gameplay design - Nicky-Nice-Games/ggk-UnityProject GitHub Wiki
Gameplay Design Contents
Gameplay Design
Gameplay Overview
In this game, the player will be driving a kart around the course as fast as possible in a race. The kart can drift around corners, which is intended for more competitive players. Also, players can throw and use items, which can be upgraded as well. These are intended to help level the playing field so anyone could hypothetically win.
Gameplay Design Philosophy
We want the flow of our game to be players entering a race, perhaps online with friends, and being able to enjoy a comfortable blend between strategic, competitive gameplay, but also an experience that's intended on being funny and engaging, so nobody would be upset if they lose. Our ideal "flow state" is a player who is focused on the gameplay, whilst still laughing and enjoying the company of their friends.
Game Modes
- Single Race (MVP)
- Complete a 3-lap race on a single track with NPC racers and/or online multiplayer.
- Grand Prix
- Complete 3-lap races on 4 tracks in a row depending on the selected cup
- Time Trial
- Complete a 3-lap race on a single track with no other players.
Items
Item Overview
Our items are split into four categories based on their purpose within gameplay. We want these items to each be useful enough that the player would have a genuine strategy to consider when thinking about which items to grab. Also, players should consider whether to use their items immediately to get out of a pinch or gradually upgrade them for a greater reward.
Categories
Boost Items
Tier 1: TigerClaw
Description
This energy drink is quite familiar to students on campus. It gives the player a 1.25x boost to their speed for three seconds!
Design
TigerClaw is a reference to Monster™ energy drinks with a similar claw design on the front of the can, although it uses RIT's signature orange aesthetic instead.
Tier 2: FizzyClaw
Description
This alternate flavor of TigerClaw gives a LOT more energy... It gives the player a 1.5x boost to their speed for three seconds!
Design
As an upgraded version of TigerClaw, it felt fitting to give FizzyClaw a radioactive green color to give a more energy-like appearance.
Tier 3: RocketClaw
Description
Do you... even drink them at this point? RocketClaw gives the player a 1.75x boost to their speed for three seconds, but also makes them airborne, allowing for some cool tricks!
Design
RocketClaw was designed to retrofit an alternative idea for the boost items into our current energy drink theming. However, this design appears more like a jetpack than a regular rocket since it better matches the item's in-game functionality.
Tier 4: WarpClaw
Description
Cracking open a WarpClaw teleports the player quite a distance on the course, and then leaves them with a TigerClaw boost. I wonder how many Dining Dollars these cost?
Design
Originally designed as a singular black hole, WarpClaw fits into the "Claw" brand of energy drinks with a teleporting can.
Defense Items
Tier 1: Shield
Description
This item generates a force field that will protect the user for four seconds.
Design
Most games use shields to communicate defense or blocking, so it felt natural to reinforce that here as well.
Tier 2: Tough Shield
Description
This upgraded version of the shield protects the user for six seconds.
Design
The Tough Shield is visually upgraded from the original shield with a lightning bolt to symbolize an increase in power.
Tier 3: Tougher Shield
Description
This shield protects the user for eight seconds. Surely it can't get better than that...
Design
The Tougher Shield ties into the Tier 4 design with a color change, making it visually distinct from the previous shields.
Tier 4: Toughest Shield
Description
Whoa! This shield protects the user for ten seconds, but also stuns people that the user bumps into. I guess the best defense really IS a good offense...
Design
The Toughest Shield uses same effects as the previous upgraded shields, but showcases the most powerful elements of each of them.
Offense Items
Tier 1: Puck
Description
A clean, offensive item you can throw in a straight line, to slow down an opponent if it lands. It even bounces off of walls!
Design
Our projectiles consist of hockey pucks as a nod to RIT's hockey team and hockey fans in general. The flames give the puck a more impactful look.
Tier 2: Homing Puck
Description
This upgraded version of the puck chases after the next player in front of you. No need to worry about aiming!
Design
Both the Homing Puck and Spiky Pucks have a crosshair to indicate their gameplay purpose, as well as a color palette change to show a visual difference.
Tier 3: Spiky Pucks
Description
What's better than one homing puck? Three of them! They've even got spikes now for an added OOMPH!
Design
The Spiky Pucks share a similar design to the Homing Puck with the addition of spikes to illustrate the upgrade.
Tier 4: Flying Puck
Description
This puck chases down whichever player is currently in first place, and then swoops down and hits them. That's just cruel...
Design
A spiky puck with wings is the most theatening iteration of the pucks with a more vibrant flame trailing behind.
Hazard Items
Tier 1: Oil Spill
Description
Releases a puddle of oil behind your kart, stunning and causing anyone who runs into it to spin out.
Design
Oil spills have been historically used in kart racing games as an obvious obstacle, and the bubbles coming out of the puddle give a more hazardous look.
Tier 2: Fake Item Brick
Description
This upgraded hazard places a fake item brick behind your kart, which will stun and spin out a player who tries to collect it. How evil!
Design
The Fake Item Brick is a painted cardboard box resembling regular item brick, although the in-game appearance slightly differs. The golden sheen on the box has a mesmerizing appearance that hopes to trick people into grabbing it.
Tier 3: Cracked Brick Wall
Description
This sizable brick wall is pretty tough for players to avoid. They can crash through it, but it will stun them. They can be destroyed by pucks, though.
Design
The cube shape of the Cracked Brick Wall fits better in the icon display than a full horizontal wall, but both the icon and in-game appearance have visible cracks along its faces.
Tier 4: Blizzard
Description
This spawns a large blizzard on the road, which is very difficult to avoid. Driving through it slows the players down a little bit, but their controls are reversed for awhile after they escape the blizzard.
Design
The Blizzard resembles a weather forecast icon with enlarged snowflakes that are easier to see at a glance.