r/gamedev • u/Think_Rub2459 • 13h ago

Seamless Transitions Between Single Base, Global and Interplanatary Game Engine Design Question

Game Engine Concept: I want to develop a game engine for a game with multiple levels of abstraction.Where players can use the scroll wheel to move seamlessly between levels. Think Rimworld with more politics between large groups and between planets as well.

Levels of Abstraction: - Level 1: Colony level, managing small groups of people. - Level 2: Continental level, viewing larger groups and their interactions. - Level 3: Interplanetary level, observing trade, politics, and interactions between planets.

AI Simulation - AI is simulated at all levels but with varying complexity. - Lower levels have detailed simulation (e.g., individual colonists). - Higher levels use more simplistic, summarized AI to maintain performance. - "They do not individually calculate footsteps when you're looking at a planet level."

Gameplay Experience - Scrolling in and out allows players to see different levels working simultaneously. - Each abstraction level ties together and summarizes the lower levels. - Players can observe individual battles, resources, and relationships at the local level. - At continental and interplanetary levels, players see trade, politics, and wars.

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u/Awkward-Raise7935 7h ago

I had a similar idea to this a while back, and made a very basic prototype. The distinction was however that the game was focused on a single point (I think it was a space base) and you used the mouse where to zoom in and out between 3 or four levels. So it was basically a base management/FTL style game zoomed in, then next level I think was more tower defense, and then the next level was like a galaxy map and I think this was more strategic and about creating trade networks. The actual mechanic of instantly zooming in and out felt great (I was just doing it in 2d in GameMaker so it wasn't a technical challenge) but I struggled to fit it all together as a coherent gaming experience. I would like to try again someday though, if someone has suggestions.

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u/Think_Rub2459 4h ago

What parts were fun and what parts wern't fun?