Cax - Game treatment
Game Pitch for Cax
Game Story Abstract
Cax is intended to be a 2D platform game where the player controls Cax, an outsider hooxtak who welds a magic boomerang with different powers. He is motivated on a quest to retrieve a stolen relic that guarantees the safety of his homeland Kovola Island. Throughout the journey will try to overcome many obstacles including fighting off armoured henchmen of the mysterious relic stealer, his own flaws such as difficult hearing and lack of focus, and challenging level design such as switch puzzles.
Appearance
The overall design is meant to be reminiscent of the 2D platform games of the 90s, except with my own cartoony visual style implemented. Simple colours and of textures are intended to give a stylised look and to easily distinguish objects in the game, as well as to to provide the game with general appeal. The setting of Kovola Island is more of an Australian-like tropical environment with fantasy/medieval elements and architecture.
Player Roles and Actions
The objective is the typical 2D platform type where the player reaches the end of the level, and fights the boss. Cax the playable character is equipped with a magic boomerang that different kinds of attacks (e.g. fast, strong, long-distance) depending on what is picked up. He will use this boomerang to defend himself from projectile-firing enemies, as well as to activate switches that are out of reach. Jumping on top of an enemy can be done as a close-range attack. Throughout the level, gems are spread across the level, which the player can collect as in-game currency.
Strategies and Motivations
Cax is welded with a magic boomerang which will be used to attack enemies and activate switches. He only carries one boomerang, thus the player can only throw one at a time. The player cannot throw another until it returns to Cax. Each attack type (e.g. fast, strong, long-distance) has it's own strengths and weaknesses, requiring player judgement on what attack and when it's used is most-appropriate. Health consumption is vital as Cax is limited to three hits before dying, and falling to the bottom of the level is instant death. Health can be restored though power-ups, and number of hits can be upgraded further on in the game.
Level Summary
Level design is built up of wall sprites, and will fit into the tropical fantasy theme that the game's art presents. There is only one level as part of this assignment. The level gets progressively more challenging as more obstacles, enemy and level design-wise, get given to the player. These include ladders, long jumps, moving platforms, and boomerang shields. Level design is nonlinear with different paths to take, though the player is free to backtrack and explore each path. The level will end by reaching the piece of the relic, which is then followed by displaying the player's score.
Story Progression
Cax will be assisted by his female reptile sidekick Marnie. She knows the magic boomerang a lot even though she's unable to carry it. She will provide tips to the player through text prompts, which is also the main narrative technique. Conversations between Cax and supporting characters like Marnie will help progress the story.
Hardware & Software Specification
Developed with GameMaker: Studio, Cax is intended to be played on personal computers running Windows, macOS, or Linux operating systems. It will run at a maximum of 1080p (1920x1080) resolution at 60 fps (frames per second), though I plan to include choosable screen resolutions including windowed mode.
