AR Sandbox Game (Untitled)
This article is all about a 3D multiplayer video game I am currently working on. I started working on this project in the summer of 2017 and I have continued to work on it on and off. My sister, Brogan, hand-painted all of the in-game textures and I've done the design, programming, and 3D modeling. In it's current state, this game has basic 4-directional melee combat mechanics and LAN multiplayer functionality. I'm currently working on adding additional combat mechanics, player animations, online multiplayer, and integrating an augmented reality sandbox.
This game is being developed with BabylonJS, Node.js, and Blender. BabylonJS is the game engine, Node.js the web-server, and Blender is being used for 3D modeling.
This game is currently played as a free for all with a focus on melee combat. The vast majority of online competitive video games are shooters. I've been frustrated with studios continuously pumping out these gun-play focused games. Melee combat is prevalent in most games, but when a ranged weapon is available it trumps melee alternatives. I've been fond of Mount and Blade, Chivalry, and For Honor, but these innovative and well executed melee focused games are few in number. Seeing this void in the genre I decided to contribute my own creativity.
I've based this game's melee combat off of Mount and Blade's 4-way attacking and blocking system. At this point I've been able to replicate that system. I now plan to add depth to that system using inspiration from Dark Messiah of Might & Magic and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
I just finished building an augmented reality sandbox that I plan on integrating into this game. Think of the Hunger Games scenes where the government officials are controlling the play-field using a holographic map. "Sandbox operators" will be able to modify the terrain of the battlefield, track player locations, place 3D printed markers to spawn hostile enemies, etc. I'm using the Tangible Landscape project for this functionality.
This is awesome!