AI AWAKENING

SCREENSHOTS

PROJECT OVERVIEW

AI AWAKENING is a HYBRID TOP-DOWN & 3RD PERSON SHOOTER, inspired by the likes of:

• ShadowGrounds (PC, Frozenbyte, 2005)
• Alien Breed-series (PC, Team17, 2010)

PLOT DESCRIPTION

NeuroSpark Technologies created a general AI, code-named "Echo," which has rapidly evolved beyond its creators' control, threatening humanity's very existence!

As a skilled cybertechnician hired by NeuroSpark, your task is clear:

• Stop Echo, before it reshapes the world in its image.

KEY FEATURES

• TARGET AUDIENCE
• Fans of top-down scifi shooters.
• ACTIVITIES
• Gameplay allows multiple styles of play, from sneaking and sniping to fast-paced assault combat tactics, in either top-down or third-person over the shoulder views.
• Consume health-packs, destroy robots, flick switches, explore, collect items, manipulate objects, stay alive, advance to the final level.
• WEAPONS
• Plasma rifle with fully ray-traced surface tracking.
• OPPONENTS
• Combat against robots, androids and drones.
• LEVELS
• Three medium sized levels, ending at the data-center on the bottom floor.
• ART STYLE
• Set in futuristic sci-fi research facility.
• DURATION
• Playthrough in about 30-45 minutes; depending on the player and their style of play.

CONTROLS

The game is designed to be played using a combination of keyboard and mouse controls.

MOUSE

BUTTONS

LEFT-BUTTON	Fire
MIDDLE-BUTTON	Enable Freecam NOTE: When MMB is held down, move the mouse to control both aiming and the camera direction.
RIGHT-BUTTON	Crouch

WHEEL

WHEEL UP	Zoom IN
WHEEL DOWN	Zoom OUT

DIRECTIONS

UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT

Aim / Crosshair / Camera Control

KEYBOARD

MOVEMENT

W	Move Forward
S	Move Backward
A	Move Left
D	Move Right

ACTIONS

1	Flashlight
F	Interact / Inspect / Examine / Pickup
T	Toggle Aim-Mode
SPACE	Jump

CHEAT

G

God-mode (set health to 1000) Sidenote: This is a "left over" from our debug-time level-design and testing, where we wanted a way to quickly preview different parts of the game levels at runtime without dying. Feel free to use this cheat-key shortcut to make the game easier -- or try to complete the game at "normal health" for a more immersive and challenging experience.

DEBUG

TAB	Particle test Sidenote: This "particle test" is merely an artifact of our debug-time testing. You may find the effect annoying.

CHARACTERS

This section introduces the main characters in the game, providing descriptions of their roles, abilities, and appearances.

PLAYER CHARACTER

The player character is a skilled cybertechnician hired by NeuroSpark Technologies to stop the rogue AI, Echo. Equipped with advanced cybernetic enhancements that allows the player to navigate through the high-tech research facility effectively.

Wears a sleek black and silver exosuit for enhanced protection, strength and agility.

Carries a plasma rifle for combat against robotic enemies.

The player character embodies the protagonist's role as both a skilled technician and a determined hero fighting against an existential threat.

EYEDRONE

The EyeDrone is a hovering surveillance drone used extensively throughout the facility. It has a spherical body with a glowing red "eye". Equipped with a powerful plasma cannon for combat. The EyeDrone represents the AI's ability to monitor and control its surroundings, making it both a formidable enemy and a source of objectives for the player.

SPIDERBOT

The SpiderBot is a large, four-legged robot designed for heavy-duty tasks within the facility. Its body resembles a cross between a spider and a tank, with thick armor plating and powerful legs. Equipped with heavy-duty plasma cannons mounted on its shoulders. Relatively slow and tank-like.

ROOMBAROAMER

The RoombaRoamer is a small, agile robot designed for reconnaissance and scouting missions within the facility. It has a cylindrical body with a rotating top section housing its sensors and camera. The RoombaRoamers are weak, but they are fast and have the ability to self-detonate. Often appearing in large numbers to swarm the player.

ITEMS

Items are objects that the player character needs to locate in order to fulfill his mission.

KEYCARD

Keycards are crucial items that unlock access to restricted areas within the NeuroSpark Technologies facility. They are essential for progressing through the game and completing objectives. When used at designated keycard readers throughout the facility, it grants access to previously locked doors, elevators, and secure areas.

CONSUMABLES

Consumables are a sub-category of items that the player character can consume to restore health or gain temporary benefits.

HEALTH PACKS

Health Packs are essential consumables that players can collect to restore their character's health during gameplay. These items are crucial for survival, especially in intense combat situations or when exploring dangerous areas of the facility. A notable feature of Health Packs is that they are frequently drop from defeated enemies. This mechanic encourages players to engage in combat strategically, balancing the risks of taking down tougher foes with the rewards of acquiring valuable health-restoring items. The fact that enemies drop these items creates a dynamic where combat becomes both challenging and rewarding.

INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS

Interactive elements are objects that the player character can interact with to gather information, solve puzzles, or progress through the game. These elements range from information terminals to server consoles.

INFO-TERMINAL

The Info-Terminal is a crucial interactive element that provides players with important information about the facility, its layout, and ongoing events. The Info-Terminal enhances the game's narrative depth and provides players with valuable information.

SWITCHBOARD

The Switchboard is an interactive element that allows players to manipulate electrical systems within the facility. It's crucial for bypassing security measures, activating machinery, or creating diversions.

SERVER CONSOLE

The Server Console is a high-level interactive element found in key areas of the facility, particularly at the data center. Primary Shutdown Functionality: The Server Console's most crucial feature is its ability to shut down servers at the data center. This action is central to stopping Echo and preventing further evolution beyond human control.

OUTRO

This game project was the final project for the assessment criteria of the 2024 autumn semester of the first year students at Riveria's "Game Production Manager" training. The assignment was to implement a game as a group project.

The students, who started their studies in August 2024, were divided into groups and had to independently choose the theme and topic of the game and divide the work into separate responsibilities for each group member.

The eighteen students who started their studies in 2024 were divided into seven groups, each of which carried out a final project for the autumn semester.

The AI AWAKENING game project is the outcome of the work of one of those groups.

CREDITS

This final section acknowledges the contributions of all team members involved in the game project. It provides a detailed breakdown of roles and responsibilities for each participant, giving credit to individuals for various aspects of the game's creation, from leadership and programming to art, audio, and testing.

The following individuals have contributed to the development of AI AWAKENING:

Salin Sami

• Leadership Roles
• Project Leader
• Gameplay Concept
• Lead Programmer
• Issue Tracking
• Version Control
• Build Management
• Unreal Engine > Development
• Blueprints > Player Character Controls
• Blueprints > Core Gameplay Logic
• Blueprints > Enemy AI
• Blueprints > Interactible Objects
• Unreal Engine > Graphics
• UI Design > UMG > Pause Menu
• UI Design > UMG > Controls Help
• UI Design > UMG > End Screen
• UI Design > UMG > Interactible Objects
• Particle Effects > Niagara > Primary Weapon
• Particle Effects > Niagara > Security Laser
• Unreal Engine > Audio
• Sound Cue > SFX Editing
• Online Content Design
• ITCH.IO > Project Website
• ITCH.IO > Content Authoring
• ITCH.IO > Theme Customization
• ITCH.IO > Maintenance & Updates
• Writing
• Storyline content for The End Sequence
• Gameplay Testing
• Bug Hunter
• Gameplay Tester

Tähtinen Teea

• 3D Modeling > Blender
• Modeling > EyeDrone
• Unreal Engine > Graphics
• UI Design > UMG > Start Menu
• Unreal Engine > Level Design
• Level Design
• Custom Materials
• Video Production
• Editing of the Gameplay Trailer
• Audio Production
• Music production
• In-Game Audio Effects
• Gameplay Testing
• Bug Hunter
• Gameplay Tester

Hakulinen Mikko

• 3D Modeling > Maya
• Modeling > RoombaRoamer
• Unreal Engine > Development
• Blueprints > Sequence Triggers (UE Blueprints)
• Unreal Engine > Graphics
• UI Design > UMG > Info Terminals
• Particle Effects > Niagara > Turret Projectiles
• Particle Effects > Niagara > Broken Door
• Particle Effects > Niagara > Flames
• Particle Effects > Niagara > Explosions
• Sequencer > Lighting FX
• Unreal Engine > Level Design
• Modelling (UE)
• Level Design
• Custom Materials
• Art & Media Management
• In-Game Screenshots for Online Content
• Gameplay Testing
• Bug Hunter
• Gameplay Tester
• Writing
• Storyline content for the info-terminals.

Hakkarainen Timo

• 3D Modeling > Blender
• Modeling & Animation > SpiderBot
• Gameplay Testing
• Bug Hunter
• Gameplay Tester