Difference between revisions of "Game Design Document"

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=== 1P Game Mode ===
 
=== 1P Game Mode ===
 
This is the regular 1-player mode, where the user has to get through a sequence of levels in order to clear the game. The game will save the progress of the player automatically.
 
This is the regular 1-player mode, where the user has to get through a sequence of levels in order to clear the game. The game will save the progress of the player automatically.
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See also: [[Game Design Document#Levels|List of planned levels]]
  
 
=== Tutorial game mode ===
 
=== Tutorial game mode ===
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=== Custom quests ===
 
=== Custom quests ===
 
A quest is a list of levels. Regular users are able to create levels as well. The game will save the progress of the player automatically.
 
A quest is a list of levels. Regular users are able to create levels as well. The game will save the progress of the player automatically.
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 +
See also: [[Custom quests]]
  
  

Revision as of 05:44, 13 January 2010

This document is incomplete. Information may be included, modified or removed at any time. Please check out our TODO List for more information.

Introduction

Philosophy

Create a free open source game similar to the classic "Sonic" series, but using only original user-made content. This game introduces a different style of gameplay called cooperative play, in which it's possible to control 3 characters simultaneously. Each character has unique advantages and disadvantages, so some team work is needed in order to get through the levels.

Our goal is that this game becomes popular and widespread. It works on both old/slow and recent/fast computer hardware, and it also runs on diverse operating systems (mainly Windows, GNU/Linux and MacOS X). The download is small, so people with slow connections are able to get the game as well. Furthermore, this game has translations to multiple languages.

This game is focused on kids, teens and adults. As the basic requirements make it easily accessible by almost everyone, we expect that this game becomes available (worldwide) everywhere: personal computers, schools, software repositories of Linux distributions, fan communities, etc.

It's also of our best interest that users keep playing this game after they have cleared the regular levels. In order to achieve that goal, we provide a level creation mechanism: players are able to create their own levels using the level editor.

About this document

This simplified design document covers the 1P Game mode and it reflects our vision of what the game will look like on version 1.0. Some details may change whenever necessary, but the basic idea of the game is already defined. Please note that this document does not cover multiplayer modes, engine details, etc.

The 1P Game Mode will feature cooperative play (no other game modes). Our engine may support different game modes than team play in the future (like single play), but the 1P Game Mode will not. There will be many levels with different characteristics and all of them will involve team work.

There are many good ideas around (like the multiplayer game), but if we lose focus, we may not be able to complete the development stage of this game. Many fangames get cancelled because of the lack of proper planning and focus.

For the time being, let's focus to complete what is planned here and set aside other stuff (like the multiplayer game). While this may not please everyone, we want to deliver a complete and polished game. We have this vision and we're working hard in order to achieve these goals. Only this plan by itself describes a medium sized game which may take a few years to be completed, so we think this task is already hard enough.

Plot

Long time ago the ancient gods have created a sacred and powerful item, the Dimensional Emerald. This emerald grants a wish to anyone who possesses it, and since it can be very dangerous in the wrong hands, the gods have hidden it in the Dimensional Gate.

Gimacian the Dark is an evil wizard who needs darkness to increase his powers. He knows where the Dimensional Emerald is located and he will try to obtain it in order to transform the whole world into pure darkness, so he'll become the absolute ruler. Sonic and his friends must stop Gimacian the Dark at any cost!


List of game modes

1P Game Mode

This is the regular 1-player mode, where the user has to get through a sequence of levels in order to clear the game. The game will save the progress of the player automatically.

See also: List of planned levels

Tutorial game mode

The tutorial teaches the player how to play (interactively). It shows the basics of the cooperative play and the individual abilities of the characters. There's no save-progress feature.

See also: Tutorial Level

Custom quests

A quest is a list of levels. Regular users are able to create levels as well. The game will save the progress of the player automatically.

See also: Custom quests


Controls

The game may be played using the keyboard or a joystick. Default keyboard mapping:

Key Effect
Arrow keys Move the active character
Space bar Jump
ENTER Pause the game
Left CTRL key Change the active team member
ESC Quit the game


Characters

Sonic, Tails and Knuckles will be replaced by original user-made characters based on them. The original characters will have the same abilities as the old ones, plus some new abilities we can invent. We don't know EXACTLY what the invented characters will look like, so we're open for suggestions.

Sonic

He is fast, strong, can get through DNA doors and may use additional moves when covered by a special shield. This character will be replaced by an original one, but none of his skills will be removed.

TODO: concept art of the original user-made character

Tails

He can fly, pick up the other characters and carry them around. This character will be replaced by an original one, but none of his skills will be removed.

TODO: concept art of the original user-made character

Knuckles

He can glide and climb walls. This character will be replaced by an original one, but none of his skills will be removed.

TODO: concept art of the original user-made character

Gimacian the Dark

An evil wizard who needs darkness to increase his powers. He wants to transform the world into pure darkness in order to become the absolute ruler. His origins are unknown, but it's believed he somehow came from other dimension.

TODO: write the list of moves/abilities

TODO: concept art

Sharp

Very little is known about this creature, but apparently it lives in the deepest areas in Hell.

TODO: write the list of moves/abilities

TODO: concept art


Items

The items listed in this section are available in the entire game.

Ring

Touch it to get a ring. When the player gets hit, he/she loses all his/her rings. If he/she has no rings, he/she dies.

TODO: insert original art of this item

Blue ring

Equivalent to 5 rings. They are invisible to the player, unless he/she wears the magic glasses.

TODO: insert original art of this item

Magic glasses

Enables the player to see the blue rings. If the player clears the level wearing the glasses, extra points will be given. If the player gets hit, he/she loses the glasses.

TODO: insert original art of this item

Life box

Smash the box do get 1 extra life.

TODO: insert original art of this item

Ring box

Smash the box to get 10 extra rings.

TODO: insert original art of this item

Star box

Smash the box to become invencible for a few seconds.

TODO: insert original art of this item

Glasses box

Smash the box to get the magic glasses. Usually these boxes are hidden in the levels.

TODO: insert original art of this item

Shield box

Smash the box to get a protection shield.

TODO: insert original art of this item

Evil box

Smash the box to get hit. If the player has no rings, he/she dies.

TODO: insert original art of this item

Little animals

Little animals appear when an enemy gets killed.

TODO: insert original art (little animals)

Spring pads

Spring pads come in three colors: yellow (weak), red (strong) and blue (very strong). They also come in eight directions: N, NW, W, SW, S, SE, E, NE.

TODO: insert original art of these items

Switch

Activates a teleporter or opens a door. Its behavior depend on which object is closest.

TODO: insert original art of this item

Door

Players can't get through doors, unless somebody is stepping on the closest switch.

TODO: insert original art of this item

Teleporter

Once activated, teleports the entire team to the same spot.

TODO: insert original art of this item

Big ring

Touch it to go to the bonus level. If the player has cleared all the bonus levels, the big ring gives 50 extra rings.

TODO: insert original art of this item

Checkpoint

Once activated (touched), if the user dies, he'll restart the level on the checkpoint (not on the beginning of the stage).

TODO: insert original art of this item

Goal

A simple goal sign.

TODO: insert original art of this item

End sign (end of the act)

Touch it to clear the act. It's placed after act 1 and act 2.

TODO: insert original art of this item

Animal machine (end of the level)

Brake it in order to clear the level. It appears after the player beats the boss on act 3.

TODO: insert original art of this item

Bumper

If the player touches it, he/she bounces.

TODO: insert original art of this item

Spikes

Touch the top of the spikes to get hit. If the player has no rings, he/she dies.

TODO: insert original art of this item

DNA Door

Only Sonic can get through DNA Doors.

TODO: insert original art of this item


Levels

1P Game Mode Levels

The levels are designed in order to explore both cooperative play and the individual abilities of the characters. Unlike most similar platformers, this game provides a greater level of interaction between the player and the levels. It's more than just a jump'n'run, as the user must come up with some strategy in order to get through the levels.

This is the list of planned levels. Please note that not all of them have been designed yet.

Bonus Stages

Pseudo 3D levels. If the player beats a bonus level, he’ll receive one Dimensional Ring. There are 8 Dimensional Rings of varying colors.

See also: Bonus Stages

Tutorial

The Tutorial Level teaches the user, interactively, how to play the game. It shows the basics of the cooperative play and the individual abilities of the characters.

See also: Tutorial Level

Level Editor

TODO.

Game MODs ("moddable" capabilities)

TODO.