Yung Siew Weng / 0339847
Game Development /
Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Task 1 / Game Design Document
Task 1
MODULE INFORMATION
Game Development - Task 1 : Game Design Document
INSTRUCTION
We are required design and develop a 2D side-scrolling/platformer game and create a game design document (GDD) that serves as a blueprint for the game, containing all the necessary information and visual references for development.
EXPLORATION
01. Research
Since I'm not a game person, I think it's crucial for me to conduct some research on what a platformer game is and what types of games I tend to work with before creating the game design document. My main idea for now is to create something with a more straightforward way of letting users understand the game mechanism. However, as the limitation, I believe that conducting more detailed research may help me gain more insights.
Regarding design and assets, I plan to utilise the output from my previous Design Exploration assignment as the foundation, including the storyline and other elements. The primary challenge lies in determining how the game will be played and conducted.
The games that inspire me are :
- Super Mario Bros.
- Animal Crossing
- Celeste
Fig 1.1 Game Research and Ideation
After carefully considering my options, I've decided that idea 2 is the best fit for my game project. This concept revolves around progressively challenging level designs, starting from the easiest and gradually increasing in difficulty. The primary objective is for players to collect all the nuts scattered throughout each level, gathering energy to ultimately confront and defeat the final boss, Frost, at the end of the game.
02. Process
I have outlined some details below, with further information available in the Game Design Document (GDD) :
Game Title : Nuttopia 🌰
# Why Nuttopia?
The name "Nuttopia" is a playful blend of "nut" and "utopia," reflecting the ideal world that Nuttie strives to protect and nurture. Nuts are central to Nuttie's life and adventures, symbolizing the sustenance and growth essential to the natural world. Utopia represents the perfect harmony and balance that Nuttie seeks to restore in his world. Together, "Nuttopia" encapsulates the essence of a paradise where nature thrives and every corner is filled with wonder.
# Story behind Nuttopia
Nuttopia is not just a game; it's the continuous output from my previous work. It's a world brimming with life, colours, and endless adventures. The game's storyline follows Nuttie, a curious and brave squirrel, as he embarks on a quest to restore harmony to his beloved homeland, Nuttopia. Each of the four seasons — Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter — represents a unique stage of growth and transformation in the natural world. As players guide Nuttie through these seasons, they'll encounter various challenges and puzzles that reflect the beauty and complexity of nature.
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After developing the story concept of Nuttopia, I began structuring its game development. Nuttopia is designed to be a delightful and engaging experience for players of all ages. Below, I outlined some of the key elements :
@ Core Gameplay mechanics
- Platforming Challenges
- Collecting Nuts
- Puzzles and Interactions
- Seasonal Changes with different gameplay elements and challenges
- Lives System
To ensure the game's development stays on track, I have set the following measurable goals :
- Level completion
- Mana
- Health
Fig 1.2 FlowChart
@ Levels
The levels in Nuttopia are designed to gradually increase in difficulty, providing a balanced and engaging experience for players. Here’s an overview of the levels :
- Tutorial
- Level 1 - Spring Level
- Level 2 - Summer Level
- Level 3 - Autumn Level
- Level 4 - Winter Level + Boss Level
@ Art Style
The art style of Nuttopia is whimsical and vibrant, featuring colorful, cartoony visuals that create an immersive 2D platformer environment. Characters like Nuttie and Chike are cute and expressive, enhancing the game's charm. Each season in Nuttopia is distinct, from lush spring forests to snowy winter wonderlands, making the game world diverse and engaging.
# Character
- Nuttie, the main character
Fig 1.3 Nuttie's Character Design
- Chike, NPC
Fig 1.4 Chike's Character Design
- Frost, Boss
Fig 1.5 Frost, Mood-board
Fig 1.6 Rough Sketch of Frost
# Environment
Fig 1.7 Environment Mood-board
Based on the mood-board, I have decided to use the seasonal colour schemes from my previous project, <Nuttie's Eternal Season>. For the game platform direction, I did some exploration various options to ensure the game remains simple yet challenging.
- Spring Scene
Fig 1.8 Platform Ideation - Spring
The first playable level takes place in the lush and vibrant spring forest of Nuttopia. Players navigate through dense foliage, jumping over obstacles and collecting nuts scattered throughout the environment. The Spring Scene serves as an introduction to the game mechanics and platforming challenges, allowing players to familiarise themselves with the controls and objectives.
- Spring Scene
Fig 1.9 Platform Ideation - Summer
The vibrant and lively atmosphere of the summer complements the sense of adventure and exploration. This level introduces new obstacles such as rolling boulders and quicksand pits, requiring players to use their agility to progress. The Summer Scene builds on the mechanics introduced in the spring, adding new layers of challenge and excitement.
- Autumn Scene
Fig 1.10 Platform Ideation - Autumn
As Nuttie ventures deeper into Nuttopia, they encounter the colorful and enchanting autumn woods. The Autumn Woods Scene features puzzles and environmental hazards, such as falling leaves acting as spikes, adding a layer of complexity to the gameplay. New challenges are introduced, requiring precise timing and agility to navigate moving platforms and use stackable boxes to reach higher areas and solve environmental puzzles.
- Winter Scene + Final Boss
Fig 1.11 Platform Ideation - Winter
The climactic final level takes place in Frost's icy lair, a foreboding fortress nestled amidst frozen tundras and icy caverns. Players must navigate moving platforms, avoid rolling snowballs and spikes, solve environmental puzzles, and collect keys to unlock doors to meet Frost. The journey culminates in a thrilling boss battle against Frost to save Nuttopia from eternal winter, providing a satisfying conclusion to Nuttie's adventure.
03. Final Outcome of GDD
Fig 1.12 Game Design Document, Nuttopia
Fig 1.13 Presentation Slides
Fig 1.14 Game Design Document, Presentation
YouTube Link : https://youtu.be/qFF3rnLPv5c
REFLECTION
The experience throughout the game design proposal seemed to be an urgent process, as I had only about 10 days to build the game design documents. However, I was fortunate to have an idea beforehand on implementing the concept from my previous assignment, "Nuttie's Eternal Season," from the Design Exploration module into this game development project. Having this base and storyline made it much easier to grasp and produce the content in a more expedited manner.
Reflecting on this journey, I realized the value of having a solid foundation and pre-existing material to build upon. This prior work provided a clear direction and framework, allowing me to focus on refining and expanding the concepts rather than starting from scratch. It also highlighted the importance of being adaptable and efficient, particularly when working under tight deadlines. The process was undoubtedly challenging, especially with the added pressure of time constraints. There were moments of intense focus and rapid decision-making, which sometimes felt overwhelming. However, these challenges also fostered a sense of urgency that pushed me to think creatively and work diligently to meet the deadlines.
One of the key takeaways from this experience was the importance of clear and effective planning. Coordinating tasks, managing my time, and maintaining a structured approach were crucial in ensuring that I stayed on track and produced a cohesive and polished game design document. Overall, the game design proposal journey was a fast-paced and demanding experience, but it was also incredibly rewarding and will be excited to the further development :D
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