Trying to come up with a good idea can be difficult, getting this idea to work as a game is harder. Brainstorming can be rewarding but it can also turn into some strange beasts.
Taking a cue from the 8th CGDC, Jasmine and I are going to be tackling the theme of "Sandbox".
Definition
Sandbox can mean:
- a pit full of sand
- a virtual container in which untrusted programs can be safely run
- an online environment in which code or content changes can be tested without affecting the original system
- a game with non linear and open ended play
Examples
Sandbox is an undefined "genre" of games where anything is possible. Here's some games that fit loosely in this kind.
- Sandbox of God (Has to be downloaded)
- Grow
- Good Things Should Never End
- Sleep is Death
- Any life simulation eg. The Sims, virtual pets, trainer etc
- Little Big Planet, GTA etc.
- Balloon in a Wasteland, Shopping Cart Hero, Level Up
Word Association
This can be a helpful tool in finding a concept to work on or at least finding out what your team is like. Use with caution, hilarity and disaster can occur.
- Interactive (Very obvious but remember it. You want this instead of immersion)
- Rube Goldberg Machine (See one in action here with OK Go - Thanks Arash!)
- God
- World Creation
- (Pure) Play
- Sand (It's out of my system now)
- Simulation
- Hypotheticals
- Experimentation
- Different Outcomes
- Children
- Exploration
- Creation
- No (small?) Consequences
- Lego (Mechano if you're cool)
- Customisation
- Play-Doh/Clay
- Frankenstein's Monster
- Level Editors
- Duality
- Time Sinks
Where will this lead us? Stay tuned for more later.
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