Welcome to our latest devlog! Today, we’re excited to dive into the creative and technical process behind crafting the cloudscapes that set the atmospheric tone in our trailer. From initial design to final integration, we leveraged a combination of art and code to create a dynamic sky environment that enhances the visual storytelling of our game.

To bring our clouds to life, we started by designing various cloud shapes in Photoshop, ensuring they had transparent backgrounds for seamless integration. These cloud images were then placed on 2D planes within our game engine, utilizing a technique known as the "billboard effect." This method ensures that the clouds always face the camera, creating the illusion of depth while keeping the geometry lightweight. By implementing a custom script, we guaranteed that the clouds would consistently orient toward the viewer, achieving a sense of depth without compromising performance—crucial for maintaining smooth real-time rendering in our trailer.

A key element in achieving the desired aesthetic was our shader control. By fine-tuning parameters like brightness, rotation, and saturation, we crafted a cloud effect reminiscent of HDR photography. This approach allowed us to imbue the scene with a soft, ambient quality, adapting the clouds to different lighting conditions and moods effortlessly. Our experimentation with varying levels of translucency enabled us to create a range of cloud types, from soft and fluffy to dense and stormy, adding depth and versatility to our environments.

In addition to the clouds, we hand-painted soft fog elements and applied subtle shader animations to them. This technique gave the fog a gentle, animated presence, ensuring it never felt static or out of place.

The final touch was the seamless integration of our skybox with the 2D cloud planes, resulting in a cohesive and immersive sky environment. This careful blending enhanced the overall visual impact of the trailer's background, allowing us to push the boundaries of what's possible with relatively simple techniques to achieve high-quality results. The process was both fun and creatively fulfilling, and we're thrilled with the atmospheric depth we've added to our scenes.

We're incredibly proud of the end result we've created, a vital element in conveying the mood and atmosphere of our game. As we continue to refine and expand our visual toolkit, we’re excited to see how these techniques will further enhance our worlds. Stay tuned for more updates as we push the boundaries of what's possible with our visuals!

Best regards,
Playdew Team

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1752540/Lost_Twins_II/

Welcome to our latest game development progress! In this devlog, we'll take you through the creative and technical steps in making our trailer scene. From the initial storyboard to the final touches in Unity, each stage of the process has been crucial in crafting the immersive experience we envision.

Storyboard and Concept Art

Our journey began with the storyboard, which laid the foundation for the trailer scene. This initial step was crucial for mapping out the sequence of events and setting the tone for the visual narrative. From there, we moved on to concept art, where we visualized the look and feel of the final scene. This stage was essential for refining the overall aesthetic and ensuring that every element aligned with our creative vision.

Base Models and Blockout Animation

Once the concepts were finalized, we transitioned to creating base 3D models. These models were the building blocks for our scene and helped establish scale and proportions. Afterward, we imported them into Unity to test basic camera movements and animations. This blockout phase allowed us to refine the scene’s flow and make adjustments early in the process. Once we were satisfied with the animation and layout, we proceeded to more detailed modeling.

3D Modeling

For the final models, we focused on sculpting and texturing. Using ZBrush, I sculpted intricate details to bring the environment and characters to life. After sculpting, I created low-poly versions of the models and baked the high-resolution details into normal maps using Substance Painter. Texturing was a key part of this process, as it allowed us to match the models closely with our concept art. These fully detailed and textured models were then integrated back into Unity, replacing the blockout versions.

Lighting and Skybox

The lighting setup was designed to enhance the mood and guide the player's focus. We used a combination of spotlights and point lights to highlight key areas of the scene. The skybox played a dual role: not only did it serve as the backdrop, but it also contributed to the ambient lighting, enriching the atmosphere. I created the skybox using a custom cubemap in Photoshop and incorporated Shader tools in Unity to dynamically adjust the sky's color as needed.

After all the hard work, the scene came together beautifully, with the detailed models, dynamic lighting, and custom skybox creating an immersive atmosphere.

That wraps up our devlog for today! We’re thrilled with how this scene is shaping up and can’t wait to show you more as development continues. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to drop a comment—we’d love to hear your thoughts. Stay tuned for more updates, and thanks for joining us on this journey!

Best regards,
Playdew Team

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1752540/Lost_Twins_II/