VFX for Mega Dimension Ripper 9000

MDR9K is a very Visual Effect heavy game with VFX being the core of the visual style. For this game we went with a simple and stylized take on VFX keeping them simple and easy to read. We did this for two reasons. First because this game is chaotic and can be visually crowded, we wanted to make sure that players can always understand what is happening on screen if the VFX are too busy this will become more difficult. The second reason is that our game’s art direction is simple and stylized so keeping to those conventions within the VFX is important.  

*Shows many Explosions during gameplay 

Because MDR9K uses Unreal we use the Niagara system for VFX.  The simplicity of this system makes it easy to rapidly create prototypes for many of the VFX that become finalized. Every effect for this project went through a 4-step process. First is initial prototyping. This step sets up the general sequence and properties of the effect like rough duration, size, colors, and features. All of these will be refined in a later step. Second, initial prototyping programming controls are added. This allows programmers to control multiple aspects of the effect during runtime. Third is the finalization of the effects look by getting the aesthetics dialed in, finally is implementation and optimization. Many effects will need to be optimized after they are implemented to increase performance as VFX can be a leading cause of dropping framerates.  

*Shows Explosion effect in Niagara with all exposed parameters  

Without VFX in our game it would look very bland, VFX and game juice and a pop that engages players. Without the 4-step process for VFX development the VFX in our game would be harder to make and harder to implement. Programming controls are one of if not the most important steps to VFX development allowing programmers to implement control VFX seamlessly. 

-Rocky Blixt