CrackQuest A conceptual video game design by Darian Grant Design Challenge To make a video game that breaks the rules, entertains and offends the user,

CrackQuestCrackQuestA conceptual video game design A conceptual video game design

by Darian Grantby Darian Grant

Design ChallengeTo make a video game that breaks the rules, entertains and offends the user, and makes people laugh.

CrackQuestCrackQuest

Plot:Plot: Police have arrested your cracked out Police have arrested your cracked out

girlfriend and submitted her into rehab. girlfriend and submitted her into rehab. Fight the power and save her before she Fight the power and save her before she reforms and makes something of herself reforms and makes something of herself one day!one day!

The user descriptionThe user description

Student gamers with a sick sense of humour Student gamers with a sick sense of humour who want a break from the cute, happy feeling who want a break from the cute, happy feeling video games and who just want to have a laughvideo games and who just want to have a laugh

They are likely:

-Ages: 18-25

-Internet Gamers

-Adventurous and open minded

-Looking for a quick change to take their mind off things

The storyboard of user The storyboard of user experienceexperience

A user is bored and tired of A user is bored and tired of playing the same kinds of playing the same kinds of internet games out there:internet games out there:

The user sees the title The user sees the title CrackQuest and the picture CrackQuest and the picture of a junkie as the display of a junkie as the display pic:pic:

The user perks up and clicks The user perks up and clicks on the link:on the link:

The user is thrilled to tears:The user is thrilled to tears:

PrototypePrototype

Prototype Gameplay ScreenPrototype Gameplay Screen

Prototype Game Over Prototype Game Over ScreenScreen

“WINNERS DON’T USE DRUGS”

MechanicsMechanics

Simple:Simple: Move with the arrow keysMove with the arrow keys Punch and kick with the ALT buttonPunch and kick with the ALT button Throw syringes with the CTRL buttonThrow syringes with the CTRL button Special weapon with SPACEBARSpecial weapon with SPACEBAR

Special weapons are cocaine grenades for AoE attacks and Speed for super-strength and quickness

Raising the stakesRaising the stakes

Buzz meter:Buzz meter: Character must have the perfect level of Character must have the perfect level of

drugs in his systemdrugs in his system Damage affects the buzz meterDamage affects the buzz meter Too little of a buzz, character slows down, Too little of a buzz, character slows down,

shakes and vomitsshakes and vomits Too much of a buzz, character takes the Too much of a buzz, character takes the

risk of overdosing OR could become risk of overdosing OR could become invincible for 10 secondsinvincible for 10 seconds

Justifications for designJustifications for design

Power Game Factory EnginePower Game Factory Engine Very little programming to add inVery little programming to add in Easily modifiableEasily modifiable

Simple 2D art workSimple 2D art work Characters in faded colorsCharacters in faded colors Backgrounds in black and whiteBackgrounds in black and white

Leaves a lot of room for creativity, Leaves a lot of room for creativity, input, and planninginput, and planning

User TestingUser Testing

Testing continuously throughout the Testing continuously throughout the designdesign

When we have a playable demoWhen we have a playable demo Final testing 2 weeks before deadlineFinal testing 2 weeks before deadline

Shortcomings of DesignShortcomings of Design

Many people will not appreciate our Many people will not appreciate our sense of humoursense of humour

There is no real winner in the game There is no real winner in the game because “Winners don’t use drugs”because “Winners don’t use drugs”

2D art may not appeal to many 2D art may not appeal to many peoplepeople

What else is possible?What else is possible?

If there is time:If there is time: More special weapons:More special weapons:

Loose change weapon:Loose change weapon: Throw some loose change on the ground and Throw some loose change on the ground and

homeless people come and fight beside you for homeless people come and fight beside you for 10 seconds10 seconds

More levelsMore levels More big bosses and twistsMore big bosses and twists

Next Steps in Design Next Steps in Design ProcessProcess

Select TeamSelect Team Collaborate on artwork and levelsCollaborate on artwork and levels Build playable version of the gameBuild playable version of the game User testUser test IterateIterate AdjustAdjust RepeatRepeat CompleteComplete

SummarySummary

FunFun FunnyFunny SimpleSimple GoodGood FunFun