Explore the stunning level design of Echoes of the End in Unreal Engine 5. This video unveils the techniques used by a small team, including photogrammetry from Iceland and asset creation with Zbrush, RealityCapture, Maya, Blender, and Substance.
Dive into the mesmerizing world of level design with a new video showcasing the development of fantasy environments for Echoes of the End. This captivating demonstration reveals how a small team at Myrkur Games leveraged the power of Unreal Engine 5 to craft breathtaking landscapes. From initial layouts to final quality, witness the artistry and technical skill that bring these virtual worlds to life.
Video via Myrkur Games
The Art of Level Design
The team at Myrkur Games shares their process, highlighting the collaborative effort between level designers and environment artists. Typically, a level designer starts with a basic layout, often referred to as a “whitebox.” From there, an environment artist steps in to refine and elevate the level to its final, polished state. This partnership ensures that each environment is both functional and visually stunning.
One of the core techniques employed in creating the environments for Echoes of the End is photogrammetry. The developers scanned diverse locations across Iceland, using the captured data to faithfully recreate the country’s unique biomes within the game. This approach allowed them to achieve a high level of realism and immersion, grounding the fantasy world in tangible reality.
Asset Creation and Tools
The video provides a glimpse into the team’s asset creation pipeline. According to the video, the team primarily focused on scanning and sculpting assets, supplemented by select marketplace assets that seamlessly integrated into the game’s aesthetic. Their toolkit includes industry-standard software such as Zbrush, RealityCapture, Maya, Blender, and Substance. These tools empower the artists to sculpt intricate details, generate realistic textures, and optimize assets for performance within Unreal Engine 5.
Crafting Fantasy Environments
The team faced a significant challenge in producing a large number of distinct environments. Each environment artist was responsible for dressing approximately two to three hours’ worth of gameplay, demanding efficiency and creativity. The video showcases a section made using game assets, explicitly stating that it is not an actual location within the game, but rather created for illustrative purposes.
The video progresses into a mesmerizing timelapse, showcasing the evolution of a fantasy town from its initial stages to a fully realized environment. The timelapse format allows viewers to witness the gradual transformation, appreciating the meticulous work and attention to detail that goes into crafting each asset and element. The final segment of the video transitions into a showcase of the final level and the assets used, providing a comprehensive view of the game’s visual fidelity.
Echoes of the End is available now on PS5, Xbox, and Steam. Experience the culmination of artistry and technology in this visually stunning game.
Source:
Myrkur Games – Environment Art Timelapse – Fantasy Town | Echoes of the End
