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Adhyay Studios' Impact on Underworld Gang Wars (UGW) by Mayhem Studios - A Case Study

Introduction

Underworld Gang Wars (UGW) is India’s first AAA battle royale game, developed by Mayhem Studios. Set in the fictional world of Dhantara, the game draws inspiration from Indian gang culture, iconic locations, and traditional weapons, offering a highly immersive battle royale experience tailored for mobile gaming.

To meet the AAA-quality benchmark for mobile, Mayhem Studios partnered with Adhyay Studios for high-detail 3D modeling, character art, props, and texture design. The challenge was to balance visual fidelity with performance optimization, ensuring smooth gameplay across a diverse range of mobile devices.

Project Background

Client: Mayhem Studios

Goals & Objectives:

  • Deliver high-quality, AAA-level 3D assets optimized for mobile gaming
  • Develop character art, clothing, and props that align with the game’s Indian-inspired setting
  • Create multiple Levels of Detail (LODs) to maintain optimal performance on both high-end and low-end devices
  • Enhance existing assets with cosmetic upgrades for improved visual appeal

Challenges Faced:

  • High-Quality Standards: AAA-quality assets for mobile require a precise balance between detail and performance
  • Optimization Constraints: Assets needed multiple LODs to ensure smooth rendering across various devices
  • Cultural Authenticity: Props, characters, and weapons had to accurately reflect Indian aesthetics and traditions while maintaining gameplay balance

Game Concept & Design

Genre: AAA Mobile Battle Royale

Art Style: Semi-realistic with deep Indian cultural influences

Unique Features of UGW:

  • Authentic Indian Locations: Maps inspired by real-world locations such as Fort, Gram, Mandi, Slums, and Race Course
  • Distinct Gang Factions: Tyagi & Bhokal Toli dominate the Western front, while Boris & his Velvets control the Eastern territories
  • Traditional Indian Weaponry: Players can engage in combat using locally inspired weapons such as the Katta (handmade pistol) and battle hammers

To complement the game’s setting, Adhyay Studios designed assets that seamlessly blended modern battle royale aesthetics with India’s cultural and historical elements.

Development Process

Adhyay Studios followed a structured development roadmap to ensure quality, efficiency, and seamless integration into UGW.

Pre-Production:

  • Conducted extensive research on Indian gang culture, attire, and weapon designs to maintain authenticity
  • Developed concept art for characters, props, and clothing aligned with the game’s narrative
  • Collaborated with Mayhem Studios to refine the design direction and ensure cultural accuracy

Production:

3D Modeling:

  • Created highly detailed character models, weapons, and environmental props
  • Maintained a fine balance between polygon count and visual richness

Texturing:

  • Used Substance Painter to develop high-resolution textures, ensuring realistic fabrics, metals, and environmental materials
  • Incorporated wear-and-tear effects to enhance realism and immersion

LODs & Optimization:

  • Implemented multiple Levels of Detail (LODs) to ensure seamless gameplay on different mobile hardware configurations
  • Managed polycount efficiency to prevent FPS drops while maintaining asset quality

Cosmetic Enhancements:

  • Upgraded existing character outfits, weapon skins, and prop textures to improve the overall aesthetic quality
  • Created new variations of existing assets to diversify in-game character appearances

Testing & Iteration:

  • Conducted rigorous testing to optimize assets for mobile performance without compromising visual integrity
  • Integrated a continuous feedback loop with Mayhem Studios to refine and enhance assets based on game testing insights

Technical Aspects

  • Game Engine: Unreal Engine
  • Tools Used: Maya, Blender, ZBrush, Substance Painter
  • Optimization Techniques:
    • LOD System Implementation: Enabled smooth rendering across devices
    • Texture Compression & Asset Streaming: Ensured minimal memory footprint while maintaining visual fidelity
    • Shader & Material Optimization: Improved efficiency for mobile GPU rendering

Art & Visual Design

Character Art & Clothing:

  • Designed Indian-inspired outfits that fit the game’s battle royale setting while reflecting local fashion and historical influences
  • Created multiple clothing variations to enhance player customization options

Props & Weapons:

  • Developed traditional Indian-inspired weapons such as handmade pistols and melee weapons
  • Modeled props that reinforced the game’s rich cultural setting, including market stalls, street signs, and makeshift barricades

Environmental Details:

  • Created immersive props and structures that contributed to the authenticity of Dhantara’s battle arenas
  • Designed destructible assets to enhance gameplay interaction and realism

Results & Impact

Client Feedback:

Mayhem Studios expressed high satisfaction with Adhyay Studios’ work, leading to continued collaboration and additional asset development.

Impact on UGW:

  • Enhanced Visual Storytelling: Detailed character designs, weapons, and props added depth to the game’s narrative and world-building
  • Optimized Performance: LODs and optimized assets ensured a seamless experience across a wide range of mobile devices
  • Increased Player Engagement: Visually distinct characters and props made the game more immersive and engaging for players

Performance Metrics:

Metric

Before Adhyay Studios

After Adhyay Studios’ Contribution

Total Assets Created Limited 100+ highly detailed props, weapons, and clothing assets
LOD Implementation No LOD system Multi-LOD optimization for mobile devices
Game Performance FPS drops on lower-end devices Smooth performance across hardware variations
Visual Quality Standard mobile graphics AAA-level detail with optimized textures and shaders
Client Satisfaction Baseline expectations Exceeded expectations, leading to continued collaboration

Future Potential:

  • Strengthened long-term partnership between Adhyay Studios and Mayhem Studios
  • Opened opportunities for additional projects, including future updates and expansions for UGW
  • Established Adhyay Studios as a leading outsourcing partner for AAA mobile game asset development

Conclusion: Adhyay Studios – Powering India's First AAA Battle Royale

Through a strategic mix of artistic creativity, technical optimization, and cultural authenticity, Adhyay Studios played a critical role in bringing Underworld Gang Wars to life.

Our ability to create highly detailed, optimized assets while maintaining the game’s cultural essence made us a key contributor to UGW’s success. By ensuring a balance between performance and aesthetics, we helped shape an engaging and immersive battle royale experience.

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