Ludi Romani Theme Park
Important note:
This page is about one of projects I have done from a game development module dedicated to learning about game level design.
The project I'll be talking about is specifically the 2nd assignment within the module, also known as Level 2.
In this assignment, I am tasked to take an existing level from another student, and provide environmental storytelling based on the theme arrangement assigned to me by the lecturer.
Game Engine: Unreal Engine 4
Project duration: 3 weeks
Solo project
Play The Level
Available to download on itch.io
Feel free to provide any feedback in the comment sections of the itch.io page. Any feedback for improvements is appreciated
Design Process
The theme arrangements given to me are based on timeline, location and event.
My arrangements are:
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0 - 1499 CE
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Theme Park
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Celebration
My challenge is to apply all 3 of these arrangements into an existing level from another student, essentially creating a mise en scène.
The existing level is a platformer designed in a way where it would be frustrating to completely, containing unconventional traps and misleading messages and platform designs.
Concepting & Preproduction
One of my biggest challenge of this assignment is trying to come up with a narrative that can fit all 3 of the given arrangements. This was particularly tough as theme parks technically didn't exist in the timeline of my arrangement, this means that I have to find a logical balance where although historically inaccurate, it is still believable enough for the player to accept a theme park to exist in that era.
After taking a few days to brain storm, I eventually came to an idea of utilizing a well known celebration event that was done by the ancient romans.
Ludi Romani, also known as the Roman Games is a religious festival that is held annually in honor of the roman god Jupiter Optimus Maximus. The festival consists of many entertainment games such as chariot races, gladiatorial combat, athletic contests and also theatrical performances.
Taking the the term "games" as an advantage, I developed a narrative where the ancient Romans decided to try out something new - a theme park of their own design. The theme park is set within Circus Maximus, repurposed and renovated from the use of chariot races. Instead, it is now featured with several entertainment games such as archery and javelin throws, and with the platformer serving as the "main attraction" in this pseudo theme park.
Picture of a roman archer
image taken from archeryhistorian.com
Pilum, a javelin commonly use by the romans
image taken from archeryhistorian.com
Production
Once the concept was finalized, the implementation phase was very straight forward. I used several assets such as archery target and spears that can be found from asset stores such as Sketchfab and TurboSquid.
I also used some of the materials provided in the Unreal Engine starter content which included different kinds of stone textures for me to build my Circus Maximus. This allowed me to not waste time looking for suitable textures online, contributing most of the effort into mise en scène.
Spear asset from TurboSquid
Archery Target asset from Fab
Gameplay Visuals
