Educational/Adventure Game Project

After 8 months of works, we have finally completed the first version of the game! =D

We will be releasing a download soon, after some “cleaning up“. So keep checking in!

After a few weeks of frustrations (and a halt to the project), due to the team’s lack of experiences, resources (time & tools) as well as expertise, we have finally decided to change our game environment to 2D (instead of 3D as initially planned).

There were a few difficulties faced by the members which had caused our progress to come to almost a standstill. After several meetings and discussions, we decided that an ‘overhaul’ would be needed. This means total change of environment, engine, and development tools.

Engine: RPG Maker VX
Language: BASIC
Environment: 2D

Due to these changes, the screenshots are slightly different from the screen designs (you can find samples at The Game section), especially the battle scenes.

After the ‘overhaul’, the progress of our project has finally move smoother and faster and we are currently halfway done with the prototype (and hopefully to come out with a release soon!)

Thank you for all the comments, suggestions and encouragements! =D

Game Controller

Player will be able to use both keyboard and mouse as menu interface and game controller. Keyboard control is provided so that player can control their character actions using specific key assigned. For example, pressing ‘W’ indicate move up, pressing ‘D’ will move right and so on. Mouse control is provided so that player can navigate their character front and back, make selection, click on items and equipment and many more.

Audio

Music is provided in the game so that player will not feel bored while playing the game. It can also build up the mood of the player, for example fast music to indicate fighting mood.

The game system will also have audio configuration, which allow player to configure music volume, music control and mute option, as they feel necessary. The default music volume will be medium; at such player can choose to turn the volume down or up in accordance to their mood. Some player do not like music, hence there is mute option, which allow them to mute the sound.

Saving Method

In the game, players will be able to save anytime during the game. It also make it easier for them to play the game since they do not need to look for a specific save point just to save their game and facing the risk of having to restart the game again in case they lose in one stage or level. It will be very frustrating and annoying if player have to begin from start after progressing so far in the game.

Character Type and Size

The character type in the game would be in human form for playable character whereas for non-playable characters (monsters, shopkeepers, etc.) will be in various forms including humans and mythical creatures. The character size for the game would be small (approximately 2-3 inches).

Perspective

The game (character perspective) will be in third-person perspective as this perspective is common and more convenient for an adventure game. Although most of the respondents prefer first-person perspective, the percentage of those who prefer third-person perspective and those who are fine with any perspective are larger than those who preferred first-person view.

Environment Concept

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

World concept of the game will be fantasy world as preferred by many players and a little bit of country concept. Fantasy world contains mystical creatures such as ogre, troll, magician and so on. While in country concept, there will be villages and forests for player to explore and find clues. This is because the game has three stages, and each stage has different background to suit different types of questioning and battle.

Battle System

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The battle system in the game would be command execute battle system. This means that players will be provided commands where player can choose the action based on their strategy. As opposed to the traditional turn-based system, the non-playable characters (NPCs) will appear on the map randomly and will be encountered randomly by the players. Characters start attacking automatically once they are in combat with an enemy, and special commands and magic can be inputted by the player at any time; contrary to the system’s name it is not in real time, with the exception of items, moving, certain special abilities and the first physical attack, all actions have a “wait” time before they are executed.

Character Upgrade Method

The character’s status is upgradeable as player progress throughout the game, for example level up, new skills and abilities and so on. In the game it will be automatically done by the game system so that player can concentrate more on the game than on the character. It is also the most preferred character upgrade method. However, skill point distribution feature might be added if the necessity arises.

Multiple Profile Feature

Multiple profile feature allowed different player to have their own game play. This will give player a clear view on which profile is belong to theirs and avoid others to mess with your own profile.

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame is provided for players so that they can challenge themselves by breaking high score record each time they win the game. They can play the game over and over again until they reach the highest score.

Other Requirements

The game will be made for with Windows XP platform since most people are using this operating system. However, it might be made compatible with other operating system such as Windows Vista.

The installation for this game will be guided with an installation wizard to help the user with the installation. The team has decided to also make the game downloadable from the Internet.

Physical Data Flow Diagram of the Game (level 1) after preliminary analysis.

We have worked on the basic storyline for the game. A detailed storyline will be posted once we have finished the first stage of Analysis Phase. Stay tuned!

The game is about a character (gender selective) which is a lazy school kid who refuses to study or revise at home and only interested in playing games. One day, the kid stumbles upon an odd-looking computer game and when the kid tried installed the game on his/her computer; he/she was absorbed into the computer and into the game.

The kid woke up in a weird island, with 3 different paths leading to 3 different islands in front of him/her. This is where the adventure begins. The 3 islands represent the 3 different stages in the game, which the character must complete in order for him/her to get out of the game. The character can choose to begin at any one of this island, but he/she must complete all 3 stages in order to finish the game.

The first island would look like its in the old ages, in which the character will need to answer history questions. The second island looks more like the present time, and the character will need to answer mathematics questions. The third island looks like a future world, and the character will need to answer science questions.

In each of these stages, the character will be faced with various adventures and meet up with many NPCs (non-player characters) that are essential in completing the game. To gain experience, the character will need to fight an NPC. Each of this NPC will impose a question or a series of questions on him/her. If the player manage to answer all questions, he/she will gain experience etc., and advance to the next level. However, failing to answer the questions will cause the player to battle the NPC instead. If the player wins, he/she will be able to gain the answer to the questions from the NPC. After completing each stage, the player will be given one piece of map, essential for him/her to get back to the real world.

After completing all the 3 stages, the character will find that the completed map will lead him/her back to the real world.