Game Idea Research

 It's funny, I am currently writing this post and I am trying to figure out as I go, which game idea I will go with as I actually cannot pick one. Does that mean these ideas are bad or bland? No! It means I want to do them all and I know I only have the choice of making one!

A quick catch up

Game 1- A 2D obstacle course clear game reminiscent of Geometry Dash where you must build enough momentum to catapult yourself right into the next level!

Game 2- A comedically tuned horror game where you are stalked by a chicken, let the poultry frights begin!

Game 3- A 2D platformer in which you play as a candle who can jump, run and light his way through levels of traditional platforming goodness with a twist.

and

Game 4- A 3D high-speed game in which you must race to the finish of a level, oh except you are a car, and the level is a series of floating platforms suspended in space.

By picking through strengths and weaknesses, positives and negatives, and overall evaluation (I picked one at random from a random number generator) I have decided to go with Game 4! As I am learning how to make a game, if I really want to and I believe I have time I believe I will try to make Game 1 or 3 in my spare time as a hobby :)

Now that that has been sorted... Time to really show you the research I have put into this!

Upon having to decide which game I should go with I felt very strongly to learn how to make a 2D game as I have always had a fondness for them, they are where in my opinion some of the greatest platformers exist, however I am also drawn by games that require quick reactions and even faster speeds, things not usually possible in 2D without some restrictions E.G. Sonic can move fast but there are plenty of obstacles in his way to stop him from doing this and this requires a methodical in-depth amount of work for level design which I am proud to say... I have not got. As for Game four, it allows platforming and speed, while also eliminating the need for usual 2D restrictions. Another strong reason for this decision is I have learned of another obscure game while researching known as "Riff Racer", while I need to research and probably play this game more, I find its gameplay of rocketing on an obstacle course to songs to be almost hypnotic to watch, upon finishing a YouTube video of some acing one of the games song I exclaimed "That's like what I wanted to make, I wanna make this" and well... here I am! Of course Riff Racer is quite different to how I envision my game idea but it's a very strong source of research if I can scrounge up enough research and maybe even some developer insights into the game. 

Link to an example of a Riff Racer level: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TtA_tqYLpU 

Riff Racer 
Link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/351990/Riff_Racer__Race_Your_Music/ 

Three mechanics I see falling into my game are as follows:

1. I plan to have it so that gravity is a strong presence in the game, that is not normal gravity. What i mean is I want it so that cars can jump from wall to wall and cling to said walls, not to dissimilar to Super Mario Gravity, each platform can have its own gravity, if your racing upside down on a roof you will remain on that roof, however the moment you jump from this roof gravity will have you fall down to the ground, this can open up many possibilities for level design. One level your hopping from wall to wall beside each other navigating obstacles, the next your jumping from sphere to sphere like your hopping planets, moving through a maze of circles, the next you are doing loop-de-loops with ramps at the end to your next platform. Overall while gravity is present in most games you don't usually need to keep track of it, in my game you will!

2. As mentioned before, you will be able to jump from platform to platform, this will not just be ramps and inclines, the car you play as will be able to jump once, potentially twice if the level design leans towards it and while jumping isn't a revolutionary mechanic it will be detrimental to this game.

and finally 3. the mechanic that will hold it all together, SPEED! This game will not be multiplayer and will not be online, so how do you plan to race with friends? It will be a series of time trials, race, go as fast as possible, hit the boosts, punch the gas and try and get a faster time then all your friends! This is exactly how I want this game to be enjoyed with some pumped up tunes in the background just as you boost-jump for the goal!

This will be a lot of work and rules and coding and playtesting and work and coffee and work and early mornings and work.... But I can't wait!!!