Windton Post-Apocalyptic Town Level Design
Windton is a hobby project mad with Unreal Engine based Core, using Core's kitbashing workflow.
Turntable animation script kindly provided by Marcela Roberts:
https://www.artstation.com/awkwardgamedev
"As the name would suggest, Windton is a town that relies on its windmill for power. This windmill provides electricity to pump water from an underground aquifer, and the surplus allows the town to light signs and power other amenities.
The most prominent building in the town square is a bar, providing a gathering place for residents to socialize and enjoy a drink. Atop the bar sits a broken globe, serving as a nostalgic reminder of a time when the world was more interconnected.
The small town engages in trade, primarily exporting pure water and their unique variety of pumpkins. Additionally, a local gun trader makes a good living, as firearms are perpetually in demand in the wasteland.
The town is able to sustain a small plantation of a special species of bumpkin, thanks to what was once reliable access to water.
The windmill, paired with a water tower, clearly indicates its purpose and relationship to the town's water supply. A pipe extends from this setup to a place aptly named 'The Hole of Hope,' which is connected to the underground aquifers.
‘The Hole of Hope’ serves as an entrance to an old water facility, constructed above an underground aquifer.
The water facility had long since collapsed, yet the water continued to flow through the pipes adequately until recently. The townspeople have excavated a hole to investigate the cause. Thus far, everyone who has ventured inside has vanished...
The aquifer has slowly been drying up, revealing a cavern system brimming with mystery and danger. Uncovering the reason behind the aquifer's depletion is a task left to the player.
Coming back out from the depths of 'The Hole of Hope,' the town bar comes into view, bringing a reassuring, cozy atmosphere.
The architecture of the town incorporates numerous round shapes, adding a unique tribal twist to the typical 'post-apocalyptic stiffness' often encountered.
The environment is assembled through kitbashing, utilizing smaller primitives and props to build complex structures. Material properties have been tailored to align with the thematic color palette.
I employed AI to create concept art that guided the lighting, color schemes, and overall ambiance of the environment.
I also utilized AI to generate a series of posters, which were subsequently applied as decals on the bar walls and incorporated into a billboard prop in the background.
Some AI-generated art as decals on the bar wall.
Some AI-generated art as a decal on a billboard.