Car Drifters

Project Description:

A game in where players race against AI, participate in time trials, and collect points in all sorts of play modes. The intention behind this was to create a great and engaging racing experience for players to compete against each other. Prototypes were made to design possible race tracks for the players to play in and have great experiences when playing all three different modes.

Tools Used: Unity

Team Size: Individual/Solo

Duration: 7 months

LEVEL DESIGN PROCESS:

Level Pre-Production:

- To start off the project, I started to familiarize myself with the terrain tools inside of Unity Engine. This is something I don't use too often when making unity projects, but since race tracks are about obstacles and bumps, it made sense for me start using the tool.

- I came up with a basic and small race track and then expanded other ones from there

Early Playtesting & Prototyping:

- After playtesting my designs, I expanded my level and got rid of some parts that didn't make any sense or looked ridiculous. Then, I began to design the race track bigger and wider to give the player more space to drive around in and layout the collectibles the player has to collect in point mode.

- After upgrading and completing the brand new level, I did even more playtests. However, I wasn't able to get the racing AI to properly work so the positions in the races didn't work as intended. Players however, did like the obstacles and the design of the race track and were easy to drive in and experience all the different modes in the game

DESIGN GOALS:

Multiple Approaches for Replayability

I wanted the game to have different modes so the players can have various ways of experiencing the game via its different play modes. I feel like having just one simple race mode would keep the player(s) discouraged from continuing to play the game. With at least three modes, the players have different ways of playing/experiencing the game.

Recreating the Mario Kart Style/Feeling

Since the game I wanted to make is based on the racing genre, I gained a lot of inspiration from the Mario Kart series that I grew up with playing as a kid. I wanted the game to feel entertaining while also giving it some Mario Kart feel in it since it is a very popular game genre that many people play. By playtesting and playing around with the different race mechanics, I was able to give the game a great similar feeling to that series.

Level Design/Showcase

TAKEAWAYS:

- Making a project using the terrain tool can be intimidating at the beginning when you have not used it for the first time or not used it in a long time

- The key to making levels with the right feeling comes down to seeing how the player interacts in the world.