Chamber 1

Fortunately, chamber one has stayed the same for the most part in the layout; however, Felix has added numerous new decorations to the chamber to improve the look and quality of the room, carefully placing assets in a way that players can use them to understand where they are in space when becoming used to the climbing mechanic as it is first introduced in this room. 

The ‘ditch’ obstacle, which players reach after crossing over the log, has been smoothed out, so the sharpness of the camera movement is smoother and less disorienting.

Chamber 2

As we play tested chamber two, we found some minor issues which we would like to patch to improve the smoothness and look of the chamber, so Jennifer has taken to learning blender to recreate the room as an FBX file and has taken the opportunity also to expand the width and depth of the chamber to provide more space for combat, opening more angles and making it more engaging to run around in. This also means that the platforms and climbable objects will feel smoother and have fewer issues, and when it is time, Felix and Daniel, along with other artists, can help decorate and do the set dressing for the chamber with Jennifer. In preparation, Felix has also begun creating environmental assets to implement, and here is a hint of what’s in store!

Chamber 3

Chamber three has undergone some major changes with the layout, as the previous design did not utilise the mushroom platforms and climbing mechanics to the fullest potential, and so Zach and Jack have redesigned the level to include a winding path with pickups for the player hidden above the platforms, so the player is encouraged to explore the room and use the climbing mechanic. Here are some images of the concept art for the chamber below:

(Above, left to right: the first and second revisions of the redesigned chamber 3)

Jack has also remade some mushroom assets with a spindlier look, which will help blend into the theme when it is time to complete set dressing on the level. Below is a photo of the new mushrooms:

Chamber 4

Chamber four has undergone some minor adjustments, where Lachlan W has collaborated with Aaron in adding and replacing environmental assets, for example, these large glowing ‘Extractors’ that process the crystals in the chamber have replaced the two major crystals seen previously in older revisions of the chamber! They are living machines and process the crystals for the fire ants to use in the construction of weaponry and may have other mysterious uses…

(Above, left to right: Extractor in modelling software, and Extractor in engine with the enemy soldier and worker for scale)

(Aaron’s concept art that reimagines/builds upon chamber 4)

Chamber 5

Chamber five, also known as the final chamber, has undergone a complete rework in terms of the shape and layout initially presented, and James has now worked on a design that consists of a large, dome-like dirt structure with a large floor for combat. This also gives artists lots of room for set dressing when we reach the next stage of the final chamber.

Models and Animations

(Soldier and worker ants, left and right image respectively - made by Aaron)

Below are the new models and animations that have been implemented/are to be implemented

(Weapons animations)

(Blending of different running animations)

AI

Ben has also worked on updating and improving the enemy AI by discussing with designers about the different possibilities of group behaviours between the two enemies of the game. It was decided after these discussions that the commanding nature of soldier ants was to be extended, where worker ants now closely follow the soldiers and swarm the player in groups. The goal of these behaviours was to make the gameplay much more interesting for the player, giving them two separate enemy groups to focus on - the small rush groups and the soldier ants and their defenders.

Navmesh for the chambers in Ant assault has been implemented in multiple chambers already, exercising our abilities and helping the team perform educated guesses of how much time and energy is needed for implementing it, and fortunately falls well under the scope. Although some chambers are currently being redesigned, they are also taking the navmesh abilities into account and designing around its limits, so when it is time to implement the navmesh, it fits easily and has no issues with AI traversing chambers. Ben, Lachlan W, and Zach have all taken the time to learn and understand linking together navmeshes on objects and now can help use this skill to collaborate with other designers working on chambers. Navmesh has also been implemented in chambers one and four (except in chamber 1, navmesh isn't necessary as there will be no enemies) 

(Above images of the navmesh elements - the links and the navmeshes itself)

We have already begun preparing for the second cycle of testing, which I (Thomas) have written and formulated for even newer content, and we will hope to see you there when it is ready for the next step of Ant Assault!