Project Overview
As the Lead Gameplay Programmer for Smuggler's Vow, I architected the core systems for this round-based vehicular combat game. The project challenges players to secure and transport high-value cargo while outmaneuvering opponents in a competitive arena. My primary responsibility was designing a robust gameplay framework that supported both player agency and intelligent, reactive enemy opposition. I engineered a modular ability system that includes defensive Energy Shields, kinetic Boosts for rapid traversal, and a high-risk 'Steal' mechanic, allowing players to intercept cargo from rival vehicles dynamically.
Beyond player mechanics, I developed a sophisticated AI system capable of utilizing the full suite of player abilities. Using condition-based logic, the AI evaluates real-time game states—such as cargo possession, health thresholds, and enemy proximity—to switch between aggressive pursuit, tactical retreat, and objective-focused navigation. I also implemented the central game loop manager, which handles the logic for the "Pick-up and Drop-off" system. This state machine governs the spawning of three simultaneous pickups, tracks delivery success, and triggers round resets with new drop-off locations, ensuring a seamless flow between gameplay phases.