9th November 2022
The week after learning and presenting a paper prototype, we got our hands-on learning to make a digital prototype, with an intention of how a game designer needs to test game ideas on software digitally. In the early stages, the digital prototype helps in creating a foundation on which the game project will be based and convey the vision as a game designer to the rest of the team. After the introduction, we were assigned to develop a simple game prototype in the group formed earlier for the paper prototype. Our Game Design faculty, Dr Jarek, gave us a brief on how to approach unity as a prototyping tool, following a theme to approach a game idea. The theme was an educational game based on Personal Hygiene. Prior to studying master's, In the year 2020, I had an opportunity to intern at mobile gaming called IDZ Digital. This is where I got the opportunity to develop and work on kids and educational games. Perhaps, I was an enthusiast working on a similar concept. The experience helped me provide valuable input towards the ideation with my team, we started brainstorming ideas revolving around the theme.
We discussed the possibilities of basic ideas on personal hygiene such as gamifying the concept of teaching kids to brush their teeth or just washing hands. Finding such ideas was simple but later my mind was struck by how we can build around an idea on the pandemic. This gave rise to how we could make a fun game about bacteria and if the player spots a bacteria, they can spray on it (acting as a weapon) in order to defeat it. However, this concept lacked deciding conditions, and incorporating these concepts in the prototype would be challenging.
image source: Google image and Pinterest
We went ahead presenting this idea and tried to build a proper foundation, where it would be a 3D world having an open map just like any 3D shooting game (CS: GO or Valorant). As far as the game mechanics were concerned, we decided to keep it simple. The player takes the role of the White Blood Cell, protecting the Red Blood Cells(NPC) from the Bacteria(AI Enemy).
Red Bacteria (AI Enemy) and Red Blood Cell(NPC) Asset taken from Unity Asset Store
white blood cell- The player (since it was a prototype, a simple capsule used with white material from the unity engine)
to be continued.....
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