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May → September (Foundation)

Unreal Engine 5 | 2 Blank Corners | 10 Minute Playthrough

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Last Log

18 - 24 May

• [ ] create modular assets (blockout) for level design
• [ ] develop blockout using modular assets
• [ ] concept art: key location paintover

Blockout → Sketch → Modular Assets → Paintover (for final concept art showreel)

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Key Notes: Visual Style → keeps concept unique, should prototype early for proof of concept in September show

Notes

• shader/texture style: paintbrush, handpainted → storybook watercolours, animated jitter on outlines

Reminders

Record a 2-minute screen capture at the end of each phase or big task. Upload to Play-by-Play

Use Freesound, Zapsplat for alpha.

Concept Art!

Phases

Phase 1 | May

Foundations & Proof of Feel

Project Setup

• [ ] Set up version control
• [x] Establish folder structure
• [ ] Reference board (Milanote, PureRef)

Visual Language Test

• [ ] Block out 1 Blank Corner (one small outdoor space, 3-4 props)
• [ ] Grayscale/Outline shader on static meshes ie. “comic-book memory”
• [ ] Define colour palette for restored vs blank states of the BCs
• [ ] Midpoly art style test: model one prop at target poly count

Core Movement Prototype

• [ ] Implement basic third-person controller (WASD + camera)
• [ ] Prototype fatigue walk mechanic - stamina bar, rest trigger on large objects
• [ ] Test emotional feel; is the restricted movement frustrating or poignant? Adjust timing accordingly

Design Documents

• [ ] Write one-page scope doc: what’s in the demo, what’s cut
• [ ] Sketch town layout on paper - mounntain start, two blank corners, ending
• [ ] List all 5 shapes and their associated memory/location/puzzle type
• [ ] Define what “one” means for September handoff

End of May: Playable proof-of-concept: 1 Blank Corner, walk mechanic and a believable visual style

Phase 2 | June

Core Systems & World Shell

Shape Sorter mechanic

• [ ] Build Shape Sorter as a diegetic UI object: open, insert, animate
• [ ] Implement shape tracking: 5 slots with 2 interactables. Persistent state across level
• [ ] Hook shape discovery to Blank Corner completion events
• [ ] Test the feel of receiving a shape; is it satisfying without being too “gamey”?

Blank Corner mechanic

• [ ] Build the colour restoration system: graycscale → colour shader transition
• [ ] Implement low-gravity zone trigger when entering a Blank Corner
• [ ] Gravity normalises as colour returns, link gravity value to restoration progress
• [ ] Build one complete Blank Corner: interact objects → colour restores → shape appears

Town Greybox

• [ ] Block out the entire town through graybox; every street, building footprint, elevation change
• [ ] Place all 5 Blank Corner locations and walk the path start to finish
• [ ] Block all intended debris obstructions and unlockable passage points
• [ ] Implement mountain starting area and guided descent (audio/visual breadcrumbs)

Interaction Framework

• [ ] Build a reusable interactable component: hover highlight, prompt, callback
• [ ] Implement single-item carry system (no inventory, one object at a time): warning, error
• [ ] Prototype one puzzle per category: block stack, shape fit, keypad (LeapFrog) entry
• [ ] Contextual menu (diegetic book): open, display placeholder narrative text

End of June: Greybox walkthrough, 2 Blank Corner locations, Shape Sorter functional and complete puzzle working end-to-end

Phase 3 | July

Art Pass & Environment

Environment Art

• [ ] model & texture BC spaces
• [ ] modular prop library - furniture, signage, toys, coastal objects
• [ ] set dressing
• [ ] mountain start area

BC Visual Polish

• [ ] BC shader: chrom. abberation, colour bleed on ends
• [ ] colour-return transition to feel like memory surfacing (diegetic)
• [ ] visual portfolio: ref, process and recorded tests

Lighting & Atmos

Phase 4 | August

Phase 5 | September

Proof of Concept Timeline