In preparation for my final level design submission for this second term, I have created and sketched many pieces of concept for a game idea called Trial Lighters. The idea came together in class but the main character itself came in a dream over the holidays. That character now being known as Minie (Mini but with an e at the end) and may possibly be changed to Minnie in due time.
Giant drawn version with notes for Minie's appearance and accessories
This character was the main thing that gave me the idea on all the level concepts I made afterwards. Its simple design of a triangle hat on top of a box with eye slits and stick like arms and legs worked really well as you could easily see what it could become. It meant with the character design done so quickly, I could focus of the level design and what could link the character to what it may face in the game.
After some advice from another student at the time, I gave it some accessories, one of which would work as a weapon and an item in-game. This being the Lantern which originally could be smashed on the ground to create fire and burn any obstacles. But it could also suck back up the fire or any existing fire the player would encounter in the level. For example, the player could find a ladder surround by fire and use the lantern to suck it back inside.
Research Ideas drawn in library while looking at London Skyline
Photo I took of canary wharf skyline outside the O2.
When I was doing research for my idea and mood board creation, I decided to go into the library in the uni and looks for similar ideas/cultural references like Mayan, Aztec and Egyptian landscapes. I already had lots of physical and digital evidence at home, as my parents went on many diverse trips around the globe years ago. I had photos, tickets, books and artefacts from their archaeological friends as well.
I had decided prior in-class that my main focus should be the environments, these being sand, snow, cold caves, mountain valleys and their landmarks; Igloos, Winter camps and small villages surround their civilizations.
When I had settled down in the library however I took one look outside the gigantic window and saw the city skyline of canary wharf. As I peered through Instantly my mind saw another world beyond what my friend could see. I took out my notebook and drew a sketch which would soon become apart of my storyboard.
I did not have my phone at hand I did not take a photo, but the one above Is a more accurate one I took another day.
Through my eyes, I could see the buildings rising and sinking, their different sizes reminded me of trees and mountains. Above I drew the buildings mashed with the trees and the mountain tops to imagine a luscious world that would really help me in my research.
Minie character breakdown and main story timeline explained
This huge drawing was done in my new sketchbook, (the tiny triceratops in the corner is part of the books design and not my own.) I originally drew up this page to basically summarise my character with some detailed explanations on her attire. The box on her head for example is a mask, much like a cardboard box with some slits carved into it with a tribal blade.
The text on the right hand side starts off with a list of attributes and notes the character is know for, like who they are and what their main goal is. (Tribal woman, awaken from the past and exploring the new world and its advancements, can see in the dark with hood over eyes).
I also put at the far right corner a timeline of the events that transpire during the story. These being: 1) Minie at home, 2) Minie traveling out to the valley, 3) Minie gets lost and caught in a lightning storm. 4) When Minie awakes her home is destroyed and her tribe have disappeared.
I also wrote down some alternate story lines in case I did not like the first. Instead of the storm, it could have been an earthquake or tornado.
1) Minie is crystalized. 2) Minie is awoken in the future and has not noticed the changes around her. 3) She calls out for her people and hears no response. 4) Minie goes to sleep and only when she awakens the mist clouding her mind is gone and she can see the true damage to her home and family.
Gameplay puzzles for trial lighters. Information for learning styles
Explanation of message/themes and list of characters in the game-world
text
text
Annotated and painted drawings of familiar icons, objects and obstacles the player would come across in-game.
As I was starting to draw up some digital artwork of my game idea and level ideas, I decided to make a simple diagram of all the original objects, assets, items and character debrief I had scattered across notebooks. This was to have a easy to find summary of these references and use them later on in the production stages.
Some of these items shown include: Minie broken down into her core body parts, so the viewer can see what each piece represents and what it may do. A colour wheel of gems, a sacred amulet and a themed crystal. This diagram is also painted and has some annotation of some smaller environmental drawings. One being a design for a cactus, a pyramid and a monkey puzzle tree.
Digital variant with colourised attire and alternate designs.
This digital design is the second to last incarnation of Minie. She in digital form has more accurate colours, her mask is more hand made rather than a cardboard box. I also drew up some different dress sizes and designs to see which could fit the amulet well. The amulet has a jade esc colour to make it more realistic than a darker green mossy colour.
The spirit vision mask is shown also, this would allow Minie to see objects/buttons or levers in the dark which could progress the story. This having blue coloured slits to represent this mode more clearly and could make the character slower and less resistant to damage unlike normal. (It had pros and cons)
I also decided that with the hood placed on top of her head in passive mode, it would be like a hood that to others would look normal. But when Minie enters Spirit mode, the hood comes down over her face and acts like a mask to ward off enemies.