THESIS: DEETH

Difei Gao, dg3294@nyu.edu





LIST: WeeklyBlog  

Week 1: Preparation

Project Brief







Project Plan & Timeline
TimeGoalMain Tasks
Week 1 (Feb 3 - Feb 9)
Preparation & Demo (Storyboard)- Finalize story structure (main plot & branching endings) - Define core gameplay (narrative puzzles + environmental interaction + optional combat) 
- Asset list (models, animations, effects) 
- Choose UE framework (interaction, dialogue, combat)
- Basic world preview + storyboard Week 2 (Feb 10 - Feb 16)Basic System Setup - Character control system (movement, interaction) 
- UE dialogue system (branching choices, text logic) 
- Level framework in UE (initial map setup) Week 3 (Feb 17 - Feb 23)Core Interactions- Mirror interaction system (view memories, reveal hidden paths) 
- Item pickup & puzzle mechanics - Basic combat system (used in specific moments) Week 4 (Feb 24 - Mar 1)Exploration & Environment Polish- Expand memory recall events 
- Improve environmental interactions - Define key conversation encounters Week 5 (Mar 2 - Mar 8)Core Narrative Experience- Design the first "Lost Tooth" mission 
- Implement branching dialogue choices 
- Cutscenes & storytelling refinements Week 6 (Mar 9 - Mar 15)Main Quest Level (First Stage)- Work on player choices' impact 
- Add key dialogue branches Week 7 (Mar 16 - Mar 22)Final Event & Branching Endings- Design the final decision point (choices & consequences) 
- Implement multiple endings - Cutscene adjustments Week 8 (Mar 23 - Mar 29)Gameplay Refinement & Playtesting-  Audio
-  UI adjustments
-  Level optimization & bug fixes 
 
 Week 9-10 (Mar 30 - Apr 14)Final Testing & Polishing- Internal playtesting (adjust narrative pacing, text refinements) 
- Fix critical bugs 
- Reserve time for last-minute tweaks



Concept statement (text)
This project is an interactive narrative game that examines the deep, often overlooked connection between teeth and human identity, memory, and fear. Through a third-person digital experience, players navigate fragmented memories, uncovering how teeth serve as markers of personal history, loss, and transformation. Blending conversation with immersive storytelling, the game invites players to explore how teeth preserve and erase traces of the self.

Prototyping resources
Unreal In-game Shop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtIcGYzk9wI 

How to Create a Main Menu - Unreal 5 Tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kumZj_mov58

How to Make a Checkpoint in Unreal 5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X0nYIV9L70

How to Make a Simple Inventory System in Unreal Engine 5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khjUY5To7qI
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