{"id":2693,"date":"2025-09-29T14:02:35","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T14:02:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/?page_id=2693"},"modified":"2025-09-29T14:31:04","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T14:31:04","slug":"downwardspear","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/index.php\/downwardspear\/","title":{"rendered":"DownwardSpear"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-2693\" data-postid=\"2693\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-2693 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n                    <div  data-css_id=\"601f7f3\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_601f7f3 tb_first tf_w\" data-tbfullwidthvideo=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/bZnSwvWUkp4?si=qx9UU1qXsTnbfmwu\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_41c9c27 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_1df147e  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <h3 class=\"module-title\">DOWNWARD SPEAR<\/h3>    <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"601f7f3\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_601f7f3 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_41c9c27 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_6e504d0  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <h3 class=\"module-title\">PROJECT INTRODUCTION<\/h3>    <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p style=\\\"text-align: left;\\\">Downward Spear is a single player isometric tactical action game with stealth and horror elements. The ice caps have melted causing flooding of most coastal land, and released ancient viruses that consume their hosts.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w gutter-narrow col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tb_b713039\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_aeeec0d first\">\n                            <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_92b4af1 last\">\n                            <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w gutter-narrow col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tb_b713039\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_aeeec0d first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_6e504d0  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <h3 class=\"module-title\">RESPONSIBILITES<\/h3>    <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <ul>\n<li><strong>Designing<\/strong> and building engaging, <strong>Tactical Isometric<\/strong> environments using Unity<\/li>\n<li>Creating <strong>Stealth<\/strong>&#8211; and <strong>Survival<\/strong>-focused encounters with cover, flanking, and exploration<\/li>\n<li>Using <strong>Modular Assets<\/strong> and tile-based layouts for <strong>Replayable<\/strong>, immersive spaces<\/li>\n<li><strong>Collaborating<\/strong> with the design team and game director to ensure pacing and player flow<\/li>\n<li><strong>Testing<\/strong> and <strong>Refining<\/strong> key progression paths and moment-to-moment gameplay<br \/><br \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_92b4af1 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_6e504d0  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <h3 class=\"module-title\">PROJECT DETAILS<\/h3>    <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <ul>\n<li>Unity<\/li>\n<li>Total Team of 6<\/li>\n<li>Role: Level Designer\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">Click On The Banner Below To See More on The Steam Store!<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_5a97e4e image-top   active-caption-hover auto_fullwidth tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/store.steampowered.com\/app\/2311060\/Downward_Spear\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/spearo.jpg\" width=\"616\" height=\"353\" title=\"DownwardSpear\" alt=\"DownwardSpear\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"7835bdb\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_7835bdb tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_3521eaa first\">\n                    <!-- module gallery -->\n<div  class=\"module gallery module-gallery tb_d3707d3 layout-grid  \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <div class=\"module-gallery-grid\" style=\"--gald:4;--galt:4;--galm:4\">\n            <dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n            <dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n            <a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ScreenShot00166.png\" data-rel=\"tb_d3707d3\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ScreenShot00166-1024x558-600x300.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2540\" title=\"ScreenShot00166\" alt=\"ScreenShot00166\"><\/a>            <\/dt>\n                    <\/dl>\n            <dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n            <dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n            <a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ScreenShot00173.png\" data-rel=\"tb_d3707d3\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ScreenShot00173-1024x558-600x300.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2541\" title=\"ScreenShot00173\" alt=\"ScreenShot00173\"><\/a>            <\/dt>\n                    <\/dl>\n            <dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n            <dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n            <a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ScreenShot00157.png\" data-rel=\"tb_d3707d3\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ScreenShot00157-1024x514-600x300.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2542\" title=\"ScreenShot00157\" alt=\"ScreenShot00157\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ScreenShot00157-1024x514-600x300.png 600w, https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ScreenShot00157-300x151.png 300w, https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ScreenShot00157-1024x514.png 1024w, https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ScreenShot00157-1536x771.png 1536w, https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ScreenShot00157-2048x1028.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>            <\/dt>\n                    <\/dl>\n            <dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n            <dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n            <a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ScreenShot00159.png\" data-rel=\"tb_d3707d3\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ScreenShot00159-1024x558-600x300.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2543\" title=\"ScreenShot00159\" alt=\"ScreenShot00159\"><\/a>            <\/dt>\n                    <\/dl>\n            <dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n            <dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n            <a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ScreenShot00163.png\" data-rel=\"tb_d3707d3\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ScreenShot00163-1024x558-600x300.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2545\" title=\"ScreenShot00163\" alt=\"ScreenShot00163\"><\/a>            <\/dt>\n                    <\/dl>\n            <dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n            <dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n            <a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ScreenShot00164.png\" data-rel=\"tb_d3707d3\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ScreenShot00164-1024x558-600x300.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2546\" title=\"ScreenShot00164\" alt=\"ScreenShot00164\"><\/a>            <\/dt>\n                    <\/dl>\n            <dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n            <dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n            <a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ScreenShot00165.png\" data-rel=\"tb_d3707d3\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ScreenShot00165-1024x558-600x300.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2547\" title=\"ScreenShot00165\" alt=\"ScreenShot00165\"><\/a>            <\/dt>\n                    <\/dl>\n            <dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n            <dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n            <a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/04final.png\" data-rel=\"tb_d3707d3\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/04final-1024x576-600x300.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2490\" title=\"04final\" alt=\"04final\"><\/a>            <\/dt>\n                    <\/dl>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module gallery -->        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w gutter-narrow col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tb_b713039\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_aeeec0d first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_3f3a219  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <h3 class=\"module-title\">PureRef Environment References:<\/h3>    <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <ul>\n<li>Before I started any production on Bavarian Borough, I immediately got to work in finding <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><strong>Environment References<\/strong><\/span> using PureRef. This allowed me to research and review a German-Village inspired themed environment and town that I was going to come up with to design an environment with. I found a town in Georgia called Helen, who celebrates and is inspired by <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><strong>German Village Culture<\/strong><\/span> and it was an amazing place to research and learn about for this project!<\/li>\n<\/ul>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_92b4af1 last\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_5a97e4e image-top   active-caption-hover auto_fullwidth tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/01final-1024x576.png\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pureref-1024x280.png\" width=\"1024\" height=\"280\" title=\"DownwardSpear\" alt=\"DownwardSpear\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w gutter-narrow col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tb_b713039\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_aeeec0d first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_5a97e4e image-top   active-caption-hover auto_fullwidth tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/02final-1024x576.png\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GasExtractionPlantFlow-1024x791.png\" width=\"1024\" height=\"791\" title=\"DownwardSpear\" alt=\"DownwardSpear\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_92b4af1 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_3f3a219  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <h3 class=\"module-title\">Level Flow Map<\/h3>    <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <ul>\n<li>On Christmas, I was gifted a large whiteboard to write <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><strong>Notes<\/strong><\/span> and <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><strong>Ideas<\/strong><\/span> on! When Fortnite announced their 5v5 Tactical Shooter Game Mode, I immediately starting writing down notes, doing small sketches of flow maps, questions and confirmations about the Game Mode and it\\&#8217;s mechanics. Writing down my ideas and inspirations and notes about the flow of the level, and all my ideas entirely helped me a ton for this project.<\/li>\n<li>I got to write down a lot of ideas, the map\\&#8217;s <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><strong>Flow<\/strong><\/span> graph, details about the game mode, and even played a ton of Ballistic to get a solid idea of what to design and work with for Bavarian Borough!<\/li>\n<\/ul>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w gutter-narrow col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tb_b713039\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_aeeec0d first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_3f3a219  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <h3 class=\"module-title\">2D Prototype<\/h3>    <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <ul>\n<li>Now to get Production Started, I had to graybox the pathing and flow of my level starting with some basic graybox platforms. This gave me an idea of scale, where to position the buildings on the side, and overall firing angles early on so I can balance them according to potentially crazy sight lines from players. It gave me enough room and space for motivation in what I wanted in the large gaps of the terrain for a building type. It allowed me to place specific stores, specific markets, specific house homes, and even workshops.<\/li>\n<\/ul>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_92b4af1 last\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_5a97e4e image-top   auto_fullwidth tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/03final-1024x576.png\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Mpaarea-1024x791.png\" width=\"1024\" height=\"791\" title=\"DownwardSpear\" alt=\"DownwardSpear\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w gutter-narrow col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tb_b713039\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_aeeec0d first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_5a97e4e image-top   auto_fullwidth tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/03final-1024x576.png\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/coolarea-1024x483.png\" width=\"1024\" height=\"483\" title=\"DownwardSpear\" alt=\"DownwardSpear\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_92b4af1 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_3f3a219  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <h3 class=\"module-title\">Environment Design<\/h3>    <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <ul>\n<li>When designing Bavarian, it was important to design comfortable and <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><strong>Tactical Sight Lines<\/strong><\/span> for both the attacking and defensive teams. There had to be opportunities to use special equipment such as grenades to coat sight lines in smoke, or to have a choke point to hold from the opposing team.<\/li>\n<li>There\\&#8217;s a mix of sight lines for <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><strong>Distance<\/strong><\/span> for different types of guns. I wanted to make sure there were enough sight lines for different play styles, for close, mid, and long range encounters.<\/li>\n<\/ul>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w gutter-narrow col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tb_b713039\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_aeeec0d first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_3f3a219  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <h3 class=\"module-title\">Rifts \/ Teleporters In Tactical Team Shooters:<\/h3>    <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <ul>\n<li>Inspired by Valorant, they took a risk in adding Teleporters in Valorant into their competitive Tactical Team Shooter. With Bavarian Borough, I wanted to design and elaborate on this idea to offer more <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><strong>Precise<\/strong><\/span> and <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><strong>Strategy<\/strong><\/span> for players to bait going to sites.<\/li>\n<li>The teleporters in daily playtests were being used <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><strong>Strategically<\/strong><\/span> and used in variety to exit sites, and to go into flank positions quickly. Each teleporter in the map goes to Mid, and has a loud sound efffect n design to let other players know that someone teleported, teammate or enemy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_92b4af1 last\">\n                    <!-- module video -->\n<div  class=\"module module-video tb_736f015 video-top  video-autoplay\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n                    <div class=\"video-wrap-outer\">\n            <div class=\"video-wrap tf_rel tf_overflow tf_local_video\">\n                \n                    \n                    <div style=\"width: 640px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-2693-1\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" autoplay preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/Rjzp8jZ.mp4?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/Rjzp8jZ.mp4\">https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/Rjzp8jZ.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n                    \n                                <\/div>\n            <!-- \/video-wrap -->\n        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/video-wrap-outer -->\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w gutter-narrow col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tb_b713039\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_aeeec0d first\">\n                    <!-- module video -->\n<div  class=\"module module-video tb_736f015 video-top  video-autoplay\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n                    <div class=\"video-wrap-outer\">\n            <div class=\"video-wrap tf_rel tf_overflow tf_local_video\">\n                \n                    \n                    <div style=\"width: 640px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-2693-2\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" autoplay preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/8LX2cgg.mp4?_=2\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/8LX2cgg.mp4\">https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/8LX2cgg.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n                    \n                                <\/div>\n            <!-- \/video-wrap -->\n        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/video-wrap-outer -->\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_92b4af1 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_3f3a219  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <h3 class=\"module-title\">Level Art Execution:<\/h3>    <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <ul>\n<li>With a mix of <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><strong>Grayboxing<\/strong><\/span> &amp; <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><strong>Level Art<\/strong><\/span>, it was time to get to work in creating all the awesome details to get ready to setup for Set Dressing &amp; The background Environment! This is the process where I add all the buildings that are unique to player callouts, player strategies, and general player pathing! This part of the process was going to be the longest process into getting the level done and finalized and it was something that I was doing for about 2 months!<\/li>\n<li>After placing a bunch of art assets from Fortnite, there had to be <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><strong>Optimizations<\/strong><\/span> made to lower the memory limit for all users to be able to play on Bavarian Borough! I went through and cleaned any unnecessary visual additions so that the players didn\\&#8217;t get distracted by the beauty of the level and focused a little more on gameplay!<\/li>\n<\/ul>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n        <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_3f3a219  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <h3 class=\"module-title\">Downward Spear Flow Maps<\/h3>    <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_5a97e4e image-center   active-caption-hover auto_fullwidth tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/01final.png\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GasExtractionPlantFlow-1-1024x791.png\" width=\"1024\" height=\"791\" title=\"DownwardSpear\" alt=\"DownwardSpear\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_3f3a219  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <h3 class=\"module-title\">Bavarian Borough Walkthrough<\/h3>    <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module video -->\n<div  class=\"module module-video tb_b033246 video-top  \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n                    <div class=\"video-wrap-outer\">\n            <div class=\"video-wrap tf_rel tf_overflow\">\n                                    <noscript><iframe data-no-script src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yLBqMJfGWUo?pip=1&#038;playsinline=1\" allow=\"accelerometer;encrypted-media;gyroscope;picture-in-picture;fullscreen\" class=\"tf_abs tf_w tf_h\"><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n                                <\/div>\n            <!-- \/video-wrap -->\n        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/video-wrap-outer -->\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>DOWNWARD SPEAR PROJECT INTRODUCTION Downward Spear is a single player isometric tactical action game with stealth and horror elements. The ice caps have melted causing flooding of most coastal land, and released ancient viruses that consume their hosts. RESPONSIBILITES Designing and building engaging, Tactical Isometric environments using Unity Creating Stealth&#8211; and Survival-focused encounters with cover, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2693","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"builder_content":"<h3>DOWNWARD SPEAR<\/h3>\n<h3>PROJECT INTRODUCTION<\/h3> <p style=\\\"text-align: left;\\\">Downward Spear is a single player isometric tactical action game with stealth and horror elements. The ice caps have melted causing flooding of most coastal land, and released ancient viruses that consume their hosts.<\/p>\n<h3>RESPONSIBILITES<\/h3> <ul> <li><strong>Designing<\/strong> and building engaging, <strong>Tactical Isometric<\/strong> environments using Unity<\/li> <li>Creating <strong>Stealth<\/strong>- and <strong>Survival<\/strong>-focused encounters with cover, flanking, and exploration<\/li> <li>Using <strong>Modular Assets<\/strong> and tile-based layouts for <strong>Replayable<\/strong>, immersive spaces<\/li> <li><strong>Collaborating<\/strong> with the design team and game director to ensure pacing and player flow<\/li> <li><strong>Testing<\/strong> and <strong>Refining<\/strong> key progression paths and moment-to-moment gameplay<br \/><br \/><\/li> <\/ul>\n<h3>PROJECT DETAILS<\/h3> <ul> <li>Unity<\/li> <li>Total Team of 6<\/li> <li>Role: Level Designer\u00a0<\/li> <\/ul> <p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">Click On The Banner Below To See More on The Steam Store!<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/store.steampowered.com\/app\/2311060\/Downward_Spear\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/spearo.jpg\" width=\"616\" height=\"353\" title=\"DownwardSpear\" alt=\"DownwardSpear\"> <\/a>\n[gallery ids=\\\"2540,2541,2542,2543,2545,2546,2547,2490\\\"]\n<h3>PureRef Environment References:<\/h3> <ul> <li>Before I started any production on Bavarian Borough, I immediately got to work in finding <strong>Environment References<\/strong> using PureRef. This allowed me to research and review a German-Village inspired themed environment and town that I was going to come up with to design an environment with. I found a town in Georgia called Helen, who celebrates and is inspired by <strong>German Village Culture<\/strong> and it was an amazing place to research and learn about for this project!<\/li> <\/ul>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/01final-1024x576.png\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pureref-1024x280.png\" width=\"1024\" height=\"280\" title=\"DownwardSpear\" alt=\"DownwardSpear\"> <\/a>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/02final-1024x576.png\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GasExtractionPlantFlow-1024x791.png\" width=\"1024\" height=\"791\" title=\"DownwardSpear\" alt=\"DownwardSpear\"> <\/a>\n<h3>Level Flow Map<\/h3> <ul> <li>On Christmas, I was gifted a large whiteboard to write <strong>Notes<\/strong> and <strong>Ideas<\/strong> on! When Fortnite announced their 5v5 Tactical Shooter Game Mode, I immediately starting writing down notes, doing small sketches of flow maps, questions and confirmations about the Game Mode and it\\'s mechanics. Writing down my ideas and inspirations and notes about the flow of the level, and all my ideas entirely helped me a ton for this project.<\/li> <li>I got to write down a lot of ideas, the map\\'s <strong>Flow<\/strong> graph, details about the game mode, and even played a ton of Ballistic to get a solid idea of what to design and work with for Bavarian Borough!<\/li> <\/ul>\n<h3>2D Prototype<\/h3> <ul> <li>Now to get Production Started, I had to graybox the pathing and flow of my level starting with some basic graybox platforms. This gave me an idea of scale, where to position the buildings on the side, and overall firing angles early on so I can balance them according to potentially crazy sight lines from players. It gave me enough room and space for motivation in what I wanted in the large gaps of the terrain for a building type. It allowed me to place specific stores, specific markets, specific house homes, and even workshops.<\/li> <\/ul>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/03final-1024x576.png\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Mpaarea-1024x791.png\" width=\"1024\" height=\"791\" title=\"DownwardSpear\" alt=\"DownwardSpear\"> <\/a>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/03final-1024x576.png\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/coolarea-1024x483.png\" width=\"1024\" height=\"483\" title=\"DownwardSpear\" alt=\"DownwardSpear\"> <\/a>\n<h3>Environment Design<\/h3> <ul> <li>When designing Bavarian, it was important to design comfortable and <strong>Tactical Sight Lines<\/strong> for both the attacking and defensive teams. There had to be opportunities to use special equipment such as grenades to coat sight lines in smoke, or to have a choke point to hold from the opposing team.<\/li> <li>There\\'s a mix of sight lines for <strong>Distance<\/strong> for different types of guns. I wanted to make sure there were enough sight lines for different play styles, for close, mid, and long range encounters.<\/li> <\/ul>\n<h3>Rifts \/ Teleporters In Tactical Team Shooters:<\/h3> <ul> <li>Inspired by Valorant, they took a risk in adding Teleporters in Valorant into their competitive Tactical Team Shooter. With Bavarian Borough, I wanted to design and elaborate on this idea to offer more <strong>Precise<\/strong> and <strong>Strategy<\/strong> for players to bait going to sites.<\/li> <li>The teleporters in daily playtests were being used <strong>Strategically<\/strong> and used in variety to exit sites, and to go into flank positions quickly. Each teleporter in the map goes to Mid, and has a loud sound efffect n design to let other players know that someone teleported, teammate or enemy.<\/li> <\/ul>\n[embed]https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/Rjzp8jZ.mp4[\/embed]\n[embed]https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/8LX2cgg.mp4[\/embed]\n<h3>Level Art Execution:<\/h3> <ul> <li>With a mix of <strong>Grayboxing<\/strong> &amp; <strong>Level Art<\/strong>, it was time to get to work in creating all the awesome details to get ready to setup for Set Dressing &amp; The background Environment! This is the process where I add all the buildings that are unique to player callouts, player strategies, and general player pathing! This part of the process was going to be the longest process into getting the level done and finalized and it was something that I was doing for about 2 months!<\/li> <li>After placing a bunch of art assets from Fortnite, there had to be <strong>Optimizations<\/strong> made to lower the memory limit for all users to be able to play on Bavarian Borough! I went through and cleaned any unnecessary visual additions so that the players didn\\'t get distracted by the beauty of the level and focused a little more on gameplay!<\/li> <\/ul>\n<h3>Downward Spear Flow Maps<\/h3>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/01final.png\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GasExtractionPlantFlow-1-1024x791.png\" width=\"1024\" height=\"791\" title=\"DownwardSpear\" alt=\"DownwardSpear\"> <\/a>\n<h3>Bavarian Borough Walkthrough<\/h3>\n[embed]https:\/\/youtu.be\/yLBqMJfGWUo[\/embed]","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2693","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2693"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2693\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2706,"href":"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2693\/revisions\/2706"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2693"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}