Game Idea Research

An image of a gaming controller (source)

In last weeks blog, I gave four general game ideas and talked about different aspects such as sitting/ environment that the game will take place, the main goal of the games, the genre they belong to and the outlining obstacles the players will face in the games. The two potential games that were pointed out to me are game idea two and game idea four.

For game idea two, I proposed a puzzle type game with the main overlining goal was to solve various grade of puzzles that increased in difficulty as the player progressed more in the game. The setting for this game was a city landscape type environment with the player moving throughout the city with each correct answer moving the player forward and closer to the end of the level. Each puzzle will have a limited time to complete said each puzzle and the period to answer each question shortens each puzzle. Another element I was planning to incorporate into the game was a potential colour mechanic that would aid in making the puzzles more difficult for example, asking a question like “what colour is the red text” and have four different chooses presented in various colour boxes, with the correct answer being red but is presented on a blue box tricking the brain and making the question more complex and similar to an optic illusion. As seen in the example image below. 

Image source

A popular example of this type of game would be Lumosity and elevate these are both brain training/ brain puzzles type game. in these games, players are given various puzzle and 

For game idea four, I proposed a racing/ driving simulation type game. The game takes place in a highway, high traffic environment. The player will face a wide range of obstacles differing in difficulty such as merging traffic, a car that has broken down or a highway accident making the players have to think fast while avoiding the oncoming obstacles. In terms of level design and layout of the level, it will be a three-lane highway system with obstructions occupying each lane during the duration of the level. Another element I was planning to implement was the speed increases over time, making it harder to quickly dodge the coming traffic and obstructions. A popular example of this would be subway surfers in terms of gameplay and game mechanics.

gif source

In the game, subway suffers the player undergoes the act of being chased by an officer type character, the game is an endless type game with no way to beat the game and players continue playing until their character is smashed by an upcoming train or caught by the officer character giving chase, the main aim of this style of game is to beat their previously set high-score. 

Game Mechanics

These are systems interactable blocks or elements set aside in games specifically for players to engage with to enhance their gaming experience, many different forms of gaming mechanic can be implemented into the game such as "movement" mechanic that controls how the player interacts with the world in which the game created, another example of this would be a "risk and reward" mechanic that rewards the player taking daring risks that could result in them making a mistake or ultimately lose the game.

Based on all the different articles I've come across about game mechanics and way they are implemented into games. game idea four would definitely fit more in terms of gaming mechanic I could potentially implement into the game.

The first mechanic I was considering was a camera change option allowing the user to change the view of the vehicle. for example, having a close-up angle similar to a first-person type camera angle allowing the player to have a direct view of the other vehicle ahead. the second angle would be an overhead aerial type angle looking over the player's vehicle allowing for a wider view of the traffic and obstructions incoming.

 The second mechanic that I could possibly add to the game is a "special powerup" type item that the player will obtain during the gameplay, these power-ups will give the player a wide range of abilities such as increased speed, temporary invincibility, and clear all lanes. these power-ups will appear randomly during the game. An example of this would be the mystery box seen in Mario kart.

The third mechanic I was potentially considering was a "choose your vehicle". this will allow the player to choose the vehicle at the start of the level that will provide a different playing experience depending on the vehicle that is chosen. in terms of the vehicle that will be available, the game will have 3 vehicle types ranging from a car to a truck yo a motorbike.