Traps
One of my major contributions to the encounters in Mine Runner was designing various traps and placing them throughout each sector of the game. This includes a gas trap that spews toxic chemicals, a fire trap that releases scolding flames, an electric trap that delivers a shock and a laser trap that radiates a dangerous beam. I was also in charge of tuning the parameters of each trap to ensure that they didn’t feel repetitive or become obvious to players as they progressed through the game. Some traps are always on while others activate only when a player is in close proximity. Additionally, each trap serves a different purpose. For example, the fire trap acts as a temporary barrier that deals damage over time, the gas trap provides area denial and the laser trap tests players’ timing.
Creatures
Another one of my major contributions to encounters was working with the art team to design both the nonhostiles and creatures that inhabit the mines. I created design sheets for each creature to provide artists with references before they began modeling. Some of these creatures include the mining robot, reptile, brute and mosquito. I was also tasked with setting up combat encounters throughout each sector of the game, tuning enemy curve tables along the way to match players' growing skill level. Using splines, I meticulously crafted each encounter that players have with nonhostiles and creatures. To avoid repetitive encounters, I gradually introduced new creatures sector by sector and came up with the idea of creating enhanced versions of specific creatures for later sectors.
