THE FINALS - Los Angeles
This fan level blockout, inspired by The Finals, was created during a personal game jam over the course of six days. Captivated by the game's authenticity, scale, and destruction, I focused on these three pillars when designing the level. I chose Union Station in Los Angeles as the setting because it’s both iconic and local to me. By setting the level in the historical period of the 1940s, I aimed to capture the architectural grandeur and cultural atmosphere of Union Station during a period of American exceptionalism.
The level provides a variety of combat encounters, from long range scenic views to destructible close-quarters interiors. The clocktower of Union Station provides a constant visual reference for players, acting as a point of reference for map navigability.
GAMEPLAY
To stay true to the core gameplay loop of THE FINALS, I recreated its environmental jump pads and ziplines, complementing my favorite map alteration option— Suspended Structures. Using Unreal Engine’s blueprints, I built a basic destruction system that differentiates between radial damage (rockets) and point damage (bullets). This allowed for varied destructible objects, from brittle glass to sturdy concrete walls.
I specifically designed this map with the cashout game mode in mind because it best represents the unique selling points of The Finals. The cashout mode emphasizes the game show feel and team competition, making it a perfect fit for the dynamic and destructible environment I created.
PLANNING
After selecting the theme, I spent several hours conducting research on Google Maps and Google Earth to find the best reference images for the districts I wanted to recreate. I designed a mockup for the loading screen to immerse myself further. Although the initial map proved to be too large during the planning stage, I adjusted the scale to enhance playability while retaining its essence. My design drew inspiration from LA Noire, The Godfather, and The Untouchables.
Tools Used
Unreal Engine 5.3
Autodesk Maya 2024
Adobe Photoshop
Low Poly Shooter Pack v5.0
Low Poly FPS Bundle
Low Poly Road Pack
Team icons and logos from The Finals, developed by Embark Studios and published by Nexon