Plunder Panic

Role(s): AI Programmer, Gameplay Programmer
Genre: Multiplayer arcade action
Platform: Nintendo Switch, Steam
Development Time: Ongoing (since 2017)
Team Size: 10+
Engine: Unity
Awards/Accolades: 2017 IndieCade Audience Choice Award, 2018 SXSW Gaming Pitch Convention Finalist, Official Selection for Indie Mega Booth at 2018 PAX East Showcase

Plunder Panic is a multiplayer arcade game for up to 12 players releasing on Steam and the Nintendo Switch in 2021. It has been in development at the Games for Entertainment and Learning Lab at Michigan State University since 2017. The game has won several awards, including the Audience Choice Award at Indiecade in 2017. Since then, development has been focused on bringing the game to the Nintendo Switch.

I started working on Plunder in May 2019. I was added to the team primarily to develop the AI players in the game and to create a new character select system in the menu. A full list of my contributions can be found below.

Contributions

Designed and developed a dual-utility AI for decision making among computer-controlled players
Implemented a node-based movement system for the AI, and used a modified version of A* for pathfinding
Designed and developed a versatile system to streamline the process of creating new AI actions using the Subclass Sandbox design pattern, including a way to "drag and drop" new behavior
Utilized a virtual controller to simplify the process of passing input to the AI players

A game of AI players

The interactive character select scene

Designed and developed a new interactive character select scene, with different versions for the Nintendo Switch and Arcade platforms
Created a new main menu system to include the updated art and facilitate customization of game options and modifiers
Developed systems to allow players to join a match while it's playing in order to facilitate "dropping-in" to the action
Implemented a system to asynchronously load scenes in the background in order to improve loading times

Takeaways

Adapting to work within an existing codebase
Joining an experienced team and learning how to effectively communicate ideas across disciplines
Optimizing code for consoles, specifically the Nintendo Switch
Designing AI that provides a fun and interesting challenge within the rules of the game
Debugging and tuning our AI systems to meet the goals for the project
Applying my knowledge of design patterns, algorithms, and data structures to a problem

Gameplay

Alpha gameplay - 1 human player and 5 AI teammates against a team of 6 AI