Game Idea Research

Last week we were asked to brainstorm four different ideas that could be possible games that we could create in this module of 'MultiMedia Development.Below I have listed the four that I came up with:

1. Racing Game
2. Interactive Game (COVID Edition)
3. Maze
4. Running / Chase Game

So after a lot of contemplating I have finally decided to do a mix of two ideas which are the 'Maze' and 'Chase game'. I decided to do a mix of both of the games because I really couldn't narrow it down they both seemed like good ideas to me so the best thing for me to do was just to mash them together and take the best parts of each game.

I decided against the racing game and the interactive game as I don't think they were as interesting as the maze or chase game. 

 My inspiration has come from the movie that I mentioned last week 'Maze Runner'. I decided to go and watch the movie to give myself some more research on how I would want the game to be portrayed. I have decided there are a lot of work that comes into play the creating a game below I have listed a few games mechanics and more information about my creation of the game that I think are useful to know.

Photo Caption : animation of running character.

Link to photo

Aim of the Game:

This game is based on a 'runner/character' trying to outrun a 'monster' while overcoming obstacles through a mysterious maze. It is a fast pace moving game with a lot of surprise elements for the player to enjoy.

There are a lot of factors to come in to play when creating this game like:

• Background - I have decided I want some levels to have different backgrounds like forests, jungle, Greenland, and a beach possibly.
• Layout of maze - This will take me a while to fully figure out how to create the game , I think before making the game I will draw a few rough drafts of the different layouts I hope to create. Soon I will add pictures of my sketches.
• The character. - I am not sure how to do this as of yet, but I am currently watching Youtube videos of different ways to create a character I have left a link here of a video I have watch that is very helpful.
• The obstacles -  Each level I hope to have different types of obstacles depending on the theme of the level eg. If they were running through the jungle - they would have to jump over a tree, etc.
• Background noises - Each level I will hope to have a different theme so depending on which theme the background noise will be linked in with that.
• 'Monster or creature' - As of right now I don't know what the 'creature' will be named or look like. But they will have sound effects.

I have found tutorials on YouTube of someone explaining step by step how to create the maze. I have left the tutorial below.

Youtube Video link for tutorials on Maze building:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SRl2GyelII&list=PL6ClQkp5i0FBhfHUfFapNMWVEg-rWfOYD

When trying to focus in on my final game idea decision I had many elements to consider, below is a list of five elements that I created in a blog a couple of weeks back that I believe will help me understand what I want my game to overall look like.

1. Environment - Where is this game taking place?
2. Genre - What is the style of game?
3. Goals - What do yo have to achieve?
4. Rules - What you can and cannot do / obstacles you are to overcome?

Environment - Depending on each level , forest, beach, jungle, temple, etc.

Genre - Chasing / maze game.

Goals - In order to proceed to the next level you must overcome the obstacles that you will be faced with which is for example a box, tree, animal, water, fire, etc. As you are doing this you will also have to outrun the mysterious monster from behind, without being caught.

Rules - Must complete each level successfully in order to move on to the next. 

Game Mechanics:

Obstacles:

As I have stated before in my 'Game Idea Brainstorm' I want to include obstacles for the player to overcome. I have done a lot of research for this part, If the player does not out pass the obstacles then the game will then end essentially, or they will loose a life. The obstacles will depend off each level, but my ideas for the obstacles are trees, boxes, and possibly animals. I found a few tutorials on how to create obstacles in 'Unity' here is the video tutorial. It is explained very well so I think I have a rough understanding on how to go about doing this. From my first unity tutorial we learned how to get a car to drive and knock obstacles out of the way. So I hope this knowledge will help me when creating this part of the game.

Maze layout:

The most important game mechanic I think when creating my game is creating the maze. If I don't have the layout of the game perfect all other aspects won't work. It is how the game is started to if the maze is not working then the user can't play the game. 

Movement:

An aspect of movement that comes to mind is running, sliding or walking I found another video tutorial on 'Youtube' which gives guides on how to get the player to slide under different types of 'obstacles'. I think this will be the challenging part but with lots of practice I think I'll be fine.

Player / Monster:

As of right now I don't have a name for the monster or creature that the player will be running from but I hope to sketch out an image to give me good visual to have when creating the game. I have found a few unity tutorials online that seem easy enough to follow which will help me create the monster. I also need to figure out how I am going to get the monster to continue to follow the player at all times to try and catch them. I have found a video here of a zombie chasing character creation. But I will follow this tutorial but change the zombie to a monster possibly. 

The player: They will stay the same for each level, as for right now I think they will be a boy. I have found a video here, where it explains how to create a character, that I can add into my game. I want to make the player look as basic as possible so that the user focuses more on the game and visuals that I hope to add.

I think that all these mechanics are extremely important as they are the basis of the whole game, with these things the whole game doesn't work. Each element of the game benefits each other.

Background:

I hope to create a vibrant background that draws the players eyes. Another aspect I want to include is background nosies like animals, and nature sound effects to give it real video game feel. An idea that I have is if the player is running through a jungle I will want to add noises such as animals or sounds of trees and birds chirping. Each level there will be different sound effects to match the theme of the level that the player is playing. By doing this it makes the game more exciting to play. 

 Research:

I wanted to ask family and friends what game that they would choose to see who my target audience would be. From the feedback I have received majority have said either a maze or a chasing game so I'm happy with my decision.

On my instagram I asked my 'followers' what games that they would choose and from my option of the four that I had previously brainstormed and the results turned out 50/50 on the 'maze' or the 'Chase' games. I added photos to give them a visual on what they would expect if they were to play the game.

                                                           Caption: Poll of game choices.

 Results:

Caption: Followers responses to poll.

Majority voted for the maze and chase game which I'm pleased to see. 

What I have learned from this is that my target audience is quite varied from people of all ages of 16-47 years old. The game in my opinion is a universal theme that would be suited to any type of person interested in gaming.

Overall Outcome:

Overall, I hope to create a 'professional' looking game, that is fun and exciting to play. I want the user to have fun during the game and I hope that they are wanting to continue to play it. If anything I want the player to react to how I would off when playing games similar like, 'Temple run' or 'Pacman' from when I was younger because as of right now I am know longer a 'gamer' but I want them to be excited when they beat the 'monster' and hope they were to be angry when they died so that they can restart and play again,  As mad as that sounds that was the fun part in playing these games, as if you were to never lose you would become bored quite quick.

Thanks for reading 

- Mia