Hello everyone. I am a C++/C# programmer, and I am looking to expand my development team. My project is called BubbleMan: Journey Through the Stars.
~ Project Overview ~
The Idea Behind It All
Growing up, I remember being able to sit down and play video games for hours. I remember playing a game through, falling in love with the storyline, and I can still remember them today. The reason isn’t because video games were a lot better back them, because the graphics left much to be desired, but because they only had their story telling, and great game play to fall back on to make a game memorable. It is my opinion that in the modern days of video game development, most games are lacking great story telling techniques, and have decent game play at best. This is because their main focus is all about pleasant graphics. So I though, why not try to make a game that has both amazing story telling, great game play, and still has amazing graphics? I want to create a project that can be simplistic enough to target a younger audience, and yet be fun enough that older generations of gamers would enjoy playing it as well. Yeah, it is easier said than done, but that is where the idea of BubbleMan: Journey Through the Stars came from.
Story Overview
Everything seems normal within the Central Galaxy, especially on the little planet Bubble Aris; the home to a proud race of bubble people known as Bubble Men. A young bubble man plays around outside at night. Looking up, a meteor lights up the night sky in the distance. The little bubble man begins to investigate when he notices several more flashes of light. Panicked, he rushes back to his village to find everyone else in the same state of shock; in fear of the meteor shower’s destruction on their little planet.
Our little hero sets forth on his journey as he travels through space to other planets within the Central Galaxy, taking on challenging puzzles in order to collect ancient artifacts. What he didn’t know is how deeply rooted his footprints are engraved into destiny as he finds himself traveling between the past, present, and the future in hopes of restoring the barrier around his planet before time runs out…
General Character Concept (In Safety Suit)
General Character Concept (Casual Clothing)
Game Mechanics
Artifacts – Although artifacts are a key point in the plotline, they also serve a purpose in the overall gameplay. Each artifact has its own special ability that can have a broad effect on the game play, ranging from unlocking new paths in dungeons, enhancing weapon abilities, or and triggering special events.
Controls – The control concept is written with the design of the Wii U Gamepad in mind. Controls will vary depending on the console. Much like most modern controls, left joystick will control the characters movements, and the right joystick will control the camera. The “B” button is to jump. The “Y” button is to run. The “A” button is the action button: talking, firing gun, etc. The left and right bumper cycle through each weapon ability.
Dungeons – The dungeon system is a vital part of the world development, and the game play factor. There will be at least two to three dungeons on each planet, all of which have events related to the collection of artifacts, and the access to certain dungeons will require having obtained certain artifacts that can clear the pathway. When a player enters a dungeon they will be taken to a dungeon “path” or grid, which guides them though each level of the dungeon. Something similar to what can be found in the original Donkey Kong Country as an example. The background and grid design of each dungeon will correspond to the location, and theme of each dungeons.
As the player progresses through each level in a dungeon, they unlock more of the grid and new levels to explore. Most of the levels will be done in a 2.5D camera style. Some areas in the dungeons are trigger points for events, whether they are plotline points, or artifact related. These areas will use a 3D camera style instead of a 2D camera style like the rest of the dungeon.
Health – The health mechanics are dependent on several things: the location of the main character, and the bubble suit. In general, the main character has a life meter, and once it depletes the main character dies. When the main character is on his home planet he will not have to wear his bubble suit as the “atmosphere” can sustain him naturally. When the main character goes to other planets, he must have a bubble suit on. If the character fails to wear a bubble suit when exploring another planet the main character will be drastically weaker. Instead of being able to survive several hits, the character would die within a single hit. He must be wearing the bubble suit or he will die. When he is wearing the suit, it acts as a shield and makes the life meter deteriorate slower.
The bubble suit itself has some restrictions. Alongside the main characters life meter, there is the bubble suits life meter. When the bubble suits life, or duration, meter depletes, the characters bubble suit will fall apart, and the character’s life meter will react as if the character had never wore a bubble suit. To restore, or repair, the bubble suit the main character is to visit his female companion, the black smith, who will restore the durability of the bubble suit.
This is just some of the gameplay mechanics. More of the game mechanics, as well as a full structural break down of the plotline is documented in detail. Anyone who would like to review the document is more than welcome, and needs just to ask; however, a nondisclosure agreement will be required prior to reviewing the document.
~ Prototype Video ~
~ Development Team Details and Openings ~
At this current time, the development consists of six trained developers total: three programmers, one audio developer, one animation designer, and one concept artists. I would like to add at least three 3D rendering artists, one more programmer, two level designers, and two more concept artist/2D designer. That means three people working on 3D rendering and programming, one person working on animation, one person working on audio, and three people working on concept work.
Concept Artist / 2D Designers
I am looking for several highly skilled concept art to help focus on character design and level/mapping design. The concept work can be done either digitally or hand drawn. The graphic style of the game is rather cartoon like, so those with a history of drawing cartoon style images is preferred. You may be asked to show some of your design work.
Post Continues In Next Post