Hello everyone,
This month has been a month focusing on Episode 3's art and some level design.
Level Design
For Episode 3 the art direction for the levels is that the first 2 maps which are fire themed are the most recently built, most maintained parts of their society. They house most of their every day places, like bath houses, treasure rooms, food preparation areas, etc
The blood themed maps E3M3/4 are a bit older and have some minor dilapidation, their focus in Morsgoroth society is to test Neophytes, to see if they are ready to become warriors.
The blood themed maps are bathed in a bloody mist, which is the remains of fallen warriors. The Morsgoroth can pray to the mist, allowing them to communicate with the fallen.
The Swampy themed maps, E3M5/6 are the oldest parts of their society, so you'll see even more run down ruins, and toxic swamps. We wanted the player to feel a sense of progression as you play through the levels for how old Morsgoroth are.
E3M1 has had more work applied to it, detailing, placing all the new props that were made recently.
Textures
E3M5/6 got a new trim sheet, we wanted to give each theme its own trim sheet so it stood out a bit more from the previous levels.
A small bronze doodad kit sheet to help making bronze parts a bit easier and not rely on specific trim sheets from different themes.
The crack sheet was updated with better looking cracks and wear, which is meant to be used generally around the levels to provide a little wear and twear
Gameplay
Destoyable walls have been added to the game for Episode 3. So if you see a wall that looks a bit more on the crumbly side, you can use your explosive based weapons or find a nearby lava barrel and move it over to the wall and blow it up.
A Rejuvenation Fountain, which is similar to the Health Station has been added. It has infinite healing, but it heals a little less per gulp when you drink from it.
Vegetation
For E3M5/6 it is fairly vegetation focused. But we wanted to have some of it placed around in the previous levels, to give it a bit more of an organic feel along with all the rock work.
The main vegetation sheet was created which will feed about 20 different models.
Work started on the larger flora as well. There are about 6 to be made, only 2 shown here. Some of these plants can attack or produce toxic gas, so you'll have to be careful as you make your way through the levels.
Thanks for reading
-FBS Team