Dev Diary: Climbing and Movement Iteration

Memories has gone through many changes in direction, narrative, and structure. With it came a drastic shift from our initial vision to a game more focused on platforming and climbing. Our first attempt at climbing was never supposed to be a focal point for the game, it was a supporting pillar for combat and exploration. This change forced us to reevaluate our simple climbing mechanics.

Overall, we knew that Memories would need two major changes to its existing climbing.

1. It needed to offer an in depth experience with more options and abilities to master.

2. It needed to better support our vertical level structures, balancing both difficult traversal and fun. All while allowing player freedom in how and where they explore.

We stepped away from our current code to iterate on our system from the ground up. Creating pure movement without character animations or other distractions.

As shown in the video, our climbing and platforming iteration has come along quite well. Offering players a host of options and abilities that allow them to move through a vertical space quickly. Although this is still a work in progress, we are happy to see the system work with no mark up or special actors needed for movements.

Many of these abilities are not given to the player at the start of the game but are instead doled out over time. The climbing stake and rope for example is currently planned as three parts.

1. Place a stake to rest and regain stamina while climbing

2. A long rope for swinging

3. A "grapple hook" option to pull the player to the point

To gain access to all three, players must find and upgrade the stake for each ability. Slowly teaching them the basics and avoiding throwing too much at them too quickly.

Although there are many decisions to be made and even more climbing abilities to implement, we are excited to see where this system takes us!