Respawn: A Brainstorm

The next Game On program is the Iron Dev design challenge. More info can be had on the Brisbane IGDA's Facebook page. For those not in the know, it's a panel of 4-5 judges and 12 contestants(or groups) who have 10 minutes to explain why their game proposal is awesome. The topic, respawn. It's on May 5th so hurry if you're interested.

When you combine Dominicus, Jasmine, Natalie, myself and an astral projection of Steven Colbourne, you may get something like this:



This is what brainstorming can unleash. What will come next, we will see if I get clearance to do more posts about our iron dev journey.

Hard-Boiled: Mugshots 1

Here's some rough sketches of some art based off Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World. Nothing concrete yet but some nicer(clearer) concept art is coming.



[That ought to be a unicorn skull but I haven't gone for accurate references yet. Sorry, at this point, if it looks like a skull, it's enough.]

Hard-Boiled - Trailing the Suspect

We're moving further into the swamp, luckily we've remembered to pack a torch. After some conferring with Truna and friends, I've decided to write about turning Haruki Murakami's novel Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World into a game.

Let's profile the subject.

Author: Haruki Murakami

Date: 1985, the English version was first published in 1991

Background: (Speculative fiction) Novel that mixes genres of hard-boiled detectives, cyberpunk, pop culture and the works of Kafka.

Themes:
- Identity
- Consciousness and subconsciousness
- Nature of the human mind

Presentation of Themes:
Uses two parallel stories as an allegory for discussing the themes. The stories are connected through the use of unicorn skulls as a reoccurring item. The stories are presented in alternating chapters.

Plot:
The novel is split between two stories, "Hard-Boiled Wonderland" and "The End of the World". [It's one of those books that requires 10 minutes of explanation.]

Hard-Boiled Wonderland:
A detective novel set in a technomagically realistic Tokyo. The main character is a Calcutec, a human encryption device, who works for The System which is a organisation that keeps information safe. His life becomes complicated when an assignment leads him to using advanced (and forbidden) techniques to store information using his subconscious. More problems occur when he finds out that he may have been part of a experiment involving his brain.

The End of the World:
Set in a walled village where no one leaves and unicorns come to die. The protagonist is unaware of how he came to the village but to avoid dying in the harsh approaching winter, he agrees to become a villager and have his shadow separated. He is then given the job of Dreamreader which invertantly removes memories in the village. The man's shadow tries to convince him that they must escape and the main character has to make the ultimate choice.

Style:
I would talk abou the style of the work but there's only so much you can say that isn't this or that. Words like

Connections:
What does the work make YOU think of?

-Everyday the Same Dream
-Don't Look Back
-Today I Die
-ICO
-Flower, Sun and Rain
-Hotel Dusk
-Rule of Rose
-Daymare Town series

Action Hero Explosion

Here's a blast from the past, week 2(?) of Critical Games Studies where we had to redesign Snakes and Ladders.

After much brain storming (super fast brain action), we came up with an Action Hero themed board that depicts the "typical" tropes associated with being an Action Hero. It's capitalised because it's just that cool.

Below is an incomplete list of action heroes, it's all very spur of the moment.

Based off the works of:
- Samuel L. Jackson
- Steven Seagal
- Bruce Willis
- Chuck Norris
- Jean-Claude Van Damme
- Sylvester Stallone
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Hulk Hogan
- Mel Gibson
- Will Smith
- Tom Cruise
- Keanu Reeves
- Harrisson Ford
- Steve McQueen
- Richard Dean Anderson aka MacGyver

Hilarity by: Cassandra, Natalie, Jasmine, Jeanny and I.
Board Additions by Jeanny.

Players: 2 + (it gets better with more people)
Aim: Live the life of an action hero, will you get out of unscathed?

Been there, Done that? Part V

I'm going over what I have at the moment and deciding which ideas work the best. Mockup images are coming when I find the time, until then use your imaginations.

Mythbusters
Scribblenauts style game
Narrative Type: Quest (for knowledge)
Adaption: Uses premise of the show, may use information presented on the show

Game Layout:
- Game is set out in levels that are based on complexity of myths. eg. 1 star to 6 star in difficulty.
- Each stage sets out a myth that the player must solve
- Solving myths earn player bigger budgets
- Game also has free-play mode where the player can create their own myths to solve
- Team members can be added to screen to suggest ideas or become test subjects
- Player can use money earned to buy additional objects to use in future experiments

Mechanics:
- Object engine, all generated objects have set properties but these can be changed by the player eg. object will explode when remote is pushed
- Additional onscreen menu can be used to program additional elements
- Player is given a budget for each myth(stage)
- Object library, keeps track of what player can use and what hasn't been unlocked
- Player can use money to buy additional objects


Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World
Sandbox game
Narrative Type: Quest and Rebirth (hard to tell, it's like an art house movie)
Adaptation: Set in world of novel, may use some plot elements in the story missions

Story:
Set in Japan, data unknown, the player starts out as a Calcutec(human encryption/data processor) but can choose to remain working for the System or the Factory. They will need to undergo training(tutorial) that will explain how the game works. The player starts at a low level Calcutec and must work their way up the ranks. At a high enough level, they can choose which jobs(missions) to take. Missions will award the player money and choices in the story they craft for their character.

Game Layout:
- Open sandbox game (3D?)
- Player has to make choices over jobs at later level
- Player also has choices over which faction to become
- Money can be earned and used to buy objects (Calcutecs need to pay rent too)

Mechanics:
- Open world (real world physics?)
- Encryption puzzles, player must solve to successfully store data into their brain
- Story Trees


Art/Sandbox Game
Narrative Type: Quest and Rebirth
Adaptation: Based off the novel, some things may have changed

Story:
Two parallel stories that ask questions about consciousness, the subconscious and identity. One set in modern day Japan and the other set in "the End of the World", an isolated walled town. Both stories have mysteries to solve but will they answer any questions?
Story 1 - Hard-Boiled Wonderland
Story 2 - the End of the World

Game Layout:
- 2D or 3D (Perhaps in the style of Kurayami)
- The player can switch between the stories by interacting with a unicorn skull
- The player explores the world to find answers to questions posed by the game

Mechanics:
- Story 1, the player can store data into their head via encryption puzzles
- Story 2, the player must work with their shadow to either escape the village or solve the mysteries behind the town
- Depending on the interactions, the questions asked by the game will be answered

Satirical Religion
Fighter
Narrative: Comedy or Overcome the Monster(that is your opponent!)
Adaption: Uses caricatures of figures associated with "religion" and philosophy
I know religion is a touchy subject but I'm posting this up as an exercise in design. I seriously doubt that this would actually become my assignment much less a game. If you're of a religion, I'm sorry but this is in the spirit of humor not maliciousness.

Game Layout:
- Game comes with story and PvP modes
- Story mode has the player's character fight to gain supremacy over the hearts of people
- PvP because you can't have a fighting game without multi player. People having fun while beating the shit out some polygons in the name of one-man-showmanship = money
- Players have two meters to fill, faith and divinity. Both meters determine amount of damage that can be done by players' super moves.
- If both meters are filled, the player can execute a "god" move(ultimate attack).

Mechanics:
- Press combination of buttons to bash
- Players also have a faith meter
- Faith meter will rise when the players pull off combos that look cool to the in game audience(belivers).
- Faith meter can also be boosted when the player taunts without being interrupted.
- Super moves/combos can be pulled off when the meters reaches full capacity.

RTS game
Narrative: Quest (for power)
Adaption: Parodies the rise and fame of satirical religions

Game Layout:
- Player chooses a faction(god) and must take over the internet(maps/scenarios)
- Fan Base and Reputation need to be maintained to win the scenario
- Number of units and buildings may also be part of win conditions
- Player can also perform "divine acts" that boost effects of buildings and units
- Enemies will attempt to take over your territory and you are required to defend against them

Game Mechanics:
- Reputation is built by how well a player maintains its status eg. maintance of buildings and units
- Units are created out of buildings
- Some units can convert enemy buildings and units
- Fan base is built up by constructing buildings(representations of computers & websites) and units(viral videos, memes)
- Buildings need to be maintained by player (aka upgrade)
- Units are maintained when buildings are upgraded but also when player performs "divine acts"

Been there, Done that? Part IV

If you haven't watched Mythbusters, you're education needs some intense fixing. It's a show about "using elements of the scientific method to test the validity of rumors, myths, movie scenes, adages, Internet videos and news stories". There are many explosions to satisfy the punter.

Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel website has a few (web)games. These are:
- Myth or Fact (True & False quizzes based on a theme)
- The Myth Game (True & False quiz but with hangman element)
- Photo puzzles
- How's your Memory (Memory match)

Sadly these are really more about how much have you watched this show and how much random trivia(or fact) have you managed to absorb. Let's take a look at what you can do with the show or perhaps these games to make them better.

Mythbusters contains:
- Science
- Explosions
- Debunking (of myths, rumors and the internet)
- Hilarity (eyebrow html tags are funny)
- Factual knowledge (depending on what level your knowledge is)
- Robert Lee (You'll know it when you hear him)
- Guns
- Explosions! (it's on there twice because once you've exploded non-dairy creamer, there's no going back. Don't try it home, you will burn places down.)

• Party Game
  Learning can be fun, but actually proving how smart you are against other people is better. Think Buzz but with much less stupid. Answer questions fast enough will earn more points


• Party Mini-Games
  Not keen on answering questions, well how about participating in some Mythbuster themed Mini-Games? Suitable for the Wii, you can challenge friends or the computer to see who can explode or solve things faster. Eg. Shake the Wiimote enough times to drop the crash test dummy, aim and fire to try and blow up the car


• Puzzle Action
  Scribblenauts style Mythbuster game where you solve myths by creating objects. The catch, you have a budget. If you can't afford the car for the dangerous stunt, what can you use instead?


• Educational game
  Get the kids(or grownups) involved with a virtual Mythbusters lab. Here Jamie and Adam will assign them myths and they need to figure out to debunk them. Inventory system required.


• Action
  If you're keen on explosions, how about a Mythbuster Explosion game. In the vein of Miami Shark, pick characters of the Mythbuster team to explode things in the pursuit of science!

Alternatively The Action Hero's Handbook is full of knowledge that can be put into a game.

Contains information on:
- How to perform a Vulcan neck grip
- Scoring with the ladies
- Jedi Mind tricks
- Communicating with aliens
- How to take bullets

You can also combine it with The Worse-Case Scenario Survival Handbook for added life lessons.

• Sandbox
  The main character is a hero-for-hire who needs to undergo training using the Handbook as his guide. You could also use the guide as tutorial material or perhaps as missions that your character can take.
  Bonus Commando Expansion pack - where you can put your hero in worse case scenarios and they need to get out of.


• Minesweeper
  A heroic clone of Minesweeper in a similar style to ClueSweeper where the player needs to find objects and methods to escape the "trap/situation"(board).

Ack, I'm running low on ideas. A regroup and assess is in order. Company fallout.

Been there, Done that? Part III

The longer I draw this search out, the harder it gets. Prepare yourself for some crazy treatments of works you'd never really consider. Your regular scheduled program will return at a later date.

Parody Religions
Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
The Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM) is the deity of the parody religion, the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster or Pastafarianism. It's become an internet phenomena and is part of a satirical protest against the teaching of Intelligent Design in schools.

You can read the story on the website or Wikipedia and you can substitute FSM with the Invisible Pink Unicorn or Russell's Teapot.

Suggestions for satirical religious games:

• RTS
  Where you pick a god and try to convert as many "heathens" and dominate the world by building websites, fan groups and viral videos. (satirical gods tend to be up to date with their technology)


• Fighter
  [Edit 25th July 2010: Clearly didn't research this enough since Molleindustria pulled this one off a few years ago.]
  Tired of arguing over who beats all? Duke it out with fellow geeks in this crazy fighting game. Includes Charles Darwin, ninjas and pirates as unlockable characters.


• Open World
  In the style of GTA or Destroy All Humans, consider getting FSM to possess a human host and convert(inform) as many people as possible. Or the FSM can go around and frighten as many people as possible. Any publicity is good publicity right? Points awarded for scaring hardcore religious and convincing people to be well informed


• Casual Game Puzzler
  Try some Bejewelled or Tetris clones where you've got to match up FSM(or other) symbols to clear the stage. (Pretty lame, maybe you can say the rapture is coming and your chosen god is collecting believers to save...)


• Art Game
  A game about what's it like to be an internet phenomena


• Educational(Serious) game
  A game more about why or why not Intelligent Design should be taught as an alternative to evolution theories.

Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management
Mrs Beeton Online
A Victorian classic, "a guide of reliable information about every aspect of running a house for the aspirant middle classes".

Consider:

• Cooking Mama: Victorian Style
  Points given if you've managed to prevent the children from upsetting the cook and have gotten the house ready should your mother-in-law come unannounced.


• Mrs Beeton for the Nintendo DS or as an IPhone Ap like this


• Casual Game
  Time management and cooking come together in a Victorian version of Cake Mania


• Sandbox Victorian House
  It's like playing with a virtual doll house except you've got to pay the bills wearing a full set of petticoats and a corset. Mrs Beeton serves as your help menu/tutorial guide


• Puzzle
  Perhaps a Mrs Beeton version of Record Tripping?

Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World
Wikipedia entry
The wiki will give you a decent overview of the book but it you like surrealism, give the book a try. It features two parallel narratives that may converge at the end. Yes, it's one of those things open to interpretation.

Hard-Boiled Wonderland contains:
- "Calcutec," a human data processor/encryption system who has been trained to use their subconscious as an encryption key.
- The System, a quasi-governmental organisation who protect data
- The Factory, a rogue organisation who steal data
- "Semiotics", fallen Calcutecs who work for the Factory
- Crazy scientist who's developed an imperfect method of recording images from the subconscious
- INKlings, a group of sewer-dwellers who are dangerous and worship fish and leeches. They eat humans.
- Thugs
- Love interests

The End of the World contains:
- Isolated town that is walled off
- Unicorns
- Group of people who have had their shadows (and their minds & memories) removed
- A protagonist who reads dreams from unicorn skulls and is losing his memory of his previous life
- His shadow who is trying not to die (and lose the protagonist's mind) He plans an escape and tries to get the protagonist to help.

Possible treatments:

• Third person sandbox
  Set in the world of Hard-Boiled Wonderland, the player's role is to be either a Calcutec or Semiotic and receives missions based on their role. Confrontations with the enemy and INKlings can be avoided if one is careful. Alternativly the player could be a agent for the System or the Factory and be trying to poach members from the other organisation.


• Art (or Puzzler) game
  Set in The End of the World, a stranger decides to stay and is given the village initiation. Experience the world by interacting with stuff or in the puzzle version, solve the myster of the town by working with your shadow.


• Puzzle game
  Train a Calcutec by getting them to encrypt data into their head via puzzles. More indepth data requires harder missions. When you've finished the character(you) is now a fully trained Calcutec

There maybe some ideas to come, we shall see.