Week 6 -- 3D Arc: Interaction, Enemies & Storytelling

Date: May 22, 2026 (potential emergency closure day -- backup: May 29 / Jun 5 / Jun 9) Arc: 3D Game (Week 2 of 3)

Featured Game: Sid Meier's Ace Patrol (2013, Firaxis/2K)

Brian was Senior Producer. Show a few turns of gameplay.

• What to notice: 3D space used for strategy, not just action. Camera angle, elevation, positioning all matter.
• "3D doesn't have to mean first-person shooters. This is a turn-based strategy game where the 3D space IS the puzzle."

Play-Test Spotlight

Selected student demos their 3D environment.

Learn

3D Collision and Triggers

Porting 2D concepts to 3D:

2D Concept	3D Equivalent
Collision with enemy sprite	Collision with 3D enemy object
Picking up a 2D coin	Walking into a 3D collectible
Touching a door sprite	Entering a trigger zone near a 3D door
Platform edges	Ledges and drops

Trigger Zones

Invisible areas that activate events when the player enters:

• Open a door when player approaches
• Spawn an enemy when player enters a room
• Play a sound when player reaches a certain point
• Display text or objectives

Environmental Storytelling

Telling a story through objects, placement, and space -- no dialogue needed:

Technique	Example
Object placement	Overturned chairs suggest a struggle
Lighting	A single lit room in a dark building draws attention
Contrast	A pristine room next to a destroyed one
Found objects	Notes, photos, tools left behind
Path of destruction	Claw marks, broken glass, scorch marks

Key Vocabulary

Term	Definition
Trigger zone	An invisible area that activates events when entered
Environmental storytelling	Conveying narrative through the game world itself
Spatial audio	Sound that changes based on direction and distance
Projectile	An object that moves in a direction (bullet, arrow, fireball)

Build

1. Add interactive elements: collectible items, a locked door + key, trigger zones.
2. Add at least one enemy or hazard adapted for 3D (patrolling guard, moving obstacle, danger zone).
3. Add a HUD: score, objective text, or health bar.
4. Environmental storytelling pass: place objects and details that hint at a story.

Play & Feedback

Play each other's 3D games. Feedback: "Did you know what to do? Did the environment tell you a story?"

Resources & Further Reading

• GDevelop 3D Collision Documentation
• Environmental Storytelling in Games (YouTube)
• What Remains of Edith Finch -- Environmental Storytelling Masterclass
• Level Design Book - Environmental Narrative

Stretch Goals

• Multiple rooms with different moods/themes.
• A simple puzzle (find item A to unlock area B).
• Lighting to guide the player or create atmosphere.