Toonks
Toonks is a fast-paced PvP Arcade Shooter developed in Unreal Engine 5, featuring split-screen and online multiplayer for up to four players. The gameplay revolves around tank battles in compact arenas, where each tank class boasts unique stats and abilities. Managing energy levels is critical—overextending your resources leaves you defenseless and vulnerable to enemy fire.
The project was initially pitched as an academic final project for the Interactive Products degree, but it quickly evolved into a full-fledged multiplayer experience coded in C++ and supplemented with Unreal Blueprints.
Key Information
- Project Title: Toonks
- Engine: Unreal Engine 5
- Coding: C++, Unreal Blueprints
- Game Type: Multiplayer Arcade Shooter (Split-Screen)
- Team Size: 12 people
- 6 Video Game Designers
- 4 Animators
- 2 Graphic Designers
- My Roles:
- Main Game Designer – Led the design of core mechanics, class-based abilities, and overall gameplay flow
- Main VFX Designer – Created materials, textures, and visual effects (using Niagara Systems)
- Level Design Assistant – Contributed to arena layouts and environment planning
- C++ & Blueprints Assistant – Assisted in scripting gameplay functionalities
Main Gameplay Features
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Tank Classes
Each tank class comes with its own stats (speed, health, energy, size) and unique skill set, allowing players to adopt different playstyles—ranging from hit-and-run to tanky brawlers. -
Energy Management
Players must carefully balance offensive abilities and defensive maneuvers using a shared energy pool. Overusing skills will drain your energy, leaving you open to attacks. -
Multiplayer
Enjoy competitive deathmatches in 4-player split-screen or connecting to online servers hosted by the players, with support for gamepad or keyboard and mouse. -
Horde Mode
Face off against waves of increasingly challenging robot enemies in a dedicated PvE mode. Collect power-ups and earn coins by destroying foes, which you can use to unlock up to 4 skills for your tank. Build your loadout to tackle the escalating threats and ultimately confront a powerful boss. -
Fast Iteration & Prototyping
Built primarily in C++, with some Blueprint elements for rapid testing and iteration. This approach allowed for quick adjustments based on playtest feedback.
Development Journey
Early Concept & Solo Work
Toonks began as a personal concept. In just two weeks, I:
- Created basic movement, shooting, and the health and energy systems
- Handled much of the C++ groundwork for tank controls and collisions
A colleague assisted with gamepad integration and split-screen local multiplayer.
Forming the Full Team
After the proof-of-concept demo won its spot in the class selection, the team expanded to 12 members. Even though it was an academic project, our teachers offered minimal support due to the complexity of creating a C++ multiplayer game—an unfamiliar territory for most of them. We took the challenge head-on, refining and polishing Toonks under our own guidance.
My Role & Responsibilities
Once the larger team came together, my roles included:
- Main Designer – Defining the gameplay structure, classes, and moment-to-moment mechanics.
- VFX & Materials – Designing and implementing special effects (Niagara Systems), textures, and post-processing.
- Assistant in Level Design & Programming – Supporting environment layouts, using Unreal Blueprints to prototype new features, and troubleshooting C++ logic.
Overcoming Initial Doubts
The biggest hurdle came from faculty skepticism. They felt a multiplayer project in Unreal Engine 5, coded in C++ was overly ambitious for an academic setting. Despite limited external guidance, we forged ahead, learning through trial and error, online tutorials, and persistent experimentation.
Final Outcome
Following multiple playtest sessions, Toonks quickly became a fan-favorite among classmates. The mix of energetic tank fights, unique abilities, and strategic energy management led to memorable matches—especially with four friends sharing a screen and battling it out in chaotic arenas. It showcased what a dedicated team can achieve with passion, collaboration, and a willingness to tackle uncharted development territory.
Toonks stands as a testament to ambitious design, technical problem-solving, and creative teamwork. By blending arcade-inspired shooting with a strategic resource system, it delivers a fresh multiplayer experience that resonates with both casual and competitive players. Stay tuned for more updates on Toonks and possible future expansions!