Haunted Chocolatier Uses a Custom Engine Written in C#
Eric Barone's upcoming project, Haunted Chocolatier, takes a different technical path by rejecting commercial engines. Instead of using Unity or GameMaker, the developer builds his own foundation from scratch with the C# language. This choice completely defines how the game is made and perceived. 👨💻
Why Program a Custom Engine
Creating a custom engine is a complex process, but it grants unparalleled freedom. Barone can control every technical aspect and tailor the tools exactly to what he needs for his haunted chocolatería game. This eliminates the limitations sometimes imposed by generalist solutions and allows implementing very specific mechanics.
Key advantages of this decision:- Total control: Allows fine-tuning every detail of performance and gameplay.
- Perfect adaptation: The tools are molded to the project's unique needs, like simulating a ghost shop.
- Technical cohesion: Ensures all game systems work in a unified and optimized manner.
The real mystery is not who inhabits the mansion, but how a single developer can program an engine, draw every pixel, and still have time to test all the chocolate recipes.
A Graphical Leap in Pixel Art
The custom engine also drives the visual evolution. While retaining the charm of pixel art, Haunted Chocolatier shows a clear advancement over Stardew Valley. Sprites have more detail, and animations are more complex and fluid.
Features of the new visual style:- Dark color palette: Replaces pastoral brightness with magical and mysterious tones to create a fantasy atmosphere.
- Lighting effects: Simple but effective lighting implementations that enhance scenes and deepen the ambiance.
- Detailed sprites: Every visual element shows a higher level of complexity, leveraging the new engine's capabilities.
Foundations for Unique Gameplay
Building the engine in C# facilitates designing custom game systems. The core mechanic of managing a haunted chocolatería likely requires simulating chocolate production, interacting with ghostly customers, and exploring a supernatural environment. A custom engine can optimize these processes in an integrated way. This solid technical foundation is essential to support the depth and interactive experience expected from a Barone-led project, demonstrating that sometimes the most powerful solution is the one you create yourself. 🍫