Authentic UE5.5 Training Environment & Gameplay Systems
Core Tech: Unreal Engine 5.5 • Figma • Sub-D Modeling • Modular Shading
Category: Driving Simulation • Educational Systems • Game Design
Project Role: Team Leader & Senior Game Artist
Project Overview:
OMRIJ is a high-fidelity driving simulation designed specifically for the Dutch licensing-test market. Built in Unreal Engine 5.5, the project replicates the complex urban infrastructure of Amsterdam to train aspiring drivers in a risk-free, scored environment. As the Team Leader and Senior Game Artist, I oversaw the visual development and system integration, ensuring a balance between photorealistic immersion and the technical clarity required for pedagogical driving scenarios.
01 Environment Design & Authenticity:
To capture the unique character of Dutch urban planning, the environment was built using over 200 bespoke assets.
Urban Infrastructure: Meticulously crafted roads featuring proper Dutch markings, cycle paths, and tram lines.
Architectural Accuracy: Historically accurate Amsterdam-style buildings and period-appropriate vehicles.
Visual Hierarchy: Elements were designed to maintain clear readability, ensuring that traffic signs and pedestrian behaviors remain prominent during high-speed gameplay.
02 Lighting & Lookdev:
The lighting system was engineered to support a variety of training conditions, each presenting unique challenges to the learner.
Time-of-Day Scenarios: Includes high-contrast daylight for beginners, low-visibility dusk, and realistic night driving featuring accurate headlight attenuation and street lighting.
Strategic Focus: Using PBR material variation and emissive decals, the lighting design guides the player’s eye toward critical driving cues without breaking the immersive experience.
03 UI & Gameplay Systems:
The user interface and backend systems were developed to provide real-time, actionable feedback.
HUD & Scoring: Designed in Figma and implemented in UE5, the HUD tracks speed, navigation, and traffic law compliance. The scoring system provides immediate feedback, allowing learners to correct mistakes as they occur.
Pedestrian AI: Integrated Navigation Space-based pedestrian movement to create a dynamic, unpredictable environment that mimics real-world city centers.
Vehicle Fidelity: Features fully functional dashboard instruments, adjustable mirrors, and physics-based handling tuned for realistic technique training.
Technical Scope:
Modular Shading: A custom decal material system for rapid iteration of road markings and traffic signs across the massive city map.
System-Aware Environments: Interactive traffic systems and environment behaviors that respond to the player’s driving performance.
Performance Optimization: Scalable high-fidelity surfaces designed to maintain high frame rates across various hardware configurations.
Key Deliverables:
Full Gameplay Demo: A comprehensive walkthrough of scored scenarios and free-driving modes.
UI Brand Identity: A modern, sleek aesthetic reflecting Dutch design sensibilities.
Vehicle Animation: Detailed interior/exterior modeling with functional controls and multiple camera perspectives.
Summary:
OMRIJ demonstrates the intersection of high-end game artistry and functional educational design. By delivering a cutting-edge digital twin of Dutch driving conditions, the project provides a scalable, immersive platform that transforms the way aspiring drivers prepare for their licenses.
