For this project I implemented the final objective, a locked up hourglass that had to be destroyed so the player could win. As this was the finale to the game, I knew it needed to have a large spectacle and feel rewarding to the player. For this portion of the game I collaborated with an artist to make all of the art assets for this feature.

Initially, there was a big hourglass in the center of the screen that could only be destroyed once all of the prior objectives had been completed. Playtests proved that this approach was ineffective, because it was unclear why the hourglass was unbreakable one moment, and then became the most important objective to break in the next. I solved this by putting a comically large lock onto the hourglass. Immediately this had the intended effect of players realizing the hourglass was important, and wanting to find a way to unlock it. Once it was unlocked, players could continue to hit the hourglass until it broke. To sell this effect, I had the hourglass switch between different cracked states, based on what percentage of its health was left.

The final touches on the hourglass are what made it all come together. I implemented all the vfx that appeared when hitting the hourglass, as well as the sound effects that played when it was hit, cracked, and destroyed. I wanted a large, movement heavy effect to occur when the hourglass was destroyed, but we had no animation system in our engine to make this happen. As a work around, I had the hourglass move toward the bottom of the screen, and then bounce up to the top offscreen, all while spinning and being followed by a particle trail. This gameplay mechanic was effective in wrapping up the experience for our players.