Void Energy: The Unstable Power of Civilization

Step into the Clockwork Desolation

The world of Clockwork Desolation is built upon the remnants of a once-thriving steampunk civilization, now teetering on the edge of collapse due to the catastrophic forces of Void Energy. This mysterious power source, a byproduct of the Shroudfall, is at the heart of the game’s lore, visuals, and gameplay mechanics. Today, we’ll take a deep dive into the development process behind one of the game’s most striking elements: the Rift Energy Beam and the Machinery That Surrounds It.

1. Conceptualizing the Rift Energy

In the game’s world, Void Energy is both a curse and a necessity. It is an unstable power that fuels the remnants of civilization but also corrupts everything it touches. Our design goal was to visually express this paradox: an energy source that is both mesmerizing and ominous.

Visual Inspirations

• We drew inspiration from real-world phenomena like auroras and light pillars, giving the Rift Energy its glowing, ethereal quality.

• The neon purples and blues of the beam represent its unnatural origin, a stark contrast to the muted, industrial tones of the surrounding city.

• Films like Blade Runner 2049 and games like Control influenced the heavy atmospheric fog and towering, mysterious structures.

2. Designing the Rift Machinery

The Rift Machinery serves as both a containment unit and a siphon for Void Energy. It was built by the last remnants of the Sentinel Order, the organization desperately trying to stabilize this chaotic force.

Key Design Elements

• Gigantic Rings & Rotating Mechanisms: The floating rings around the beam are actually part of a failed stabilization system. They were meant to harness and regulate the Rift’s power but have fallen into disrepair.

• Glowing Conduits & Pulsing Lights: These indicate the fluctuating energy levels, reinforcing the idea that the Rift is barely contained.

• Brutalist Architecture Meets Steampunk Engineering: The towering, monolithic buildings around the Rift are remnants of a lost age of engineering, now lifeless and abandoned.

3. Technical Development – Bringing the Rift to Life

Creating the Rift Energy Beam and its surrounding structures in Clockwork Desolation involved several technical challenges.

Shader Development

• We used Unreal Engine’s Niagara Particle System to create the pulsing void mist around the beam.

• A custom shader was implemented for the energy stream, using procedural noise to create an organic, shifting effect.

• Refraction effects were added to give the energy a subtle warping effect, making it look like it’s distorting reality itself.

4. The Future of the Rift

While this is an early-stage implementation, we plan to refine the Rift and its surrounding environment further:

• More advanced procedural animations for the floating structures.

• Enhanced particle effects for the Rift’s instability.

• AI-driven environmental interactions—imagine machines sporadically failing as you approach or the city itself reacting to Void surges.

The Rift is more than just a visual landmark—it’s a living, breathing force in the world of Clockwork Desolation, one that players will have to face, study, and ultimately, attempt to control.

Final Thoughts

Building this scene has been a thrilling challenge, blending art, technology, and storytelling into a single, cohesive experience. Stay tuned for more updates on the game’s development, and if you’d like to explore Clockwork Desolation for yourself, keep an eye on our upcoming demo!