General Project Information
​Dune Strider is an open world sandbox game where you control a sand ship as you trade with the local settlements, fight enemies and complete quests while exploring the desert around you and the possibilities within it.
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My Responsibilities in the project:​
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Trading and Economy systems
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Inventory system
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Gatherable items system
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Combat rewards
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Interactable Level Objects
Examples of my work
Combat Rewards
Design Intent
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Make combat more rewarding
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Provide more alternate sources of resources.
System Overview​
This system was requested from the combat designers who asked me to implement random rewards after playtests showed that combat felt pointless for the players.
The system itself uses weighted randomness to reward players for every kill they achieve in combat.
The weighted values for each resource are calculated using the base cost of these resources in an inverse relationship.
Iteration
During iteration we added some more likelihood for wood to drop to match player expectation and make up the repair cost of the ship.
Result and Learnings
The system was proven to solve the issue it needed to address.
Player destroying enemy and chest to pick up rewards
I implemented the system using blueprints
Trend Based Random Price Fluctuation System
Design Intent
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Make the world feel alive through fluctuation.
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Provide a randomness system that the player can learn and exploit in a satisfying way.
System Overview​
The system randomly generates acceleration for the rate of change for prices. The player learns that when prices are changing fast, they are likely to keep changing in that way, while when the change is smaller, it is more likely that the price will flip from rising to falling and vice versa.
This allows the player to plan for when to buy low or sell high while still being able to take risks for higher gains.
Iteration
Early versions of the system randomly generated a change in price. From playtests and feedback it became apparent that there was need for the system to be more predictable. This was the reason it changed to work with acceleration instead, giving the player more time to react.
Result and Learnings
In the final product this feature was removed.
This system functioned well but as the game progressed from being about trading to being about exploration such a system was too complex for it.
This feature was a great exercise for me to learn how to design math focused on the player experience.
Balancing Economy for Level Design
Design Intent
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Encourage long travel routes.
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Encourage exploration.
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Make settlements unique in regards to narrative design.
Design Process​
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Place gathering spots to create areas of abundance and scarcity.
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Adjust demand in settlements to reflect the abundance and scarcity of gatherables.
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Use resources that can only be traded to make optimal trading routes cross to the other side of the map.
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Adjust availability of resources in settlements to intensify the effect.
Iteration
During the whole process I was communicating with the level designers and the leads to make sure that my vision aligned with theirs.
After playtests I intensified differences in prices between locations to incentivize traveling more.
End Result
In the end we achieved a cohesive design that aligned with the intended vision.
Early design used to communicate with the team
I worked in excel to document the relationships between settlements in prices and availability per resource.
From this project I improved my technical and communication skills and got involved in many kinds of design. I learned how to avoid overengineering and the value of quick prototypes. I experienced the collapse of the team and participated in adapting and rescoping the project. I made many things I am proud of and I had both hardships and fun.
I always like sharing my experience so if you want to know more contact me at odysseastsiridis@gmail.com or LinkedIn