A year ago I started learning #UnrealEngine with an idea for a game influenced by 80s and 90s action movies. It's definitely been a journey to learn and create in this engine. More to share in 2026. #Art #Arcade #Shooter #reload #UE5 #Gamedev #IndieDev #Animator #Maya #Bluesky #Deadzone #Target #car

I got the Enemy Peeking logic working. I'm excited how this looks because as an #Animator, I can make a bunch of random peek behaviors and #Unreal can choose a new montage instead of the same #Peek #Animation over. #UE5 #GameDev #Arcade #Shooter #ActionMovie #DieHard #VirtuaCop #TimeCrisis #Art

Started working on the Enemy Peek and Shoot. #BehaviorTree does not like multiple montages I learned so I'm using Animation Composites. I'll add notifies down the road but this opens up to have multiple variations of peeking animations and logic. #Peek #Unreal #UE5 #Aim #GameDev #Art #BlueSky #Shoot

Started looking into movable objects on #splines. I want to get guys spawning out from the windows shooting at you eventually since this is my main focus now. #BabySteps #art #ShootOut #UnrealEngine #UE5 #GameDev #Bluesky #VideoGames #Photography #Cinematography #followme #fiction #digitalart #

More #Optimization. Learned a lot of how incredible this technique is absolutely needed. #Performance is still my priority. I also redid the #Car #Explosion with matching fire color from 80's #Action #Movies. #UE5 #Unreal #UnrealEngine #GameDev #IndieDev #Art #Bluesky #VideoGames #Physics

#screenShotSaturday #Art #GameDev #UnrealEngine #UE5 #Epic

#HappyThanksgiving! I've been busy learning #optimization. I've pooled a ton of #Niagara #Particles, got rid of collision boxes on #Tracers and did #Camera culling on all particles. #Performance is getting better. Also #Puddles on the sprinklers. #BlueSky #Development #UE5 #GameDev #IndieDev #Art

I keep testing the hell out of this system and I still find input gaps to plug so nothing breaks. I added a focus lerp on the pistol while #Reloading to give more immersion while you're #peeking around the pillar. #GameDev #IndieDev #Development #Art #BlueSky #VideoGames #HighScore #Unreal #UE5

Added more dynamic impact effects on enemies just like in #VirtuaCop. Still working on closing the gaps on button spamming between all behavior states. #Unreal #UnrealEngine #UE5 #Cover #Arcade #Shooter #Reload #BlueSky #IndieDev #GameDev #VFX #Animation #VideoGames #Reload #BlueSky #Art

I smoothed out #Peeking blends with rotation yaw enabling gradually. I also been experimenting with some score #niagara particle impacts to give off that #Arcade feeling. I also added a different camera shake when firing while peeking. #Unreal #UnrealEngine5 #GameDev #Art #BlueSky #Indie #Shooter

Last update before #ArcRaiders takes over my time. I added #FOV & #Vignette effects while you're peeking in #FPS mode. There will be more hand sway since the next step is diving into #AnimBlueprint. #Unreal #UE5 #GameDev #Art #Indie #Development #VideoGames #Arcade #Shooter #Action #Bluesky

Cleaning up the cover system by closing controller gaps to make everything is fast and smooth. I've been having loads of fun with #timelines and #camera #lerps. #DepthOfField has also been added seamlessly between #states. #Unreal #GameDev #Art #Arcade #VideoGames #Indie #Peek #Art #BlueSky

I've been working on #player controls while peeking. Holding A/D while in cover will let you #Peek and releasing will return to #Cover. RMB toggles FPS mode while in cover. I'm still working on #Camera #animations and #transitions. #Unreal #UE5 #GameDev #IndieDev #Development #Art #BlueSky #Arcade

I've been focusing on the cover system still. It will be more #cinematic as I progress but it's coming along nicely. Need to clean up a few things but it's looking great ! #UnrealEngine #UE5 #IndieDev #GameDev #FirstPerson #POV #Game #VideoGame #Reload #Art #BlueSky #FPS #3rdPerson #Movies #Action

Experimenting with a directional #camera tilt while #peeking. Also I'm still mapping out the #controls while you're in #cover. A mixture of toggle and hold keys / mouse will be used instead of holding a bunch of keys. #Unreal #UE5 #Art #Bluesky #Arcade #Animation #VirtuaCop #Reload #80s

#CoverSystem Update. I got the pillars working on all sides to exit and re-entry. I'll need to add a cooldown and smoother transitions but the #Logic is working. Time to do make it look better! #UE5 #Art #Unreal #IndieDev #GameDev #VideoGames #Arcade #80sMovies #Bluesky #Artist #Animator #Shooter

Seamless Cover System Update: Cover points are pushed out a bit in order to trigger all 4 sides appropriately but will address that later. Glad I got it working, now it's time to start the #Peek logic. #Cover #CoverSystem #Art #Unreal #UE5 #Seamless #VideoGame #Arcade #Shooter #BlueSky #Animation

Started to implement a seamless cover system on the pillars. It's going well as you can tell (LOL). It's progress so I'll take it! This is a major gameplay mechanic I want to be close to perfect. #UE5 #Unreal #GameDev #Bug #SoloStudio #Cover #Peek #Arcade #Shooter #Art #BlueSky

Still optimizing the lighting for performance, I added blob shadows to the characters and assets. I added an extra #NiagaraParticle to the #NPCs for a #Damage points deducting from them as you shoot them. #UE5 #Unreal #Particles #Shooter #BlueSky #Arcade #GameDev #IndieDev #VideoGames #SoloDev #Art

Optimized the #lighting, got some #opticalflares and an #HDRI map. Performance is almost where it needs to be. Very Satisfied so far! #Arcade #Shooter #BlueSky #Art #Unreal #UE5 #Animator #GameDev #IndieDev #Developer #ActionHero #ShootEmUp #VirtuaCop #DieHard #Explosion #ParkingGarage #80s #90s

Installed the #RTX5090 last week and productivity has skyrocketed. I optimized the lighting and post processing materials. The #SoundFX has been updated with the #Explosions. I still want to optimize the lighting more for the best #performance possible. #UE5 #Indie #Unreal #GameDev #Art #BlueSky

Time for an upgrade. I've heard good things while game developing in Unreal using a #RTX5090. #UE5 #unreal #gamedev #nvidia #upgrade #geforce #computer #battlestation

Started adding #SoundEffects with random cues. The #vocals are temporary since it doesn't match the garage environment but the #Impacts I'm happy with so far. Much to learn! #GameDev #UnrealEngine5 #Sounds #Art #VideoGame #ActionMovie #DieHard #Nostalgia #80s #BlueSky #IndieDev

After a few weeks I figured out how to get the player to render on top of #UI widgets. I want the weapon to be the #Hero like in the #PS2 game #BLACK but #Arcade style. Need to cleanup the blueprints but it's working! I also updated the enemy hits to be a tad more bloody. #UE5 #Unreal #Widget #Art

I was ready to give up, but the fab store had a scene texture plugin to help me out with getting just the players mesh to render in front of UI widgets. I set up a Master Widget blueprint with proper canvas panels and retaining boxes. #Unreal #Material #GameDev #IndieDev #Art #UI #Bluesky #Arcade

I'm working on getting the hands / pistol to render on top of the UI #Widget. I have a material working from a render target but if I put this material on a widget, the white still renders on top but the masking works. Im almost positive the #material needs work. #UE5 #Unreal #Gamedev #IndieDev #Art

Started working on a #score system in #Unreal. I wanted the digits to animate upwards. I learned about #Blueprint function library last week so I can call that function on any destructible asset in the #Game and add how many #points without doing hard casts. #VideoGame #VirtuaCop #Arcade #Action

Had the opportunity to paint #RadiatorSprings for our first responder neighbors who are expecting their 2nd baby boy this September. #Mural #Art #BlueSky #Paint #Cars #PistonCup #Nursery #Artwork #Portfolio

Updated the #Grenade #blueprint and created a quick left hand raise #animation to shield themselves from a nearby #blast. I'll add some dust and maybe play with other #effects on the lens / viewport #Unreal #UE5 #BlueSky #Art #GameDev #IndieDev #Indie #Development #Camera #Shake #Blur #FPS #FOV

I added a highlighted red material to the enemies when you're aiming at them, and a blink material while hitting them just like #VirtuaCop #GameDev #Art #Bluesky #GoldenEye #Aim #Reload #Indie #IndieDev #UE5 #UnrealEngine #Studio #Artist #Movies #Action #Radial #Target #VideoGames #Xbox #PS5

Added a health #widget around the enemy target. I'm still working on getting that #nostalgic #arcade style #FPS gamplay. #GameDev #Art #Bluesky #GoldenEye #Aim #Reload #Indie #IndieDev #UE5 #UnrealEngine #Studio #Artist #Movies #Action #Radial #Target #90s #80s #VideoGames #Xbox #PS5

Replaced all "Cast to" blueprints with #Interfaces and holy hell, the FPS difference is insane on High quality and all shadows enabled. The #Grenade had about 12 casts to blueprints (not best practice) but not anymore. #Caddyshack #Explosion #Art #GameDev #UnrealEngine #IndieDev #UE5 #StressTest

I finally got the #Widget animations working on the Deadzone Aiming mechanic. Had to create a new trace channel to only recognize #Pawns. I may put a health bar as a radial shape to match the target. #GameDev #UnrealEngine #Art #BlueSky #VideoGames #IndieDev #Indie #UE5 #Arcade #Shooter #FPS

Thanks to @mikamobile.bsky.social for recommending interfaces. The performance alone has improved. Widget animations are still a WIP but overall, I'm hoping to introduce some #VirtuaCop vibes. #Art #BlueSky #UnrealEngine #UE5 #Action #GameDev #Indie #IndieDev #Arcade #Shooter #FPS

Thanks to #DuneAwakening, I haven't been working on my game lately. Started back up and learning the UI more as well as widgets. I have the #Widget as a component on the enemy but I want to make that widget animate when my trace hits the #pawn. Do I do Event Dispatchers? #GameDev #Unreal #UE5 #Indie

#Maya 2026's new #MotionMaker #AI tool is definitely a game changer. This animation took me 20 minutes to do along with animation layers for his arms to hold a rifle while running. #Animation #3D #MotionCapture #Rigging

wrapping up #RadiatorSprings mural for our neighbors who are expecting their 2nd child this September. #mural #art #painting #acrylic #pixar #cars #disney

A month ago, I started painting #RadiatorSprings at my neighbor's who is expecting their 2nd child this year. I still have to paint the actual town but wanted to share the progress so far. #mural #art #painting #wall #nursery #disney #mator #pistoncup

My combat-drifting assassination simulator, House of the Dying Sun is 70% off this week thanks to the Steam Sale. Check it out if you haven't. Be the Dragon. store.steampowered.com/app/283160/H...

Animated the targeting widgets for the deadzone aiming system. I also added a heat exhaust around the muzzle flash for added VFX. #UnrealEngine #Art #Bluesky #Arcade #Shooter #FPS #3rdPerson #ActionMovies #80s #Grenade #Explosion #Cars #SoloDev #GameDev #Indie #UE5 #VideoGames #VirtuaCop

Added #deadzone #aiming mechanic just like in #GoldenEye and a mixture of #Bodycam. I still need to pin the left arm's IK. but I want to see how it feels to experiment after getting this system to work after week. #UE5 #GameDev #ManualAim #Art #BlueSky #VideoGame #Arcade #Unreal #Indie #Dev

Started learning UI Widgets and animating them in #Unreal. Good thing all those years in #AfterEffects could be salvaged once I learned the #Blueprints. #Reload #Animation #Maya #GameDev #IndieDev #Widgets #Components #Art #Bluesky

#Reload animations have been updated with #FirstPersonCamera. I blurred the background just like in the classic game called; #BLACK made in the early 2000's. I also added a subtle camera movement while reloading for immersion. #GameDev #UnrealEngine5 #UE5 #Art #Bluesky #PostProcess #VFX #Blur

Experimenting with #FirstPersonCamera while #Aiming. Taking a break from #GameDevelopment for a bit but wanted to share my journey learning #UnrealEngine this year. It's been quite a blast so far... To Be Continued. #Art #Bluesky #Cars #Physics #Explosion #VideoGames #Retro #80s #GameDev #UE5

#Animation Graph updates to Enemy #AI. Running Stop animations are in along with an #AimOffset and #Melee if you get too close to the enemy. #UnrealEngine5 #IndieDev #VideoGames #Art #GameEngine #EpicGames #M9Beretta #DieHard #3D #VideoGames #bluesky #digitalart #behaviortrees

Added new enemy animations, blendspaces and changed their blends with hit reactions. Stationary and Moveable BT's are are set in this clip. Next is find cover / peek. #UnrealEngine5 #UE5 #GameDev #Action #Indie #artist #art #Animation #3D #Sparks #Explosions #Shootout #digitalart #arcade #nostalgia

Experimenting with EQS / AI when player hides behind cover. Still working on spreading them out faster while in cover. #UnrealEngine #UE5 #Shooter #ActionMovies #GameDev #Bluesky #SoloStudio #Indie #GameDevelopment #Art #Movies #VideoGames #Retro #Nostalgia #Git #hashtags #indiedev

#BehaviorTree Day 6. Movements will get better once I do customize the blendspaces with jogging stop anims in all directions. I added a #VirtuaCop target concept to see how it feels. #UnrealEngine5 #GameDev #Animations #Blendspace #AI #Enemy #3rdPersonShooter #Unreal #UE5 #Indie #IndieDev #VideoGame

Started working on the animation blueprints for the Enemy BP. As an animator, this is going to be a major focus for me. I want the player to enjoy shooting at these guys. #UnrealEngine #UE5 #Animation #3D #AnimBlueprints #Bluesky #GameDev #VideoGames #IndieGames #logic #AI #BehaviorTrees #Movies

Learning #BehaviorTrees in #Unreal this week. Some enemies when they're low on health, they'll run and hide, some just run towards the player while shooting. #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Enemies #UE5 #Sequece #Selector #GameDev #SoloStudio #Arcade #ShootEmUp #BlueSky #Perception #ActionMovies