Summary

This first-person shooter prototype aims to replicate the feel of top shooters like Rainbow Six, Battlefield, and Call of Duty. Built in Unreal Engine 5.4, it utilizes motion matching and custom animations adapted from the Lyra example game. Key features include first-person animation, weapon animation, weapon visual effects, a dynamic UI, and AI enemies that chase the player when in sight.

Character Animations

I’m using Unreal Engine 5.4’s new motion matching system. I created a separate skeletal mesh for the legs and a full-body mesh for the shadow, which is hidden from the player’s viewpoint. The character features animations for walking, running, jumping, and crouching.

Weapon Animations

I used basic animations from the Lyra example game, but I had to modify most of them since they were originally intended for third-person characters. The system includes running animations, reloading, aiming down sights, and manually programmed weapon sway and recoil.

Weapon UI

The HUD is positioned in 3D space at a fixed location on a socket attached to the weapon. Depending on the weapon, the HUD’s position is adjusted accordingly. The HUD also alerts the player when ammo is low, turning yellow with a reload prompt, and red when out of ammo. It displays indicators for running or crouching above the ammo bar on the right, as well as an interactive crosshair.

Weapon Effects

Using open-source resources from OpenGameArt.org, I added effects like muzzle flashes, bullet holes, and smoke. I also created an ammo shell ejection effect as a particle system using premade meshes.

AI Enemies

The AI behavior is simple: it moves to random points, chases the player in its line of sight, has health, can die, and shows visual effects like blood and ragdoll on death.