Here’s a design I’m currently working on. It is in “stage 3” of implementation – the discussion of new ideas. My previous designs were theoretical discussions. This one is moving towards something that can be implemented.
It only focuses on “play,” of “play, express, share.” Later, when this design becomes a rock-solid design – one that can be implemented – then I’ll do matching ones for express and share. First we need the details. That’s what this is for.
I’ve have skipped posting large segments of other things, just because it would take too long to explain them.
* implementation goals
What I need right now is to find some core to focus on. I want a
playable idea. What is that goal?
. some basic mechanics (a few)
. a main character
. a challenge curve
. an atmosphere/world
. a few controls
. a few ways of thinking
. more than 1 type of emotion conveyed through the mechanics.
* plan
We don't need to go too deep. What we need is any mechanic for play.
Then we need a way to create, and a way to share.
Plan:
1. get to 2nd level implementation for "play"
-> example mechanics from games/
2. then merge with express
--
I probably need to organize everything according to the actual tree.
That would be dope.
* implementation (3rd round - new ideas)
Hit the above pieces, for play.
+ some basic mechanics
So play is kind of fucked. We need a mechanic for play. Something
simple? How about running and jumping. Christ.
The character has a small amount of momentum as he moves. There is
only one speed of acceleration - no hold y down for speed.
He can turn. He can run up slopes. He can do parcour. His jump is
very weak. However, if he uses the terrain right, he can launch
himself in the air and do crazy things.
+ main character
The main character is a boy, of about 18. He is wiry. He runs fast,
is acrobatic. He is kind of stylish, sticking his arms out for flair
(and balance).
His goal in life is to be reunited with his pet, dog-like creature,
who is also ground-bound. The dog moves faster, can use bursts of
speed, can get lower to the ground, can attack with his face, can't
parcour as well, but can climb trees, can barrel roll, and do a
couple more maneuvers.
+ challenge curve
The challenge curve comes in the enemy types. You are being chased.
You cannot fight back. You always lose a fight. The question is if
you can stall enough to get into a position to escape.
You have to backtrack across the map often. You master the area in
order to escape.
The terrain is not destructible. Your goal is
+ an atmosphere/world
Something that connects with what we already have. Also, I could pick
a few things off the top of my head.
from before:
1. being part of a military organization in space
2. struggling for survivial in a harsh world
3. learning to pursue brilliance
That's not bad. Hunh.
+ a few controls
I want the controls to reflect the experience of playing. They give
the core sensation of what I have so far.
He can only go left and right. Momentum is controlled entirely with
timing, or is it? Maybe the player can hold down one button to make
his guy duck, then release it to get a boost of something, maybe
spped, or power, or jumping power if he jumps too.
The idea is to think ahead a short bit, then prepare the correct
momentum for it.
There are loop-de-loops, ceiling wall-jumps, cork-screw jumps, slides,
swings on poles, and so on. The player only controls jumping,
momentum, and "ducking" - the storage of potential energy.
He can't be reunited with his dog, because his dog is always on the
run. His dog isn't crazy, but he wants to get away. No, he has to get
away because he is taken away, by the forces of nature.
The dog needs certain things in order to survive. The boy cannot
provide these things, because it is beyond his power to do so. If he
had more power - which he can get through the development of
responsibility - then he can get his dog back.
The dog shows up briefly for missions. When he is there, the
cooperation between him and the boy is incredible.
3 buttons:
. analog: to speed up and slow down the boy. relative push/pull
matters.
. x button: jump. hold to jump higher.
. a button: store potential energy.
Potential energy is released automatically for certain moves. It can
be poured into speed changes if the storage is released.
It can also be used for jumps. Depletes slowly upon release, and
quickly when being used for a move. Wall jumps, pole spins,
loo-de-loops, all use of potential energy. Releasing the energy at the
particularly right moment creates a burst in usage.
There is a sweet spot in release. If the following move is used in the
sweet spot then the energy release is far more powerful, and chains
into more power storage if the storage button is held again.
The goal is to build up enough potential energy to do something
incredible. The more energy you get the more sweet your moves become.
+ a few ways of thinking
I need a few different kinds of problems to solve. I have the timing
of momentum. The player has to watch his dude's momentum, and try and
find moments that he can best release the potential energy in.
I want there to be some analysis of the opponent. There is of course
the buddy stuff with the dog.
There has to be a technical understanding of the map. We definitely
want to master the map. So there is memory work, and understanding how
best to use its strengths, how to avoid its weaknesses, or at least
deal with them.
I want there to be some mental math and prediction, estimation of how
much energy will do what. There is a lot of timing, relative to
enemies, and just in general. There is lots of projection of movement
through space, affected by different jumping-off points and ricochets,
and the type of position being jumped out of. Also speed and release
of energy matter.
There are basic tactical problems to solve, twitch maneuvering,
momentum projections. Enemies have movement patterns. There is a sense
of strategic position. There is projectile avoidance, the avoidance of
moving enemies with unique patterns.
You cannot fight. All you can do is run and jump like crazy. Why can
you not fight? Because you are always afraid? That doesn't make any
sense.
The point is just to get to the dog.
+ more than 1 type of emotion conveyed through the mechanics
Well, you have the fear. You also have some other things.
There is the idea of something coming to get you. You can only
run. You also build up energy. So you are always preparing. You also
have the idea of slow mastery, moving very close to your target but
not quite finishing him off.
-> CREEPING FEAR
There is a sense of balance to the character. He has his own
personality, that shifts over time. The player's goal is to understand
these shifts, then compensate by projecting correctly into the future,
and adjusting his path and potential energy storage patterns
accordingly.
. absorption in the level, the character
. understanding how the boy feels, being responsive to him, caring
. you study him. you love him.
-> SUPPORT
There is the closely zero-ing on perfection, like amstering Forza. You
take each turn more closely, and more closely. You want to shave off
seconds from a lap time. You feel fear. You also feel in the zone. You
want your intuition to merge with what is in front of you. You want
inner peace. You want to get in the zone.
-> FOCUS
You feel like you are in a jungle gym, outsmarting the enemy. You feel
free. You feel competent. You feel clever. You feel precise. You get
in the groove. You feel like a dancer, one who reads the winds. You
are like a flyer. You are a gymnast, dexterous, powerful, moving with
finesse.
-> FINESSE
Then there are the puzzles. You get to be clever, then execute a
solution in a flash, or carefully. That's giving him one right in the
gut, then the face, then again the face, knocking him straight to the
ground, firmly, snugly. The battle ends.
. clever, power
-> CLEVER
There is a sense of power through slow study, through biding your time
and preparing, then launching at once. Build, then release. That is a
major theme of the whole game. Like Ippo, you train hard for the one
moment in the ring, when you are put to the test, and get to let your
emotions fly out.
-> DOMINANCE THROUGH PATIENCE
the Game 