Overview

This is a short animated cinematic I created to explore Unreal Engine’s destruction and chaos systems. The story is simple but layered with technical elements.

An alien world holds a magical orb floating above five massive boulders. These boulders transfer energy to the orb via lightning beams. When a character sneaks into the scene and chaos erupts, everything spirals out of control. The climax destroys the orb, the boulders, and a house nearby, closing the loop on a fun, destructive sequence.

Project Goals

• Showcase Unreal Engine’s Chaos system through a destruction-heavy sequence
• Integrate character animations and FX in a seamless cinematic flow
• Use the Niagara System creatively to enhance the atmosphere

Technical Breakdown

Chaos & Destruction System

• Custom-fractured all major geometries to prepare them for dynamic destruction
• Designed a ground-cracking effect that launches debris in a directional shockwave pattern
• Controlled the timing and triggers of destruction through animation events for better narrative sync

Niagara FX

• Designed a swarm particle system with layered noise
• Simulated magical energy flows between boulders and Orb using beam emitters
• Combined mesh, sprite, and ribbon renderers

Animation & Sequencer

• Added camera shakes, tracking zooms, and focus shifts to emphasize emotional beats
• Custom camera rigs were used to enhance motion and impact during destruction
• Characters were animated using UE5’s built-in sequencer

Environment & Lighting

• Started with basic blocking of elements and lighting tests
• Populated the world with foliage, fog layers, and light scattering to create depth
• Adjusted post-process settings to get a stylized, slightly cinematic look

What I Learned

• How to control and trigger Chaos simulations for storytelling
• Creating custom Niagara particle effects using real-time logic
• The importance of sequencing and pacing in VFX-heavy animations
• Blending character movement with FX and environment to build continuity