion boards for backlog (user stories like “Implement Spider AI”), sprints, and bug tracking.
Collaboration: Used GitHub for version control; team roles included a 3D artist (model adjustments) and a sound designer.

Next Steps:

Add a final boss (e.g., Necromancer) guarding the dungeon exit.
Introduce environmental hazards (spike traps, collapsing floors).

This structured approach ensured a functional, engaging prototype within 4 months of part-time development.

In Development

GIT

Game Overview: "Dungeon Shooter"

Escape the dungeon or perish trying.

Setting

You awaken in a dark, labyrinthine dungeon filled with hostile creatures. Your goal is to navigate procedurally generated levels, defeat enemies, and unlock gates using keys found in chests. Each level becomes progressively harder, culminating in a final escape.

Core Mechanics

Combat & Exploration: Fight skeletons (melee sword attacks) and spiders (ranged web projectiles) while scavenging chests for keys (to unlock gates) and gold (to upgrade weapons at hidden blacksmith stations).
Progression: Unlock new areas by finding keys, and use gold to enhance weapon damage, fire rate, or unlock special abilities (e.g., explosive rounds).
Hidden Secrets: Some chests contain rare items like health potions, temporary shields, or maps revealing hidden paths.

Enemies

Skeleton Soldiers: Slow but deadly in close combat. They patrol corridors and swarm the player.
Spiders: Agile, ranged foes that shoot webs to slow your movement. Often cling to ceilings or hide in shadows.

Development Cycle

Built in Unity using a Scrum framework (managed via Notion), the development followed these phases:
Phase 1: Prototyping & Asset Creation
- Asset Sourcing: Downloaded free/low-poly 3D models (Unity Asset Store, Sketchfab) for dungeons, enemies, and weapons. Adjusted models in Blender for consistency.
- Level Blockout: Designed a modular dungeon system using prefabs (walls, traps, chests) for reusable level generation.
Phase 2: Core Mechanics
- Player Systems:
  - Movement Controller: C# script for WASD movement, jump, and sprint (with stamina limits).
  - FPS Camera: Implemented mouse-look with clamping to prevent neck strain.
  - Health System: Damage triggers, UI health bar, and death/respawn logic.
- Combat:
  - GunScript: Raycasting for bullet physics, recoil animations, and ammo management.
  - Enemy AI: NavMesh agents for skeletons (pathfinding), spiders (projectile targeting), and finite state machines (patrol/attack/chase).
Phase 3: Level Design & Progression
- Key-Gate System: Scripted chests to spawn Gates only open when the player holds the correct key.
- Procedural Elements: Randomized chest locations and enemy spawn points to enhance replayability.
Phase 4: Polishing
- UI/UX: Added minimaps, dynamic crosshairs, and upgrade menus.
- Sound Design: Used Audacity to edit SFX (gunshots, enemy growls) and ambient dungeon echoes.
- Optimization: Reduced draw calls via occlusion culling and LODs for complex models.
Phase 5: Playtesting & Iteration
- Conducted weekly Scrum sprints to address feedback:
  - Balanced enemy difficulty (reduced spider web slowdown duration).
  - Tweaked gold-to-upgrade ratios to avoid grinding.
  - Fixed bugs like keys occasionally spawning inside walls.