Dan Fischbach & Michael MacleodDan Fischbach & Michael Macleod

Cohort 5 – Main Game PitchesCohort 5 – Main Game Pitches

December 11December 11thth 2008 2008

Game MechanicsGame Mechanics

Our 90%...Our 90%...• PlatformerPlatformer

– Traverse Environment, defeat enemiesTraverse Environment, defeat enemies

• On the PCOn the PC– Networked with voice chatNetworked with voice chat

• CooperativeCooperative– Two Players, communication, teamworkTwo Players, communication, teamwork

Our 10%Our 10%

Add a chain!Add a chain!

Why?Why?– Completely transforms your typical Completely transforms your typical

platformerplatformer– Unending list of possible moves and Unending list of possible moves and

abilitiesabilities– Fosters constant teamwork;Fosters constant teamwork;

• Must work in unison to navigate the worldMust work in unison to navigate the world• Combat enemiesCombat enemies• Traverse dangerous obstacles and trapsTraverse dangerous obstacles and traps

ExamplesExamples

(Animation 1)(Animation 1)

Other Possible Other Possible AbilitiesAbilities

• Grind through rusty pipes / girders with chainGrind through rusty pipes / girders with chain• Use chain to ride zip wiresUse chain to ride zip wires• One player carries large object as other defendsOne player carries large object as other defends• Lots of switch / pressure pad based scenario’sLots of switch / pressure pad based scenario’s• Conduct electricity / magnetism through chainConduct electricity / magnetism through chain• Situations where players could fight each otherSituations where players could fight each other

(Animation 2)(Animation 2)

DevelopmentDevelopment

ScalabilityScalability

Number of Chain Abilities

Complexity of Chain Physics

Extent of Networking

Level of Immergence

Easy Medium Hard

No NPC AI, little environmental

interaction

Greater NPC AI, higher level of environmental

interactions

Highly interactive and dynamic environment with the players able to handle almost all

objects

No networking at all, two players use same

computer sharing keyboard or peripherals

Two players can play online using basic networking and

separate computers

Full network support allowing multiple pairs to fight in

multiplayer mode

Greater number of moves including more

complex theatrical ones such as the

Garrote

Manipulate chain properties, elasticity,

light saber, electrocution

Handful of the simpler basic moves.

No chain bending / twisting / wrapping

Animations are context sensitive with chain movement itself

otherwise faked

Full procedurally generated animations and realistic physical

chain properties

Chain represented by a single vector line

between characters of shimmering energy

For the ArtistsFor the Artists– Total freedom to define environment, Total freedom to define environment,

characters and style according to characters and style according to strengthsstrengths

– Large focus on both characters and Large focus on both characters and animation, also potential for extremely animation, also potential for extremely impressive motion capture workimpressive motion capture work

– Close up perspective will allow for Close up perspective will allow for maximum possible environment and maximum possible environment and character detail to be seen character detail to be seen

For the For the ProgrammersProgrammers

– Again freedom to pull the talents of the Again freedom to pull the talents of the initial team and concentrate on what initial team and concentrate on what can be done wellcan be done well

– Immediately recognizable core Immediately recognizable core challengechallenge

– Complexity of the chain feature and Complexity of the chain feature and other programmatic hurdles can be other programmatic hurdles can be scaled down without adversely affecting scaled down without adversely affecting game playgame play

For the ProducersFor the Producers– Untried game mechanic offers great Untried game mechanic offers great

deal of fresh decision making and deal of fresh decision making and production experienceproduction experience

– Great deal of balancing and pacing Great deal of balancing and pacing would be required in order to ensure a would be required in order to ensure a strong ‘fun’ factorstrong ‘fun’ factor

– Implementing tutorials tactfully would Implementing tutorials tactfully would be a major challengebe a major challenge

……and for FIEAand for FIEA• Unique Premise Unique Premise • Built upon proven formulaBuilt upon proven formula• Complete package while short enough to Complete package while short enough to

demodemo• Mechanics remain fictionally independent Mechanics remain fictionally independent • An ambitious portfolio piece drawing An ambitious portfolio piece drawing

equally from all three tracksequally from all three tracks• Strong framework for further developmentStrong framework for further development