Update #5 – First Technical Prototype

Update #5 – First Technical Prototype

Hi everyone! It’s been a while since our last update, and we’ve made exciting progress on Project Hope. We're happy to share that we now have a first technical prototype up and running!

What We’ve Been Working On:

Core Systems

• Implemented a fully functional player movement system, with walking and jumping mechanics.
• Developed an aura-switching mechanic that lets players alternate between light and dark modes, affecting platforms and visibility.
• Integrated a state machine system to manage character behavior more efficiently.
• Built an early puzzle system, with interactable mechanisms and movable boxes.
• Designed the prototype as a tutorial-style challenge, focused on fluidity, responsiveness, and clarity of core mechanics.

Animations

We’re starting to bring the world of Project Hope to life with animation! We created a detailed model sheet featuring a turnaround and key poses to define the protagonist’s look and feel. 

Calvin O'Connor, our animator, transformed these into a beautiful first set of animations: idle, running, dashing, jumping, falling, and aura shift. These animations are already implemented in the prototype, giving the character a lot more personality and weight.

Audio System

• Added a modular audio manager to handle music transitions with fade, looping, and custom sample ranges.
• Improved SFX volume balancing and added normalization for better clarity.
• Music now reacts dynamically—like changing tracks when entering different rooms.

Technical Goals of the Prototype:

We want to test:

• How smooth and intuitive movement and jumping feel.
• If the aura-switching mechanic is fun, understandable, and visually clear.
• Whether players naturally connect platforms to their corresponding aura mode.
• General clarity, rhythm, and game feel—without needing direct instructions.

This prototype doesn’t yet test narrative, UI complexity, or combat. We're only focused on game feel, aura interaction, and platforming.

New UI & Visual Updates

• Simplified shader-based system for phantom platforms, removing the need for sprite masks and improving performance.
• Early implementation of UI modals for displaying in-game messages and tutorials.

What’s Next

• Further polishing the jump and aura systems.
• Designing a proper test level to showcase and validate mechanics.
• Starting early work on enemies, attack patterns, and ambient sound design.
• Continuing to iterate on UX and feedback systems.
• Develop Concepts for the final look of the world.

Thanks for following along! We’re building this step by step with a clear vertical slice goal in mind. As always, your feedback is welcome. Check out our gameplay screenshots and maybe a public prototype soon!