• Title: Project-BTC
• Author(s): Nicholas Larsen, aka Skathix
• Date: June 18, 2024

1. Title Page
2. Table of Contents
3. Game Overview
   • 3.1 Game Concept
   • 3.2 Core Mechanics
4. Story
   • 4.1 Setting
   • 4.2 Characters
   • 4.3 Plot
5. Levels
   • 5.1 Key Locations and Themes
   • 5.2 Overall Progression
6. Art and Sound
   • 6.1 Art Style
   • 6.2 Sound Design
7. Technical Specifications
   • 7.1 Engine
8. Project Timeline
   • 8.1 Milestones
9. Additional Notes
   • 9.1 Additional Considerations
10. Elevator Pitch

Concept: Black Tie Cat is a simple Metroidvania game where players explore interconnected levels, gain new abilities, and upgrade weapons in a dystopian world.

Movement Mechanics:

• Walking and Running: Fluid, tight controls similar to Hollow Knight, minimal acceleration.
• Jumping: Variable height based on button press duration, similar to Hollow Knight.
• Double Jump: Unlocked after defeating the Doppelgänger.
• Dash: Quick horizontal movement, unlocked after defeating the Basilisk.
• Jump Dash: Combine jump and dash for extended aerial movement.

Combat Mechanics:

• Basic Attack: Quick attack with a bat or Vorpal Blade, slight knockback to light enemies. Air attack damages flying enemies and allows pogoing.
• Heavy Attack: Powerful slow attack, ground version learned later causes a shockwave.
• Ranged Attack: Starts with a hand crossbow, upgraded to a pistol, then dual pistols.
• Bunny Hop: Triggered by both pogoing and properly timed jumps, gaining acceleration.

Progression Mechanics:

• Collectibles: Enhance abilities or grant new skills (e.g., double jump, dash).
• Skill Upgrades: Abilities gained from defeating bosses.
• Stat Boosts: Increases to health, stamina, or attack power from hidden items or completing challenges.
• Weapon Upgrades: Vorpal Blade and ranged weapons (hand crossbow to pistols).

Interaction Mechanics:

• Environmental Interactions: Interactable items glow; use button to interact.
• Levers and Modern Equivalents: Light switches, buttons, pin pads with fluid animations.
• Breakable Objects: Various destructible objects providing health or ammo.

NPC Interactions:

• Pop: Requests metals to upgrade weapons.
• Snap: Heals the player.
• Crackle: Provides guidance and interacts through dungeons.

Location: The game is set in a dystopian version of downtown Little Rock, AR, referred to as Placeholder.

Environment: Abandoned and desolate city with visual cues of decay and ruin.

Main Character:

• Name: Red
• Backstory: Surviving in the wasteland of Placeholder, on a quest to find her missing brother.
• Traits: Collects quirky items, particularly vinyl records, and loots apartments for fashion items.

Supporting Characters:

• Pop: Old man with a white beard, upgrades weapons in exchange for metals.
• Snap: Brute female doctor who heals the player.
• Crackle: The protagonist's brother, providing guidance and interaction.

Villain:

• Overlord: Once a scientist who lost his way, merged two realities causing the current dystopia. Initially mentors Red before being revealed as the final boss, embodying the theme of victory snatched away.

Main Plot:

• Intro: Red finds a virtual pet toy and takes it home, starting her quest.
• Story Progression: Red explores various parts of the city, looting apartments and battling demons from hell portals, searching for her brother.
• Climactic Moments: Major battles with powerful demons and significant discoveries about the brother's fate and intentions.
• Resolution: Culminates in finding the brother and confronting the Overlord.

1. Her Apartment:

• Description: Protagonist's safe haven, cluttered with quirky collectibles.
• Details: Old, mismatched furniture, bookshelves, posters, and warm lighting.

2. Key Dungeons:

• Paranoia Dungeon: Filled with illusions and mimicry.
• Madness Dungeon: Characterized by chaotic and surreal environments.
• Isolation Dungeon: Lonely, oppressive environments.
• Decay Dungeon: Filled with crumbling structures and rot.
• Corruption Dungeon: Warped reality and grotesque entities.

3. Sanctuary to an Unknown God:

• Description: Transforms from a seemingly safe place to a nightmarish arena for the final boss.
• Details: Sacred architecture with religious symbols.

4. The Capital:

• Description: Central hub evolving into a town center.
• Details: Inspired by Hollow Knight’s town center, with NPCs and services.

• Early Game: Start in the apartment, explore nearby areas and the capital.
• Mid Game: Discover the brother’s place, unlock more NPCs in the capital, and visit the sanctuary.
• Late Game: Unveil the secrets of the sanctuary, leading to the final boss fight.

Overall Visual Aesthetic:

• Style: Dark and gritty, matching the dystopian setting and eerie atmosphere.
• Character Design: Pixel art created using tools like Universal LPC Spritesheet Character Generator.
• Environment Design: Handcrafted tilesets with a focus on decay and eeriness, using tools like Tilemancer and Lospec Pixel Editor.

Overall Sound Aesthetic:

• Music: Ambient, eerie music that complements the dystopian setting, created using Bosca Ceoil and BeepBox.
• Sound Effects: Atmospheric sounds, interaction sounds, and specific effects for characters, generated using SFXR and BFXR.

Engine: Godot with C#

Tools:

• Art: Universal LPC Spritesheet Character Generator, Tilemancer, Lospec Pixel Editor, Piskel.
• Sound: Bosca Ceoil, BeepBox, SFXR, BFXR.

Platforms:

• Primary Platform: PC.
• Potential Platforms: Mobile, depending on future scope.

1. Pre-production:
   • Complete Game Design Document.
   • Concept Art and Initial Sound Design.
2. Production:
   • Character Sprites and Animations.
   • Environment Tilesets and Objects.
   • Initial Music and Sound Effects.
3. Alpha:
   • Basic Gameplay Mechanics Implemented.
   • Initial Levels and Bosses Designed.
   • Early Testing and Feedback.
4. Beta:
   • Full Gameplay Loop Completed.
   • Refinements and Bug Fixes.
   • Extensive Testing.
5. Release:
   • Final Polishing.
   • Marketing and Release Prep.
   • Launch.

• Community Engagement: Share progress on game development forums or social media for feedback.
• Learning Resources: Utilize online courses and communities for support and learning new skills.
• Portfolio Presentation: Document the development process to showcase in your portfolio.

"Black Tie Cat" is an engaging Metroidvania-style game set in a dystopian interpretation of Placeholder. You play as a resourceful protagonist searching for her lost sibling in the desolate city, while combating formidable adversaries emerging from mysterious portals. The rich world of "Black Tie Cat" seamlessly integrates exploration, character development, and a riveting narrative, promising a memorable gaming experience.