Ascension
A sci-fi puzzle game built in Unreal Engine for the GMI Community Jam 2024 — I programmed the ship steering, pickup system, and constellation puzzle mechanics.
- Unreal Engine
- C++
- Game Jam
My role
Gameplay programmer. I built the ship steering system, the pickup system, and the puzzle mechanics — the mysterious orbs, interactive obelisks, and constellation consoles.
Outcome
Won 1st place at the GMI Community Jam 2024, and was well received by players at the event.
Ascension is a captivating puzzle game created for the 2024 Game Jam organized by Game Makers Iceland. Players follow the guiding light of the stars across an endless astral sea, unraveling celestial mysteries and ascending to the cosmos. Built in Unreal Engine, it was a collaborative effort emphasizing creativity, teamwork, and inventive game mechanics.
Features
- Atmospheric world design: sail a magical ship through a sea of stars, discovering floating islands and exploring the ethereal beauty of the astral plane.
- Exploration-driven gameplay: sail to different islands, each with a unique environment and puzzle that feeds the overarching narrative of cosmic ascension.
- Immersive storytelling: begin with the shattering of a guiding star and embark on a journey of self-discovery, culminating in an awe-inspiring cosmic event.
- Dynamic event system: solving puzzles triggers large-scale changes in the game world, adding depth and progression.
The puzzles
Each island poses a different kind of puzzle — these are the mechanics I designed and coded.
Mysterious orbs. Glowing orbs connect to doors and hidden pathways through magic lines: carry them, place them, and watch the island react.
Sci-fi consoles. Codes inspired by constellations — read the star patterns scattered around the island, then punch them into the console to progress.
Interactive obelisks. Rotate and align glyphs to power ancient machines — the trigger for the game’s large-scale world events.
My contribution
As a gameplay programmer, my main role was building the game’s core systems and mechanics:
- Developed the ship steering system, ensuring smooth, responsive navigation through the astral sea.
- Implemented the pickup system so players could interact with in-game elements.
- Designed and coded the puzzle mechanics, including interactions with orbs and obelisks.
- Collaborated closely with the team to integrate features cleanly and stay true to the game’s artistic vision.
The game won first place at the 2024 Game Jam and was well received by players at the event.
Credits
- Bjartur Hafþórsson
- Geoffrey Duqué
- Kristinn Þór Schram Reed
- Michelangelo Diamanti
- Miko Santala
- Sævar Snorrason
- Music by Björn Snær Löve
Want something built like this? I'm available for contract work.