UE5 Blueprint Gameplay Prototyper Wanted — DESCENT Co-op Expedition Survival Prototype
I’m looking for a Blueprint-heavy Unreal Engine 5 gameplay prototyper / technical designer interested in helping build an early playable vertical slice for a focused indie prototype called DESCENT.
DESCENT is a grounded dark-fantasy expedition survival game about pushing deeper beneath a post-collapse frontier settlement into layered caves, buried ruins, environmental hazards, and ancient infrastructure.
The goal is not to build a giant MMO or full game right away.
The first goal is a small UE5 prototype that proves the core loop:
prepare → descend → navigate hazards → recover artifacts/resources → survive → return → improve equipment → descend deeper
What I’m Looking For
A UE5 developer comfortable with Blueprints who can help prototype systems such as:
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third-person or first-person expedition movement
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cave / ruin traversal
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interactable gear and survival tools
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rope, anchor, lantern, pack, or climbing-style mechanics
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hazard triggers such as collapse zones, gas pockets, unstable floors, flooding, darkness, or fungal areas
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simple procedural room / dungeon-section logic
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artifact or resource pickup/extraction loop
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basic co-op-friendly design thinking, even if multiplayer is not fully built in the first test
C++ is a bonus, but not required for the earliest prototype. I’m mainly looking for someone who can help turn design into playable UE5 systems.
Project Tone
DESCENT is meant to feel like:
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frontier survival archaeology
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grounded expedition danger
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dark subterranean exploration
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practical equipment instead of loot spam
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environmental hazards instead of generic RPG enemies
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mystery, pressure, and discovery
Think less “high fantasy dungeon crawler” and more:
the first people brave or desperate enough to map what is buried under the world.
Current Status
I have a substantial organized design vault already built, including:
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world and tone direction
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expedition roles
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equipment concepts
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hazard lists
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dungeon layer structure
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creature ecology
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artifact/resource ideas
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first expedition story framework
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long-term progression philosophy
But I am intentionally keeping the first playable scope small.
The initial prototype should focus on DESCENT only, not the full larger franchise/world.
Compensation / Collaboration Reality
I need to be upfront: I cannot offer salary right now.
I’m looking for someone open to an early-stage collaboration, portfolio prototype, rev-share discussion, or possible technical co-founder style arrangement if the working relationship is right.
I respect that programming time is valuable, so I want to keep the first milestone realistic and clearly scoped.
First Prototype Target
A good first milestone might be:
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one playable expedition character
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one test descent area
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a small set of traversal tools
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3–5 environmental hazards
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a few recoverable artifacts/resources
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a return/extraction point
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basic equipment improvement or preparation loop
The purpose is to answer one question:
Does descending feel dangerous, physical, and worth doing again?
Who This Might Be Good For
This may be a good fit for someone who:
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likes UE5 Blueprint prototyping
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enjoys survival/exploration systems
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wants a serious indie project with strong creative direction
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wants portfolio-worthy gameplay systems
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likes dark fantasy but prefers grounded mechanics
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is interested in procedural dungeon/exploration design
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wants to help shape a project early rather than just receive a task list