Originally, a handful of different game ideas were considered. The final decision came down to versions of Tic Tac Toe, Flappy Bird, and Geometry Dash. In order to evaluate these choices, we discussed the complexity, playability, and replayability of each.
We determined that Geometry Dash is complicated enough to be fun and interesting, yet easy to understand for a wide range of audiences. It does not require many components and prompts the use to simply tap on the screen to dodge obstacles. Our version of Geometry Dash also allows to use to replay until each level is completed. Flappy Bird has a similar complexity with a combination of simple elements, but complex randomization of obstacles. It also allows the player to dodge obstacles through jumping or flying through. Flappy Bird also keeps track of progress, but generally has no “end,” contributing to the replayablility. Finally, Tic Tac Toe is slightly simpler. It is easy to understand and infinitely replayable.
In the end, we decided on Engineering Dash, a game based on geometry dash with similar levels and statistics. Although playable for most demographics, a potential audience for our game includes kids/teens. The nostalgia associated with geometry dash, along with an entertaining complexity makes it perfect for people in that range. Our game holds value for this audience as well by providing entertainment and loose association to a math or geometry game.
We intend to include:
- Basic Graphics
- A combination of over 2 simple shapes will be used for graphics
- Keep Basic Statistics
- `Keep track of deaths, levels, and time
- Respond to Touch
- Shape in game will jump when player touches the screen
- Main Menu
- Required, implemented by having four options, play, stats, credits, and instructions
- Ability to replay game
- Levels will be replayable after completion and after failure
- Single Player
- The game will be single player
- Moving Objects I
- Only the dasher will be moving inside the game as it will be moving in the rightward direction, jumping over the triangles and such
- Advanced Graphics I
- Triangles, squares, rectangles and other basic shapes
- Persistent Statistics I
- Game will keep track of completion percentage, deaths, and levels.
- Arbitrary Touch I
- The dasher will jump off the ground if any part of the screen is touched other than the pause option
- Difficulty Levels
- There will be at least two different levels of difficulty that include more features/obstacles
- Collision I
- If the player runs into an obstacle, the collision will cause a death and the game to stop
- Artistry
- There will be different backgrounds for different levels
- Gravity Effects
- The dasher will jump up and come back down from gravity