DevLog 2 Matias Fernández: Character Companion

February 27, 2025

DevLog 2 Matias Fernández: Character Companion

DevLog 2

Matias Character Companion:

Matias Fernández

Matias Fernández plays an important role in Lost in Zania, in both gameplay and storytelling. As the player's companion and David’s best friend, similar to other companion characters, Matias brings his personality into the gameplay. Matias supports and assists the players in their search for their items, sometimes in a stubborn way, involving himself in dialogue interactions, and doing what is necessary to retrieve their items.

Gameplay Functionality

Movement:

Matias follows the player (David) if the player moves while maintaining a minimum distance to collide with the Player (David). When the player stops moving, Matias waits several moments, and if the player continues to idle, Matias moves on his own (following waypoints) within the player’s radius. This is done to make the gameplay feel alive and immersive.

Dialogue:

If Matias sees something interesting, he mentions it, such interests include art pieces or sculptures, the player can either reply or ignore what he has said. For significant interactions will ocurr, when the David talks to other characters, depending on the outcome of David's conversations with the characters, Matias responds to that outcome. For example: if the player completes a conversation with a high trust level, Matias applauds David. If the conversation ends at a middle level, Matias jokes. If the conversation ends with a low trust level, Matias makes fun of David.

Hints:

Hint dialogues are an important part, as the players must decide what to do with the hint. After each hint item is discovered, a dialogue between Matias and David; these conversations cover their reactions to the group who stole their phones.

Matias UI Design:
Matias's UI design is meant to reflect his character and personality, along with icons that somewhat showcase his attitude and behaviour....:

UI Images:

Matias UI Name Banner Design