Team Project ‱ The Game Assembly

Maruk - Shipwrecked

A third-person platformer developed in a team environment at The Game Assembly. My work focused on companion AI, behavior tree logic, and animation integration for the companion character.

Maruk - Shipwrecked screenshot 1 Maruk - Shipwrecked screenshot 2 Maruk - Shipwrecked screenshot 3 Maruk - Shipwrecked screenshot 4 Maruk - Shipwrecked screenshot 5
Role

Gameplay / AI Programmer

Project Type

Team Project

Focus

Companion AI, Behavior Trees, Animation

Engine

TGA Engine / C++

What I Worked On

My main contribution was the companion character. I worked on behavior tree-based logic, animation integration, and gameplay-related behavior for how the companion follows, reacts, and supports the player.

Companion AI

I implemented companion behavior so the character could follow the player and react to the game world in a believable way. The goal was to make the companion feel helpful and alive rather than just attached to the player.

Companion AI GIF

Behavior Trees

The companion logic was structured using behavior trees. This made it easier to define and organize decision-making, transitions, and prioritization between different actions.

Behavior tree GIF

Animation Integration

I integrated animations for the companion so that movement and reactions matched the underlying behavior. This was important both for clarity and for making the companion feel more connected to the world.

Companion animation GIF

Challenges & Lessons

This project gave me practical experience building AI behavior inside a team project and connecting decision-making to animation and gameplay. It highlighted how important structure and readability are when building companion behaviors that stay understandable both technically and in-game.