Nite in a Box
Executive Summary:
This is an overview into the design and implementation of a BoxFight game that involves a timer mechanic, barrier mechanic, combat, as well as the level design for Nite in a Box, a mod for Fortnite.
Introduction:
As the game designer responsible for the gameplay mechanics in "Nite in a Box", the focus was creating a game that was tight, risky, and fast-paced. By utilizing the Unreal Engine for Fortnite (UEFN), I was able to quickly prototype and publish this game for all platforms.
Background:
By exploring Fortnite's stock of "BoxFight" games, I noticed that they're was a large number of players playing a variety of these games. By keeping levels compact, it gave players a restriction to their combat skills. I was greatly inspired by the visual styles of Borderlands and Mad Max to create a setting filled with trash, makeshift buildings, and pipes.
Design Goals:
- Keep it tight by limiting player movement.
- Keep it tight by limiting player movement.
- Keep players on the toes by hiding each other's strategies before match begins.
- Keep it fair by giving players a pre-determined amount of supplies and weapons.
Conceptualization:
The rule of the game is for the players to wait in a timed barrier where they cannot dash toward each other. While in the barrier they're allowed to build cover and other kinds of advantageous they may get. I allowed traps for a bit, but it was determined to over-complicate a fast-paced game and would give players an easy win. So I yeeted it off the final game design.
The rule of the game is for the players to wait in a timed barrier where they cannot dash toward each other. While in the barrier they're allowed to build cover and other kinds of advantageous they may get. I allowed traps for a bit, but it was determined to over-complicate a fast-paced game and would give players an easy win. So I yeeted it off the final game design.
To add more of a challenge, I decided on adding a wall in the middle of the map that would cover both players' vision, so they didn't know what each other's strategy was. I also kept a box for cover for both players to give them a bit of help during their battle.
My artistic rendition of the BoxFight level design.
Blockout for the Nite in a Box level design
View of the level design before I began applying some other decor, lighting, and adding the barrier mechanic.
Level design laid out in UEFN.
Level design with lighting and cover
Added more environment decor, lighting, and barriers.
Barrier and Timer:
Applied the timer which ran down as the player prepared their plan to take down their enemy. A challenge for the timer was trying to balance instilling the fast-paced fear of rushing their plan and allowing them to complete some kind of plan.
Applied the timer which ran down as the player prepared their plan to take down their enemy. A challenge for the timer was trying to balance instilling the fast-paced fear of rushing their plan and allowing them to complete some kind of plan.
I had myself and some testers go through it multiple times to make sure that the timer was good to go.
Added cover:
Allowed players to build inside the tight map to allow them to think on their feet and improvise a way to survive in order to turn the tide against their opponent.
Pre-determined weapons and destructible buildings:
I kept things fair by limiting players to 2 weapons: Shotgun and Assault Rifle while limiting their ammo, shield recharge, and giving them the ability to destroy their opponent's cover.
User Testing:
User testing was done by inviting my Instagram and Thread followers to test out the overall mechanics. Anything that didn't work was thrown back into the design phase to work out a better implementation.
User testing was done by inviting my Instagram and Thread followers to test out the overall mechanics. Anything that didn't work was thrown back into the design phase to work out a better implementation.
Technical Challenges:
I got a little bit more comfortable using UEFN. I still found the lighting a challenge due to the lighting intensity in engine being very different while live in game. So it was a lot of back and forth between the live session and game engine. Verse this time wasn't too bad, but I still need to put more work into learning the overall syntax.
I got a little bit more comfortable using UEFN. I still found the lighting a challenge due to the lighting intensity in engine being very different while live in game. So it was a lot of back and forth between the live session and game engine. Verse this time wasn't too bad, but I still need to put more work into learning the overall syntax.
Post-Launch Support:
Planning on adding more features such as weapon vending machines and workshops for added strategy.
Planning on adding more features such as weapon vending machines and workshops for added strategy.
Lessons Learned:
Building a game within a tight level can be just as much of a challenge as a creating a large landscape. Each placement of assets have to matter and can't hog up any space for the player to move.
Building a game within a tight level can be just as much of a challenge as a creating a large landscape. Each placement of assets have to matter and can't hog up any space for the player to move.
Conclusion:
Another game out of the oven and ready for mass enjoyment. I'm glad to be part of the UEFN community and learning new methods. Can't wait to do another one!
Another game out of the oven and ready for mass enjoyment. I'm glad to be part of the UEFN community and learning new methods. Can't wait to do another one!
Play the game here:
Island Code: 0336-9048-0302
