Revision 2

Overview

Hethereau features a full dynamic day-night cycle that continuously shifts the visual atmosphere and gameplay experience. The time of day affects NPC behavior, available activities, lighting conditions, and the overall mood of the city.

NPC Routines

NPCs throughout Hethereau follow daily schedules that change based on the time of day. During daytime hours, residents walk the streets, visit shops, and go about their daily business. As night falls, NPC behavior shifts accordingly. NPCs gather in groups to chat, pull out their phones, and react dynamically to the player's actions regardless of the time of day, but the specific locations where they can be found and the activities they perform change with the cycle.

Visual Atmosphere

The day-night cycle dramatically changes the visual presentation of Hethereau. Daytime presents the city under natural lighting with clear visibility and an active urban atmosphere. Nighttime transforms the city into a neon-lit environment where streetlights, shop signs, and vehicle headlights become the primary illumination sources. The game uses Unreal Engine 5's Lumen global illumination system to render realistic lighting transitions, with dynamic shadows and indirect lighting that respond naturally to the changing time of day.

Gameplay Effects

The time of day affects available gameplay opportunities in several ways. Certain encounters and events only appear during specific hours. Some shops and services operate on schedules that align with the day-night cycle. The supernatural elements of Hethereau also respond to time, with certain anomalous phenomena being more likely to manifest at night or during specific time windows.