The Magic of Portals in Video Games
Portals have been a fascinating element in video games for nearly two decades. Their capability to allow seamless, real-time transitions through space creates a magical experience for players. Even older games utilized similar technology, like hidden environment transitions in Thief. However, the implementation of portals has evolved significantly with new engines such as Unreal Engine 5, bringing even more complexity to their design.
Doctor Strange’s Portals: A Technical Challenge
In the recently released Marvel Rivals, players encounter the powerful portals conjured by Doctor Strange. This addition not only enhances gameplay but also poses significant technical challenges. Ruan Weikang, the technical lead designer behind the game, has noted that implementing these portals required advanced programming techniques to harness their full potential. Creating portals that allow real-time spatial connections adds layers of complexity, especially when accounting for bi-directional combat interactions.
Performance Demands of Unreal Engine 5
As Weikang explained in his discussion with Epic Games, Doctor Strange’s portals introduced unprecedented performance demands on Unreal Engine 5. The integration of advanced graphics features alongside the intricate mechanics of portals meant that developers had to balance visual fidelity with gameplay efficiency. This unique challenge has made the implementation of portals one of the trickiest tasks in Marvel Rivals, showcasing the continual evolution of video game technology.
