Exploring Unreal Engine and Blueprints "Pirate Recruit" marked my first substantial independent project using Unreal Engine. This venture was pivotal in teaching me the intricacies of the engine, particularly the Blueprint visual scripting system. I immersed myself in understanding Blueprint interfaces and sequences, which became essential stepping stones for the ability to develop games independently. This hands-on experience allowed me to grasp how different systems within a game interact and communicate. Level Sequences and Cinematics To bring the game world to life, I delved into level sequences and cinematics. Working with human animations, I learned to create smooth camera transitions and triggers that enhance the player's immersion. This involved synchronizing animations with in-game events and crafting cutscenes that advance the narrative smoothly. Familiarizing Blueprint Techniques A significant aspect of "Pirate Recruit" involved deepening my understanding of casting within Unreal Engine's Blueprint system. I extensively utilized ray tracing (line traces) for hit detection, which helped implementing accurate and responsive shooting mechanics. By configuring precise collision channels and trace responses, I ensured that the projectile interactions were reliable and efficient. Additionally, I worked with Blueprint casting to facilitate communication between various game objects and systems. For instance, I implemented interfaces and event dispatchers to enable Blueprints to interact seamlessly, such as updating the UI in response to gameplay events or triggering animations based on player actions. This hands-on experience enhanced my proficiency in creating modular and maintainable Blueprint scripts, essential for scalable game development. Gameplay Mechanics and Interaction Developing the core gameplay mechanics was a primary focus of this project. I implemented base character movement, fine-tuning parameters like acceleration, jump velocity, and air control to achieve responsive and fluid player controls. For the shooting mechanics, I scripted weapon firing using input events, spawning projectiles, and applying progression through hit events. I incorporated recoil effects and muzzle flashes to enhance the tactile feel of shooting. To manage interactions, I utilized trigger volumes and collision responses, allowing the player to interact with objects in the environment, such as opening doors or adjusting sound behaviour depending on player location and/or progression. This involved a solid understanding of Unreal's collision system and event-driven architecture. User Interface Design In terms of UI/UX, I leveraged Unreal Widgets to design and implement the game's user interface. I created HUD elements like crosshairs, timers, and menus using widgets, ensuring they were efficiently updated through bindings and event-driven updates.