Necrodemic

03 · Third Person Shooter · Zombie Survival

Necrodemic

Role

Environment & Level Designer

Engine

Unreal Engine

Platform

PC, Mac & Mobile · 2023

Team

Team of 5

Gallery

Necrodemic - Gameplay

01

Overview

Necrodemic is a free-to-play survival-based thriller game with procedural map generation systems for a fresh map after every spawn. Zombie bears need to be defeated to earn Essence, and Essence can be used to purchase more powerful weapons, ammo, and perks that increase the player's chances of survival. Released on the in-house game launcher of Bullieverse and soon to be published on the Epic Games Store.

Play on Bullieverse

02

What I worked on

  • Designing procedural map mechanics and layouts.
  • Level design from concept to grey boxing to final maps.
  • Designing the environments for the character selection screen and loading screens.

03

Level Design Features

The levels in Necrodemic were designed using procedural systems, ensuring a new map every time the player spawns. This adds significant replayability while creating non-linear gameplay experiences.

04

Design Intentions

  • Map layout changes with every player spawn.
  • Player agency and player intentionality.
  • Perpetual player movement spanning the entire map.
  • Non-linearity, multiple solutions, and systemic gameplay.
  • Unique map layouts, gating, and structure.
  • Fast-paced and constant enemy combat.

05

Game Setting

A spooky abandoned temple occupied by zombies.

06

Gameplay Beats

  • The player starts vulnerable, equipped with only a pistol.
  • The player survives zombie attacks by avoiding contact while eliminating as many zombies as possible.
  • Enemy intensity and player power-ups increase together throughout the game.
  • The pace and panic constantly escalate.
  • The player is forced to traverse the entire map continuously.
  • The only way to finish the game is by being eliminated, either early or late depending on the player's skill.

07

Game Mechanics

  • All zombies can be eliminated using any weapon, although weapon damage varies.
  • Zombies deal health damage only through close contact, with a few exceptions.
  • Players earn in-game XP by eliminating zombies.
  • XP can be spent on weapon upgrades and power-ups.
  • The weapon and power-up shop rotates between three different locations across the map.
  • A floating "Ball of Death" follows the player and steals XP if they remain in one location for too long, preventing players from exploiting safe zones where zombies cannot reach them.

Underground City Level Blockout

Level Blockout · Unity