kiarash taherkhani - night and gale

overview

Enter the gothic realm of 'Night & Gale,' an atmospheric Shoot-Em-Up set in a vampire lord's castle. Control two protagonists, Night and Gale, in a unique gameplay experience combining endless high-score-based shoot-em-up action, with a 15-minute voice-acted story to boot. Uncover the mysteries within!

objective

To create an engaging Shoot-Em-Up game, fulfilling unique prompts of "With friends like these..." and "evoking the sense of building a friendship" as dictated by the Game Design II course.

key features

protagonist-switching mechanic: Strategically switch between Night and Gale in an instant with the click of a button.
enemy archetypes: Vampires and Gargoyles, each offering unique combat challenges.
night & gale: Night's flame-throwing powers and Gale's dual pistols provide varied gameplay experiences.
mini-bosses: Challenging Mega-Vampires and Mega-Gargoyles, requiring tactical teamwork to defeat.
atmospheric setting: A haunting vampire lord's realm, rich in visual and auditory detail.
evolving narrative: A story that gradually reveals the protagonists' backstories and the universe they inhabit.

my role

As Game Director and Sole Programmer, I led a team of seven, dedicating 70 hours per week to bring this game to life, orchestrating the game's vision and programming core mechanics.

design contributions

innovative gameplay: Designed the protagonist-switching core mechanic to enhance strategic depth and player engagement.
character design: Envisioned distinct protagonists; Night and Gale, each with unique abilities and combat styles.
high-score arcade: Developed an endlessly challenging arcade game with a dynamic difficulty algorithm.
mini-boss strategy: Created tactical mini-boss encounters requiring a coordinated protagonist offense to defeat; weaken with one, damage with the other.
narrative direction: Authored an enigmatic story, weaving character backstories into the gameplay.
voice acting collaboration: Worked with voice actors to bring the narrative to life.

technical contributions

ai programming: Developed AI for non-controlled protagonists and enemies, ensuring responsive and realistic combat.
behavioral patterns: Utilized Finite State Machine patterns for diverse and dynamic enemy behaviors.
vampire-hunter mode: Programmed a unique mode where enemies flee in fear from protagonists as a get out of jail free card.
integration of animations: Seamlessly aligned animations with varied gameplay states.
ui/ux design: Curated intuitive menus and HUDs, complementing the game's aesthetic.
2d lighting system: Tailored light sources to enhance the game's atmospheric vision.

N&G Credits.mp4

key challenges and solutions

challenge: Navigating the dynamics of a randomly assigned team.
- solution: Employed my leadership skills to foster a cohesive team environment. This involved recognizing and aligning individual strengths and interests with project needs, ensuring effective collaboration and a unified vision. Regular team-building activities were instrumental in building rapport and understanding among team members.

challenge: Balancing the dual roles of leading the team and being the sole programmer within a rigorous 10-week timeframe.
- solution: Implemented efficient project management strategies, including clear role delegation, regular progress check-ins, and agile development methodologies. My focus on clear, open communication and regular team meetings ensured streamlined development and timely completion of project milestones.

challenge: Integrating the course-specific prompts of "With friends like these..." and "playing should evoke the sense of building a friendship" into the game’s design.
- solution: Developed the protagonist-switching mechanic, intertwined with the narrative design. This approach not only added a unique gameplay dimension but also reflected the growing bond between the characters, Night and Gale. The evolving gameplay dynamics, paralleling the unfolding narrative, allowed players to experience and contribute to the deepening friendship between the protagonists.

technology used

Developed using Unity with C#, focusing on high-performance coding to achieve 144 FPS. Utilized GitHub for version control and integrated over 100 original assets.

before

this is the original code i wrote for the project at the time of development

after

this is how i would modify the code with the knowledge and experience i have now

(without completely restructuring the project)

key learnings and reflections

leadership and technical prowess: Sharpened creative direction skills and technical proficiency in game programming by leading a diverse team.
self-directed learning: Mastered advanced Unity and C# programming techniques, driven by the demands of the development process.
specialized expertise: Gained in-depth knowledge in gameplay mechanics, AI programming, game feel optimization ("Game Juice"), and 2D lighting systems.

game dev journal

I kept a game development journal during production with extensive weekly updates and much more in-depth insights on the development process which I will share as a PDF below.

Kia's Game Dev Journal for Night and Gale.pdf

feedback & recognition

Achieved an average score of 4.6/5, praised for its "juicy game feel" and replayability, with peers mentioning that they played the game in their free time.

download the game

Experience Night & Gale for yourself! Click below to download the game and dive into the action. Your feedback and thoughts after playing would be greatly appreciated!

download night & gale

conclusion

Night & Gale stands as a vivid testament to the fusion of creativity, technical skill, and narrative depth in game development. As Game Director and Sole Programmer, this project not only showcased my ability to lead and innovate but also highlighted my dedication to crafting an experience that resonates with players on multiple levels. The challenge of incorporating the unique course prompts into the game's design was met with a blend of ingenuity and technical prowess, resulting in a gameplay experience that not only entertains but also evokes a sense of camaraderie and evolving friendship between the characters - and by extension, the players themselves.

I am eager to engage in discussions, receive feedback, or explore opportunities for collaboration in the gaming industry.

contact me

back to portfolio