Game Rating
Welcome to our in-depth conversation with the innovative creator : Punkcat Games. Today, we’re diving into the exciting world of “Driftwood Trails,” a thrilling Rocket Racing map designed using Unreal Editor for Fortnite, which won 1st Place in our Track Masters Build Challenge. With its unique trackless design and lush, forest-themed aesthetics, this game promises a unique racing experience. We’ll explore the inspirations, challenges, and creative processes behind the game, as well as how AI technology played a pivotal role in shaping its development.
Let’s Get Started!
Can you start by telling us a bit about your game and what inspired its creation?
Punkcat : Driftwood Trails is an exhilarating Rocket Racing map crafted within UEFN (Unreal Editor for Fortnite). Up to 12 players can compete, racing through winding turns and stunning forest scenery to complete three laps.
The map features a dirt track with drift-able turns and several jumps, creating an immersive racing experience. It’s one of the few ‘track-less’ Rocket Racing maps available.
My goal was to design an environment that enhances the sensation of speed and movement while encouraging precise control and navigation. I wanted players to feel the thrill of making last-second maneuvers to take the lead or to just stay in the race!
How long did the entire development process take from concept to completion?
Punkcat : Overall, development took about a month. Most of this time was spent experimenting with the recently released Rocket Racing tools in UEFN. I first had to learn how to use them, determine their limits, and then figure out how to create something truly unique.
What was your initial vision for the game, and how closely did the final product match that vision?
Punkcat : Believe it or not, I experimented with two entirely different environment styles before settling on the aesthetic in the final release. Initially, I enlarged the “Alphabet 0” prop to create a gigantic loop for players to race around, but the cameras didn’t function well when driving upside down. Next, I tried guiding players through a series of underwater caves, but the underwater visuals didn’t work as intended, so I had to go back to the drawing board.
My next attempt involved a spooky track that navigated players through several haunted houses. However, the project developed bugs that created ghost tracks (how ironic) each time I edited the main track. The main track would duplicate in the editor without any references to the duplicates. Unable to find a workaround, I abandoned the project instance.
I paused development for several days to take a trip that included a hike through the extraordinary Redwoods of California. Inspired by the experience, I knew exactly what I wanted to implement and precisely how It was going to be implemented.
The final aesthetic ended up closely matching my original vision! For the sake of simplicity, I sacrificed track length to focus on optimizing the turns for drifting and it turned out great!
Competitors in this Build Challenge were instructed to create their own AI concept art for their projects. Based on what you created, could you elaborate on how you incorporated your AI-generated concept art into the game design process?
Punkcat : Surprisingly, I used the very first AI-generated concept art that was produced as the main reference point for this project. The image featured beautiful forest scenery and more importantly, a sense of motion blur that captured the feeling I wanted to convey through gameplay; A sense of adventure, speed, and competitive excitement!
Did using AI for concept art streamline your production process? How did it impact the overall timeline of the project?
Punkcat : Using AI for concept art definitely streamlined the production process. It provided a clear visual reference early on, which helped me stay focused on my vision.
This clarity allowed me to make design decisions more quickly and confidently. As a result, it positively impacted the overall timeline of the project, reducing the time spent on initial concept development and iteration.
What specific advantages did you find in using AI-generated concept art?
Punkcat : In a sense, AI can act as a partner by injecting new ideas and freeing up mental resources for other tasks. My favorite part of using AI-generated concept art has been discovering new perspectives, camera angles, scene depth, and a variety of scene elements that can inspire new directions for a project.
There are tons of bugs when developing in Fortnite Creative and UEFN. Were there any significant challenges you faced during the game’s creation? How did you address them?
Punkcat : Absolutely, developing in Fortnite Creative and UEFN does come with its fair share of challenges, particularly with bugs. One significant challenge that was encountered during the game’s creation was ensuring stability and smooth gameplay.
Following the game’s initial release, an unexpected issue arose where players could drive through trees, barriers, and other objects in the game, something that wasn’t happening during pre-release playtesting. This posed a significant concern, impacting the gameplay experience. I actively engaged with the development community through forums and social networks to identify potential solutions.
Fortunately, someone shared an idea that shed light on the cause of the issue and enabled a fix. Their input proved invaluable and highlighted the power of community collaboration in addressing unforeseen challenges post-launch.
How are you able to leverage the processes and technologies used in this project for future projects?
Punkcat : This project will serve as the foundation for all future Rocket Racing endeavors. The most valuable aspect of this experience was the process of learning and mastering the tools, and, quite honestly, just figuring out how to complete a Rocket Racing project from start to finish.
I continuously refine my processes and techniques. Staying organized, not getting caught up in minor details early on, and setting and achieving small goals have proven to be very effective. Each completed project lays the groundwork for future ones, no matter how simple or complex they may be.
How do you see AI shaping the future of game development?
Punkcat : Ultimately, AI is a tool. While many industries are still navigating how to leverage its benefits, they often find themselves ensnared by its drawbacks. In many scenarios, there’s an overreliance on AI, leading to the production of low-quality or repetitive work. Conversely, when integrated as a complementary tool, AI can significantly streamline processes and generate very innovative outcomes.
It’s imperative to approach it as a managed system, requiring careful consideration and implementation. I think AI possesses the capacity to unleash a multitude of inventive concepts and problem-solving strategies. It has the ability to offer innovative suggestions and insights that can introduce groundbreaking ideas that have been previously unexplored.
Marketing is a challenge for everyone in the UEFN Creative space. Could you describe any marketing strategies you’ve implemented for this game?
Punkcat : Given the relatively small player base for Rocket Racing UGC content, I’ve opted for minimal marketing efforts for this project. Instead, I’ve directed my focus towards introducing the Rocket Racing game mode within Fortnite to attract new potential players. Even among Fortnite players, there is limited exposure to Rocket Racing, and many have yet to explore creator-made maps.
Mastering re-playability for a single racetrack is incredibly challenging. I believe we need to see the capability of mixing various tracks into collections or cups, each consisting of something like four tracks, that players can choose and play through. Additionally, the introduction of UGC maps into the core Rocket Racing game mode would greatly benefit the creator space.
Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently in the development process?
Punkcat : I would lean towards minimizing the time spent exploring too far from the initial concept. However, I found that each experiment produced some unique insights which allowed me to discover elements that ultimately enriched the final product.
Are there plans to expand this game with more Rocket Racing maps or branch it into other genres?
I’m excited to build upon the concepts introduced in Driftwood Trails and continue developing fresh experiences into Rocket Racing maps! Stay tuned, you might just encounter some exciting new adventures coming your way!
Thank you for joining us in this fascinating discussion with Punkcat about Driftwood Trails. It’s been enlightening to learn about the journey from concept to completion, the innovative use of AI in game design, and the strategies employed to overcome the unique challenges in game development. As Punkcat continues to explore and expand within the Rocket Racing genre, we look forward to seeing more of their creative contributions to the gaming world. Keep an eye out for future projects and, until next time, keep racing towards innovation and excitement!
Connect with Punkcat Games:
Twitter : https://twitter.com/punkcatgames
Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/@punkcatgames
Fortnite : https://www.fortnite.com/@punkcat
Play Driftwood Trails Now
https://www.fortnite.com/@punkcat/5001-2377-3491
