Game Brainstorm

Game Brainstorm

For potential ideas for my final game, I took to pen and paper to write down some ideas. While I was brainstorming I was thinking back on the Unity tutorial I completed and what type of things I could achieve in my game using what I learnt- and what I will learn in the future!

I came up with several ideas ranging from different genres- some that are more story based and some based more on the gameplay and collecting items. I tried exploring different concepts regarding the terrain and map- some ideas that take place outdoors and some that are based more in the indoors. 

Here are some images of the brainstorming I did!

Game ideas brainstorm

Source: Myself

First idea: Cooking Game

My first idea for a game was to be based in a restaurant! The player would play the role of a chef in the kitchen- whipping up some dishes for the customers eating there. The player would have to run around the kitchen collecting different ingredients in order to make a variety of dishes, which they would then have to deliver to the customers. To add variety to the surroundings I would like to add different sections to the kitchen such as a storeroom/pantry, different stations dedicated to things like vegetables, meat, desserts etc. 

The end goal of this game would be to complete the service by serving all the customers. If possible, there could be a timer to complete the tasks to add more difficulty to the game. 

I was partly inspired by Gordon Ramsey's Hell's Kitchen for this game since I'm quite obsessed with all of his shows.

I'd like to learn how to randomise dishes and ingredients that appear in the game to add more to the replayability and difficulty to the game.

I haven't played many cooking games myself, but the game series Overcooked seems to have a similar idea. I haven't really seen much content for this game- but exploring it and watching some gameplay may inspire me and help me to create this cooking game if I decide to go for it for my final idea. You can read more about Overcooked here.

Overcooked 2 artwork

Source: Flickr

Second Idea: Adventure Game

My idea for this game would be for the player to be in an unknown location with no recollection of the past- so more story based. I was thinking of making the terrain a bit more sinister like a spooky forest to play into the amnesia factor. The player would have to collect items to trigger memories of the past, and the goal would be to find out the memories of the character and to escape the forest. This game would be more heavily based on story- and also use outdoor terrain. 

I was inspired by the Slenderman game for this- where you run around in a forest collecting notes.. except without the horror element. You can read more about the Slenderman game I was inspired by here. 

In terms of terrain I could make several structures within the forest and make different areas in the forest to add variety and more story elements. I could make some cabins and abandoned buildings for example. The items collected wouldn't be notes- they would be a variety of different objects to make it more interesting. 

I'd like to learn how to make more advances structures such as cabins and buildings for this game.

Slender Logo

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Third Idea: Jailbreak Game

My third idea of a game would be a jailbreak game! The objective, much like the title, would be to escape the jail. To achieve this, the player would have to collect various items to craft different tools in order to escape the prison. The prison would have various different parts, such as a cafeteria and courtyard. These locations would give the player several different items to collect such as rocks and spoons to craft things. I was also thinking that if possible, I could implement a feature where if a guard spots you with any contraband it would trigger a game over. I also am thinking of different ways for the player to escape, such as cutting fences and digging their way out, which would make the game more re-playable.

I'd like to learn about triggering a game over by having certain items in the player inventory when crossing a certain point in this game.

There is a 2D game series called The Escapists (you can read more about it here) which you are playing the life of a prisoner trying to escape. It's similar to my idea but I plan to change things around so it isn't the same if I do decide to use this as my final idea.

The Escapists artwork

Source: Flickr

Fourth Idea: Survival Game

My fourth idea would be to make a survival based game where the player is stranded on a deserted island and the goal of the game is to survive for a night. The player would have to collect resources gathered around the island- such as firewood from the jungle and rocks to make weapons in order to get food. The main objectives would be to build a base with a shelter, a fire pit, and to set up a food and water source. There would also be optional tasks- more cosmetic ones to decorate the base such as flags and trinkets.

Perhaps I could include a timer element here- if the player doesn't complete their base in a certain amount of time, night comes and they don't survive, leading to a game over. Perhaps a day and night cycle would be useful here- something I would have to look into and explore.

I drew some inspiration from the survival game Don't Starve; I enjoy this game a lot and I love building my own base using all the tools in the game. The game is combines both 2D and 3D elements and has lots more story and survival elements- looking further into the game (and playing it more myself!) will give me ideas and inspiration for other potential mechanics to include in my own game. You can read more about Don't Starve here!

Don't Starve promotional art

Source: Flickr