Game Developtment Task 1 - Game Design Document

April 27, 2024

Game Developtment Task 1 - Game Design Document

Week 1 - 4
Justin Averill Prasetya / 0355048
Game Dev / BDCM / The Design School
Task 1 - Game Design Document

INSTRUCTIONS

Analysis and Observation from Gamezone

There will be several aspects that will be a consideration whether the game is good or not. I'm not gonna judge only from a graphic but also from the mechanics and narrative. Other aspects that need to be considered are luck, challenge, and in-game interaction.

Zapper Snapper

Fig 1.1.1

Good physics, too fast movement, good and refined graphics, and nice character design, although the narrative could be more obvious because it's tough to determine the objective, my suggestion is just to put a taskbar on the ui and the enemy should have more dynamic because it only moves to 1 side and they should have less health. This game is purely strategic because the enemy has an attack pattern and is not randomized. The main flaws were a lack of in-game interaction and narrative as well. The good thing about this game was the atmosphere and graphics that truly represent an intoxicated world.

Strategy: 8

Chance: 4

Choice: -

Luck: 6

Overall: 6.5 (no clear instructions and lore)

Saving Pon

Fig 1.1.2

This game is a true representation of Dark Souls but in a platformer game. The difficulty level of this game was truly immaculate, with below-average graphics and mechanisms this game could make you frustrated to the max. the concept was nice although could need more refinement the narrative is to save the kidnapped girl and that's all, luck is the only one involved because the boss does not even have any attack pattern, just a random attacking, no-choice story whatsoever.

Strategy: 10

Chance: 0

Choice: 0

Luck: 10

Overall: 10 (Best one I've ever encountered although it needs graphic improvement.)

Game Document

Game Development:

Theme: Medieval-type Platformer

Concept: Medieval like DnD or Skyrim but corrupted with a lot of toxin

Game Reference:

Fig 1.2.1

Hollow Knight:

Synopsis: The Radiance was essentially an old god, referred to as the Old Light, who created the moth tribe and potentially all of bugkind. However, under the Radiance, bugs were something of a hivemind, reduced to their base instincts. It seems to consider the Void its ancient enemy and has the power to manifest in the dreams of bugs.

Then came the Wyrm, another ancient being, who died at the Kingdom's Edge and reincarnated as the Pale King. He built Hollownest and became a new beacon of light, supplanting the Radiance and expanding the minds of all bugs under his influence. To rule as the only god, he tried to get rid of the Radiance, but it could not simply be forgotten.

So the Pale King drew upon the powers of the Void, experimenting to create a perfect hollow vessel to seal the Radiance away. After a long and arduous process, he created the Hollow Knight, who he deemed the perfect vessel, and convinced three powerful bugs to become Dreamers and act as a seal. So now the Radiance was contained within the Hollow Knight, whow as further imprisoned in the Black Egg and sealed by the power of the Dreamers.

Still, the Radiance managed to leak out over time. It appeared to bugs in their dreams, and its presence manifested as the orange infection that you can see everywhere around Hallownest, robbing bugs of their expanded minds and reducing them to husks. Now it's the job of your character, another vessel who was presumably deemed a failure, to take up the mantle of Hollow Knight and replace him as a vessel to seal the Radiance, but first the failing seals have to be undone by destroying the Dreamers, and the old Hollow Knight slain.

Several Point i want to apply in my game:

Art Styles Could Be Applied
TheVarious Level Design Style
The Potrayal Of Dark Ambiance
The usage of Switchable weapon

Fig 1.2.2

Shovel Knight:

Synopsis:

Shovel Knight is a 2D side-scrolling platformer game that combines elements of classic action-adventure games with modern gameplay mechanics. The game follows the journey of the titular character, Shovel Knight, a gallant knight armed with a trusty shovel on a quest to rescue his beloved partner, Shield Knight, and defeat the evil Enchantress and her Order of No Quarter.

The gameplay of Shovel Knight is reminiscent of classic NES games, featuring tight platforming challenges, unique level designs, and a variety of enemies and bosses to overcome. Players navigate through different themed stages, each with its own set of obstacles and enemies, using the shovel both as a weapon and a tool for digging through dirt and finding hidden treasures.

Throughout the game, players can acquire new abilities and upgrades, such as magic spells and armor enhancements, by collecting treasure and defeating bosses. These abilities enhance gameplay and open up new paths in previously explored levels, encouraging exploration and replayability.

Shovel Knight's charming retro-inspired graphics, catchy music, and engaging gameplay received widespread acclaim from both players and critics, making it a beloved title in the indie gaming scene.

Several Point i want to apply in my game:

Art Styles Could Be Applied
Character Design
The usage of Different Abilities
The usage of Platform to Walk

Fig 1.2.3

Dan The Man

Synopsis:

Dan The Man is a retro-style action platformer game that pays homage to classic side-scrolling beat 'em up games. The game revolves around the adventures of Dan, a heroic character armed with martial arts skills and various weapons, as he battles through waves of enemies to save his village from evil forces.

In Dan The Man, players control Dan as he navigates through a series of levels filled with enemies, traps, and obstacles. The gameplay combines fast-paced combat with platforming elements, allowing players to perform combos, use special attacks, and unleash powerful moves to defeat foes.

As players progress through the game, they can unlock new abilities, weapons, and upgrades to enhance Dan's combat prowess and survivability. The game features a variety of enemy types, including henchmen, robots, and powerful bosses, each requiring different strategies to defeat.

Beyond its action-packed gameplay, Dan The Man also incorporates humorous storytelling and colorful pixel art graphics that capture the essence of classic arcade games. The game's blend of challenging gameplay, retro aesthetics, and entertaining narrative has garnered a positive reception among fans of retro gaming and action platformers.

Several points I want to apply in my game:

Art Styles Could Be Applied
Vibrant Map Design For Early Level
In-Game Currency
Interesting Movement

Colour:

Early Game and Stage 1:

Fig 1.2.4

Castle Model Reference:

Fig 1.2.5

Stage 2:

Fig 1.2.6

Corrupted Land Backdrop Reference:

Fig 1.2.7

Stage 3:

Fig 1.2.8

Catacombs Reference:

Fig 1.2.9

Graphic: Pixelart or Sketchy

Title: The Tale of Antares

Character:

Antares / The Knight - MC
The King
Corrupted Ogre and Entitiy
Normal Enemies (Bandit and Ogre)
Catacombs Skeleton Army

Map Design Reference:

Fig 1.2.10

Objective: Just find a scroll scattered in every stage that reveals the secret location of an ancient tomb with a treasure.

Mechanic: Jump, Crouch, Go down, Left Right, Sprint, Attack with sword and shield, Could equipt various swords with different abilities, Stop Time With Cooldown

Stop time: Stop time with a time limit and build up by using items, in the stop time duration you could attack the enemy and the enemy wouldn’t attack you also all of the physics stops working after the duration has ended all of the attacks will deal damage. (QuickSliver / Za Warudo from JoJo)

Ceiling Walk: You could walk on the ceiling of the map if the map is supported (Cave / Catacombs) With cooldown and also it’s gonna be the needed to solve some puzzle (Geometry Dash).

Story: As a knight, I was entrusted by the king with a sacred mission: to retrieve a treasure from a hidden tomb. The king possessed only a fragment of an ancient scroll, leading to a mysterious location known as Aldera, a continent shrouded in both wonder and terror, home to enigmatic beings. The incomplete scroll hinted at another piece crucial for unveiling the treasure's whereabouts.

Early in my journey, I encountered an old man in a secluded village. He bestowed upon me a powerful rune, imbuing me with the ability to manipulate time itself. This newfound gift became a crucial asset as I ventured deeper into Aldera's secrets.

Embarking on this quest, I followed the scroll's clues, journeying through uncharted lands until I reached a critical juncture. Suddenly, the serene landscape turned malevolent, an intoxicating aura permeating the air. It was as if the very earth was decaying, with grotesque creatures emerging to defend this corrupted realm. Their twisted forms, born of the land's toxicity, posed a formidable obstacle, intent on halting my progress.

Utilising my time-stopping abilities, I navigated through the chaotic battlefield with strategic precision, freezing adversaries in their tracks and seizing fleeting moments to press forward. My duty as a knight demanded that I confront these abominations, battling fiercely to overcome their resistance.

Amidst the chaos, I stumbled upon a hidden village renowned for its skilled artisans in magical garment crafting. Here, amidst the whispers of arcane weavings, I encountered a reclusive tailor known for weaving protective spells into clothing. Recognizing the dangers I faced, the tailor gifted me a pair of invulnerable baggy jeans, intricately woven with protective spells and reinforced with ancient runes.

During the final confrontation within the forsaken catacombs of the abandoned castle, the baggy jeans proved their worth. They deflected blows from the legion of skeletal warriors guarding the treasure, offering unexpected advantages and ensuring my survival amidst the relentless assault. With the treasure secured, I emerged victorious, a testament to my resolve, the king's trust, and the unexpected power bestowed upon me by the enchanted baggy jeans.

Upon returning to the kingdom, the king lauded my success. However, as I prepared to leave the throne room, a hidden passageway within the catacombs opened, revealing a secret level. This hidden chamber contained ancient writings that exposed the true agenda of the corrupted king. It unveiled a sinister plot orchestrated by the king himself, aiming to use dark magic to corrupt the land for his own gain. This revelation cast a shadow over my loyalty to the crown and set the stage for a moral dilemma. Now, armed with this newfound knowledge, I must decide whether to confront the king and uncover the full extent of his treachery or seek another path to protect Aldera from his dark ambitions.

Flowchart: