Aetherbound

February 2024 - March 2024

Role(s):

Game Designer, Programmer/Scripter

Tools(s):

Unreal Engine

Aetherbound is a visually stunning, story-driven adventure game set in a fantastical world of floating islands and ancient technology. Players navigate through the skies, uncovering the mysteries of a fallen civilization, while searching for resources to continue sailing the skies.

This is a project build in Unreal Engine 5 over the span of 7 weeks, approximately 50 hours total, through the work of five team members with the grand objective of creating one level of industry quality. The project was part of the Prototype Game Development course at Academy of Art University.

Credits:

Producer: Piers Issler

Scripting: Ahren Foreman and Hassan Fakih

Level Design: Bailee Wines, Piers Issler, and Eric Pohlman

UI/SFX: Piers Issler and Ahren Foreman

Aether-Jump Ability

By holding the jump button, the player can charge an Aether-powered jump, allowing them to reach greater heights. With no VFX artist on the project, it was important to make the game's HUD as clear and communicative as possible for the player.

Aether-Wings Ability

By pressing and holding the jump button midair, the player can glide over long distances as long as their Spirit-Aether (mana) lasts.

Aether-Shot Ability

Whilst aiming, the player can fire a magic bullet at enemies and targets. While functional, this mechanic ended up being cut from the project's final build.