Game Design Document

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Revision as of 01:26, 10 April 2010 by SilverstepP (Talk | contribs) (Gimacian the Dark Moveset)

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

Introduction

Brief introduction

Q: What the hell? Will you create a game using Sonic or other copyrighted characters?

A: No. Have you ever played SuperTux ( http://supertux.lethargik.org/ ) ? The dynamics of SuperTux is inspired in the classic Mario Bros games, but SuperTux contains only free and original user-made characters/resources. Our game is pretty much the same thing: the dynamics of it is inspired in the classic Sonic the Hedgehog games, but we're working to get this game fully free and original. Fully original characters and resources are being designed at this moment. Of course this game will have its name changed as well, but we started like this to get contributors on the Internet.

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.

Overview

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 (team play).

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 games get canceled 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 Scepter. This scepter grants ultimate power 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 Gate is located and he will try to open it using the Dimensional Rings. If he gets that power, Gimacian the Dark would rule every universe, and nothing could stop him. Sonic and his friends must prevent Gimacian the Dark from opening the gate, or the existance as we know it would be through!

See also: Game Story

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
Print Screen Take snapshot


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.

Moves used in battle (Music Stadium)-

Shadow Split- Gimacian fires a bolt of darkness down that splits into two shockwaves that travel left and right. Causes ordinary ring loss. Gimacian is vulnerable when he uses this.

Black Void- Gimacian forms a hole of darkness on the field, signaled by a black spark 2 seconds before. The hole then starts to pull everything into it, other than Gimacian. The character must be a good distance away to keep themselves from getting hurt. Causes ring loss. Recovering rings is made difficult due to the pull, but the recovery time of a character should prevent an instant death.

Teleport- Gimacian will automatically teleport to a random point on the field if a chracter tries to hit him while he's not attacking. This gives the battle a requirement of timing.

Advanced Moves (Spring Forge)-

Super Split- Just like Shadow Split, only Gimacian fires three bolts. One goes right, one goes left, and one goes down. The one going down reacts the same as the last battle. The ones hitting the walls will cause a a shockwave to travel down the wall and onto the floor and will dissipate when they collide. This attack will cause normal ring loss.

Creature Call- Gimacian summons some enemies to distract you.

Midnight Void- Just like Black Void, only, Gimacian can make it suddenly appear on another part of the field. It is still obvious to see where it will go. Changes about every 3 seconds.

TODO: concept art

Sharp

This guardian of the Dimensional Gate resembles a porcupine, and is willing to do whatever it takes to guard the Dimensional Scepter!

Moves (Rainbow and Dimensional Gate Zone)--

Spine Shot- Shoots a single spine at the opponent. Will not cause ever ring to be lost, but rather a ring drain due to poisoning. If A spine is stuck to you, you must shake it off.

Spine Blade- Sharp will rush at you, and use spines on his arm to deal an extremely fast blow. Causes normal ring loss.

Advanced Moves (Only at Dimensional Gate)--

Razor Shred- Spike does a Sonic jump and fires out 8 multple spines in every direction. Causes ring drain like above, and doubles in speed if multple are stuck in the character.

Seeker Spine- Fires a homing spine. Sharp is vulnerable while this attack is fired.

Abilities--

Wall Climbing- Sharp can stick to walls, but not necessarily climb them.

Wall Jumping- Sharp is able to jump from wall to wall at an impressive speed.


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

Item Boxes

Life box

Smash the box do get 1 extra life.

Ring box

Smash the box to get 10 extra rings.

Star box

Smash the box to become invencible for a few seconds.

Glasses box

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

Shield box

Smash the box to get a protection shield.

Evil box

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

Little animals

Little animals appear when an enemy gets killed. Suggestion: we could use the open source mascots as the little animals.

TODO: insert original art (little animals)

Spring Pads

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.

Switch

Switches and Doors

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

Door

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

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

Checkpoint orb

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

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)

Break 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

Bumper

If the player touches it, he/she bounces.

Spikes

Spikes.png

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

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.

The levels below are as they appear in the game's current storyline. These are subject to change.

Main article: The Story of Open Sonic

Sunshine Paradise

The first level is very easy to get through. It has a sunny background, water and some magic mountains on the background. It has areas that are wooded, and clearings, so the player can see the background.

Main article: Sunshine Paradise

Waterwork Zone

This level takes place on a massive dam. Water is gushing around the player, and there are tanks of water. This introduces underwater gameplay.

Main article: Waterwork Zone

Rainbow Zone

Combines elements from Speed Slider (from Knuckles Chaotix) and Rainbow Road (from Mario Kart 64), adding some original ideas as well. This level is more about racing/running than it is about strategy.

Main article: Rainbow Zone

Black Forest Zone

A forest where many of Gimacian's creatures reside. 'Knuckles' (name to be changed) is being held captive here.

Main article: Black Forest Zone

Exotic Paradise

A level full of exotic plants and creatures. This is not the same level you know from version 0.1.0. Its graphics and the level itself will be totally remade. It is the path from the forest to the city, and is fairly straightforward.

Main article: Exotic Paradise

City Chill Zone

A city covered in ice, due to Gimacian.

Main article: City Chill Zone

Music Stadium

A level located in the middle of City Chill zone, that seems to stand out from everything else. Music notes are everywhere.

Main article: Music Stadium

Dragon Egg Zone

Sand area. This is the habitat of dangerous dragons under the control of Gimacian, which are holding 'Tails' (name to be changed) captive.

Main article: Dragon Egg Zone

Crystal Temple

A sacred and hidden temple, in a cave setting. Water appears here, and this serves as the 'hard' water level.

Main article: Crystal Temple

Spring Forge Zone

This is the place where springs are made. In reality, it is also building Gimacian's ultimate weapon, which is it's true purpose.

Main article: Spring Forge Zone

Magma Mine Zone

A rename for Melted Metal zone. A level filled with dangerous creatures digging out the supplies for Gimacian's Sky Fortress. The Sky Fortress can be seen in the background.

Main article: Magma Mine Zone

Sky Fortress

Gimacian's ultimate weapon to take over the world.

Main article: Sky Fortress

Dimensional Gate

This level will be available only if the player gets the 8 Dimensional Rings.

Main article: Dimensional Gate

Demonic Duel

This level will be available only if the player gets the 8 Dimensional Rings. This is the game's true final boss. It will involve all three characters getting their own part in the battle.

Main article: Demonic Duel

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.