The latest instalment of the Make Something Unreal contest has drawn to a close after nearly two years of activity from the participants. The competition gives Unreal Engine 3 modders a chance to win some money for their labours of love, as well as the ultimate prize of a commercial license to develop on the Unreal 3 engine.
The Haunted
The 2010 grand prize winner of US$50 000 (±R390 000) and an Unreal 3 engine license went to an unnamed team lead by Michael Hegemann for their modification The Haunted.
The mod is a third person survival horror complete with an extensive multiplayer mode. The hellish minions of evil have once again descended upon the earth and it’s up to a ragtag crew of survivors (just enough to make for a LAN party coincidentally) to make the last stand for humanity. Players can expect plenty of ranged and melee weapons with which to tear apart the terrifying legions of the damned, and visceral environments drenched in ‘Hell-on-Earth’ decor.
The Ball
The second place went to Toltec Studios for The Ball. The game is an action and puzzle adventure which is described by the developers as Indiana Jones meets Portal.
Working on the slopes of a volcano somewhere in Mexico, the protagonist finds themselves stuck underground in some ancient ruins. There are plenty of mysterious artefacts to uncover, all promising to reveal mankind’s greatest secrets, as well as a large golden ball for a companion. The ball makes use of physics and is employed to solve many of the game’s puzzles (and squish monsters). The project has since gone commercial (release pending) but the original mod is still available for free.
Angels Fall First: PlanetStorm
Coming in third, AFF: PlanetStorm is an assault styled game on a stellar scale with single and multiplayer modes. The mod promises a fully immersive combat experience from the perspective of a person inside a capital spaceship. The hull resonates with weapon impacts, power systems fail, and the constant battle in the void can be viewed all around. Players can command capital ships from the bridge, operate turrets, and hop in a fighter or troop dropship.
Planetside, the player can engage in battle with a plethora of weaponry, vehicles, and static defence positions. Squad AI will help the single player experience along. AFF also boasts an intriguing storyline which adds another layer of immersion to the mod.
Prometheus
Coming in fourth is Prometheus, a Portal and Mirror’s Edge inspired mod. Prometheus is a single-player game which requires bending the laws of time and space by using quantum physics. Players will complete missions by using their past, present and future selves to solve puzzles.
Hazard: The Journey of Life
Snatching up the fifth and final spot is Hazard: The Journey of Life. This mod is a different experience to say the least. Described by the developer as a “philosophical first person single player exploration puzzle art game,” it’s probably best to visit the official site and check out the demo videos so that you know what you are in for.
That wraps up the list of winners for the 2010 edition of the Make Something Unreal contest. If all this has inspired you would-be developers, be sure to check out the Unreal Development Kit is now free for non-commercial use. Happy modified gaming!
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