Project Plan: GTA inspired RPG Game Development with Unreal Engine 5

Please also chek Houdini page for gun muzzle flash flash workflow

Project Summary

In my application for a position at Rockstar San Diego, I propose a comprehensive project plan for developing a GTA-like RPG using Unreal Engine 5. This project is structured into three main phases to efficiently demonstrate my extensive capabilities in game design and collaboration across multiple disciplines.

Phase 1: Prototype Testing
The initial phase involves developing a functional prototype to test core gameplay mechanics and the initial integration of interactive systems using Unreal Engine 5. This phase utilizes freely available assets to establish basic functionalities, focusing on character movement, vehicle dynamics, weapon systems, and preliminary environmental design.

Phase 2: Further Development
Upon successful validation of the prototype, this phase transitions into the development of high-quality, custom content and the refinement of game systems. Advanced features such as enhanced AI behaviors, detailed vehicle physics, comprehensive weapon mechanics, and full-scale environmental interactions will be implemented. This phase will extensively utilize the Houdini Engine for VFX and procedural modeling to expedite the creation of realistic and dynamic environments, leveraging Houdini Digital Assets (HDAs) to streamline landscape and urban development.

Phase 3: Test Packaging
The final phase focuses on rigorous testing and packaging of the game. This includes performance optimization, debugging, final asset integration, and ensuring the game meets all functional and aesthetic standards. During this phase, playtesting sessions will be crucial in refining the player experience and ensuring the game’s stability and playability on targeted platforms.

Technological Highlights
This project will heavily feature the use of the Houdini Engine to bring high-end VFX and procedural modeling capabilities into the Unreal Engine environment, significantly enhancing the visual quality and interactivity of game elements while speeding up environmental development. Perforce will be used as the source control tool, enabling efficient team collaboration, version control, and tracking of all changes and assets throughout the development process.

This detailed project plan showcases not only my technical expertise with Unreal Engine 5 and Houdini but also my ability to manage complex, multi-phase projects that align with the creative and technical demands of a leading game development studio.

Development log

Phase 1: Prototype Development

Devlog color coding

Red: need development

Green: completed

Blue: in progress

Objective

Quickly establish a playable prototype to test gameplay mechanics and iterate on design.

Sub-Systems and Features

Character System
- Current State: character blueprint and character animation blueprint completed
- Functions:
  - Moving
  - Aiming
Vehicle System
- Implementation: Utilize UE5’s Physics Engine to create basic drivable vehicles.
- Goals:
  - Set up chaos vehicle controls and physics.
  - Introduce at least two different vehicle types (e.g., car and motorcycle).
Weapon System
- Implementation: Develop a basic weapon system including shooting and reloading mechanics.
- Functions:

· Firing

· Damage

- Status: shooting calculation and cross hair complete
- Goals:
  - Implement ranged and melee weapons.
  - Integrate an inventory system for weapon selection.
Landscape and Environment
- Implementation: Use existing free content for initial landscapes.
- Goals:
  - Establish the main cityscape and surrounding areas using UE5’s landscape tools.
  - Introduce basic weather systems and day/night cycles.

Resources

Free assets from Unreal Engine Marketplace.
Temporary textures and models for early gameplay testing.

Technical breakdown

Main character blueprint

1. Function achieved:

a. Character movement

b. Camera movement

c. Weapon equipment

d. Weapon aiming

e. Fire and effect

2. Blueprint

a. Input system initialization and movement

a. Using UE5’s enhanced input system

b. Use the forward vector and right vector of control to control movement respectively.

c. Camera movement system reverses Y-axis

Weapon equipment/aiming/effect

a. Use Boolean to confirm whether the weapon is equipped and aimed

b. When the weapon is equipped, its visibility is set to true, ensuring it is rendered and ready for use within the game world.

c. When the weapon is equipped, its visibility is set to true, ensuring it is rendered and ready for use within the game world.

d. When the weapon is equipped, its visibility is set to true, ensuring it is rendered and ready for use within the game world.

e. When the weapon is equipped, its visibility is set to true, ensuring it is rendered and ready for use within the game world.

Phase 2: Full Production

Objective

Replace prototype assets with high-quality, custom-made assets and finalize game mechanics.

Timeline

Duration: 12-18 months

Systems and Features Upgrade

Character System
- Enhance character animations and interactions using advanced AI scripting and animation blending.
Vehicle System
- Introduce advanced vehicle dynamics and customization options.
Weapon System
- Expand weapon types and effects, including integration of realistic ballistics and recoil.
Landscape and Environment
- Utilize Houdini to create realistic, dynamic landscapes and sophisticated environmental VFX.
- Implement enhanced environmental interaction features.

New Technologies and Tools

Houdini: For creating realistic landscapes and procedural generation of urban environments.
Industry-standard software for asset creation (e.g., Blender, Maya).

Bonus Features

Random Event System
- Develop a system that spawns random events throughout the game world, each with multiple outcomes.
- Design the system to ensure each event is unique to the player’s experience through random assignment of event endings.
Zero Gravity Mode
- Implement a special gameplay mode that alters physics to allow for zero gravity effects, affecting player movement, vehicle handling, and projectile dynamics.

Phase 3: Test Packaging

Objective
The primary goal of Phase 3 is to ensure the game is thoroughly tested, optimized, and packaged for release. This phase focuses on refining the gameplay experience, addressing any remaining bugs or issues, and preparing the game for distribution to players.

Duration
Approximately 2-3 months, depending on the scope of testing and optimization required.

Key Activities

Performance Optimization
- Conduct thorough performance testing to identify any bottlenecks or areas for optimization.
- Optimize game assets, code, and systems to ensure smooth performance across targeted platforms.
- Implement efficient resource management techniques to optimize memory usage and loading times.
Debugging and Polishing
- Conduct extensive playtesting sessions to identify and address any remaining bugs, glitches, or inconsistencies.
- Polish gameplay mechanics, UI elements, and player interactions based on player feedback and internal testing.
- Fine-tune difficulty balancing and pacing to ensure an engaging and rewarding player experience.
Final Asset Integration
- Integrate final versions of assets, including high-quality models, textures, animations, and audio, into the game.
- Ensure all assets are properly optimized and meet quality standards for release.
Platform Compatibility
- Test the game on all targeted platforms (PC, consoles, etc.) to ensure compatibility and functionality.
- Address any platform-specific issues or optimizations required for a smooth gameplay experience on each platform.
Quality Assurance
- Conduct comprehensive QA testing to verify that all game features and functionalities are working as intended.
- Perform regression testing to ensure that fixes and optimizations have not introduced new issues.
- Document and track all reported bugs and issues, prioritizing critical fixes for immediate resolution.
Packaging and Distribution
- Prepare the game for distribution across digital platforms (Steam, Epic Games Store, console marketplaces, etc.).
- Generate installers, packages, or builds for each platform, ensuring compliance with platform-specific requirements and standards.
- Coordinate with publishing and distribution teams to finalize release plans and schedules

Art Style

Realistic visual style, with high-fidelity textures and detailed character models to enhance immersion.

Milestones and Deliverables

End of Prototype Phase:
- Complete working prototype with basic systems functional.
- Internal review and first round of user testing.
Mid-Production Checkpoint:
- All major systems upgraded with high-quality assets.
- Second round of user testing to refine gameplay.
Production Completion:
- Final game with all features, polished gameplay, and assets.
- Final round of comprehensive testing and debugging.