Storming The Rift – Game Dev Doc

Genre & Target Platforms

Genre: 3D Arcade Shooter / Roguelite / Endless Runner Platforms: PC (Steam, Epic),
Console (Xbox/PlayStation/Switch), possible mobile adaptation

Core Gameplay Loop

  1. Enter procedurally generated canyon level.
  2. Pilot ship through obstacles (walls,
    turrets, mines).
  3. Engage enemy fighters and ground defenses.
  4. Collect energy,
    scrap, or credits.
  5. Upgrade ship mid-run (roguelite system).
  6. Survive as long as
    possible ® scoreboards + progression.

Game Pillars

  1. Fast-Paced Flight Combat: Tight controls and cinematic trench running.
  2. Progression
    & Customization: Ship upgrades, new weapons, shield mods.
  3. Replayability:
    Procedural canyon layouts, roguelite elements.
  4. Spectacle & Scale: Large structures,
    collapsing debris, atmospheric visuals.
  5. Accessibility: Easy to pick up, hard to master.

Unique Selling Points

  1. Hybrid of classic arcade nostalgia and modern roguelite design.
  2. Fully 3D behind-ship
    camera with cinematic movement.
  3. Configurable shields (Deflectors, Absorbers,
    Attractors) for unique gameplay strategies.
  4. Canyon Biomes: asteroid fields, city
    trenches, alien landscapes, starship graveyards.

Art & Audio Direction

Art Style: Stylized realism (clean, vibrant, not photoreal). Visual Inspirations: Star Fox,
Star Wars Trench Run, No Man’s Sky biomes. Audio: Fast electronic/rock soundtrack,
adaptive intensity, arcade sound FX.

Progression Systems

  1. Roguelite loop: Each run unlocks permanent upgrades.
  2. Ship Customization:
    Weapons (guns/missiles/lasers), Shields, Engines, Special Abilities.
  3. Meta
    Progression: Unlock new ships, cosmetics, difficulty tiers.

Technical Foundation

Engine: Unreal Engine 5 Key Tech: Blueprint-driven, procedural generation for canyon
layouts, modular upgrade system. Physics: Simplified arcade flight (not sim). Camera:
Behind-ship with slight lag/tilt for cinematic feel.

Production Plan

MVP (3–4 months): – Single canyon level with procedural length – 1 enemy type + basic
turrets – Upgrade system (weapons/shields) – Score tracking & leaderboard Future
Expansion: – Additional biomes, enemy factions, bosses – Meta-progression ship
unlocks – Story wrapper (AI faction war / galactic race)

Risks & Mitigations

  1. Flight Controls: Must feel responsive ® frequent playtesting early.
  2. Scope Creep:
    Roguelite systems can expand endlessly ® define MVP strictly.
  3. Market Risk:
    Competing with nostalgia & indie shmups ® differentiate with roguelite loop.