TOTHEMOON publishes Under The Hood: Volume 3, highlighting expanding alien ecosystems and modular survival mechanics

TOTHEMOON has published the third volume of its Under The Hood series, providing an in-depth look at its evolving development efforts. Covering weeks 9 through 12, the latest updates detail the creation of alien creatures, immersive fishing environments, advanced boss designs, and modular survival mechanics for its Colony and Jet Rider arcade games.

The summary is aimed at communicating the team’s progress in crafting dynamic, interactive systems that align with the sci-fi game universe’s aesthetic and gameplay objectives. Each installment is originally posted on the TOTHEMOON Discord.

Juroka Minions: Concept to 3D

The week 9 installment focused on the design of the Juroka Minions, insectoid alien enemies inspired by creatures such as bats, spiders, snakes, and wasps. Starting with conceptual designs that merge familiar elements with an alien aesthetic, the team transitioned to 3D modeling, emphasizing a toon-based style. Each creature features distinct characteristics, such as the Snake’s segmented body and the Spider’s armored legs, designed for movement and visual clarity.

Technical challenges included rigging and skinning the models to ensure fluid animations without distortion. As development progresses, the team aims to expand this alien roster with new creatures like scorpions and millipedes, pushing the boundaries of visual and gameplay depth.

Fishing: Location Concepts

Week 10 introduced three distinct fishing environments as part of TOTHEMOON’s Colony arcade game. The fishing system is designed to offer players an opportunity to relax, catch various fish species, and trade or cash them in for rewards. Each environment features unique challenges and gameplay dynamics:

• Lakes provide layered ecosystems, with stagnant waters at the surface and hardy species hidden below.
• Rivers challenge players with swift currents and a mix of agile and reserved fish species.
• Canals offer sparse but rewarding experiences, where players may encounter debris that can yield valuable items.

These environments are designed to enhance the fishing gameplay loop, with plans to introduce new mechanics and creatures to keep the experience fresh and engaging.

Alien Bosses Pt 1: Concept to 3D

Week 11 delved into the creation of two alien bosses, The Jailer and The Swarm, designed for TOTHEMOON’s Jet Rider arcade game. These bosses present gameplay challenges, blending strategic learning with encounters:

• The Jailer acts as an introductory mini-boss, teaching players essential combat mechanics like timing and positioning. Its spider-like design and oppressive attacks reinforce themes of confinement and fear.
• The Swarm emphasizes endurance-based gameplay, with its amorphous, bat-like design overwhelming players with explosive minions and chaotic visuals. Precision and adaptability are key to defeating this relentless adversary.

These bosses set the stage for future alien threats, with additional designs currently in development.

Survival Mechanics: The KING Modular APC

Week 12 unveiled the KING APC, a modular survival vehicle central to Colony gameplay. The KING allows players to navigate the Moon’s environment through customizable modules that adapt to various gameplay needs. Key features include:

• Primary Modules for functionality like communications, radar, or resource storage.
• Utility Slots for weapon racks, medical kits, or additional storage.
• Entrance Modules configurable as doors or defensive turrets.

The KING’s design emphasizes adaptability, enabling players to personalize their strategy based on survival, exploration, or combat priorities. Players can also experiment with environmental interactions, such as attracting enemies with sound or modifying the APC for amphibious travel.

The complete article can be found on TOTHEMOON’s Medium page.