Funding

Lets Create The Sequel to Steampunks Vs Skeletons!

The original Steampunk project, codename RX (as in medical) was a very ambitious project that contained not only the core code of Steampunks Vs Skeletons, but also my work in Robotics and Simulation. This allowed several Sophisticated and Fun elements to the game, that in the first release had to be abandoned due to time and financial constraints – I really got down to my last £400 quid before I had finished R1 and had to beg for help!

However, now that things are stabilized somewhat, I would like to complete the mission to provide the original and professional commercial project, that will be a self sustaining paid product

Steampunks R2 Game Specifications

Overview

Several new user selectable steampunk characters to play in game
Non-Player characters to make simple trades with to unlock game progress
Steampunk Machines to interact with for game progress, ie mech arm to remove scene blockages
Machines or Engines will require maintenace items to be found before they are available, ie Oil, Gears, Capacitors
New and authentic Steampunk themed villians (while improving the Skeletons and Spirits)
More authentic Steampunk collectables / access items (rather than colored keys)
Levels themed to popular worldwide Steampunk communities, ie London, Paris, Berlin, New Zealand, Japan, USA, Italy etc… and include famous regional landmarks and stylization
Proper storyline for level incrementation…explain why there is lava in the powerstation!
Difficulty levels, including having “bounce” on collectables to make them harder to collect – (was very fun!)
Implement fast travel vehicles, such as steam trains, where player moves alongside vehicle in capture mode
Maintain simple, accessable, immediate and fun gameplay for all ages while adding game interest
Enhanced character motion and automatic level scanning, smarter pathfinding for enemies
Remove Screen Menus, and have a simple interactive environment for user to select options

Most of this is already prototyped or designed, or exists in other demos / projects I have made, but had to be cut from the first Release due to testing, funding and time restrictions.

Specific Implementations

Programming Tasks

Decouple Z axis from XY axis so jumping can be performed anywhere in gridspace
Subdivide Z axis so that walking up/down steps is possible as well as jumping up a grid
Extra ray scans so terrain can be more complex and jumping can be enhanced / prevented
Implement a test level for every single obstacle for easier debugging, and tutorial
Seperate Activators From Obstacles, and have Activators register intent through global controller queue
Seperate Obstacle Volumes from Obstacles so tracking availability is more flexible upon occupation by a player, enemy or NPC
Add queue to Obstacles so that commands can be chained
Decouple fixed particle emitters from obstacles and implement dynamic array (or attach directly to Activator)
Ensure Obstacle particle & Sound FX is properly triggered on confirmed activation (remove false FX activations from overlap)
Add secondary animations to bridges, lifts etc, showing moving gears and pullys etc

Enhanced Tutorials / Play Dynamics

Option for trigger collectables to pause game and display instructions
Option for 1st collection to display instructions as above
Maintain a log of collections for recall by player during tutorial for reminder of function
This can also be used in Play mode to remind players of quests

Enhanced Weapons & Defence

Implement proper Mask Upgrades, by changing mask 3D models to requirement, ie diving mask
Implement new fun weapons, Heart Gun, Steam Blower, Butterfly swarm for specific enemies
Implement Defensive Shields more appropriately

Enhanced Enemies

Explain the role of the Snowman villian and produce the mechanized snowman 3D model
Authentic Steampunk villians, suitable for the areas they occupy, ie Mad Scientist in Chemistry Lab
Implement annoyance enemies, such as rats / virus to roam mindlessly sucking energy on contact but cannot be respawned
Implement proper spawn areas for enemies that cannot be accessed by players
Use limited or modifiable AStar pathfinder for better enemy tracking around play area

Things to Research

DLSS/FSR for better framerates / quality
Store integration and progress experience points for vendors
DLC
Chaos deformations to play environment
New features in Unreal Engine, ie Megalights
Obstacle explosions should leave mesh in game in arbitrary new position to provide real blockages / new play access
Find out how to improve performance of Screen overlays (Mask) or implement transparent polygon solution
Save state of play for later recall rather than start again, or implement checkpoint system

What I Need to Implement This and Produce the

Programming Integration & Testing
3D Models / Animations
Level Design & Playtesting
Projected Time to Completion – ~2 Years

Fortunately I developed a very solid and thoughtful backend software architecture, where ideas and modifications can be implemented rapidly. Using a Datatable Composition Class, I can easily attach it to every Actor/Element/Obstacle in the world, and program behaviors / parameters from a spreadsheet, so there is little hardcoded “Magic Numbers” in the actual C++, and testing parameters does not need a recompile every time. I can even assemble Machines and Structures from this method AND have all their behaviors and animations encoded in the spreadsheet!

This is why the program took so long, LOL!

Im happy to live a very simple life for the next ~2+ years to make this a reality.

I am very efficient and productive, and never give up. I have most of the necessary equipment / tools / PC already.

I dont have time to learn Blender, so I will need to Subscribe to Cinema 4D for a year for better and faster features, to produce higher quality models and animations. (R25 was really a pig on these high resolution models and wasted a lot of time)
Otherwise, as I have no debt, dependents or major expenses, its just basic living costs for the couple of years it will take.