Been adding more simple matte backgrounds to the levels to create distant landscapes and give the world a bigger sense of scale. Still figuring out the scale and horizon placement, but starting to come together #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #UE5 #indiedev #gaming #unrealengine #blender #unrealengine5

I’ve been painting far distant background objects to help sell the feeling of a much larger landscape without adding too much performance cost. Still some experimenting left to do, but it’s starting to come together #WishlistWednesday #videogames #indiedev #UnrealEngine5 #gamedev #gaming #blender

Modelled a few more owl inspired objects, including lanterns and stone totems, and scattered them throughout the level to see how they fit into the environment #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #UE5 #indiedev #gaming #unrealengine #blender #unrealengine5

This level has had me working on a lot of structures and ancient objects lately. Some of them ended up being inspired by owls, and I think I might make a few more 3D models with that theme #WishlistWednesday #videogames #indiedev #UnrealEngine5 #gamedev #gaming #blender

I added a few more ancient structures and pillars to this part of the level, and it helped bring the environment together. The area feels more grounded now, with a bit more story built into the space #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #UE5 #indiedev #gaming #unrealengine #blender #unrealengine5

Trying out some new 3D models for artifacts and unusual structures, with the goal of letting the environments tell more of a story #WishlistWednesday #videogames #indiedev #UnrealEngine5 #gamedev #gaming #blender

I built out the upward traversal section a bit more and added a few new floating platforms. I like how they’re starting to look, and I want to add more animated details to bring them to life #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #UE5 #indiedev #gaming #unrealengine #blender #unrealengine5

I’ve been playing around with new floating rocks and figuring out what style works best. The next step is adding more movement and detail so they feel like part of the world #WishlistWednesday #videogames #indiedev #UnrealEngine5 #gamedev #gaming #blender

I put together a quick low poly floating island with painted textures as a test. Next step is a high poly bake and building out the scene with more details and variations around the floating rock platforms #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #UE5 #indiedev #gaming #unrealengine #blender #unrealengine5

The floating platforms are starting to take shape. I’ve been testing some simple forms first and next step is to actually design them and make them interesting #WishlistWednesday #videogames #indiedev #UnrealEngine5 #gamedev #gaming #blender

Still figuring out the floating platforms, but I built spline-based vines that adjust to any length. Easy to place, bend, and add foliage. Going to try random flowers next #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #UE5 #indiedev #gaming #unrealengine #blender #unrealengine5

Building this jumping segment and starting to bring the environment into the platform design. I have a few ideas to make the floating platforms feel more connected, so that is next #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #UE5 #indiedev #gaming #unrealengine #blender #unrealengine5

Working on an upward traversal section right now, where you climb your way to the top. I’m trying to make the jumps feel satisfying and keep the whole climb fun #WishlistWednesday #videogames #indiedev #UnrealEngine5 #gamedev #gaming #blender

Spent some more time on a shader to help the player and enemies read more clearly, and also adjusted their lighting to make them more visible and nicer to look at, some more tweaks are needed #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #UE5 #indiedev #gaming #unrealengine #blender #unrealengine5

I’ve been experimenting with shaders to give the player an outline and a subtle light so the character stands out more. I am going to test different ways to make the player easier to read #WishlistWednesday #videogames #indiedev #UnrealEngine5 #gamedev #gaming #blender

Been working more on environmental hazards. Fixed it up and added some functionality while putting in a temporary sound effect. Next up is animations for touching hazards and the life system #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #UE5 #indiedev #gaming #unrealengine #blender #unrealengine5

I’ve added logic to environmental hazards like these spikes, so when you land on them or bump into them, you get knocked back a bit like in Castlevania. Next up is the life system and the animations tied to it #WishlistWednesday #videogames #indiedev #UnrealEngine5 #gamedev #gaming #blender

For me, Easter is all about time with family. Whether you celebrate or not, I hope you have a great weekend #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #UE5 #indiedev #gaming #unrealengine #blender #unrealengine5 #easter

Been tweaking the material and effects for the corrupted environment hazard. Added distortions, particles, and more color to make it easier to spot #WishlistWednesday #videogames #indiedev #UnrealEngine5 #gamedev #gaming #blender

I have been experimenting with a corruption-like material for the environment. It is meant to act as a hazard the player should stay away from, and I will be adding gameplay logic to it soon #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #UE5 #indiedev #gaming #unrealengine #blender #unrealengine5

Added some basic spike hazards to the environment. I will revisit the design to better fit the game’s theme #WishlistWednesday #videogames #indiedev #UnrealEngine5 #gamedev #gaming #blender

Added enemies to the area I have been building and started testing the new crystals they drop. Collecting them is much easier now #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #UE5 #indiedev #gaming #unrealengine #blender #unrealengine5

I got the new crystals spawning from enemies and floating until the player gets close enough to collect them. The movement and effects still need more work, but it is a start #WishlistWednesday #videogames #indiedev #UnrealEngine5 #gamedev #gaming #blender

Testing the new magnetic crystals in this vertical part of the level. Right now I think they work best as enemy drops, since that makes collecting them more satisfying #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #UE5 #indiedev #gaming #unrealengine #blender #unrealengine5

Working on crystals that get pulled toward the player when you’re nearby. Planning to use these for enemy drops so they’re easier to collect, and I’ll keep refining the movement as I go #WishlistWednesday #videogames #indiedev #UnrealEngine5 #gamedev #gaming #blender

Working more on this level and discovering new ways to create wall jump platforms and regular platforms that fit more naturally into the environment #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #UE5 #indiedev #gaming #unrealengine #blender #unrealengine5

One thing I didn’t expect when I added these reactive fireflies is that they can naturally guide the player. They subtly hint where to go next, or even where a hidden path might be #WishlistWednesday #videogames #indiedev #UnrealEngine5 #gamedev #gaming #blender

Experimenting with GPU powered particles to make them feel alive. These fireflies react to the player by scattering and drifting away as you approach #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #UE5 #indiedev #gaming #unrealengine #blender #unrealengine5

A small progress update from the level I am currently building. I am really happy with how this section is shaping up so far #WishlistWednesday #videogames #indiedev #UnrealEngine5 #gamedev #gaming #blender

While working on this part of the level, I added a segment where the ground launch ability really shines. When you don’t have enough space or momentum, you can use it to quickly build both and keep moving #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #UE5 #indiedev #gaming #unrealengine #blender #unrealengine5

I’ve expanded the surface detection system to the spears. They now detect what type of surface they hit and play the correct sound effect #WishlistWednesday #videogames #indiedev #UnrealEngine5 #gamedev #gaming #blender

Spent some time refining the effects for the launch ability. You can now charge crystals to launch up and forward, giving you a fast boost at the start #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #UE5 #indiedev #gaming #unrealengine #blender #unrealengine5

Added a crouching animation that I completely forgot to make before. I also adjusted the launch move so the two work better together #WishlistWednesday #videogames #indiedev #UnrealEngine5 #gamedev #gaming #blender

I am working on a new jump move for the player. From standing still or crouched, it launches you upward and forward to help get a running start #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #UE5 #indiedev #gaming #unrealengine #blender #unrealengine5

I needed a simpler way to detect what terrain is around the player. Right now it swaps footstep SFX from grass to snow, and later I can use the same system to switch particles for jumping, running and more #WishlistWednesday #videogames #indiedev #UnrealEngine5 #gamedev #gaming #blender

There’s now sound when you clean a checkpoint, along with some extra particle effects #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #UE5 #indiedev #gaming #unrealengine #blender #unrealengine5

Keep an eye out for hidden items and powerups along the way #WishlistWednesday #videogames #indiedev #UnrealEngine5 #gamedev #gaming #blender

I worked more on the corruption around the checkpoints. Now particles kick in as the checkpoint activates and the dark corruption starts dissolving #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #UE5 #indiedev #gaming #unrealengine #blender #unrealengine5

I spent some time refining the checkpoints, experimenting with new effects and shaders #WishlistWednesday #videogames #indiedev #UnrealEngine5 #gamedev #gaming #blender

Getting back into game dev this year with some level tweaks and a few new checkpoints added #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #UE5 #indiedev #gaming #unrealengine #blender #unrealengine5

Thank you for being part of this year. I hope to see you again in the next one! #HappyNewYear #HappyNewYear2026 #WishlistWednesday

Happy holidays everyone! Thanks for all the love and support this year. Can’t wait to share more game dev progress in the new year #HappyHolidays #WishlistWednesday #videogames #indiedev #UnrealEngine5 #gamedev #gaming #blender

Been working on bounce pad variations so they feel more at home in the snow environment. I’ll be reworking the snow models and polishing the particles next #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #UE5 #indiedev #gaming #unrealengine #blender #unrealengine5

Prepping the environment for the coming winter #WishlistWednesday #videogames #indiedev #UnrealEngine5 #gamedev #gaming #blender

I’ve started working on a 3D model for the new enemy. It’s a plant-based enemy with dangerous spikes #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #UE5 #indiedev #gaming #unrealengine #blender #unrealengine5

A bit of a smaller update today, but here’s some behind-the-scenes work on a new prototype enemy that fires spikes from the ground when the player gets close #WishlistWednesday #videogames #indiedev #UnrealEngine5 #gamedev #gaming #blender

There are still snow patches and some falling snow in this level, and I’m working out how to shape a few sections around them #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #UE5 #indiedev #gaming #unrealengine #blender #unrealengine5

Found a few issues with the bounce pads that kept them from behaving as intended. They’re fixed now and feel much more reliable #WishlistWednesday #videogames #indiedev #UnrealEngine5 #gamedev #gaming #blender

Been experimenting with new cliffs and rock shapes. Next step is optimizing them, probably by baking everything down to a cleaner low poly version #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #UE5 #indiedev #gaming #unrealengine #blender #unrealengine5

I’ve been experimenting with background assets like rocks and cliffs to figure out how to make them more efficient. They still need some color tweaks, and they’re a bit too low poly for what I’m aiming for #WishlistWednesday #videogames #indiedev #UnrealEngine5 #gamedev #gaming #blender