The Project

Route 88 was a rhythm-based parkour game where players run along a predefined path timing their inputs to music following the music through 3D environments as a 2D character. The goal was to hit beats accurately and chain actions to rack up high scores. The project ran over three weeks, including a dedicated pre-production phase to scope and pitch ideas.

What I Did

I handled most of the programming, focusing on building an advanced spline editor tool inside Unity’s editor. This tool allowed designers to map BPM data from songs directly onto level splines, tagging specific beats as gameplay inputs. I also created a feature to import FMOD song data directly and automatically generate beat markers from tags. Beyond that, I implemented player movement and sound integration, working closely with the sound designer to make gameplay tightly synced to the music.

Our scope was ambitious for three weeks, but the spline system ended up being one of the project’s standout features, earning our team the Best System Award. The other programmers contributed to the menu scene along with helping fix bugs, with one eventually switching to art to help hand-animate the many 2D frames we needed.

What I Learned

This project was my first time developing a Unity in-editor tool development, writing scripts that run inside the editor to support designers, not just during gameplay. Additionally, I learned a ton about FMOD integration, feedback and integration, and how to build tools that make development faster for the rest of the team. I also learned how important scope management is; our goals were way overscope at the time, but it has taught me about how to set more realistic estimates.

Why I did this project

I wanted to make a rhythm game because I’d never built one before, and I was excited to see how timing and gameplay could blend. Our team had a really strong sound designer, which pushed the idea further. The parkour concept clicked naturally with the music-based flow, and I knew it’d be a great way to challenge myself both technically and creatively.