Deep Sea Dig | Devpost

Inspiration

Inspired by the mystery and complexity of deep-sea ecosystems and the thrill of exploration. Wanted a game that combines strategic resource management with fast-paced digging and discovery, letting players uncover rare species, treasures, and hidden geological formations in an immersive underwater world.

What it does

Players pilot a submersible, digging through ocean layers to collect resources, rare artifacts, and biological specimens. The game features procedurally generated ocean floors, pressure hazards, and hostile creatures. Players can upgrade equipment, deploy drones, and use tools like drills, sonar scanners, and nets to extract items efficiently. Multiplayer modes allow cooperative exploration or competitive treasure hunting.

How I built it

Created a physics-driven submersible system that handles buoyancy, pressure resistance, and movement in three dimensions. Procedural ocean generation uses layered biomes with randomized terrain, caves, and treasure spots. Resource and creature spawning is weighted for rarity and ecosystem balance. Implemented a modular upgrade system for submersibles and drones. Multiplayer networking synchronizes positions, interactions, and resource collection in real time.

Challenges I ran into

Balancing underwater physics to feel realistic but responsive. Procedural generation sometimes created unreachable areas or overlapping objects. Network sync issues arose when multiple players interacted with the same rare resource simultaneously. Pressure and damage systems required careful tuning to prevent frustration without removing challenge.

Accomplishments that I'm proud of

Built an engaging procedural ocean world that feels alive and diverse. Achieved smooth 3D submersible controls with realistic buoyancy. Created rare species and artifact systems that reward exploration without breaking game balance. Multiplayer exploration works seamlessly, allowing cooperative and competitive modes to coexist.

What I learned

Realistic physics must be balanced against fun and accessibility. Procedural generation demands strict rules to avoid unplayable scenarios. Multiplayer resource contention requires careful design to prevent conflicts. Immersive worlds are built through layered systems: terrain, creatures, hazards, and rewards all interacting organically.

What's next for Deep Sea Dig

Add deeper biomes with extreme environments and legendary species. Expand drone tools with scanning, capturing, and excavation capabilities. Introduce timed events like underwater currents, volcanic activity, and treasure rushes. Develop leaderboards, seasonal challenges, and rare artifact trading to increase replayability.