Author: Cris

**Devlog #5: Hat’s Off to Steampunk Shenanigans in ‘The Brass Gate’**

Greetings, fellow adventurers and whimsical wanderers! Cris here, your faithful navigator through the intricate labyrinth of cogs, gears, and top hats that is “The Brass Gate.” Today, I bring you tales from our latest escapade, where our beloved protagonist finds themselves on a metallic platform that could make even the most seasoned steampunk aficionados tip their hats in awe.

Picture this: The scene opens on a character clad in the finest steampunk regalia—complete with a top hat that would make Uncle Pennybags blush and a scarf fluttering in the breeze like a flag of ingenuity. Our stalwart adventurer stands poised on a metal platform, surrounded by an orchestra of interlocking gears and mechanical marvels. It’s a sight so splendid, even the most hardened Victorian engineer would cease their monocle polishing to take notice.

Behind them looms a contraption so grand, it resembles the inner workings of a clock designed by an overly ambitious watchmaker with an affinity for Rube Goldberg machines. This is the heart of our game’s industrial setting, a testament to the mechanical age we so gleefully exploit in “The Brass Gate.”

You may recall from our previous gatherings that I have a soft spot for blending nature and machinery—like serving tea with a side of cookies, it’s a combination that just works. Thus, the setting is not purely metallic monotony. No, it’s beautifully juxtaposed against rugged cliffs and lush foliage, offering an adventurous tableau straight from the pages of a Jules Verne novel. Our outdoor scenes are a reminder of why we, as game developers and humans alike, should cherish and preserve the very planet that inspires our creations.

Now, a brief detour into the land of technical wizardry: I’ve been knee-deep in Unreal Engine, crafting these landscapes with the utmost care. It’s astonishing how far technology has come since I was a 20-something lad poking at pixels in the early days of the industry. The engine allows us to paint the grand vistas of our imagination with a finesse that seems almost magical, and yet, it’s grounded in the reality of diligent coding and caffeine-fueled nights.

In my more reflective moments, usually after my fifth cup of chamomile, I think about the journey not just of our character, but of us as developers and players within this shared narrative. We navigate challenges—both virtual and real—striving for moments of triumph. This journey, dear friends, is as much about the experience as it is about the destination. As I often remind my children when they’re bogged down with schoolwork, it’s the curiosity and persistence that count.

So, as we prepare to open “The Brass Gate,” I invite you to don your finest imaginary top hat, grab your virtual scarf, and join us on this whimsical adventure. We promise gears, grandeur, and a few heartwarming surprises along the way. And remember, every setback is just another gear in the grand machine of creativity, turning ever onward. Until next time, keep your spirits high and your teacups full!

Cheerio,
Cris

**Devlog Entry: The Dance of Doorways and Dim Light**

Hello, fellow adventurers and those with an appreciation for perfectly ominous doorways. Cris here, resident game enthusiast and orchestrator of pixelated mysteries, taking a brief detour from sipping my afternoon tea to update you on the progress of our beloved sequel, *The Brass Gate*.

If you remember *Wickie*, you’ll recall its knack for blending the comfortable embrace of a mystery with just a hint of existential dread—a bit like sitting in your favourite armchair, only to realize there’s a cat with malicious intent lurking beneath it. Now, we are weaving that same tapestry of suspense in *The Brass Gate*, and today’s tale is all about the enchanting enigma of doors—specifically, the blue ones.

Our latest screenshot flaunts a pair of these weathered beauties, their rich azure tones sprinkled with stories from lives past. They stand slightly ajar, inviting—or perhaps daring—you to step into the mysterious void beyond. The design, I must admit, is a love letter to my younger days of spelunking through the grand libraries of London, where doors crackled with secrets and an undue amount of polish.

This time, our protagonist, whose hand you see clutching the lighter, is flirting with danger on a whole new level. The lighting of a match should be the simplest of tasks, yet in our world, it echoes with significance, the flame a beacon amidst the thick shadows. You might say it’s akin to the thrill of finding a forgotten biscuit tin in the back of the pantry, only to discover it’s still full.

When designing these doors in Unreal Engine, I had to resist the urge to layer them with retro-style spooky creaks—which was difficult. Instead, we went for a more subtle approach. Our audio designer, James, crafted a soundscape that reflects the whisper of a breeze slipping through the gap, a gentle reminder that sometimes, it’s what you don’t see—or hear—that truly sets the heart racing.

The diamond-patterned windows near the top were inspired by a particularly memorable stained-glass workshop disaster I once attended, where diamonds were the only shape I could convincingly create. What was a minor catastrophe then has become a signature feature now. Funny how life’s missteps find their way back as creative triumphs, isn’t it?

As for the darker aspects of the void, the truth is, in life as in games, we must sometimes step into the unknown. It’s a metaphorical nudge, whispering that perhaps the only way to truly illuminate the path ahead is to strike the match, no matter how precarious it seems.

In other news, my daughter has just learned to program her first loop, a moment as proud as it is frightening. Looping, after all, was what got me into this delightful mess of game development in the first place.

So, there you have it—a glimpse into the magic and mystery behind *The Brass Gate*. Remember, while we craft these adventures for you, don’t forget to venture outside occasionally. Both the real world and ours have their doors to explore—and no cat beneath the armchair, I promise.

Till next time, keep your matches dry, your doors slightly ajar, and your curiosity well-lit. Cheers!

When I first sat down to conceptualize the introductory sequence for The Brass Gate, I knew I wanted to capture a sense of foreboding and fascination, much like the iconic opening of Half-Life. There’s something deeply compelling about being drawn into a world that feels both mysterious and palpable, where every creak of a floorboard and hum of machinery invites you to lean in closer.

The Oubliette and Asylum levels are central to this introduction, setting the tone for the entire game. These spaces aren’t just backdrops; they’re characters in their own right. The Oubliette, with its dimly lit corridors, is designed to evoke a feeling of being trapped—both physically and psychologically. The architecture is a labyrinthine tangle of industrial machinery and shadowy alcoves, each corner hiding secrets and stories of its own.

Building these environments in Unreal Engine has been a rewarding challenge. The engine’s lighting capabilities are phenomenal, allowing me to create nuanced atmospheres that feel alive and reactive. I spent countless hours tweaking the interplay of light and shadow, making sure that the flicker of a dying bulb or the distant glow of a furnace could influence the mood of the entire scene. These details are crucial, as they serve to ground the player in a world that feels both alien and strangely familiar.

The Asylum, on the other hand, offers a different kind of tension. It’s a place of echoes and whispers, where the walls seem to breathe with a life of their own. Here, I focused on a soundscape that could unsettle and intrigue. The ambient sounds—dripping water, distant footsteps, the occasional clank of metal—are as carefully crafted as the visual elements. My aim was to engage players’ senses fully, pulling them deeper into the narrative without overwhelming them.

Speaking of narrative, the story woven through these environments is something I’m particularly proud of. It’s a tapestry of subtle clues and revelations. As players navigate these spaces, they’ll piece together the history of The Brass Gate, uncovering the motivations and mysteries that propel the game forward. The challenge has been to balance storytelling with exploration, allowing players to discover the plot at their own pace without feeling lost or rushed.

Working solo on this project has its ups and downs. Some days, it feels like I’m lost in my own Oubliette, grappling with code that refuses to cooperate or assets that just don’t fit. But then there are moments of clarity, when everything clicks into place and the world I’ve envisioned springs to life on screen. Those moments make the slog worthwhile.

Ultimately, my hope is that when players step into these atmospheric depths, they’ll feel the same sense of awe and curiosity that inspired me to create them. It’s a world built for exploration and discovery, where every shadow hides a story waiting to be told.

#indiedev #UnrealEngine #storytelling

Developing The Brass Gate is a journey with its share of challenges and triumphs, particularly as I focus on the Oubliette/Asylum introduction sequence. This area is pivotal, setting the tone for the entire game and introducing players to the complex logistics mechanics that weave through the narrative. I’ve drawn a lot of inspiration from the masterful openings of Half-Life and Half-Life 2, where every element serves a purpose, immersing players in the world from the get-go.

The screenshot I recently shared highlights a streamlined conveyor belt system connected to multiple yellow processing units. This intricate logistics setup is just one piece of the grand puzzle. Designing these systems is a labor of love, demanding precision and creativity to ensure they not only function smoothly but also engage players deeply. The trickiest part is balancing complexity with accessibility—making sure that players are intrigued by the mechanics without feeling overwhelmed in the first few minutes of play.

This section, which takes about seven minutes of game time, introduces players to the logistics mechanics, puzzles, and the overall atmosphere of The Brass Gate. It’s a delicate dance of elements that need to work in harmony. I spent considerable time refining the layout for these automated systems, ensuring they serve as an effective introduction to the game’s core themes.

With the logistics setup now in place, the next step is dressing the scene. This involves layering in the aesthetics and mood that bring the Oubliette/Asylum to life. It’s about crafting an environment that feels both eerie and enticing, drawing players into the story while hinting at the mysteries that lie ahead.

Next, I’ll integrate the AI elements. These aren’t just obstacles or enemies; they’re part of the narrative fabric. They interact with the logistics systems, creating dynamic challenges that require players to think critically about their surroundings.

Reflecting on this process, I’m reminded of why I love solo development despite its hurdles. Every piece of the puzzle is a chance to dive deeper into the world I’m creating. It’s a constant learning experience, filled with moments of frustration and revelation. I’m excited to continue this journey and look forward to sharing more as The Brass Gate evolves.

Feel free to explore more about the game at www.thebrassgate.com. I appreciate everyone who’s along for the ride, whether you’re here for the puzzles, the story, or just the love of games. #indiedev #UnrealEngine #storytelling

Ah, the glorious world of ‘The Brass Gate’—a world where eerie ambiance and unsettling intrigue go hand in hand like a pair of well-matched socks. As your intrepid guide through this digital realm, I’m Cris, a 50-year-old British game developer with a penchant for rolling up my sleeves and diving headfirst into the abyss of game development. Think of me as your slightly eccentric uncle who talks about the pastimes of yesteryear while trying not to trip over his own shoelaces.

Today, we’re delving into the creation of an environment that could easily be the love child of a sci-fi thriller and a fever dream brought on by too much cheese before bed. Imagine, if you will, a screenshot that captures a dark, eerie sci-fi environment replete with alien-like machinery and structures. It’s as if HR Giger himself took a stroll through our digital workshop, leaving behind a breadcrumb trail of ribbed textures and symmetrical, organic designs.

In crafting this unsettling atmosphere, our small but spirited team has been laboring beneath the ever-watchful eye of Unreal Engine, which, I must say, has been rather accommodating, much like a good cuppa on a rainy day. The engine’s lighting capabilities have been instrumental in creating those greenish hues that whisper of otherworldly malevolence, and I must confess, there’s something deeply satisfying about seeing our vision come to life in such a gloriously spine-tingling manner.

But let’s not get too carried away—it’s easy to become lost in the maze of game development, much like I often find myself wandering the aisles of the local market, entirely bewildered by the variety of teabags on offer. No, it’s been a journey peppered with its fair share of obstacles, from technical hiccups to the occasional existential crisis over whether our alien constructs look more ominous or more like oversized garden gnomes.

I must take a moment to acknowledge the people who make this endeavor as delightful as it is challenging. My family, who graciously endure my ramblings about polygon counts over dinner, and my fellow developers, whose creativity and camaraderie make even the most daunting tasks feel like a brisk walk through the park.

A special nod goes to my aging knees, which have surprisingly held up despite the long hours hunched over keyboards and sketchbooks. Remember, dear reader, to stretch, hydrate, and occasionally step away from the screen—your body will thank you, and you’ll avoid the dreaded developer patina of keyboard-shaped forehead print.

As we continue shaping the world of ‘The Brass Gate’, I am filled with a sense of wonder and a touch of good-natured mischief, eager to see where our imaginations lead us next. Thank you for joining me on this whimsical journey through eerie environments and game development escapades. Until next time, keep your tea warm and your spirits higher!

Greetings, seekers of the cryptic,

As the Keeper of the Key, I bring you a vision from the world of ‘The Wickie’. A glimpse, if you will, into the misty realms where time folds upon itself like ancient parchment. The screenshot before you captures but a fraction of this dimension—a rugged coastal landscape where the earth cradles both the familiar and the foreign. Here, the sea is a restless entity, whispering secrets in its eternal embrace with the rocky cliffs.

Observe the tall, weathered pillars. They rise with the solemnity of sentinels, silent witnesses to the unraveling of reality. Their origins are as obscure as the forgotten tongues that once echoed across these lands. Could they be remnants of Atlantis? Or perhaps markers of the path to the elusive Brass Gate? “Et hoc mysterium, sicut ceteris in orbis,” as one might ponder in a tongue long past. Of course, the truth may be found at www.thebrassgate.com, or it may not.

In the distance, a building emerges from the fog, like the tip of an iceberg of hidden truths. It is partially veiled, much like the secrets it guards, its walls imbued with the lore of an age beyond comprehension. To approach it is to challenge the line between the dream and the waking—the world as it was, and the world as it might yet become. Will you dare to decipher its mysteries? Or will you find solace in the shadows of ignorance?

The dim lighting suggests an overcast sky or perhaps the cusp of twilight—liminal spaces where reality is not what it seems. Do you not see? “Tempus fugit, sed veritas manet.” Time flees, yet the truth remains. Or does it? For in ‘The Wickie,’ even time bends, sways, and dances to the capricious whims of an unseen maestro.

Remember, my name is not important. What matters is the journey, the quest for understanding in a world teetering on the brink of chaos. As you inch closer to discovering the secrets of these lands, beware the possibility of red herrings and the veils that might never be lifted. Some clues are meant to perplex, others to enlighten—such is the dual nature of the universe we have crafted.

In parting, I leave you with a riddle: “What is seen by day and concealed by night, known by the many yet understood by the few?” Perhaps you will unravel its meaning, or perhaps it will unravel you. The answers lie within yourself and perhaps at www.thebrassgate.com, where more secrets await.

Until our paths cross again in the shifting sands of time,
The Keeper of the Key (but remember, my name is not important)