Cranky (Game Jam 2024)
1 Week Game Jam · Local Split-Screen Co-op · Unity · Not to be confused with the later solo expansion, Cranky: The Squirrel Annihilator
Overview
Cranky is a local split-screen co-op game where players control pugs trying to catch squirrels. Built for Global Game Jam 2024 under the theme Make Me Laugh, the game embraces chaotic, intentionally clunky movement inspired by Party Animals and Fall Guys.
- - Jam Year: 2024
- - Jam Site: uBalt at the Universities at Shady Grove
- - Platform: MS Windows
Roles & Tools
- Roles
- 3D Artist
- Animator
- Project Manager
- Tools
- Unity
- Blender
- Substance Painter
Management & Leadership
As the Project Manager and 3D Lead, I focused on keeping a one-week scope realistic while maintaining a high visual standard.
- Trello Workflow Management:I structured sprint tasks and live progress tracking so contributors stayed aligned throughout the tight jam timeline.
- Team Coordination:Managed design/art task distribution and timeline to ensure all core pug animations were integrated before the final build.
Technical Art Pipeline
The pug character was built from scratch to support the game’s playful, goofy tone. I handled the full pipeline from initial poly-modeling to final game-ready export.
- Modeling & Rigging:Built in Blender with a focus on flexible rigging to allow for the exaggerated, "floppy" movements inspired by Party Animals.
- Texture Workflow:Applied hand-painted stylized textures in Substance Painter to ensure visual clarity on a split-screen display.
Final Results
- - A complete, playable jam build delivered within one week.
- - Distinctive pug character pipeline integrated into gameplay successfully.
- - Designed and tested for both keyboard and handheld controller play.
- - Team delivery quality supported by clear production structure and ownership.
While the pug character concept was inspired by the work of Gil Rimmer and Rhenan Fidelis, all 3D modeling, rigging, and animations were created from scratch for this project.
Links & Documents
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to Julian Apostolov for helping troubleshoot 3D pug and texture issues at 2AM. @uapostolov_17