Independent development has found an ally in Unreal Engine 5 to materialize unique concepts, and Chained Together is a clear example of this. This title not only explores forced cooperation through a physical chain but also demonstrates how Lumen's dynamic lighting and precise modeling in Blender can transform a simple mechanic into a visual and technical challenge. We analyze the keys to its development and how small studios can replicate these techniques. 🎮
Chain rendering and cooperative physics in UE5 🔗
The technical core of Chained Together lies in handling the chain that connects the players. Instead of a predefined animation, the developers implemented a physics system based on constraints within Unreal Engine 5, likely using the cable simulation system or Chaos Physics. Each link must react in real-time to the tension generated by two characters moving independently. For modeling, Blender was the key tool. The chain, although seemingly simple, requires clean topology to avoid strange deformations when colliding with platforms. A technical trick here is to use individual links with simplified collisions (capsules) instead of complex meshes to reduce processor load, letting Lumen handle the reflections and shadows of each link without sacrificing performance.
Lessons for indies: lighting and contrast 💡
What makes Chained Together memorable is its visual transition between dark caves and radiant skies. For independent developers, the lesson here is the strategic use of Lumen. It is not necessary to light the entire level with static lights; instead, you can use a single directional light (the sun) combined with fog volumes in the caves. This creates a dramatic contrast that guides the player without needing visual markers. The final advice is to prototype the chain physics first in an empty plane before building the scene, as an error in the rope tension can ruin the cooperative experience, no matter how beautiful the rendered sky is.
How does Chained Together synchronize cooperative physics between players using Lumen in Unreal Engine 5 without compromising performance on mid-range hardware?
(PS: a game developer is someone who spends 1000 hours making a game that people complete in 2)