Devlog #26 : Designing zoom out view of puzzle
Welcome back! Today, we're diving deep into one of our core gameplay features—the groundbreaking environment shuffling mechanic. In this devlog, we'll give you an inside look at how it works and the intricate design decisions that make it truly unique.
Lost Twins 2's defining feature is the environment shuffling mechanic. We've divided the entire game world into interconnected pieces that can be manipulated in various ways. These pieces can be connected or disconnected from any side—left, right, top, or bottom—when their sides match perfectly. Players have the ability to switch between different zoom levels while playing. In the zoomed-in view, they can perform actions like moving, jumping, climbing, and manipulating objects. However, when faced with an impassable obstacle such as a closed door, players can shift to the zoomed-out view and rearrange the environment pieces to create a path in the zoomed-in view. It's a gameplay mechanic like no other.
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
Grid Complexity:
For most levels in Lost Twins 2, we've opted for a 2x2 grid, featuring three environment pieces and one empty slot for moving pieces around. While we could extend this to a 2x3 grid with five pieces or even a 3x3 grid with eight pieces, the complexity of the game would grow exponentially. Therefore, we've maintained the 2x2 grid for most levels to strike the right balance of challenge and accessibility.
Zoomed-Out View Design:
Creating the look of the zoomed-out view presented its own set of challenges. It needed to be simple, resembling a mini-map, allowing players to grasp the entire level without visual clutter. To achieve this, we've designed simplified icons for characters, interactable puzzle elements, collectibles, and environmental terrain. During zoom transitions, we smoothly shift from a zoomed-in 3D world to 2D icon-based assets while adjusting the camera field of view (FOV) from perspective to orthographic. This transition involved some trigonometric formulas to ensure a seamless shift.
Blending 3D and 2D Worlds:
Blending the 3D and 2D worlds seamlessly was another puzzle to solve. We achieve this by having one world fade out while the other fades in, with both meeting at 50% opacity. This blending process involves the use of alpha textures, strategic placement of black foregrounds, object scaling, and precise object positioning. These elements work together to give players the illusion of a smooth transition between the two worlds.
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
As we conclude this devlog, we hope you've gained a deeper understanding of Lost Twins 2's innovative environment shuffling mechanic. It's a feature that challenges players to think creatively, strategize, and explore in ways they've never experienced before.
What are your thoughts on our environment shuffling mechanic? Let us know in the comments below!
Best regards,
Playdew Team
Lost Twins 2's defining feature is the environment shuffling mechanic. We've divided the entire game world into interconnected pieces that can be manipulated in various ways. These pieces can be connected or disconnected from any side—left, right, top, or bottom—when their sides match perfectly. Players have the ability to switch between different zoom levels while playing. In the zoomed-in view, they can perform actions like moving, jumping, climbing, and manipulating objects. However, when faced with an impassable obstacle such as a closed door, players can shift to the zoomed-out view and rearrange the environment pieces to create a path in the zoomed-in view. It's a gameplay mechanic like no other.
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
Grid Complexity:
For most levels in Lost Twins 2, we've opted for a 2x2 grid, featuring three environment pieces and one empty slot for moving pieces around. While we could extend this to a 2x3 grid with five pieces or even a 3x3 grid with eight pieces, the complexity of the game would grow exponentially. Therefore, we've maintained the 2x2 grid for most levels to strike the right balance of challenge and accessibility.
Zoomed-Out View Design:
Creating the look of the zoomed-out view presented its own set of challenges. It needed to be simple, resembling a mini-map, allowing players to grasp the entire level without visual clutter. To achieve this, we've designed simplified icons for characters, interactable puzzle elements, collectibles, and environmental terrain. During zoom transitions, we smoothly shift from a zoomed-in 3D world to 2D icon-based assets while adjusting the camera field of view (FOV) from perspective to orthographic. This transition involved some trigonometric formulas to ensure a seamless shift.
Blending 3D and 2D Worlds:
Blending the 3D and 2D worlds seamlessly was another puzzle to solve. We achieve this by having one world fade out while the other fades in, with both meeting at 50% opacity. This blending process involves the use of alpha textures, strategic placement of black foregrounds, object scaling, and precise object positioning. These elements work together to give players the illusion of a smooth transition between the two worlds.
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
As we conclude this devlog, we hope you've gained a deeper understanding of Lost Twins 2's innovative environment shuffling mechanic. It's a feature that challenges players to think creatively, strategize, and explore in ways they've never experienced before.
What are your thoughts on our environment shuffling mechanic? Let us know in the comments below!
Best regards,
Playdew Team