Advanced Game Design Project Concept

1
Advanced Game DesignProject Concept
3rd cloud
the rpg

• Repel mounting evil, and save the land of Cloud

2
substance du cloud

• This game contains
• Solid, linear expandable story line
• Enjoyable game mechanics (Chrono Trigger combat
  system)
• Aesthetically pleasing but simple artwork (Diablo
  2 top-down view)
• Programmable concepts features

3
navigating the Clouds

• Follow your destiny, reach for the Clouds

• Born to the life of a peasant on the 1st Cloud,
• a strange twist of fate jumpstarts your stagnant
  life.
• A powerful artifact that was in your care has
  been stolen,
• and King Float has entrusted you to retrieve it!
• Chose from good ol melee fighter to
  magic-wielding sorcerer and everything in-between
• Form a party of up to 4 from people you meet and
  befriend throughout your adventure
• Stop the would-be powers of evil from rising up,
  by retrieving the mystical artifact, before
  they figure out how to use it!

4
features/gameplay

• Travel and explore three unique planes, each more
  challenging than the last
• Chose your profession to aid you in your quest to
  save the Clouds, taking
• one of four primary skill paths
• Overcome your environment and your enemies to
  advance to the next stage of the game
• Gather up to three allies from your adventures to
  aid you in your quest, or dismiss them to pick up
  new ones as you explore
• Perform combo-attacks based on profession
  combinations to increase your battle
  effectiveness

5
Professions of the Clouds

• Four base classes
• Fighter Obtain the skills of a combat master,
  wielding multiple weapons or protecting your
  allies.
• Mage Wield powerful magics that aid your party
  and devastate your foes. Just dont get hit!
• Archer Play it safe, stay back and shoot! Your
  arrows are enhanced by your slight magical
  talent, to propel the arrows with your will.
• Druid Uncommon on the Clouds, the druids powers
  are relatively unknown. Word has it they fight
  savagely, but specifics are unavailable.

• Eight specialty classes
• Armsman The guy you want on your side in a
  brawl, the only thing bigger than his muscles is
  his weapon usually.
• Sword Dancer Using magics similar to the
  Archers, the sword dancer often wields more than
  two conventional weapons. His defense and attack
  power are absolute, but he is relatively weak if
  he gets hit.
• Wizzard A true connoisseur of magic, the Wizzard
  is not the most powerful magic wielder, but what
  he lacks in power he makes up in usefulness.
  Dont leave home without one!
• Sorcerer The guy you need when atom bombs are
  out of stock. They are good at blowing things
  up...
• Sniper He has honed his skills to such a degree
  that he is able to focus one bolt or arrow into a
  lethal high-ranged weapon.
• Windmaster Using the powerful air currents of
  the Clouds, the windmaster fires arrows that seem
  to fly of their own volition, and are imbued with
  powerful magics.
• Druid advancement Unknown.

6
Professions of the Cloudscont

• Skill advancement similar to Diablo 2.
• Each level-up the user may invest in a skill of
  his/her choice, or improve a previous one.
• Pre-requisites for new skills are displayed when
  the user mouseovers that skill.
• Specialty classes are achieved by side quests and
  are usually obscure. The easy-to-get ones (such
  as the armsman) are straight-forward. (try
  inquiring at the local armory or military
  facility).

7
Storyboard

• n/a

8
Prototype

• n/a

9
justification/theory

• Whats so fun about playing in the clouds?
• Engrossing storyline and simple to comprehend
  gameplay add to user enjoyment
• Simple, adaptable player controls allow for user
  customization and optimal user performance
• Attacks effectiveness based off user input as
  well as enemy vulnerability, making skills with
  the controller as important as tactical play.
• Character advancement allows for players to get
  in to their characters, sharing in their success
  and failures
• Storyline secrets and side quests allow the user
  to further personalize their character

10
Who would play this?

• Experienced RPG players will find challenge in
  mastering the controls and performing perfect
  attacks
• Basic users will enjoy the primitive attacks,
  entertaining storyline, and quirky but fun
  characters.
• Young or old, anyone can enjoy this intuitive
  style of game. If you dont want to pay attention
  to the story line, beating enemies to advance
  your skills and parties power is inherently
  addicting.

11
User Testing

• In progress

12
Shortcomings of Design

• Hope for the best, plan for the worst
• Large scope, and larger environments make
  aesthetics of this game heavy. A very
  conservative art style will be needed
• Visuals for every attack and enemy reactions make
  a huge amount of work for designers
• 4 months may not be enough to cover all elements
  of this design. 3rd cloud may become 2nd cloud

13
Possible designexpansions

• Storyline can lead to more clouds and further
  adventure
• Open-ended development style can leave the game
  open to independent modifications and storylines
• Map creator may be a good idea, to allow for
  users to create their own clouds to explore and
  adventure on.

14
next steps indesign process

1. Get a well balanced team of programmers, artists
   and designers
2. Immediately research on techincal aspects
   required to produce this game
3. Define, re-define, research and re-define game
   mechanics
4. USER TESTING! LOTS AND LOTS OF USER TESTING