Lost Twins 2 News

Welcome back, gamers!

Today, we’re thrilled to reveal an exciting feature of our game: the level selection HUB, specifically focusing on the Frozen Castle. This area serves not only as a portal to different levels but also as a narrative device, slowly unraveling the story as you progress. Let's dive into the intricacies of the Frozen Castle HUB, exploring its dual states of destruction and restoration, and how it enhances the player experience.

Concept and Design:

The Frozen Castle HUB is one of the game's 3 unique level selection areas. Each zone in our game features a distinct HUB, meticulously crafted to reflect the environment and story arc of its respective zone. The Frozen Castle is a prime example of our dedication to creating immersive and engaging spaces for players to explore.

The Frozen Castle HUB exists in two primary states: destroyed and restored. This dynamic transformation is not just a visual change but a narrative one, giving players a deeper connection to the world they are exploring.

Destroyed State:
The castle is engulfed in ice, with shattered walls, broken statues, and a cold atmosphere. Snowflakes drift through the air, and the ground is covered in ice combined with sounds of wind, the distant echoes of falling debris, creating a sense of abandonment and desolation.
In this state, players encounter remnants of a tragic past. Frozen statues and debris hint at a sudden calamity.



Restored State:
As the players solve the puzzles, the castle returns to its former glory, with warm lighting, restored architecture, and vibrant banners fluttering in the breeze. The ice melts away, revealing intricate stonework. Music becomes more uplifting, reflecting the sense of hope and renewal.



Level Selection

Navigating the Frozen Castle HUB is a unique experience tailored to enhance the game’s narrative delivery. Players unlock levels by interacting with elements in the HUB that change depending on the level completion.

The transition between the destroyed and restored states is not just a cosmetic change but a crucial part of the game's storytelling. As players complete levels and progress through the game, their actions directly influence the state of the Frozen Castle. This mechanic ensures that the HUB is not a static backdrop but an evolving environment that reacts to the player’s journey.

The Frozen Castle HUB is more than just a level selection area; it’s a living, breathing part of the game’s world that evolves with the player's journey. By intertwining the HUB’s dual states of destruction and restoration with the narrative, we aim to create an immersive experience that draws players deeper into the story and encourages them to explore every corner of our game.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to develop and refine this unique aspect of our game.

Best wishes,
Playdew team

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1752540/Lost_Twins_II/

Hi,

Welcome to our latest devlog, where we immerse ourselves in the captivating world of water mechanics. Water, with its inherent fluidity and allure, serves as the focal point of our endeavors, driving us to create puzzles that not only challenge the mind but also evoke a sense of wonder and fascination.

In our game, we aim to harness the fascination surrounding water by integrating dynamic water mechanics into our puzzles, elevating the gameplay experience to new heights.

Within each puzzle, water can be dynamically moved from one point to another, offering players the ability to manipulate their environment. Realistic Element Interaction: Elements submerged in the water behave authentically, buoyantly floating as they would in reality, adding depth and immersion to gameplay. Players will encounter puzzles that require strategic manipulation of water levels, involving tasks such as filling and emptying water tanks to progress.

Visual Presentation:

In terms of visual presentation, our goal is to deliver a stylized water effect that not only looks stunning but also enhances gameplay functionality. Our dedicated art director has crafted an impressive water shader using the Amplify Shader Editor. This shader incorporates visually captivating features such as refraction, dynamic wavy movements, and foam simulation on the water's surface, all contributing to a rich and immersive visual experience.

Physics Integration:

The seamless integration of water physics into the game environment requires the expertise of our talented development team. Through Unity's inspector, we enable the movement of water from its current position to a desired point, allowing for fluid interaction within the game world.

Elements within the water's bounds react realistically, enabling players to freely manipulate and interact with them as they navigate through puzzles. Our designers have crafted intricate water-based puzzles, such as aligning water pipes to facilitate the flow of water between tanks, adding depth and complexity to gameplay challenges. Utilizing precise positioning and scaling techniques, we've implemented mechanics to fill and empty water tanks. By adjusting the water's visual pivot and utilizing the Move Towards function, players can witness seamless transitions as tanks are filled or emptied.

While our current implementation showcases the foundational aspects of our water mechanics, we're continuously working on refining and expanding these features. The development of the water flowing mechanism is still ongoing, and we're committed to delivering an experience that exceeds player expectations.

For a glimpse into our current progress, we invite you to watch the video showcasing our water mechanics in action.

[previewyoutube] [Insert Video Link Here]
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Stay tuned for further updates as we continue to push the boundaries of gameplay innovation.

Best regards,
Playdew Team

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1752540/Lost_Twins_II/

Hi gamers!

Welcome to another devlog as we share our creative journey. Today, we will be focusing on the character expressions for our beloved character, Ben. Within our project, each smile, every frown, and every subtle nuance contributes to enhancing the storytelling journey. From the initial spark of inspiration to the final flourish of the digital brush, join us as we explore the intricate process of breathing life into our character.

We wanted to breathe life into our characters with a wide array of emotions. To achieve this, we deliberately exaggerated their expressions, allowing them to convey feelings in a visually compelling manner. We aimed for the character to evoke a spectrum of emotions, adding depth and charm. Our goal was to infuse them with childlike innocence, making them irresistibly endearing.

Keyframes for Animation:

To ensure seamless storytelling, we meticulously designed keyframes for every action. Each movement demanded a corresponding expression that not only conveyed the action but also amplified its appeal. From joyous leaps to timid hesitations, every emotion was meticulously crafted to enhance the narrative.

Tools and Techniques:

Harnessing the versatility of digital art, we utilized the Procreate app on iPad to bring our characters to life. The intuitive interface and robust features empowered us to explore a myriad of expressions seamlessly, breathing life into our creations with ease.

Here’s what our character expression sheet looks like



Stay tuned for more adventures and insights as we continue to bring our characters to life with every stroke of the digital brush. Until next time!

Best regards,
Playdew Team

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1752540/Lost_Twins_II/

Hi guys!

Welcome to the behind-the-scenes journey of crafting captivating video shots for our game's content. In this devlog, we invite you to delve into the intricate process of transforming ideas into visually stunning representations that capture the essence of our game. From storyboard development to meticulous modeling and texture crafting, each step plays a crucial role in shaping the immersive world we're building. Join us as we unravel the creative journey behind the scenes, showcasing the passion and dedication poured into every detail to bring our vision to life.

Here's how we brought our game shots to life.

Lockout Storyboard Development:
We started with crafting a comprehensive lockout storyboard consisting of the shots that lay the foundation for the visual narrative of the game. Concurrently, we curated relevant references to shape the architectural style guide, ensuring consistency and authenticity in our design approach.

Concept Art and 3D Blockout:
Building upon the storyboard, we translated the concepts into basic yet impactful visual representations through concept art for the three distinct blocks. This simplicity harmonized seamlessly with the game's overarching vision. Subsequently, we embarked on the process of blocking out the 3D elements, utilizing Unity as the primary platform due to its seamless integration with our workflow and the specific demands of the game.



Modeling and Texturing:
The foundational modeling phase unfolded within 3ds Max, complemented by texturing endeavors in both Photoshop and Substance. As the blockout and camera tests materialized within Unity, ensuring a visually captivating composition, we delved into detailing the modular kit. Basic models were sculpted in 3ds Max, employing techniques such as Trim Dynamic for edges and Orb brushes for surface cracks.



Low-Poly Modeling and Texture Baking:
Subsequent to the detailing phase, we transitioned to crafting low-poly models and executing texture baking using Substance. Custom smart materials were developed to enhance visual fidelity. The assembly of the modular kit seamlessly transpired within Unity, accompanied by meticulous lighting setups employing spotlights and point lights to cultivate the desired ambiance.

Cloud Aesthetics and Sky Enhancement:
Exploring various methods to capture the essence of cloud aesthetics, we experimented extensively until devising an innovative Alpha plan approach. By painting clouds onto alpha planes and implementing a custom shader for movement, we achieved dynamic and immersive cloudscapes. The speed and wave form adjustments enabled precise control over foreground and background clouds, tailored to each block's camera angle.

Visual Refinement and Color Correction:
To elevate the sky's presence, a custom cube map was meticulously painted in Photoshop, infusing the scene with atmospheric depth. Finally, leveraging Unity’s post-processing tools,we conducted comprehensive color correction, harmonizing the entire scene to deliver a cohesive and captivating visual experience.



Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes insights, where we continue to craft moments that blur the line between reality and imagination. Until then, keep dreaming and animating!

Best regards,
Playdew team

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1752540/Lost_Twins_II/

Hi guys!

Welcome to another devlog where we delve into the animation process for our characters. In this devlog, we're focusing on the step-by-step journey of creating captivating character animations that seamlessly blends realism and creativity.

At the core of our animation prowess lie two extraordinary tools: Spine, our gateway to three-dimensional wizardry and lifelike motion, and After Effects, our secret ingredient that adds an extra layer of enchantment to our visual symphonies.

Our animation process begins by bringing characters to life. We start with simple line art and carefully fill it with vibrant colors. Each part of the character is like a canvas, where we add facial features that express emotions for our audience to connect with. Finally, the finished artwork is divided into sections, all set for the rigging process.

Rigging:

We take our characters off the flat paper and make them 3D using rigging. We use a special tool called Spine for this. In Spine, we use some fancy tricks like bones, skins, and meshes with rules to make things look super real. Imagine our characters having their own muscles and joints! This makes them move just like real people or animals. It's like giving them a special framework that lets them come to life, allowing the character to move realistically.

Keyframing:

Next, we decide on important poses for our characters. These poses are like freeze-frames that show their movements. It's like telling a story with pictures. These special poses help our characters move in a way that looks right and feels good.

In-betweening:

But smooth movement needs some extra help. We add more frames between those special poses to make the motion nice and smooth. It's like adding those little moments when our characters take breaths or move just a tiny bit. This makes their animation look really natural.

Polishing:

Lastly, we pay attention to the small details. We make sure everything looks perfect. We adjust how fast they move, how their arms and legs bend, and even how they slow down or speed up. This step makes sure our character movements look just like real life.



Here’s a short video showing the process:

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes insights, where we continue to craft moments that blur the line between reality and imagination. Until then, keep dreaming and animating!

Best regards,
Playdew team

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1752540/Lost_Twins_II/