Adventure Game – Ari und der Zeitkristall

Problem Statement

Developing a compelling and immersive third-person RPG presents several challenges. Our main focus was to explore how to create and maintain player engagement over time. We aimed to design gameplay mechanics, pacing, and a narrative structure that keep players invested. Balancing exploration, storytelling, and level design was essential for a fun experience. The project also emphasizes team collaboration, ensuring that creativity, programming, and artistic vision align. Lastly, optimizing the game for performance and accessibility while preserving rich visual and interactive elements remained a key challenge.

Idea and Concept

Our game follows Ari, a character lost between two worlds—a medieval fantasy realm and a dystopian sci-fi future. The core idea is that the player doesn’t realize until the end that these two versions of Ari are actually the same person. As she uncovers clues and experiences visions, she begins to piece together her own past and the connection between the two timelines. The gameplay focuses on exploring diverse locations, collecting important items, and engaging in combat against enemies. The gameplay mechanics change subtly as Ari uncovers more secrets, deepening the mystery and immersing the player in her journey.

Implementation

The game was developed in Unreal Engine, using its tools to create a visually immersive and interactive experience. The gameplay combines exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving, supported by fluid animations and responsive controls. Environments, characters, and interactions were carefully designed to enhance immersion. Subversion was used for version control, ensuring that multiple team members could collaborate efficiently. The project followed the 4-phase model by Heather Maxwell Chandler, structuring development from concept to testing, though the game was never officially launched.