Content

Context

Initial Ideas


Idea 1 - 3D Platformer

A story based 3D platformer, inspired by games like A Hat in Time, Psychonauts, and Puppeteer.

Strengths

  1. There's not many more modern 3D platformers as of right now which means there's a gap in the market for them.
  2. Easily scalable, can add as many levels as I'd like / be able too once I've finished the main mechanics.

Weaknesses

  1. I might end up over scoping the project if I try to add too many initial mechanics.
  2. 3D Modelling isn't really my strong suit when it comes to the aspects of game design.
  3. Creating a 3D Game is significantly harder than making a 2D game.

Opportunities

  1. Allows me to expand my skills in 3D Modelling.
  2. Allows me to understand working in a 3D Environment more.
  3. Something very different which allows me to get out of my comfort zone

Threats

  1. Could be a little too difficult for me as I'm not used to working with 3D Models.
  2. Scope might end up too big.

Idea 2 - 2D Pixel RPG

A story based 2D RPG, inspired by games like OMORI, One Shot, and Deltarune.

Strengths

  1. I'm used to working with 2D projects.
  2. This is the idea I'm personally the most interested in.
  3. Out of all projects I think I'd be the least likely to become demotivated with this one.

Weaknesses

  1. Project is quite ambitious if I make the scope too big.
  2. Requires quite a lot of coding to create the systems.

Opportunities

  1. Allows me to expand my pixel art skills.
  2. Could end up taking the project even further in the future.
  3. Something very different which allows me to get out of my comfort zone

Threats

  1. Scope could be too big
  2. There's already a lot of Pixel Art RPG Games so I need to do something different to be able to stand out from the crowd.

Idea 3 - Music EP + Touchdesigner Visualiser

A Music EP made in FL Studio along with a Visualizer (or multiple) made in Touchdesigner

Strengths

  1. I'm able to use Touchdesigner to an intermediate level.
  2. Out of all skills to do with game design I think music making is my strongest suit.
  3. Lots of tutorials for any gaps in my knowledge.

Weaknesses

  1. The one I'm the least interested in.

Opportunities

  1. Allows me to expand my skills in Touchdesigner
  2. Allows me to expand my skills in music
  3. I could work with the Performing Arts department to create visual effects for them.

Threats

  1. I will likely get demotivated with this project very fast.
  2. Might not be very much to talk about with it compared to some of the other options.
  3. If I end up working with the performing arts department I'll be depending on them for a part of my project.

Justification for Chosen Idea

I've chosen to do the 2D Pixel RPG, my reasoning for choosing this is because it's a project that requires a lot of planning, which means there will be a lot to talk about in terms of planning, furthermore it's just the one I'm the most interested in and the one that I feel would be the most personally beneficial. I'm also mostly used to working on 2D projects, so I'll hopefully be able to create something worth showing when it comes to the open day.

Moodboard and Mindmap

I created a moodboard and mindmap to try to gather an idea of how I want the game to feel, and play, and also some gameplay elements I'd like to put in the game.

Each node with a heart emoji (❤️) are my favourite parts of the games I talked about, and are features that I'd like to consider adding to my own game.


























Constraints

Time Constraints

I only have ~5 months for this project. To make sure I have enough time to work on the project I will plan accordingly and not overscope my project, although I believe that 5 months is generally more than enough time to create a small game, so I'd like to create a basic premise for the game and then add more features as I go forward with the creation of the game.

Equipment Constraints

I don't think there will be any major equipment constraints besides needing access to a PC, and Keyboard and Mouse of course, furthermore I need access to a controller to add controller support to the game, luckily I have one at home but if I need to access it in college or my controller at home breaks, the college is able to provide controllers.

Resource Constraints

The only resources I need access too are Godot, Aseprite, FL Studio, and also potentially Blender. I'm only able to use Aseprite and FL Studio at home, so I'll try to stick to the actual game development when I'm at college and do sprite and music work at home. If I need to do sprites in college I can use libresprite instead.

Personal Constraints

One of my main personal constraints is motivation, to combat this I should try to simply perservere, just continue working on the project. Although I do need to be careful of accidentally running into burnout, so I'll still need to take breaks, potentially trying to work on another project at the same time as to not get burned out from working on the same project.

Project Proposal

Rationale

My aim with this project is to create a narrative driven 2D Pixel Art RPG Game, I've chosen this because I believe it suits my current interests best, I believe I'm capable of creating a game and would like to push my skills to their limits, additionally this project allows me to improve in Programming, Art & Design, and Music at once. Through this project I also hope to improve the presentation of my work, furthermore with the presentation of the project I hope that I'm able to create something that people find enjoyable to play during any open days / showcase days that come up in the college. Overall I think this idea is much better to do than last years as it allows me to truly express myself as well as show off and improve my skills.

Project Concept

The project concept is a Narrative Driven 2D Pixel RPG, I plan to heavily utilise an interactive and dynamic dialogue system which I will make as expandable as possible to easily create dialogue between characters, I feel that an interactive and dynamic system is very important in a game designed around narratives due to a majority of the story being told through dialogue. I also, although not my main focus, would like to create a battle system in the game, I feel like this could help add a bit of energy to the game as well as help pace the game, and show a part of the story through battles.

My main inspirations for this project are Yume Nikki, OneShot, Deltarune and OMORI, all games taking the form of Pixel Art RPG's but in different ways, OneShot is a narrative game including puzzles, Yume Nikki has no dialogue, but has an over-arching up to interpretation story, OMORI has both battles and dialogue which help convey the story, and Deltarune does something similar to OMORI.

Evaluation

I'll be evaluating the project using the weekly logs and the final evaluation, I'll know whether I've succeeded based on if people find the game enjoyable and I'm able to put a story across. Furthermore I hope that I'm able to work on the project after finishing college.