Dev Diary: making of Samurai Dojo through the Unreal Fellowship: Games
My name is Eyad Hussein, and I was lucky to be part of the first Unreal Fellowship: Games, an intensive virtual program designed to equip industry professionals with the skills needed to create games using Unreal Engine.
I’ve worked for over 10 years as a character technical director, building advanced character rigs and interactive content for movies, media, and video games. My career has taken me from animated blockbusters to top-tier video games, sparking my passion for game development and inspiring me to create something of my own.
The Unreal Fellowship was the perfect chance to make that happen. I joined to learn the full game development process and gain insights from industry experts. This experience has been a game changer, helping me sharpen my skills and bring my creative ideas to life.
Introducing Samurai Dojo
Samurai Dojo is a fighting game that combines fast-paced sword combat with player customization and dynamic multiplayer battles. Set in a beautifully detailed feudal Japanese town, the game explores themes of honor, revenge, and redemption. Samurai Dojo isn’t just about fighting; it’s about experiencing the world of the samurai with all its complexities.
I’ve always loved fighting games. Growing up, I spent hours at arcades playing Street Fighter and other classics. I wanted Samurai Dojo to capture that excitement but add a unique twist. One of my biggest inspirations was The Last Blade by SNK, a lesser-known gem that blends intense combat with a compelling story. With this in mind, I set out to build a game that was both thrilling and meaningful.
The Unreal Fellowship Experience
The Unreal Fellowship is an intensive three-week program, and the theme chosen by Epic Games was to create an arcade game. This was the ideal theme for me since I wanted to make a fighting game, I already own a high-end arcade stick, and I was familiar with setting up inputs for it in Unreal Engine.
To fully dedicate myself to the project, I took three weeks off from work to focus exclusively on building Samurai Dojo. While Epic Games provided several game templates, none were tailored for fighting games, so I had to start from scratch and work at a fast pace.
Week 1: Planning and Laying the Foundation
The first week was all about planning and setting up the basics. We were tasked with brainstorming ideas and creating a game plan. That part was easy for me since I already knew exactly what I wanted to make. The real challenge was finding the right assets that fit my vision, setting up the design, and building the game from the ground up.
I used Blueprint visual scripting to prototype quickly and create a strong foundation for the game. Building an input buffer system was one of my main focuses in this first week. This system made sure player commands were precise and responsive—a must-have for any fighting game.
Week 2: Prototyping the Combat
In the second week, I aimed to create a prototype with two playable characters, each with their own moves and special abilities. I used assets and animations from the Unreal Engine Marketplace to speed up development and fine-tune the gameplay loop.
I integrated the Gameplay Ability System (GAS) to manage character moves and combat mechanics. GAS made it easy to break down each move into individual abilities with unique properties.
Every day, I tested the game and recorded my progress, which helped me gather feedback and improve quickly. One of the most rewarding parts of this phase was building and perfecting combos and special moves. It was satisfying to see the input buffer work smoothly with the GAS, creating fluid and responsive combat.
Week 3: Final Touches
Week three was all about adding the final touches, creating the samurai dojo stage, developing the AI, and implementing visual effects. The AI development was particularly challenging. I wanted it to adapt to player actions, making battles unpredictable and engaging. Using State Tree, I was able to build an AI system that switched between different strategies like defending, attacking, and countering in real time.
Balancing the combat system was tricky. I needed it to be skill-based and strategic but still fun and fast-paced. I spent hours adjusting the power of moves, refining controls, and making sure everything felt seamless.
Challenges and Breakthroughs
Developing Samurai Dojo came with its share of challenges. Building a fighting game in just three weeks required quick decision-making and creative problem-solving. One breakthrough was combining the input buffer system with GAS to handle complex combos. This added depth to the game and made the combat more dynamic.
The AI development also exceeded my expectations. By using State Tree, I created opponents that felt smart and adaptive, making each match feel fresh and exciting.
Looking Ahead
Presenting Samurai Dojo at Unreal Fest in Seattle, where it was featured on arcade machines, was a huge milestone for me. It validated all the late nights and hard work I put into the project. But this is just the beginning!
I’m excited to continue developing Samurai Dojo, adding characters, expanding the story, and enhancing the multiplayer experience. I also plan to include more customization options and interactive environments to keep the gameplay rich and engaging.
Final Thoughts
The Unreal Fellowship was a game changer for me, both as a developer and as a creator. It showed me that with the right tools and dedication, you can bring your vision to life. Samurai Dojo is not just a game; it’s a testament to the power of hard work, passion, and the incredible opportunities provided by Epic Games.
Stay tuned for more updates as Samurai Dojo continues to grow. The journey is just beginning, and I can’t wait to see where it leads!
