Saturday, March 3, 2012

Game Design: Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is another game idea Amanda Cha and I worked on (and are still working on) together.  Photosynthesis is a sidescroller game that uses the character's power to light to interact with various plants that help progress the player through the level.  There are good plants the will assist you and evil plants that want nothing more than to see you dead.



The player character can both glow and dim their light to interact with different types of plants successfully.


I designed the map and possible gameplay for a demo level, keeping in mind a nice, steady learning curve and interesting puzzle opportunities.


In this level, the player must reach the temple (number 16) and then exit the level safely.  The player first learns how to jump, use their glow ability to make a plant bloom, and then realizes that their glow will enrage evil plants along the way.  With these mechanics introduced, the player goes through the level, utilizing their glow at appropriate times to achieve their goal.

We made a quick prototype for the demo using UDK.


We also have an animatic for a video game trailer that is actually a work in progress!  You can see any progress under my 3D Work section.


9 comments:

  1. Okay so apparently your entire blog is awesome :D You may suck at video games but you've learned lots from them clearly! Good stuff.

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    1. Oh wow, thanks! It's been a while since I've posted anything new...but you've inspired me!

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    2. I wish you make this real because it looks great and i would be THRILLED to play it. Please reply

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    3. Haha, thanks! I'd love to make this a real game, but I'm sadly only one person with very little free time. :( Perhaps one day!

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    4. hey will you somehow teach me to be a programmer becuz im only a tween im not a genius but like all guys i want to be a programmer and video game designer

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  2. You should make a game thats like thesis but instead its the ocean and you are trying to get to atlantis to get the king so he can save your sea village from the kraken

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  3. There could be sharks, crabs, and anglers as the evil creatures. There Could be octupi, clownfish and dolphins as the good creatures

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  4. im only a tween but i would like to start creating games and become a video game designer. The only problem is Im horrible at math

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  5. Um.... Will you please reply

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