Unreal Engine
Current development version
The world of
Miravale
Where imagination becomes playable worlds.
Follow Elliscia’s real journey from her first Unreal Engine project to the worlds still waiting to be created.
Currently creating in Unreal Engine 5.6Meet the creator
Hi, I’m Elliscia Nurding.
A young game developer learning how ideas become characters, mechanics and playable worlds.
Online, I create as Cipher_E, my screen name for the games, ideas and worlds I build through Miravale Studios.
I am currently working through the Software Academy Level 1 3D Game Design course, using Unreal Engine 5.6. I have completed the first of three Level 1 projects and I am building my skills one project at a time.
Miravale Studios is where I document the real journey, including what I learn, what I create and every milestone I reach along the way.
Current achievements
Built on real progress.
These cards show where I am now. They will grow as I learn new skills and complete more projects.
Software Academy
3D Game Design course
Projects Complete
Two Level 1 projects remain
Miravale Studios
A home for every world I build
Current learning journey
Level 1, 3D Game Design
A practical three project course studied through Software Academy, using NCFE developed learning content and Unreal Engine.
In progress
1 of 3 projects completed
U
Software Academy
Level 1, 3D Game Design
Current software, Unreal Engine 5.6
44%
Project 1
Miravale: Neon Rift
Released
Project 2
Mario Like Sidescroller Game
Underway
Project 3
Third Person Shooter Game
Not started yet
An honest record of progressThis portfolio documents what I am learning and the work I have completed. I am currently studying Level 1 and have completed one of the three required projects.
Project archive
Worlds in development.
Every project begins as a lesson, then becomes something I can build, explore, test and improve.
Now released
Level 1, Project 01 Download and play
Miravale: Neon Rift
For my first project, I created a first person shooter game in Unreal Engine 5.6. I built a futuristic training arena with enemies, collectable coins, player health, fire, lasers and dangerous obstacles. This project introduced me to the foundations of 3D game design and taught me how different gameplay systems work together.
Enemy encountersPlayer healthPickups and coinsHazardsGame testingLevel building
EngineUnreal Engine 5.6
StatusReleased
CompletedAugust 2026
PlatformWindows PC
Software Academy feedbackSoftware Academy confirmed that Elliscia successfully completed her first 3D Games Design project, with her tutor commenting that she had done a great job.
View development processProject 1 case study
Inside the project
How I built Neon Rift.
This case study shows the game from two sides, what the player sees and the Unreal Engine systems working behind it. These are real screenshots from my completed Project 1 in Unreal Engine 5.6.
Gameplay gallery
What the player experiences
I designed the level as a series of connected challenges using combat, collectables, moving platforms, fire and laser hazards.
My development process
Building the playable world
I worked on the level layout, gameplay systems, hazards, enemies, scoring, player health and the interface that shows information during the game.
Level layout
I arranged the arena and challenge areas to create a route through the game.
Player challenges
I added enemies, coins, platforms, fire, lasers and teleport areas.
Game systems
I connected Blueprints controlling points, damage, movement and the end of the level.
Testing
I played the game, checked each mechanic and changed systems that did not behave as intended.
Blueprint evidence
Visual scripting behind the game
Each example shows a real Blueprint from Neon Rift and explains the gameplay feature it controls.
Interface and completion
Information, goals and the finished state
I created a HUD for health and points, then connected the final point to the win screen so the player can complete or restart the game.
Problem solving
Problems I tested and corrected
Finding and fixing unexpected behaviour was part of completing the game.
01
Fire hazard damage
- The problem
- Touching the fire did not cause instant death as intended.
- What I changed
- I adjusted the fire Blueprint so an overlap with the player applies 100 damage.
- The result
- The fire became an instant death hazard when the player touched it.
- What I learned
- The damage value must match the behaviour I want, and I need to test it in the game.
02
Coin counter
- The problem
- The coin counter was not increasing correctly when a coin was collected.
- What I changed
- I corrected the point value from zero to one and tested the collection Blueprint again.
- The result
- Each collected coin added one point to the counter as intended.
- What I learned
- A small value can change whether a whole mechanic works, so checking values matters.
Testing and iteration
I did not stop at the first build
I tested the mechanics while playing, found things that needed changing and tested them again after each adjustment.
01Build
02Play
03Test
04Find a problem
05Make a change
06Test again
07Complete
Skills demonstrated
Evidence connected to each skill
These skills are supported by the project screenshots and working game rather than being listed on their own.
The complete arena layout and connected challenge areas.
Working collection, enemy, damage, movement and teleport systems.
Health, points, enemies, coins, hazards, platforms and level completion.
A HUD showing live health and points, plus a completed win screen.
Playing the level, checking mechanics and testing changes again.
Correcting the fire damage and coin counter so both worked as intended.
What this project taught me
This project showed me how Blueprints can connect player actions, scoring, health, hazards and level events. I also learned why I need to play, test and change a mechanic until it behaves the way I intended.
Play the finished project
Download and playMiravale: Neon Rift
The current build is available as a free download for Windows PC.
Now underway
Mario Like Sidescroller Game
For my second project, I am creating a Mario style sidescroller game. I will use skills from Project 1 in new ways while learning how to build more complex gameplay mechanics.
Level 1 finale
Third Person Shooter Game
For my final Level 1 project, I will explore another game genre and create a third person shooter. I will use this project to practise, combine and improve the skills I developed throughout Level 1.
Skills in progress
Learning by building.
3D World Building
Creating environments, placing assets and shaping playable spaces.
DevelopingBlueprint Systems
Using visual scripting to connect actions, events and gameplay.
DevelopingGame Mechanics
Building health, pickups, hazards and player interactions.
DevelopingProblem Solving
Testing what works, finding issues and making careful fixes.
DevelopingMission log
The latest from Miravale.
Miravale: Neon Rift released
My first Unreal Engine game is now available as a free Windows PC download. I created, tested and packaged a complete playable arena with player systems, enemies, pickups and hazards.
Fire hazard damage
I adjusted the fire Blueprint so touching the hazard applied 100 damage and caused instant death as intended.
Coin counter
I corrected the coin point value from zero to one, then tested it again so every collected coin increased the counter correctly.
How I find solutionsWhen something does not work, I check my Blueprints and settings, test possible fixes and research the problem. I can use tools including ChatGPT to help me understand possible causes. If I have tried the sensible options and still need help, I ask an adult or tutor.
Qualifications and achievements
The pathway ahead.
This section shows my current Software Academy pathway. I will only mark a qualification as achieved after I have completed every requirement for that level.
Level 1 Award in 3D Computer Games Design & Development
I am currently completing the three Level 1 projects required for this award.
Level 2 Certificate in 3D Computer Games Design & Development
My planned next stage after successfully completing Level 1.
Level 3 Diploma in 3D Computer Games Design & Development
The planned final stage of my current Software Academy pathway.
Official documentation will be held privately and shared directly with education providers or employers when required.
Stay with the journey
Every great world begins with one idea.
Miravale Studios is only at the beginning. I will continue adding new skills, projects and playable worlds as I learn.
I’m Elliscia Nurding, and I create online as Cipher_E.
contact@miravalestudios.co.uk