Out Runner

Game Dev · 2020

An arcade run-and-gun fused with endless-runner flow — crisp input, legible silhouettes, and a combo score that drives the pace.

Concept

Out Runner mashes classic arcade run-and-gun energy with the readability and rhythm of endless runners. The focus is immediacy: crisp input, legible silhouettes, reactive music, and a scoring loop that rewards risk via combos and perfect dodges. Visual and audio direction channel late-90s console aesthetics while keeping modern mobile performance in mind.

Process log

2019 — Early

Core loop defined (run → acquire targets → burst fire → dodge → chain). Basic lane/vertical mobility and hitbox tuning.

2019 — Mid

Enemy archetypes and projectile patterns; combo meter and score multipliers; early shader tests for clarity at speed.

2019 — Late

Music/tempo spikes drive spawn density; audio hooks for perfect reloads and streak milestones.

2020 — Early

Mobile build pipeline for Android; input abstraction for touch/virtual buttons; performance passes targeting mid-tier devices.

2020 — Mid

Economy scaffolding (cosmetics/unlocks), sessionization, and lightweight telemetry hooks for difficulty ramp tuning.

Obstacles

Maintaining input responsiveness under heavy spawn waves required careful pooling and fixed-step tuning. Visual clarity at high speed demanded disciplined palette and silhouette rules. Audio-driven pacing introduced synchronization challenges across devices with variable frame times.

Where it stands

Vertical-slice prototype with polished run/shoot/dodge loop, combo scoring, two enemy families, and Android builds suitable for internal testing.

ROLE — Creative Direction · Design · Engineering · Audio DirectionTOOLS — Unity 2020 LTS · C# · FMOD (or Unity Audio) · Android SDK

Watch the build ↗