Tunic Creator. 

This project was made to show show much customization we can get out of a shader in Unreal Engine 4. It's also because I think creative mechanics are important. I am of the opinion that when we give the creativity to the player it strengthens their connection to the game and therefore makes them enjoy the game more.

 

The Tunic creator uses a highly complex dynamic material for the customization. This material is expensive on the system so having a world where everyone is wearing the tunic wouldn't be efficient. So taking inspiration from programs like substance painter, when the tunic is made we are able to bake the expensive tunic and turn it into a more efficient version of the tunic that is worn by the character.   

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Why I chose this project.

As a creative myself creative mechanics have always drawn me to a game, some of my favourite games featuring creative mechanics. Like Fable's dynamic character customization and the ability to make your own spells in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. So when choosing a project for my third year I had to think about what makes me care more about the games I play and the first answer I had was creative mechanics.  

 

The Future of the Tunic Creator? 

Layers. 

- In the Tunic Creator when we see the straps being added they are actually being added on a completely separate layer of the tunic. So if I had more time on this project the next step would be to use the same technique I used to make the straps to add layers to the tunic.

This way we would have much more customization over the tunic to be able to create more complex outfits, Like being able to put a cloth tabard over a suit of chainmail etc.  

 Draw your own textures. 

- Currently the Tunic Creator allows players to select through many pre made textures to create a Tunic. This gives the players a lot of opportunity to create the tunic they want. But if I added a mechanic for players to draw their own textures then that makes the Tunic Creator's only limitation the players imagination.