Well, let’s make a game!

I’ve got 45 hours spread over a period of five weeks to create an environmental game. So, what’s the best example of recycling I can think of? Frankenstein. You know, taking dead things and putting them to use! Creating a new body of out used ones.

I just got myself a full-time job, and even though I really need it, I’ll have to manage my time a lot. Like, the upcoming week, I’ll be in Sundsvall for job training. I can’t bring my busted up computer there, so I can only plan out my game. I’ll create some concept art, make some level designs and create a great design document that hopefully will make my game more solid in the long run.

So, I got this assignment just yesterday. During last evening I did some thinking about the game. It will probably change a lot by the time the game is done, but here’s what I’ve got so far.

 

You play as the Frankenstein monster. Or, not the Frankenstein monster, but an earlier attempt made by Dr Frankenstein. He didn’t like this monster and threw it away in the trash. You start the game at a dump, as just a rolling head.

So, roll to the right and bite your enemies! I would like the enemies to be classic monsters, to fit in with the whole Universal monster-theme, but those monsters are also so over used. I mean, every damn game has bats as enemies (even if they are sometimes named keese or something), and it will probably just feel like I ripped off the enemies from Castlevania completly. I’ll have to work something out there.

But anyway, roll your way to the first boss! He’s pretty simple and you should only have to dodge his attacks and bite him. When he’s killed, you take his torso and put it under your head. Imagine Prince Randian from the 1932 classic Freaks if you will.
Now you’ve got a whole new walk cycle with a new ability! You can jump (or more like skip)!

With your new ability to jump, you can reach a place you couldn’t reach before. There’s a small stage with a boss at the end. Use your jumping ability to beat him and take his arms. Now you can walk, and pull stuff!
You backtrack a bit to find a place where you can pull yourself up to reach a new level. Small stage (this game should be shorter than 10 minutes) with a boss at the end. Use your arms to beat him and take his legs. You are now complete.

 

And that’s what I’ve got so far. You should be able to use your new found legs to reach Dr Frankenstein and confront him in a Dr Wily style climax, but that part isn’t thought out yet.
I think this will work if I just get the 80’s cartoon style of animation that I’m after and if I don’t have too much work to do on the side.