As part of the next step in our development we have been asked to create both a design document and a tech demo. The design document is a document that outlines what our game is supposed to be down to very specific details.
Some examples of design documents:
The tech demo is just a playable demo of our game.This usually consists of the first couple of levels in our game.
These are very important steps in game development because it keeps you on track so your final game is what you want it to be.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Power Game Factory
Over the last week we have been using Power Game Factory. It is a game engine for a 2d platformer. We have been told to implement our game design in this engine. My partner and I have tried this with... some success. The reaction commands seems to be impossible with the tools we are given. The physics for the game is very in depth, but very limited. The engine only gives you so much information to modify, and if the thing you want to modify isn't there.. too bad. Implementing our game is proving to be more difficult that we expected, though we are still planning on completing the game as described (minus the reaction commands).
Monday, September 14, 2009
Modified game design
As part of a game design there are many changes that come about. After being paired up with another person we collaborated and came up with another game. Here is our new game:
Hamster Escape
The Story: the game follows a Hamster named Gus whose owners have left for the weekend, but accidentally forgot to take him out of his hamster ball. If that weren’t bad enough Gus is in an intricate hamster cage (and house?) filled with traps that will surely mean the death of the poor hamster. Gus must reach the end of his hamster cage (or front door) although stuck in his ball and gain the freedom and in finite supply of food that he desperately desires.
The Mechanics: The player moves by using the arrow keys (or AWSD). Because the character
is trapped in a ball, he can gain momentum by holding down the right arrow or left arrow key, the trick is slowing down because if too much momentum is gained its hard to stop Gus from falling down the wrong tube leading to his death. However the flip side is some obstacles will require a lot of momentum and therefore the player will need a lot of speed. The player will also have limited jumping ability by pressing the up arrow or W key. Because the game focuses on momentum the more speed a player has the further they will fly when jumping. The player will be given three lives at the beginning of the game and can gain lives by finding food pieces throughout the levels. At certain points in the level a player will be given reaction commands that can help a player to easily accomplish a certain puzzle however if that reaction command comes and goes the player will no longer be able to access the reaction command and will have to complete the level a different way.
The Levels: Each level is a different part of the hamster cage (or house?). There are no enemies in the game except the obstacles. The cage consists of platforms, ramps, springs, hamster wheels and traps that Gus must overcome to reach the end of his cage. All of these are
contained within the tubing Gus is running around in. Essentially it is the biggest and most dangerous hamster cage ever created.
What the Game Teaches: The game teaches several concepts including timing, spatial relationships, momentum and control, and it teaches the player to explore the maze that they are trapped in to overcome the challenges that the levels present. Risk and reward also becomes a factor of the gameplay when a player is trying to gain the most lives possible to finish the game.
Hamster Escape
The Story: the game follows a Hamster named Gus whose owners have left for the weekend, but accidentally forgot to take him out of his hamster ball. If that weren’t bad enough Gus is in an intricate hamster cage (and house?) filled with traps that will surely mean the death of the poor hamster. Gus must reach the end of his hamster cage (or front door) although stuck in his ball and gain the freedom and in finite supply of food that he desperately desires.
The Mechanics: The player moves by using the arrow keys (or AWSD). Because the character
is trapped in a ball, he can gain momentum by holding down the right arrow or left arrow key, the trick is slowing down because if too much momentum is gained its hard to stop Gus from falling down the wrong tube leading to his death. However the flip side is some obstacles will require a lot of momentum and therefore the player will need a lot of speed. The player will also have limited jumping ability by pressing the up arrow or W key. Because the game focuses on momentum the more speed a player has the further they will fly when jumping. The player will be given three lives at the beginning of the game and can gain lives by finding food pieces throughout the levels. At certain points in the level a player will be given reaction commands that can help a player to easily accomplish a certain puzzle however if that reaction command comes and goes the player will no longer be able to access the reaction command and will have to complete the level a different way.
The Levels: Each level is a different part of the hamster cage (or house?). There are no enemies in the game except the obstacles. The cage consists of platforms, ramps, springs, hamster wheels and traps that Gus must overcome to reach the end of his cage. All of these are
contained within the tubing Gus is running around in. Essentially it is the biggest and most dangerous hamster cage ever created.
What the Game Teaches: The game teaches several concepts including timing, spatial relationships, momentum and control, and it teaches the player to explore the maze that they are trapped in to overcome the challenges that the levels present. Risk and reward also becomes a factor of the gameplay when a player is trying to gain the most lives possible to finish the game.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Game Design
First step in any video game is design. I created a design to pitch in front of a live audience to determine if my game is worth making. This is my rough design document:
Overview
This is a game that combines the classic fun of a 2d platformer and the fun of reaction commands (like Kingdom Hearts 2 and God of War 2).
Gameplay
The game play will play like a normal 2d platformer. WASD or arrow keys for movement, and ZXC for different attacks. Player can run, jump, attack, and pick up items.
This game will differ from traditional platformers because you can use reaction commands to fight certain enemies and bosses.
Brief description of reaction commands: At certain points in fight sequences you will be prompted to hit a specific key. If you hit the specified key within a given time you will perform a “special” attack usually doing more damage than normal attacks. Each special attack can be specific to certain enemies.
In Closing
Please give me a lot of money to make this game.
Overview
This is a game that combines the classic fun of a 2d platformer and the fun of reaction commands (like Kingdom Hearts 2 and God of War 2).
Gameplay
The game play will play like a normal 2d platformer. WASD or arrow keys for movement, and ZXC for different attacks. Player can run, jump, attack, and pick up items.
This game will differ from traditional platformers because you can use reaction commands to fight certain enemies and bosses.
Brief description of reaction commands: At certain points in fight sequences you will be prompted to hit a specific key. If you hit the specified key within a given time you will perform a “special” attack usually doing more damage than normal attacks. Each special attack can be specific to certain enemies.
In Closing
Please give me a lot of money to make this game.
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