Survival of the Dodo
Project Date: 2017
Survival of the Dodo is an Endless Runner, 3D Game, in which Piktokalon (previously Modo), the Last Dodo, aims at surviving the British Governance of Mauritius in the 1800s. Throughout the game, Piktokalon is constantly running and has to jump over holes, avoid rocks, trees and British officers coming his way, while collecting mangoes and speed up tokens. With only a finite number of collisions allowed, he has to successfully make it to the end of the sugarcane fields.
This demo is part of the "Wrath of the Dodo" Series, an on-going project of mine, based on the Dodo Bird and the history of Mauritius. The Game has been planned to consist of 5 levels; the Dutch, French, British, Pre-Independence and Post-Independence (Current times) Eras.
Piktokalon is the last Dodo Bird left on the Island of Mauritius (hence on earth as well. After having witnessed his whole species being annihilated by mankind, he attempts to overcome humans and survive throughout the different Eras, to modern times.
Mauritius is a tiny tropical island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. It was first colonised by the Dutch in the mid 1600s, followed by the French in in the early 1700s and the British in the late 1800s to then obtain its independence in 1968.
The Dodo was a species indigenous and unique to Mauritius. These birds were said to be about 1 meter tall, Fat and Flightless, covered with brownish-grey plumage, bearing a black, yellowish or greenish and yellow feet.
The Dodos were reported to be quite friendly, having had never experienced the company of humans before, which made it easier for the Dutch to hunt them down. The Dodo sadly never made it past the Dutch Era and faced extinction.
Based on the Dodo Bird's pictures, several looks for the character were drafted, based on the 'survival' concept.
The last one was chosen and elaborated.
Of average height, Piktokalon has got white and red feathers and is heavily scarred, having survived while having seen his entire species perish. He has learned to embrace the reckless side of life and intends to make the most out of it.
Reference Photos for the in-game humans.
The costumes were created, based on pictures of British Officers in the early 1900s.
The costumes were created, based on pictures of Dutch Governors in the mid 1600s and French Soldiers in the 1700s.
The environment for this level consists of sugarcane fields, as the cultivation of sugarcane was very much part of the British Era. The Environment was modeled based on both old pictures found online and pictures that I have taken in Mauritius.
Modeling Progress
Wireframe
Textured Mesh
Textured Mesh
Dodo's Rig
Animation Cycles: Idle, walk, run, kick, jump
UV and Colour Map
Wireframe
Textured Mesh
Officer's Rig
Animation Cycles: Idle, walk, fall back.
UV and Colour Map
Ground and Aerial land Tile Pieces
Mountains
Sugarcanes
Different types of rocks
The Union Jack
Green Mango Collectible
Red Mango Collectible
Speed Up Collectible
The ground assets were lined up to create the pathway, and the other assets were arranged accordingly.
The controls for the Dodo to move left and right, as well as double jump, were worked on. The camera was made to follow the Dodo as the latter runs forward.
Multiple officers were positioned along the pathway and were made to go from their idle stage to walking towards the Dodo bird when the latter was close enough.
The mangoes and Speed Up tokens were made to rotate, and disappear on collision with the Dodo.
Menu Scene
Controls Scene
Intro Scene
In-game UI elements
Win Scene
Game Over Scene
Extra: Happy New Year 2019~