Masters of the Dead

Game Designer, Animator, 3D Artist
PC — Proof of Concept

Masters of the Dead is a 1v1 monster-themed fighting game proof of concept created to explore core fighting game systems, character move design, and animation-driven combat. The project focused on validating combat feel, timing, and readability rather than full production scope.

I was responsible for game design, character animation, and 3D asset creation, designing and animating two fully playable fighters with complete move sets. Select assets from Horror Legends were reused to enable rapid iteration and keep development focused on mechanics and responsiveness.

Design Goals

• Validate core 1v1 fighting game mechanics

• Establish clear character differentiation through move design

• Ensure responsive, readable, animation-driven combat

Game Mechanics & Move Set Design

The combat system was built around traditional fighting game fundamentals, including light and heavy attacks, special moves, hit reactions, and recovery windows. Each fighter was designed with a distinct playstyle defined by attack speed, range, and risk-reward tradeoffs, allowing players to quickly understand strengths and weaknesses through play.

Animation & Combat Readability

Combat clarity was driven by animation. Attack wind-ups, hit confirms, and recovery frames were visually communicated to ensure strong cause-and-effect between player input and on-screen results. This reinforced responsiveness and player trust in the system.

Iteration & Proof-of-Concept Focus

Limited scope allowed for fast iteration on combat timing and feel. Systems and animations were repeatedly adjusted to improve flow and readability, successfully validating a foundation suitable for future expansion.

Itch.io Page:
https://octobergames.itch.io/masters-of-the-dead