Stray: how Unreal Engine 4 brought its cyberpunk feline world to life
The title from BlueTwelve Studio chose Unreal Engine 4 as the technological core to build its universe. This technical decision was fundamental for modeling the vertical and complex scenarios that characterize the adventure, all seen through the eyes of a cunning stray cat 🐈.
Building a city from the ground up
The team conceived each space thinking about the scale and abilities of the feline protagonist. This directly influenced how jumps, platforms, and hiding spots were designed, making the environment not just a backdrop, but another character to interact with organically.
Pillars of visual design:- Atmospheric lighting: Abundant neon lights and reflections in puddles were used to define the mood of each area.
- Deliberate color palette: A specific chromatic selection reinforced the sense of futurism and decay.
- Vertical density: The city grows in height, creating a sense of immensity and vertical exploration.
A virtual cat that moves with enviable fluidity, demonstrating that in the digital world, one can also have an aristocratic bearing.
The tools behind the assets and sound
In addition to the graphics engine, the workflow included specialized software. To sculpt the 3D models of characters and objects, the team turned to applications like Maya and Blender. On the other hand, the audio layer was managed with FMOD, a powerful audio middleware.
Integration of key elements:- Asset modeling: Creating everything from lamps to robots with a high level of detail for the cyberpunk environment.
- Dynamic soundtracks: FMOD allowed ambient music to change based on the player's actions and location.
- Feline sound effects: Meows and cat footsteps were integrated reactively, synchronized with its on-screen movements.
The result: a unique immersive experience
The combination of Unreal Engine 4 for the technical base, modeling tools for visual elements, and FMOD for sound resulted in a cohesive world. The feline perspective was not just a visual trick, but a design philosophy that permeated every aspect, from gameplay to the auditory atmosphere, achieving that players genuinely perceive life in that dystopian city 🌃.