Final Update 04/23

Incursion - Post Mortem

What Went Well

Technical Achievements

1. Robust Object Pooling System

• Successfully implemented a scalable object pooling system for projectiles
• Solved complex scene transition issues with pooled objects
• Optimized memory usage and performance

2. Scene Management

• Created a reliable scene transition system
• Maintained UI persistence across scenes
• Implemented proper object cleanup during transitions

3. Combat System

• Developed an engaging dual-element combat system (fire/ice)
• Created satisfying projectile physics for fireballs
• Implemented piercing mechanics for ice shards

4. Boss Battle

• Designed a multi-phase boss fight with dynamic behaviors
• Added health-triggered dialogue system
• Created multiple attack patterns (fireballs, shockwaves)

Design Wins

1. Environmental Interaction

• Dual-purpose abilities that work for both combat and puzzles
• Interactive elements like burnable doors and freezable mechanisms
• Physics-based platforming challenges

2. Player Progression

• Meaningful upgrade system through literacy mechanic
• Balance between combat and exploration abilities
• Resource management through stamina system

Challenges Faced & Solutions

Technical Hurdles

1. Scene Transition Issues

• Problem: Pooled objects appearing in wrong scenes
• Solution: Implemented comprehensive cleanup system using SceneManager events
• Lesson: Always handle both forward and backward scene transitions

2. Camera System

• Problem: Camera tracking interfering with player respawn
• Solution: Temporarily disable tracking during respawn sequences
• Lesson: Consider all system interactions during state changes

3. UI Persistence

• Problem: Lost UI references during scene loads
• Solution: Created robust UI panel initialization and transfer system
• Lesson: Plan for component persistence in multi-scene setups

Design Challenges

1. Player Respawn

• Problem: Inconsistent spawn positions
• Solution: Unified spawn system between room transitions and respawns
• Lesson: Standardize similar systems early in development

2. Enemy Management

• Problem: Ghost enemies affecting win conditions
• Solution: Added validation system for enemy counting
• Lesson: Implement robust state validation for game-critical systems

Future Improvements

1. Technical Optimizations

• Further refinement of object pooling system
• Enhanced scene loading optimization
• More robust error handling for edge cases

2. Gameplay Enhancements

• Additional element combinations
• More environmental puzzle types
• Extended progression system

3. Quality of Life

• Better feedback for player status effects
• More detailed tutorial system
• Enhanced visual effects for abilities

Key Takeaways

1. Architecture Matters

• Proper scene management is crucial for complex games
• Invest time in robust systems for core mechanics
• Plan for scalability in object management

2. Testing Edge Cases

• Scene transitions need thorough testing
• Consider all possible player paths
• Test both forward and backward progression

3. System Integration

• Different systems can interact in unexpected ways
• Document dependencies between systems
• Implement proper validation and error handling

This project demonstrated the importance of robust architecture in game development while highlighting the challenges of managing complex system interactions. The solutions implemented provide a solid foundation for future game development projects.