Devlog – Convoy of the Dead

🔧 Devlog #1 – June 1, 2025

• ✅ Simple player movement system implemented

🦿 Devlog #2 – June 2, 2025

• ✅ More advanced movement system, prototype lighting implemented, upgraded test area

🎮✨ Devlog #3 – June 7, 2025

• ✅ Testing placeholder models and animations, advancing a more sophisticated movement system, and implementing basic sound effects.
In this phase, we focus on evaluating temporary character models and animations to refine their smoothness and consistency. At the same time, we develop a more advanced movement system that enables natural and dynamic character responses. Additionally, we add simple sound effects to enhance immersion and provide better feedback during gameplay.

Next up: 🧟 First "Zombie", 🤖 AI combat behavior,🩸 Basic hit system, 🧠 Basic zombie AI

🔥🧟‍♂️🛠️ Devlog #4 – June 13, 2025

• ✅ Placeholder animations, upgraded movement system, first sound effects — and our first encounter with zombie AI.

After wrestling with Blender for days, I finally brought the jump animation to life (ironically, before the undead showed up). The models are temporary, but this is the first time movement in Convoy of the Dead starts to feel grounded. On top of that — the first zombie AI is now shambling across the test map. It’s basic, but it’s moving… and it’s hungry. 🧟 Watching all of it come together adds real momentum to the project — even if Blender’s trying to kill me daily.

Next up: 🪓 Melee weapon improvements, 🎯 Targeting tweaks, 🛠️ Inventory, 🧟 Spawning hordes system???

📓🧰🎮 Devlog #5 – June 20, 2025

After swapping out the placeholder void for actual weapons, I finally got proper gun models into the scene — and it changes everything. 🔫 Equipping them now works too: a basic weapon system is in place, letting the player switch gear and feel (a little) more armed and dangerous. It’s still rough, but the new equip animations already breathe life into the hands of the survivor. Seeing all that snap into place — even at this early stage — makes Convoy of the Dead feel a bit more like a real game… and a bit less like a tech demo. 🎮🧟

Next up: 🎯 Shooting system, 🧟‍♂️ New Low Poly Zombie Model, 💎 Collectables, 🎒 Better inventory system 🛠️

💥🎮🛠️ Devlog #6 – June 26, 2025

The very first particle system is now in — muzzle flashes, and a hint of smoke. 🔥
It’s a small step, but it gives the shooting some much-needed weight and visual punch. Convoy of the Dead just got its first taste of real gunfire.

These visuals will likely change a lot over time, but that’s part of the fun — being able to look back and see how far things have come. 📈💥

In Progress: 🎯 Shooting system
Next up: 🧟‍♂️ New Low Poly Zombie Model, 💎 Collectables, 🎒 Better inventory system 🛠️

🌊💧⛲ Devlog #7 – June 28, 2025

Needed a break from complex systems, so I added water.
It’s just a material, but hey – the zombie "can swim" now 💦

In Progress: 🎯 Shooting system & 🧟‍♂️ New Low Poly Zombie Model
Next up: 🧟‍♂️ New Low Poly Zombie Model, 💎 Collectables, 🎒 Better inventory system 🛠️

🧍‍♂️🧵🧢 Devlog #8 – June 29, 2025

Big moment – the first character model is in!
It’s low poly, clean, and fits the vibe perfectly. This might actually be **the one** 🎯

In Progress: 🎯 Shooting system & 🧟‍♂️ New Low Poly Zombie Model
Next up: 💎 Collectables, 🎒 Better inventory system, 🪞 Character customization 👀

🎨✨ Devlog #9 – July 2, 2025

Added a functional Colour Picker for character customization!
You can now change your character’s skin color and see the preview update instantly. The UI works but is still unpolished — this is a testing version to get the basics right. 🎨👤

In Progress: 🧟‍♂️ Zombie AI improvements & 🪞 Character customization
Next up: 🎮 Player movement polish, 🚙 Vehicle system basics, 🛠️ More customization options

📦💾 Devlog #9.1 – July 2, 2025

Improved customization system with future expansion in mind — added support for saving player ID to AppData and refactored the codebase to handle more options smoothly.

In Progress: 🧟‍♂️ Zombie AI improvements & 🪞 Character customization
Next up: 🎮 Player movement polish, 🚙 Vehicle system basics, 🛠️ More customization options

🕹️🔘 Devlog #11 – July 16, 2025

UI Buttons That Actually Feel Good: This entire interaction system was born from a sudden burst of inspiration while working on the UI - "I NEED BUTTONS!" my gamer instinct called me. If future updates seem delayed... you'll know I'm lost in button-clicking bliss. And so the obsession began...

In Progress: ⚙️ Better UI system
Coming up: 🕺 Smooth animations, 🔫 Weapon handling, 🖥️ UI overhaul, 🧊 New 3D models

🛠️ Devlog #11 – Coming Soon

Stay tuned for the next wave of updates and a new batch of gifs!