Pong League

Genre: Sports / Top-Down Arcade (Couch Co-op)

Engine: Unreal Engine 5

Team Size: 1

Development Time: 1 Week (Personal Challenge)

In the year 3000, prime entertainment has evolved into Pong League: a couch-competitive 1v1 game where robots with huge shields play an evolution of the 1972 classic. Inspired by Rocket League and top-down shooters, this project was a one-week personal challenge to design, model, and develop a fully functional fictional sport.

Design & Focus

Player Movement System: Designed a complex, dual-stick system (movement independent of rotation) to maximize player control and skill cap.
Scoring System: Established the rules, goals, and logic for tracking and displaying the competitive score.
Game Loop: Defined the match flow, from the ready-up sequence to the win state.
Ball Mechanics: Designed custom physics and collision logic for the central "ball" to ensure unpredictable yet fair bounce patterns.
Menu Navigation: Created a functional and thematic in-game menu system for quick starts.

Programming & Technical Magic

Movement and Aiming System: Programmed the unique dual-thumbstick control scheme for players (movement via left, rotation via right).
Physics-Based Ball Systems: Developed custom projectile and collision response scripting for the ball.
Scoring System: Implemented the trigger logic, score tracking, and on-screen score updates.
Dynamic-Crowd System: Programmed subtle environmental elements (like a dynamic audience) to enhance the sports atmosphere.

Art Work (Modeling, Texturing, UI)

3D Modeling: Modeled the futuristic field environment and the robot players.
Texturing: Created and applied textures to the field and player models.
UI Implementation: Created the in-game HUD and the menu navigation user interface.

The Exhibit

Dual-Stick Movement: The unique control system forces players to manage two independent vectors (movement and rotation), inspired by top-down shooters like Hotline Miami. Movement is on the left stick, rotation is on the right.
Design Challenge: Players must master using both thumbsticks simultaneously to maximize movement speed and defensive coverage.

The Dash Mechanic: Robot players are equipped with a dash ability, allowing for quick bursts of movement across the map.
Technical Detail: The dash has a programmed cooldown, demanding players strategically decide when to use this critical resource for defense or offense.

Game Flow: Implementation of a "ready-up" system to ensure both players are present and prepared before the match begins.
Experience Focus: Features a smooth, designed transition into gameplay, enhancing the feeling of competitive sports presentation.