[Overview]

Welcome to the Realm of Zephyrion, where magic has now been banned for two decades. The usurper royal family lacked the right to harbor dragon power, therefore Dragons were expelled to bordering lands. many lost their magical knowledge over time... yet you are the exception. Embark on a journey through one of Zephyrion’s villages, Dùnach. As you seek to reconnect with your alchemist roots.

This project is a Magic Forest Virtual Reality Experience using Unreal Engine 5.3, designed to immerse players in a fantastical world filled with forbidden creatures, in a kingdom where they are to be imprisoned when past its gates. The Person becomes a Wizard, opening up a world of possibilities, choosing the wand that resonates, then performing spells. The game features spatial sound, animated textures, and Niagara effects, guiding players through a magical forest, further then unlocking a portal to another VR world, Zephyrion.

[Challenges & Growth]

Creating Immersive Environments:
Designing a magical forest and town with emissive animals, roaring dragons, and a lava lake required balancing visual appeal with performance optimization. I used UE assets and animated textures to bring the world to life.

• Interactive Gameplay Mechanics:
  Implementing the wand selection system and spell-casting mechanics involved using trigger boxes and Blueprint scripting to ensure smooth player interaction.

  
  

• Portal Integration:
  Creating a visually stunning portal using Niagara effects and sprite systems, while linking it to my other VR project, Zephyrion, required careful implementation and testing.

Environment Design

I built the magical forest and town using Unreal Engine assets, carefully selecting and customizing them to fit the fantastical theme. To enhance the magical atmosphere, I added emissive properties to the animals and dragons, giving them a glowing magic look. For the lava lake I created an animated material. The bridge and gates were designed to guide players naturally through the scene, ensuring a smooth and immersive journey.

Lava Material

For the lava, I used UE's Material Editor, combining a scrolling texture with a dynamic noise pattern. By blending different lava texture maps I created using Photoshop. I then manipulated the X and Y parameters to simulate a flowing lava effect that added movement and depth to the environment.

Wand Mechanic

To make the gameplay more thematic and immersive, I set up a wand selection system where the player is given the choice between three wands and the text "Choose Wisely" is hovering above them. Using trigger boxes, I detected the player’s choice and ensured the game responded to the wand movement to trigger a massive green spell. I also implemented a spell-casting mechanic that activates when the player interacts with a staircase. This mechanic triggers a portal to open, adding a sense of progression and magic to the experience as it follows along the experience.

Portal Mechanic

The portal was designed to be a visually captivating element, created using Niagara and a sprite system in Unreal Engine. I layered particle effects and sprites to simulate a swirling vortex around the portal. As part of the process, I embedded an HDRI image into the portal’s main scene, creating a sense of depth and connection to the other world. The portal was linked to Zephyrion, my other VR experience, ensuring a smooth and immersive transition for the player.

[The result]

An immersive experience with glowing creatures, dynamic environments, and interactive magical gameplay. Players explore a magical world, choose wands, cast spells, and unlock a portal to another world.