SYNCED: Off Planet
- TPS, Unreal Engine 4
- Developed by NExT Studios, SYNCED is a co-op looter shooter where players will fight alongside their tamed Nano.
- 01Developed multiple boss fights for PvE, including the final boss for Season 1 and the Season 2 update.
- 02Designed the Rift system, a core feature in the main PvE level.
- 03Created the VR Training level, focused on onboarding and player skill-building.
Boss Design
Lambent Mind Boss Fight Walkthrough
Boss Design Approach:
- Boss attacks are designed around the core combat system (firearms, AI companions, nano leap).
- Bosses are able to close distances and switch targets very fast, encouraging player to do strategic movement and positioning
- Bosses' vulnerable parts create opportunities for players to combine puzzle-solving with combat skills, rewarding precision and timing.
Key Boss Design - Lambent Mind (Final Boss, Season 1):
Phase 1:
- Two bosses--one specializes in close-range combat, the other in long-range attacks.
- Cooperative mechanics: heal each other or coordinating attacks.
Phase 2:
- The two bosses merge into a single, larger entity with enhanced speed and strength.
- Combined attack patterns from both earlier forms create a more comprehensive challenge.
Other Bosses I Designed
Rift System
Rift Gameplay
Rift Chaser Story Trailer
The Rift system launched with SYNCED on September 8, 2023.
Experience Goal:
- To enrich PvE gameplay by offering controlled, sub-level challenges beyond the standard open-world combat in the Dead Sector.
Core Game Flow
Dynamic Rifts:
- Each Rift introduces randomized mechanics to keep gameplay fresh and engaging.
- Players collect narrative fragments within Rifts to uncover the origins of Nano creatures.
- Randomized Rift placement and completion order provide unique story interpretations for each player.
VR Training
I conceptualized and refined the VR Training levels, a space where players can test their loadouts and tackle a variety of challenges.
Core functions:
1. Onboarding: It acquaints players with nanos, perks, and the game's weaponry. To support this, I incorporated a concise tutorial ensuring players maximize their VR Training experience.
2. Loadout Testing: Players can evaluate their chosen combinations of perks and weapons using test dummies. The VR Training also offers a glimpse into weapons and perks they haven't unlocked yet, allowing for experimentation.
3. Skill Challenges: The level includes an array of tasks, ranging from mobility tests to combat scenarios. To foster competitiveness, each challenge is accompanied by a leaderboard, enabling players to measure their prowess against others.