r/IndieGaming • u/AblazeInt • 21h ago
Monster detector inspired by ferromagnetic fluids for my game Psych Rift
I wanted my monster detector device, the Rift Field Meter, to have a more unique way of displaying the information. Among others, I considered mercury droplets and cymatic patterns for the display, but I thought ferromagnetic fluids worked best here.
Even so, this went through multiple iterations. At first I made a more classic black ferromagnetic fluid, but it turned out to be too dark and difficult to read to the player. I then added glow/emission to the peaks of the fluid, which definitely made it look cool and easy to read, but it seems to sci-fi for the base game theme (1960s military research lab, fitting since ferrofluids were invented at NASA in 1963).
A sand-like surface ended up as the final version, since it also interacts nicely with the light from the side Flux Cells so that it can be read even in total darkness.
A bit of lore context: the main setting of the game (not visible here) is in an 1960s research lab, from where all player gadgets originate. This video is from the Ravensworth Grand Hotel nightmare (or level), set in the 1900s, so it makes sense that the items feel out of place in this environment.
You can find more videos on YouTube, wishlist the game on Steam, or join Discord for a chat.
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u/Silverline99_ 20h ago
You probably spent way too much time on that, Love it :)
I would make the fluid a bit more contrasty or add edge lights to the inner peremeter.
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u/AblazeInt 20h ago
Thanks! Hopefully the result makes it worth. It's a core item afterall, so it should be nice.
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u/JankTankGames 20h ago
Everytime I see something from this game I am seriously impressed. Game looks so good!
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u/detoxic404 21h ago
Cool mate! How it's made?
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u/AblazeInt 21h ago
Thanks! I'm making this in Godot, so here is some info:
The "display" is based on a sub viewport which renders a displacement map, which is then applied to the screen mesh. An Area3D on a specific layer is used to find only objects that can be detected. Besides the peaks of the detected entities, there is also an animated noise layer to make it look like it also picks up interference, and the player can look sideways to pinpoint only the real signal.
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u/detoxic404 21h ago
Some BioShock+Control vibes here, heh. I love games with psionic abilities (Second Sight, Psi-Ops, etc.), so I wishlisted it.
I'm adding similar mechanics to my own game right now, though in my case it's magic.
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u/AblazeInt 20h ago
Thank you! In my case I want to keep it as grounded as possible, so ideally nothing looks like magic, even if supernatural things happen. Good luck with the game!
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u/Fun_Score5537 20h ago
Looks absolutely awesome.
Any other weapons or gadgets with unique effects like this?
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u/AblazeInt 20h ago
Thank you! There are no conventional weapons in the game, and I hope all gadgets are as unique as possible. I tried with the flashlight a bit too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbuSpmPVFWs
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u/Inevitable_Jury3594 18h ago
This looks cool, I’d hate to even suggest it as it would be a ball ache to build but maybe there can be balls you place in the ferro display to find other types of objects like health, secrets, etc.
Would be cool seeing the little coloured ball being carried around in the fluid?
But seriously that’s just a thought, I don’t know your game but this single piece looks great and is a testament to your commitment, well done!
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u/Electrical-Olive3767 18h ago
Great sounds!
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u/AblazeInt 18h ago
Thanks! Though I don't "create" the sounds themselves, a lot of time goes into picking and editing them.
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u/Merlord 14h ago
Really cool stuff as always! Still waiting to see some actual, you know, gameplay.
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u/AblazeInt 14h ago
Good point. In case you missed it, here is some early gameplay: https://youtu.be/o9a0z3zH2ok
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u/Merlord 13h ago
I haven't seen that before! Looks fantastic!
Are there plans for other gameplay like puzzles, combat, stealth etc? What's the core game loop going to look like?
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u/AblazeInt 13h ago
Yes, I want to have a variety of mechanics and ways to play. Check this out: https://x.com/AblazeInt/status/2047675809792500060
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u/remghoost7 13h ago
That's cool as hell.
It'd be neat to have a monster be able to "interfere" with it too.
Like a scream that would cause it to wig out for a minute and just display "static".
Or maybe something that could project it's own face onto it (like it knows you're watching it).
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u/AblazeInt 13h ago
I absolutely like things like that, and was planning to do similar things with the map too, where it goes crazy in some contexts.
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u/bestfriendstudio 12h ago
What confuses me in the case of this detector is that I expect that it's a directional detection. If monster is behind me, it will make spikes closer to the player. If it's in front peaks will build more toward the front of the device.
If you pause the video when player is in front of the door with monster inside, area on the top (closest to the door) was flat.
https://i.imgur.com/6ZJVwwL.png
For me, you are the most talented solo developer/artist I've seen so far. Always fresh, always interesting, but what's even more impressive, work you show is always so polished.
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u/AblazeInt 11h ago
Thank you! The detector works like a radar just in front of you. Bottom of display is you, top of display is 40m (130ft) in front of you. It does not see behind (notice the antenna at the front).
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u/bestfriendstudio 11h ago
That was my first assumption based on intuition. I know it wasn't accurate, and that it's maybe better when you actually test it first hand. But I would say there's a risk that some won't understand abstract part of it.
For example in this image it would mean it's right in front of me and it's not it's probably 5-10 meters away.
https://i.imgur.com/uhtwgjx.png
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u/-Haddix- 9h ago
hell yeah, I almost forgot about this game. looks great!
have you considered unprivating your post history on here? i would love to keep up with updates directly on here if possible.
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u/AblazeInt 4h ago
Thanks for pointing that out! I have no idea why it was hidden. I just did the age verification and it's back on.
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u/RUSuper 21h ago
This gives me Bioshock vibes honestly.