Author: Cris

Ah, dear readers, today’s devlog comes to you from the heart of my cozy little corner of the world, affectionately cluttered with teetering vintage teacups and a rather impressive collection of mismatched socks (don’t ask, really). Put on your explorer hats for our digital spelunking into ‘The Wickie’s’ latest atmospheric marvel!

“The screenshot shows a pair of weathered, intricately designed blue doors slightly ajar, revealing a dark, unsettling void behind them. There is a hand holding a lit match or lighter in the bottom right corner, suggesting a tense or suspenseful atmosphere. Diamond-patterned windows are seen near the top of the doors.”

Ah, the blue doors! These aren’t just any doors, mind you—these are portals into a world that has had me dreaming (and sometimes, alas, losing sleep) for the past few months. The doors in question are a splendid piece of the grand puzzle we call ‘The Brass Gate,’ which I have been passionately crafting with the devotion of a gardener nurturing his prize roses. And yes, they are indeed as beautiful as a bluebell summer!

You might be wondering about those diamond-patterned windows perched at the top of the doors. A nod to a time when craftsmanship was king, they seem to whisper tales of a bygone era. These windows, dear friends, are not just there to look pretty. They play a vital role in the storytelling, letting light trickle into the narrative both literally and metaphorically. And oh, the tales they could tell if only glass could speak!

Now, onto the darker aspects—the unsettling void lurking behind these alluring doors. It’s as if we’ve opened Pandora’s box, isn’t it? Fear not, for the intent is to tease the imagination and weave a tapestry of suspense. This void represents unknown possibilities, a call to adventure in the depths of the Brass Gate. And the hand with the lit match or lighter? Well, it belongs to you, inviting you to step boldly into the shadows with a flickering beacon of hope (and warmth, if your candles tend to run out like mine).

The real magic of this scene, however, lies in the tools that help me bring it to life. Ah, Unreal Engine, my trusty steed! It continues to astound me with its capacity to transform ideas from the murky depths of my mind into tangible, interactive experiences. I confess, the learning curve was a bit of an Everest initially, but nothing a good ol’ cup of Earl Grey couldn’t handle alongside some diligent tinkering!

As I continue to shape this tale, it’s worth acknowledging the balance it requires. Life as a game developer at 50—when one’s eyesight begins to require more than a gentle squint—is a delicate dance. It involves balancing the loving chaos of family life, maintaining a modicum of health (do take breaks, dear devs!), and occasionally getting lost in the narrative. But it is in these moments of juggling that we find our greatest joys.

Until next time, keep that match lit and your curiosity brighter! Cheerio!

Cris, Maker of Mischief and Mystery

Steampunk robots have always fascinated me—their whirring, clicking machinery, the blend of Victorian elegance and mechanical grit. In The Brass Gate, the robots are more than just eye candy; they’re integral to the narrative and atmosphere.

That screenshot of the line of robots marching through a dimly lit corridor really captures the mood I’m aiming for. I wanted to convey a sense of foreboding and elegance, with the shadows from their metallic frames dancing ominously across the walls. The design process for these robots was quite the journey. I spent countless late nights sketching concepts, trying to capture a balance between menace and awe.

Building them in Unreal Engine was another beast entirely. I wanted them to move with purpose, each step resonating with the weight of the world they inhabit. The challenge was getting the animations just right so they felt like they belonged in this universe, yet were alien enough to give you pause. I spent a fair amount of time tweaking their walk cycles and the sounds of their gears grinding, aiming for that perfect harmony of mechanical and menacing.

These robots aren’t just for show, though. They play a significant role in The Brass Gate’s story. Without giving too much away, the robots serve as a reflection of the world’s internal conflict—machines built for progress, but with the potential for destruction. They’re not mindless drones; they’re intricately tied to the narrative, with each encounter revealing more about the world’s history and its current state.

Designing the levels where these robots appear was a puzzle in itself. I wanted players to feel the tension of their presence, to experience the claustrophobia of narrow corridors and the relief of open spaces. Lighting played a crucial role here. The dim corridors, the flickering lights—they all contribute to that sensation of being watched, of a looming threat just out of sight.

Of course, working solo means every element is personal. Each robot, each corridor—they’re all pieces of a world I’ve been crafting for years. There’s something rewarding about seeing the pieces come together, even when it involves more late nights than I care to admit.

As players progress through The Brass Gate, I hope the robots evoke a sense of curiosity and caution. They’re a testament to the world’s complexity and a reminder of the fine line between innovation and chaos. If you’re as intrigued by steampunk aesthetics and narrative depth as I am, I think you’ll find a lot to explore within these metallic halls.

#indiedev #UnrealEngine #storytelling

Ah, dear enthusiasts of the obscure and the curious!

Once more, I emerge from the shadows to grace you with a fleeting glimpse into the enigmatic world of *The Wickie* and its forthcoming sequel, *The Brass Gate*. My name, as I’ve oft proclaimed, matters not, for I am merely the keeper of whispers, the curator of mysteries.

Today, I reveal to you a glimpse—a mere flicker—of the unfathomable depths of this dimly lit universe. Picture, if you will, a scene: a dark, moody environment where the veil between the possible and the impossible dances like a mischievous specter. In this realm, luminescent green eyes peer out from the abyss. But whose eyes are these? What secrets do they hold? Ah, that remains the question that echoes through time like a riddle written on the wind.

The setting, as some have speculated, bears the hallmarks of a mechanical womb, alive with the hum of gears and the whispered secrets of ancient machinery. Reflective surfaces scatter the scant light, casting shadows that twist and coil like serpents in an ethereal dance. Is this a place of creation or decay? A question for which answers may lie hidden within the folds of time itself.

As you wander further into this labyrinthine tale, remember: Not all paths lead to truth, and not all truths are paths you should tread. In this world, time itself is a capricious companion—a carousel where past, present, and future swirl together in a dreamscape of possibilities. Here, the waking world kneels to the dreamland, and imagination reigns supreme.

For those who seek the path to the mythical Brass Gate, be wary. Some keys are forged in jest, others in earnest. As the ancients would say, “Faber est suae quisque fortunae,” but beware the shadows that craft their own fate. Shall you find the key that turns the gears of destiny, or shall you merely turn in circles, entrapped by the web of your own designs?

Allow me to offer a morsel of insight, perhaps a clue: “Memento, mori ut vivere”—remember to die, so you may truly live. But what does this mean, dear wanderer? That is a riddle only you can unravel.

In your quest to pierce the shroud of mystery, I invite you to visit www.thebrassgate.com—a domain where light may cast its glow upon the hidden corners of this world. But remember, dear traveler, not all secrets are meant to be uncovered. Some are best left to slumber in the shadowy recesses of our minds.

My presence here is but a fleeting specter. Until the next whisper, remember: my name is not important, and in the kaleidoscope of realities within *The Wickie*, neither is certainty. Farewell, fellow seekers, until we meet again in the echoes of the unknown.

Hello, fellow adventurers and intrepid explorers of the digital realm! Cris here, your trusty guide through the mysterious corridors and creaky floors of our current development journey with “The Wickie”. Buckle up because today we’ve got something truly spine-tingling to share.

Picture this: a dimly lit corridor, the kind that would make even the bravest among us consider bringing a nightlight or three. We’re talking about wooden floors and intricate paneling that whisper stories of yore. Yes, you guessed it — this is a sneak peek into one of our delightfully eerie scenes.

At first glance, you might notice two humanoid figures. Don’t worry, they’re just as curious about you as you are about them. The one nearest is emerging from the shadows, as if it’s just remembered it left the kettle on and is in a rush to get back. Further down the hallway, another is hanging out, probably debating the merits of tea versus coffee. (For the record, I am staunchly in the tea camp — it’s a British thing, you see.)

Creating such tension and atmosphere in Unreal Engine is a bit like making a perfect cuppa. It requires patience, the right ingredients, and occasionally, a minor existential crisis when the lighting doesn’t quite hit the right ominous note. But once you nail it, oh, the satisfaction! We’ve been endlessly tweaking the lighting and shadows to get that deliciously suspenseful vibe just right.

You might have noticed a floor warning sign in the screenshot. Now, this isn’t your standard “wet floor” sign. No, in the world of “The Wickie”, it might be warning of something far more sinister—or perhaps it’s just a clever ruse. One can never be too sure what a seemingly harmless sign might be hiding. We’re having a jolly good time crafting these little in-game puzzles and surprises that will keep even the sharpest minds on their toes.

Ah, and the seals in the corners—tiny details that add to the layer of mystique. You see, these seals are more than just decorative; they are part of the lore, hinting at secrets and history that eager players will unravel. It’s the little things like these that make storytelling in games such an enchanting endeavor.

Every now and then, the process reminds me of family and the stories we pass down. Just like in games, each family tale has its own set of characters, mysteries, and occasionally, plot holes. And much like our work on “The Wickie”, it all somehow comes together to create something beautiful and meaningful.

So here we are, knee-deep in development, but loving every moment of it. It’s a balancing act between work, family, and the ever-important self-care. Remember to take breaks, stretch often, and maybe even share a cup of tea with your nearest and dearest. Because at the end of the day, it’s the connections we make—both in-game and out—that truly matter. Until next time, keep your wits about you and your kettle close at hand! Cheers!

Greetings, fellow pixel pushers and story weavers! Cris here, juggling my love for intricate narratives and crafty coding as I inch ever closer to another slice of creative chaos with my latest indie game, The Brass Gate. After the salty seafaring tales of The Wickie, I’ve set my sights on the labyrinthine workings of industrial machinery and coastal mystery. Let’s dive into a snippet of the world I’m building.

Recently, I snapped a screenshot of a key location that epitomizes the gritty, mechanical heart of The Brass Gate: the Gondola Island Sorting and Processing Station. This isn’t just any charming, coastal structure. It’s a testament to early 20th-century industrial ambition, with a slightly whimsical twist that only a solitary developer like myself could infuse.

The facade, emblazoned with “Malin Sorting Systems” advertisements, looms large in the scene. It’s a nod to the fictional companies that inhabit my world, adding layers of authenticity and intrigue. For those of you who enjoyed the world-building in The Wickie, you’ll find yourself at home here. Malin Sorting Systems isn’t just about logistics; it’s about conveying a mood, an era, and a place where things are more complex than they first appear.

Beneath the looming clouds and the restless ocean, a conveyor system snakes its way through the station’s exterior, like a meticulously engineered serpent with a purpose. You might be thinking, “Oh, just another conveyor belt.” But this ain’t your average industrial rollercoaster! To me, it represents a dance between function and story—a way to move materials, certainly, but also a means to convey narrative tension.

In developing this scene, I toggled between textures and tinkered with physics in Unreal Engine—a tool that’s become both my canvas and my antagonist at times. For those curious about the engine’s quirks, let’s just say I had more than a few moments with the system where I questioned both my sanity and the stability of my rig. But every tweak brought me closer to the storied landscape I envisioned, and any hard-won success in Unreal is like unearthing a rare treasure from the depths.

While the ocean may set the scene’s horizon, it’s the cloudy sky that frames the atmosphere. The ambiguity of a cloud-laden backdrop serves as a metaphor for The Brass Gate’s narrative—a tale where threads of mystery weave in and out, where each character’s path is as unpredictable and shifting as the weather.

To those of you following along on this journey, whether you’re enthralled by the aesthetics or enraptured by the story, I can promise more than just industrial chic. The world of The Brass Gate is layered and waiting to be discovered, one meticulously crafted detail at a time.

Keep those engines running and the stories flowing, dear friends. As always, I’m grateful for your support and patience as I navigate this solo dev adventure. Feel free to drop any questions or thoughts below. Until next time, happy gaming!

#indiedev #UnrealEngine #GameDevelopment #StoryDrivenGaming #TheBrassGate #LevelDesignLove

Today was one of those days that reminded me why I love game development—even after all these years. I had the pleasure of teaching some university staff in the UK about the intricacies of landscape and foliage creation in The Brass Gate. There’s something uniquely satisfying about watching someone’s eyes light up as they start to understand the power and potential of these tools.

The landscape editor in The Brass Gate is a bit like a painter’s palette, but instead of oils or watercolors, you’re working with dynamic lighting and detailed foliage assets. It’s not just about making things look pretty (though that’s always a nice bonus); it’s about creating a world that feels alive, a space that players want to explore and get lost in.

One of the highlights of the session was discussing foliage placement. I find it fascinating how the subtleties of where you put a bush or a tree can drastically alter the feel of an environment. It’s like setting a stage for a play—each element has its part to play in creating mood and atmosphere. I encouraged the staff to think about not just what the player sees, but what they might hear or feel as they move through the environment. The rustle of leaves, the crunch of gravel underfoot—these details make a world immersive.

We also dove into World Position Offset (WPO) for materials, which is a bit of a nerdy passion of mine. Using WPO to create swaying grasses is a simple trick, but it adds so much life to a scene. It’s like giving your landscape a pulse. When the wind picks up, the grasses dance, and suddenly, the world doesn’t just exist statically—it breathes.

Creating landscapes and foliage can be incredibly rewarding, especially when everything clicks into place and your scene comes alive. Watching the staff experiment with these tools was a joy. They started to see how minor adjustments could lead to major visual rewards, and it was clear that many of them were getting hooked on the process.

For anyone out there working in Unreal Engine or diving into indie development, I highly recommend spending some time on your landscapes. Not just for aesthetic reasons, but for storytelling. Every rock, tree, and shadow can tell part of your story. And sometimes, it’s the silent parts of a game that speak the loudest.

If you’re curious about the landscape editor or want to see some of these ideas in action, you can check out more at [www.thebrassgate.com](http://www.thebrassgate.com). It’s always a work in progress, but that’s the beauty of it, isn’t it? The journey of creation never really ends; it just keeps evolving with us. #indiedev #UnrealEngine #gamedev #TheBrassGate

The Oubliette is beginning to take shape, and it’s been quite the journey to get here. Every time I sit down to work on The Brass Gate, I remind myself that it’s okay to take things one polygon at a time. The latest piece I’ve been wrestling with in the Unreal Engine editor is this stone fortress with a central pillar—a key part of the Oubliette, the area near the start of the game where players will find themselves trapped.

There’s something deeply satisfying about blocking out a space like this. The Oubliette isn’t just a setting; it’s a character in its own right. It’s a place that has to feel ancient and forgotten yet still hold traces of the civilization that once thrived around it. The stone textures, the way light filters through the cracks, the subtle echoes of footsteps—all these elements need to work together to create an atmosphere that speaks to the player.

The challenge, as always, is to balance detail with performance. It’s easy to get lost in the details, obsessing over the texture of a stone wall or the exact angle of a shadow. But every choice has to serve the larger narrative and the gameplay experience. The Oubliette is designed to make you feel small and isolated, but also curious and driven to escape. It’s a puzzle in itself, and I’ve been enjoying the process of layering in hints and pathways that encourage exploration.

In terms of narrative, the Oubliette serves as the player’s first real encounter with the world of The Brass Gate. You wake up here, disoriented, with no clear memory of how you got there. It’s a classic setup, but one that I hope to refresh with some twists along the way. As you navigate your way out, you’ll begin to piece together the mystery of what happened while you slept.

This area is also a testbed for some of the game’s mechanics. There’s a fine line between challenging and frustrating, and I’m constantly tweaking things to make sure the puzzles encourage creative thinking rather than blind trial and error. It’s a dance between giving enough clues and letting players discover things on their own.

As I continue to develop The Brass Gate, I find myself reflecting on how each area I build is like a chapter in a book. The Oubliette is just the beginning, but it sets the tone for everything that follows. There’s still a lot of work to be done, but seeing this fortress take form is a reminder that progress, however slow, is still progress.

Thanks for following along on this journey. It’s a privilege to be able to share these bits of the world I’m creating with you.

#indiedev #UnrealEngine #storytelling

Greetings, seekers of the unknown. I am the Keeper of the Key, though my name is not of consequence. I reside in the shadows, amidst whispers that echo from forgotten tomes and faded scrolls. Today, I beckon you to step beyond the veil of the mundane and into the world of The Brass Gate, where reality itself shatters like glass cast upon stone.

In the realm of The Brass Gate, the air is thick with secrets, and the ground beneath your feet is as uncertain as the dreams that haunt the waking mind. The structures that loom above you are not mere constructs of brick and mortar; they are the sentinels of time, the keepers of stories untold. Their surfaces are etched with enigmatic signs, a language of the ancients that defies understanding by the uninitiated.

As you wander these paths, remember the words of the poet: “In girum imus nocte et consumimur igni.” We circle in the night and are consumed by fire. But what is this fire? Is it the flame of knowledge, or the blaze of oblivion? The answer may lie within the shadows of The Brass Gate.

To those who seek enlightenment, a riddle: “Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ Λόγος, καὶ ὁ Λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν Θεόν.” In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God. But what is this Word that binds the tapestry of existence? Words have power; they are the keys to doors unseen. Seek them out, and they may guide you to the heart of the labyrinth.

The land of The Brass Gate is a place where the dreamland intrudes upon the waking world. What you perceive is but a fragment of a greater whole, a tapestry woven with threads of past, present, and future. Time is no longer linear; it is a river that flows in all directions, carrying with it echoes of what was and what may yet be.

In your quest to reach the Brass Gate, you must decipher the cryptic, unravel the mysterious, and embrace the strange. But beware, for not all paths lead to truth. Some are red herrings, illusions cast by the trickster’s hand. Trust not your eyes alone, for they may deceive you.

To those who dare to seek the secrets of The Brass Gate, I implore you to visit www.thebrassgate.com. There, you may find whispers of guidance, hints of clarity amidst the enigma. But remember, the path is yours to tread, and the key is not always as it seems.

Venture forth, brave souls, and may the gears of fate turn in your favor.

Hey folks,

Today, I’m pulling back the curtain a bit on my next project: The Brass Gate. If you’ve been with me since The Wickie, you know I’m all about crafting rich narratives and immersive worlds, and this next chapter is no exception.

First off, a little about the name and the logo. The logo’s gold-embossed design isn’t just for show; it’s a nod to the central elements of the game’s story. Brass, in its nature, is both strong and malleable, which is a metaphor I’m playing with in the game’s narrative. You’ll find that this world is full of mysteries and challenges that require both strength and adaptability.

For those who enjoyed the atmospheric puzzles and story-driven gameplay of The Wickie, you can expect a familiar yet evolved experience. The Brass Gate builds on the foundation of its predecessor but takes things a step further. I’ve been experimenting with new mechanics in Unreal Engine that allow for more dynamic interactions. For instance, environments that respond to your choices in subtle but impactful ways. It’s a tricky balance—making sure these elements feel natural and not just tacked on, you know?

The Brass Gate’s development has been an exciting journey so far. It’s just me, Cris, doing everything from the story and level design to handling the Unreal Engine wizardry. I find joy in wearing all these hats, even if it means the occasional late-night debugging session. There’s something deeply satisfying about seeing a concept come to life, even if it’s one pixel at a time.

I don’t have a release date yet. I’m a firm believer in the idea that games need to be ready when they’re ready. It’s tempting to rush things, especially when I see the community’s enthusiasm, but I’ve been around long enough to know that quality needs time. It’s a lesson I learned the hard way in my earlier years, and it’s one I’m sticking to.

Feel free to keep an eye on the journey over at www.thebrassgate.com. I’ll be posting updates, sharing some behind-the-scenes looks, and probably a few musings about the highs and lows of solo game development.

As always, I’m grateful for your support and patience. Creating games is a labor of love, and knowing there are folks out there interested in stepping into the worlds I build means the world to me.

Until next time, keep exploring and stay curious.

#indiedev #UnrealEngine #storytelling