{"id":23,"date":"2019-02-07T09:37:59","date_gmt":"2019-02-07T17:37:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ericchocholacek.com\/?page_id=23"},"modified":"2022-01-14T17:10:13","modified_gmt":"2022-01-15T01:10:13","slug":"split-edit","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ericchocholacek.com\/index.php\/projects\/split-edit\/","title":{"rendered":"Split\/Edit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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\u2501\u2501\u2501\u2501 Game Details<\/strong> \u2501\u2501\u2501\u2501\u2501 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Genre: 1st-Person Atmospheric Horror Puzzle<\/em>
– Engine Used: Unreal Engine 4<\/em>
– Target Platform(s): PC<\/em>
– Duration: 1 yr 3 mos<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2501\u2501\u2501\u2501 Description<\/strong> \u2501\u2501\u2501\u2501<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Split\/Edit follows the story of an unsuspecting couple that enter an abandoned mansion for an urban exploration adventure, but get trapped inside. While exploring the mansion, they get attacked by a poltergeist that knocks them unconscious and takes them to a machine where that teleports them into their own version of a mad scientist’s horrific home videos. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players will need to explore a decrepit mansion filled with old video equipment and an uncomfortable amount of television sets as they collect and play VHS tapes containing disturbing home videos made by the mansion’s last owner. However, playing the VHS tapes strengthens the poltergeist haunting the mansion and the couple quickly find themselves fighting for their life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trapped in a nightmare, players will have to solve tense, mind-bending puzzles, survive terrifying paranormal events and deadly encounters with poltergeists and ghosts and solve the mystery of the mansion in order to reunite with their partner.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u2501\u2501\u2501\u2501\u2501Role<\/strong>\u2501\u2501\u2501\u2501\u2501 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Game Designer
– Level Designer
– Scripter (Blueprints)

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\u2501\u2501\u2501 Responsibilities <\/strong>\u2501\u2501\u2501<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Designed meaningful gameplay, narrative, and level interactions<\/strong>.

– Blocked initial level layout and iterated <\/strong>by placing props, meshes, particle effects, and situational triggers to compose a unique horror experience.

– Created a believable space with steady pacing<\/strong> to provide ample build-up of tension for horror events such as jump scares.

– Worked closely with a passionate writer to create an immersive world and story that could be told through environmental storytelling<\/strong> methods.

– Designed and implemented unique enemy AI that utilize behavior trees<\/strong> to stalk and attack the player character.

– Implemented level streaming<\/strong> to ensure level remained performant throughout a gameplay session. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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\u2501\u2501\u2501\u2501 Development Breakdown\/Level Walkthrough<\/strong> \u2501\u2501\u2501\u2501 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Development of Split\/Edit started as a new concept for a playable portfolio. Instead of having a website that showcased my work, I wanted people to play my work and explore through gameplay instead of clicking between pages. The idea was that portfolio viewers would explore a horror-themed mansion and collect VHS tapes that would teleport them to other levels I’d made when played on a specific TV set within the mansion. However, due to project incompatibility (different engines, etc), I couldn’t do this as a seamless, self-contained project until I grew my portfolio with more projects built in Unreal Engine 4. Now, Split\/Edit is a game on it’s own, but built in such a way that it could be re-purposed for my original intent once I’ve built my portfolio more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I started by blocking out the Main Hall, as this would be the area of the level that Players would visit most I wanted to spend the most time on it and ensure it felt right before moving on to the other rooms of the mansion. Though Players are trapped in a horrifying mansion meant to have them on the edge of their seat, the Main Hall had to appear as a safe zone<\/strong> where Players could catch their breath\/gather their thoughts and plan their next course of action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This was done by making the Main Hall very open and well lit<\/strong> with both natural (sky lights in the ceiling along with multiple windows along the walls) and artificial (chandeliers, lamps, candles, TVs) lights. The well-lit area in contrast<\/strong> to the dark and mysterious halls of the mansion helped draw the Player in<\/strong> and enforce the idea that the area was safe.<\/p>\n\n\n