Blueprint Keys- Assets for Chai Games upcoming Horror release

Chai Games is currently developing a classic TPS horror game and required key assets for their puzzles and gameplay progression. Each key was designed based on the environment description given, with an ornate detailed key specific to castle grounds, a small simple and modern key specific to cabins and more modern structures, and finally, a large ageing key suited to more run-down and overgrown areas. Based on the visual level of detail intended for the keys in each scene, it was not necessary to create custom prop bakes for a wide variety of keys, so I came up with a time-saving method for both me and the developer.

I started by creating a material with parameters for variation of the original maps, allowing control over roughness, metalness, normal blend, colour, and a rust option, with tiling. This allowed me to create a blueprint that makes the parameters adaptable in the details panel, allowing the dev to implement each key and edit its appearance on the fly for a wide set of variations, preventing the need for multiple material instances. Following this, I created a simple keyring for rendering purposes, with a plastic ode to the intended most powerful weapon of the demo.

I then went on to render my assets in UE5 for the first time, using lumen methods to light my scene, I am really happy to add another piece of software to my skillset, though I fear my PC disagrees as UE5 is so intensive. I also had to return to ue4 in order to get detailed graph screenshots for the shader breakdowns.

I am really happy with the outcome of these assets, rather than watching tutorials this was built from my head using previous knowledge. There are still many improvements that could be made so any advice regarding the shader, making it more streamlined or adaptable would be fantastic.

I was responsible for the idea generation and full modelling pipeline process in this piece, due to the nature of this item it was implemented by the developer to ensure it worked as a pickup item.

Find Chai Games on Steam to see their existing games and announcements on upcoming projects.