NCORE News

[p]Creating game locations is a complex process that combines level design, level art, and narrative design tools, where every step influences the player’s final impression. Here, we’ll break down how developers gradually transform ideas into dynamic levels.[/p][p][/p][h2]How developers form a general approach to creating locations[/h2][p]Location development begins with shaping a common approach that lays the foundation for the game’s core gameplay. When our team set out to make every game session unique, the concept of hexes was born — hexagonal modules which change their arrangement during the match. This forces players to constantly face new tactical challenges.[/p][p]The hex system was divided into three types:[/p]

• [p]Generic hexes — simple locations built from ready-made elements;[/p]
• [p]Iconic hexes — locations with unique, memorable objects that require meticulous work;[/p]
• [p]Boss hexes — arenas where the level adapts to a boss’s behavior.[/p]

[p]By gameplay function, hexes fall into two categories:[/p]

• [p]Loot and coin collection hexes. These are hexes where players go for resources. Loot containers are scattered around, often guarded by AI enemies protecting valuable trophies. Such hexes are usually PvE zones: players fight enemies, earn rewards in the form of weapons, armor, gadgets, and, of course, coins that help secure victory. Separate from them are boss arenas. Here there are no regular enemies — only one, but very powerful boss. Defeating it is harder, but the reward is far greater. Such hexes are designed specifically for boss battles, taking into account the boss’s mechanics and abilities.[/p]
• [p]Coin deposit hexes. The main task for gladiators is to collect as many coins as possible and deliver them to a special zone. Gathering coins is only half the battle — keeping them is the real challenge. Coin deposit hexes look the same as loot hexes, but instead of loot containers they have coin collectors — zones where players turn in their haul. This, however, makes them deadly traps. Teams set up ambushes, steal coins from each other, and PvP here is far more dangerous than any AI enemy.[/p]

[p]Taking into account different tactical possibilities, not only boss hexes but also regular ones are designed in variations:[/p]

• [p]Open hexes: minimal cover, simple navigation, ideal for long-range combat.[/p]
• [p]Complex hexes: multi-level structures with narrow passages, perfect for close-quarters combat.[/p]
• [p]Mixed hexes: combining both types, allowing different playstyles to be mixed.[/p]

[p]Once the systemic approach to location design and the basic game loop are established, developers move on to level design.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][p]Share your thoughts about this article! In part 2, we’ll touch upon the level design from a 2D flat plan to a blockout ready to be passed to the art team.[/p]

[p]Hi![/p][p]We’ve already shared some of the process behind creating the foundation for a game, its setting. Now, let’s dive into a more eye-catching part of the creative process.[/p][h2]The Visuals[/h2][p]It's hard to overstate the importance of visual style in games because 90% of the information about the world is perceived visually. If the image doesn't grab attention immediately, few will be willing to give the game a chance and explore locations that don't appeal at first glance.[/p][p]Let's break down what visual style is, what it encompasses, and how to choose the perfect one for your project.[/p][p]A game's visual style is the combination of artistic decisions and graphic design that define how the project looks and is perceived by players. This style encompasses all external elements such as character design, environments, colors, textures, lighting and animations. The visuals directly influence the atmosphere of the game, helping to convey its theme, genre and uniqueness.[/p][p]Key elements of a game's visual style:[/p]

• [p]Graphics and textures – the quality and style of visuals (pixel art, realism, lo-fi, etc.).[/p]
• [p]Color palette – the selection of colors used to create an emotional tone or aesthetic.[/p]
• [p]Character and environment design – how heroes, enemies, buildings, nature, and objects are depicted.[/p]
• [p]Animation – the movement of characters, objects, and environmental elements (realistic, stylized, or exaggerated).[/p]
• [p]Lighting and shadows – the use of light to create atmosphere and depth.[/p]
• [p]Interface – visual elements for player interaction (menus, icons, health bars, etc.).[/p]

[p]There are many visual styles from realism to pixel art — how to choose the right one for your project?[/p][h2]The vote goes to realism[/h2][p]For NCORE, the team conducted extensive research across different regions, asking players about what they liked and disliked in shooters, as well as their preferred settings and visuals. Over 70% of respondents said they enjoyed shooters with realistic graphics.[/p][p]The developers also considered stylized realism, which allows for less emphasis on depth and photorealism. However, according to the research, only 40-50% of players favored this style. Additionally, the team had more experience with realism, making the choice doubly justified.[/p][p][/p][p]Realism in video games is a visual style that strives to accurately recreate the appearance of the real world, including people, creatures, objects, and environments. It relies on detailed textures, complex lighting effects, object physics, and lifelike animation, immersing players in a believable setting.[/p][p]Advantages of realism:[/p]

1. [p]Deep immersion
   Realistic graphics allow players to fully immerse themselves in the game world, making it feel tangible and authentic. This strengthens emotional engagement and connection to the story.[/p]
2. [p]Sense of presence
   Visual realism makes players feel like they're inside the game. Open-world titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 or The Last of Us Part II use detailed landscapes to create a convincing sense of place. In NCORE, levels are designed with unique landscapes to maximize immersion, even though they serve as combat arenas.[/p]
3. [p]Stunning visual effects
   Modern technologies like ray tracing, dynamic lighting, and weather effects make realistic visuals incredibly impressive. Sunsets, rain, and water reflections are rendered with precision, enhancing the experience.[/p]
4. [p]Mass appeal
   Realistic graphics attract a broader audience, as many players prefer familiar and easily understandable visuals. Shooters like Call of Duty and sports sims like FIFA use realism to appeal to mainstream gamers.[/p]
5. [p]Ideal for serious narratives
   Realism suits games with dark, dramatic, or socially relevant themes. Titles like The Witcher or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare benefit from this approach to evoke strong emotional responses.[/p]

[p][/p][p]If we were to compare NCORE to modern games, it’s closest to a mix of Apex Legends and The Finals. However, NCORE’s battles take place on dynamic arenas called Hexes, a feature that currently has no direct competitors.[/p][p]The arenas are stages, much like in The Hunger Games, where new sets are designed for each round. They look highly realistic, with occasional deliberate inconsistencies (like a combine harvester in a medieval zone) to remind players they’re in a constructed spectacle, not a historical battlefield.[/p][p][/p][p]Moving from concept art to in-game assets is far more complex than just drawing an image and getting approval. [/p][h2]Here’s how the NCORE team approaches it.[/h2][p]First, content is divided into categories: weapons, locations, characters — each has its own pipelines. Let's examine the process using weapons as an example.[/p][p]The concept artist starts with creating a silhouette and basic form (massing) in 2D based on the assignment. They propose several options, and at this stage the creative team selects the one closest to their vision. After refinements, the approved silhouette returns to the concept artist who adds volume in 3D.[/p][p]When the 3D model appears, they check how the weapon will look in frame, then select a color scheme. At the 3D volume creation stage, weapon and animation teams join in to make decisions collectively.[/p][p]The concept goes into production after final approval: first to weapon artists for detailed model refinement, then to animators and further down the production chain.[/p][p]Typically, it takes 1.5-2 months to get from initial concepts to having a weapon ready for implementation.[/p][p]The pipeline for character development is similar, but here the first stage is image exploration: about 10 silhouettes and forms are created, from which 1-2 options are selected for further refinement.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p]Did you learn something new? Tell us if you also enjoy realism in games, or do you prefer something more stylized?[/p][p]Next, we’ll share the process of making the locations for NCORE so stay tuned![/p]

[p]Hi![/p][p]We’re excited to see you here on Steam, it’s an important milestone in NCORE’s journey. A long way is still ahead but let’s take a look back and see the hard work that’s already been done. And we’ll start by looking at…[/p][p][/p][h2]The Setting[/h2][p]Setting is the foundation that immerses players in the era and atmosphere of a game’s world. Nowadays even the simplest games have well-thought-out worlds, which means large-scale projects must approach this aspect of development with extra care.[/p][p]Understanding where and by what rules the game’s events unfold is important not only for players but also for developers. When the world’s state is clear — its characters, their interactions, creatures inhabiting locations, gravity, fashion, and colors — it becomes easier to create a cohesive universe. The more details are defined, the easier it is for the team to work within the same paradigm.[/p][p]When creating NCORE’s setting, we drew inspiration from films like Blade Runner, The Running Man, Escape from New York, the novel Tunnel Under the World, and The Hunger Games series. However, these sources were deemed too brutal and dark — the team needed to shift the focus slightly. Thus, we adapted elements of the setting to better suit the 16+ age rating and appeal to a broader audience.[/p][p]What makes NCORE unique is that it incorporates multiple settings at once, allowing instant travel between different worlds. For example, after finishing a battle in the swamps of a medieval village, a player can find themselves in a luxurious castle complex at the end of World War I just four seconds later, then suddenly move to the streets of a post-apocalyptic American town overrun by zombies — all within a single match.[/p][p][/p][p]This approach not only adds dynamics and variety to gameplay but also enhances the overall experience, letting players explore different eras and styles in one adventure. They have to constantly adapt to survive, as the mechanics of each hex differ drastically. In the medieval setting, combat revolves around melee clashes with knights, while the WWI-themed zone forces players to face riflemen and flamethrower troops.[/p][hr][/hr][p]When starting development, our team thought a lot about possible themes for the hexes. At first, there were many suggestions and ideas about the distant past like Ancient Egypt, but after carefully analyzing these options, we concluded that despite completely different visuals, the combat mechanics in all locations would turn out rather monotonous. Therefore, for the game's launch, we chose settings that were as distant from each other as possible, allowing for more unique experiences.[/p][p]At launch, the game will have three hex themes: medieval times, World War I, and a zombie apocalypse in conditionally modern America. In the future, we plan to add locations with other themes. We already have plenty of ideas, but players can also influence the team's choice by suggesting their own options.[/p][p][/p][p]How to convey the setting? The most obvious method is in-game texts, but let’s be honest — long lore dumps in an action shooter won’t engage everyone. The delivery has to match the game’s pace, so NCORE opts for simpler, more dynamic methods.[/p][p]Therefore, the developers are constantly searching for ideas on how to introduce players to the game world. In projects of different genres, this can be done through: character dialogues hinting at key events, cutscenes and trailers, letters, audio and video recordings, environmental storytelling, as well as articles about the world on official channels. Obviously, not all gamers are interested in deep-diving into the lore, but those who do will appreciate the well-developed setting, find Easter eggs and references, and gladly share them with the community.[/p][p][/p][p]We chose not to overwhelm players with lore at the start of the game but to deliver information in portions. The first details about the world will come through character backstories, revealing their experiences and goals while subtly explaining how Earth reached its current state. So far, it's known that the action takes place in a distant future on Earth where world wars have ceased, and all conflicts, whether disputes between corporations or enmity between states, are resolved in the arena.[/p][p]Gladiators selected for the show unite into teams and begin their path to victory. The key to success isn't clearing the arena of enemies but collecting and depositing tokens. Players choose their strategy: stealthily gathering tokens or ambushing rivals at drop-off points.[/p][p][/p][p]Random hexes spawn bosses guarding rare loot. Defeating them requires mastering mechanics learned in regular battles — for example, the witch boss can only be killed using tactics from medieval-themed zones, while other bosses demand different approaches. Each setting will feature its unique boss, with more to come as new themes are added.[/p][p]We believe that seamlessly interconnected worlds with instant transitions will captivate players. We eagerly await feedback to see if our vision resonates with you![/p][hr][/hr][p]Have you got an idea for a cool setting? Comment under this publication and let us know![/p]

[p]Gladiators![/p][p]
We’re happy to share something important – NCORE is now available on Steam! Our next step is going to be a big alpha-test this autumn! We’ll provide all the details about it soon.[/p][p]
Right now you can help us out by promoting the game on the platform. To do so:[/p]

1. [p]Open NCORE’s store page on Steam and wishlist the game.[/p]
2. [p]Under the game’s short description (in the top right) you’ll see a tag block. Press "+" and add tags you think fit the game most. For example, "free game", "shooter", "action", etc.[/p]
3. [p]You can also share the tags you’ve chosen in the comments to this publication.[/p]

[p]
It’ll only take a few moments and would be of great help to the game’s growth. [/p][hr][/hr][p]Don’t miss out on the updates and follow us on our website and social media. Soon, we’ll tell you more about all the new and upgraded features waiting for you in the latest version of NCORE.[/p][p]
In the meanwhile, check out our new trailer![/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][hr][/hr][p]Discord Twitter/X[/p]