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Show Your Cunning!
Inspiration
Competitive multiplayer gaming has always been about high-adrenaline, heart-pumping action. Games like Fortnite, Overwatch, and PUBG thrive on the adrenaline rush that keeps players coming back for more. But I wanted to introduce something different—something that would stimulate another part of us: the brain.
Scavenger hunts are not only mentally stimulating but also inherently fun and engaging, encouraging problem-solving and exploration. They blend mental challenges with a sense of discovery and reward, which inspired me to integrate this concept into a game. My aim was to design an experience that provides not just mental exercise but also a competitive edge that players could enjoy in a dynamic, multiplayer environment.
What it does
The game, Escape Solstara, immerses players in a medieval-themed city where they must explore various locations, solve riddles, and uncover hidden items. The first player to find all the hidden items will discover a passphrase that unlocks the gates, allowing them to escape the city. Players can also interact with a chatbot that answers questions about the nature of the artifact, helping them solve riddles and find the hidden artifacts.
Each scavenger hunt is dynamically generated using the ChatGPT API, ensuring that every game session is unique with fresh riddle generation, offering players an exciting and varied experience each time they play.
How I built it
I opted to use a game engine I had some experience with, Unity to build the game. I used different assets from the asset store for the character model and city model to prioritize my time to completing the backend side of the game and becoming more familiar with AWS and multiplayer systems.
Challenges I ran into
I wasn't initially familiar with how multiplayer games are developed, so many of my challenges came from managing data communication with the AWS GameLift Realtime Server and translating that data into visual feedback. As you’ll notice, the animations for the remote player instances aren't well executed, reflecting the difficulties I faced in synchronizing the flow of information. One key issue I encountered was distinguishing between the local player and remote instances of other players. This challenge arose because I hadn't fully planned how the scripts would interact during runtime before diving into the implementation.
Accomplishments that I'm proud of
Although I was initially unfamiliar with AWS and multiplayer systems, I persisted and eventually created something playable. For my first AWS project, I’m proud of how much I was able to learn, largely thanks to the Amazon Q Developer program. I’m especially proud of the riddle generation script I developed, which dynamically assigns artifacts and riddles, enhancing the game's experience.
What I learned
I gained a lot of knowledge about AWS and server communication, which deepened my understanding of how multiplayer games are created. This experience has sparked my interest in making more multiplayer games using AWS, as I found the platform both intuitive and easy to use. Additionally, I've significantly improved my proficiency with C# and the .NET framework, further enhancing my development skills.
What's next for Escape Solstara
The next updates for the game may involve adding combat mechanics and introducing competitive timed hunts for players to participate in. I also plan to revisit and improve some aspects of the game that I initially brushed aside. Ultimately, my goal is to continue developing it with the aim of eventually releasing it as a full indie game.
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