[Cardinal Fall] Entry Level Development Tasks (Virtual Neuroscape Realm)
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Entry Level Development Tasks
Horizon Virtual Neuroscape Realm
To facilitate easier onboarding, we recommend starting out by helping us develop Horizon—Cardinal Fall’s virtual reality system known as the Neuroscape. This Tron-like realm can maintain a lose art and gameplay style, so it will be smoother for multiple new contributers to learn to work together on a less stringent task.
Horizon Virtual Neuroscape Realm
Horizon is where the frontier of thought converges into reality. In this realm, concepts that are often difficult for the human mind to comprehend are represented in various simulated three-dimensional spaces so that the mind may more easily interact with complex systems.
Consider a simple AND logic gate, which reads true only when both Input 1 and Input 2 are true. While this idea can feel abstract at first, it becomes easier to understand when the same information is represented physically.
Now, imagine a locked door that opens only when two separate buttons are pressed simultaneously. In this scenario, each button represents an input, and the door opening represents the output. When represented this way, we can see the utility of embedding logic into a physical environment. In such a situation, even a mouse trapped in a maze could deduce a solution, even if by chance, because the logic is expressed physically rather than symbolically as code.
The human mind is not naturally suited in navigating pure data. Horizon aids the mind by presenting complex information in forms that are easier to comprehend. To the player, this environment appears as a series of puzzles that must be solved in order to progress.
The game will contain special terminals where the player is able to enter this physically represented environment of data. In this realm, the player will have to solve puzzles of various levels of difficulty. The more challenging puzzles, which won’t be required to progress through the game, will offer advantages for the players that solve them.
One key component of Horizon is the randomness of the level design. To increase the complexity, this virtual realm will, at times, use random room generation techniques. This will add maze-like qualities to the gameplay so each expedition into Horizon will not be the same.
Along with randomization, Horizon will contain both enemies and, if they are playing in multiplayer, the possibility of interacting with other players. And, perhaps, the lingering feeling of being observed by a superior intelligence.
Each Horizon terminal may correspond to a particular location, environment, or a series of randomized scenarios within the realm. For the most part, Horizon will have a Tron-like style, with a dark and mysterious undertone.
To enter this realm, the player will be required to use a Neurojack Stimulator for each entry, also known as ingressing or neurojacking, into Horizon. Some Horizon terminals will be special in that they provide unlimited ingress stims, especially in the case where completion is necessary for progression through the game. This way the player can enter Horizon at that particular terminal as many times as they wish — or have to.
Project Status
We opened work on the virual realm in the Summer of 2026, so almost all of the tasks are opened from creating textures, models, and level design.
Have a good idea or something you want to create? Take a look at the open tasks below, have a go at it, and share your creations in the forums. (Even if it’s just a cool idea.)
Project Requirements
Engine Version: Unreal 5.1
Project Template: First Person TemplateBecause this part of the project isn’t fleshed out yet, you can start a new “First Person” project template in Unreal 5.1 to start working on materials, meshes, or fleshing out level design. Just follow the directory structure from the project’s instructions.
The Neuroscape Realm in Cardinal Fall will be first person. This is for two reasons. One, we want the Neuroscape to be usable in other projects without re-inventing the wheel. And secondly, the fidelity doesn’t need to be as high because it’s a virtual realm, so the development overhead is easier.
If you want to work on higher level stuff like room randomization or character blueprints, get in contact with us before you set out.
Open Tasks
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