Knightmare was created for Brackey’s Game Jam 2022.2 in collaboration with talented illustrator Nick Fairbanks. Teams had just seven days to build a game based on the theme "You're Not Alone." The game follows a young child navigating his nightmares, with players controlling ghostly knights who must help him reach his bed before fear takes over. Designed for both solo and cooperative play, the game encourages teamwork and strategic combat.
I developed Knightmare in Unity, building the player and camera controllers to create a smooth, responsive experience. Enemy AI was built using A* pathfinding, allowing enemies to track and pursue the player efficiently. The bed, which serves as the end goal for each level, is procedurally placed, ensuring varied experiences across multiple playthroughs. Additionally, enemy spawns were dynamically placed in each wave, increasing challenge and unpredictability.
Knightmare’s world consists of a winding labyrinth of platforms, narrow passageways, and stairways. Players must carefully navigate these spaces while managing enemy encounters and keeping the child safe. The level structure forces players to think strategically about movement and positioning, especially in cooperative play.
To enhance replayability, I added a dynamic upgrade system where players could collect plasma orbs to purchase power-ups between dungeon waves.
Despite the tight development timeline, the game placed in the top ten percent out of over 1,000 entries in Brackey’s Game Jam, making it one of our most well-received submissions.
