This week I've been modifying the level to better fit with the level layout plan. There were too many lights which initially caused confusion as to the route the player was to take and where assets needed to be placed. With the removal of the excess lighting, we created a specific path as well as adding to the narrative of the main character's fear of shadows. What I'm currently working on now is placing all the assets into the map.

Here what it looked like before...

and after...

Much of the last week has been preparing and starting work on the final build of our game. This required finishing up several assets and compiling all of thee assets for importing into. We also had to sort out confusion over files, their locations, and which work station and build of UDK we were using. Once I managed to import all the 3D models I discovered that we needed to clean up our UDK package which had duplicates, excess files, and assets that out of date and needed to be fixed.

The last couple of weeks I've working on two high concept documents and game pitches.

Sight beyond Sight (working title)
Collin Gosmire

High Concept
A sinister force has awakened and its presence is corrupting the spiritual world from within the crystalline forest surrounding the ruins of an ancient temple. With sight beyond sight, the task falls upon the shaman Kusesuri to investigate the cause by communing with spirits, navigating ethereal pathways, and opening rifts to the spiritual world. She must work to solve supernatural crises by appeasing spirits to rest, exorcising demons, and purifying the disrupted environments of elemental spirits.

Features
The Sight beyond sight ability changes the appearance of the world, effects what objects exists, and modifies the level. This vision mode allows players to decipher messages and locate clues to puzzles

Various navigational puzzles include ethereal pathways, such as bridges or portals, which become accessible with sight beyond sight as long as the player does not run out of energy/manna.

A 3D environment including various elements inspired by Japanese and Shinto influences, such as Shimenawa, shrines, and bells.

Ringing bells purifies an area and wards off demons and enraged spirits that otherwise threaten or inhibit the player.

Player Motivation
The player is tasked with locating the source of the corruption by solving various puzzles, overcoming obstacles and investigating the mysteries of the ancient temple.

Genre
Action/adventure, solving mystery rather than primarily horror

Target Customer
Players interested in the fantasy and mystery of the spiritual world as well as Japanese and Shinto influences.

Competition
Portal’s gameplay centers on navigational puzzles and uses similar methods to progress through the level, but it does not have vision mode that alters the environment nor a mechanic for purifying the environment.

Hungry Ghost also has a purifying a mechanic and putting spirits to rest, however; its puzzles are based upon items rather than navigation.

Unique Selling Points
Sight beyond sight vision mode

Ethereal pathways to navigate the environment

Using bells to purify areas

Target Hardware
Personal Computer running windows os

Design Goals
Mysterious: An exploration of the enigmatic nature of death and the afterlife

Expansive: A feeling of insignificance in comparison to the world around you




Herding Cats (working Title)
Collin Gosmire

Will Johnson

Eric Forsting

High Concept
Gather your kittens, lead them through the environment, and keep them focused on the task at hand. As the mother cat, you must use gesture controls to help the young kittens as you lead them through obstacles such as climbing stairs, crossing streams, and avoiding catnip as you try to get back home.

Features
2D game intended for mobile touch screen devices

Gesture controls, such as pinch, swipe, tap, hold, and drag, control the moment and actions of the mother cat for an easy interface.

A herding mechanic keeps the kittens in a group unless they encounter their personal distractions or the mother cat is not within area of control.

Chibi anime art style conveys a lighthearted mood that is enjoyable for all ages.

The player has to think fast to counter act each of the kittens’ different problem causing behavioral quirks and the environmental obstacles.

Use the kittens special abilities to overcome the environmental obstacles and help the other kittens.

Player Motivation
The player takes on the role of the mother cat trying to get her kittens home by overcoming environmental obstacles and puzzles.

Genre
The game is a casual, Indie platform and puzzle game.

Target Customer
For customers of all ages who want a causal game for touch screen devices.

Competition
Escape Plan has similar elements to Herding Cats, however its art is full 3D uses only a black, white, and shades of gray color scheme. It also has a darker atmosphere and lacks several mechanics in Herding Cats.

Unique Selling Points
Gesture controls

Comical chibi art style

Herding mechanic to control kittens

Target Hardware
Android os enabled tablet and mobile devices

Design Goals
Simple controls for a easy to pick up game

Light hearted humor for all ages