What is Deep Space Private Investigator?

Deep Space Private Investigator is a first-person adventure game I developed with two other students for a university project. The game puts the player into the role of “Taylor”, a private investigator tasked with uncovering the cause of a wreckage in deep space.

Whilst investigating the wreckage, the player’s body temperature must be monitored and managed to ensure they do not freeze to death. This counteract this they can approach glowing hot pieces of wreckage to warm their suit.

Role

GAMEPLAY PROGRAMMER & DESIGNER

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Skills Used

A core element of DSPI was the environmental storytelling through the level design and voice logs the player finds along their journey. As a result of these core design elements, I was given the responsibility of planning out puzzles and challenges that resulted from the environmental storytelling aspects; such as a gravity puzzle within a wrecked section of the ship.

I was responsible for the designing of the core gameplay loop and the additional mechanics found within the player’s multi-tool. This involved the creation of storyboards and a basic prototype within the first few weeks of development to test out the balancing and tweaking of mechanics.

During the middle stages of development, I took on an assistant programmer role predominantly. A large segment of this time was spent tweaking and tuning the core mechanics to suite playtesting feedback.

Grading

High Distinction 90%

Screenshots & Trailer

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