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Vampire Survivors (Poncle, 2022)
Strengths:
Gameplay:
Addictive gameplay loop, intuitive controls, quick run. A lot of unlockable items. It appeals to players who enjoy games with replay value and autonomy.
Look & Feel:
Immersion in the multiple sprawling environments and hidden secrets. Effectively induces a "flow" state where players are fully immersed in the experience.
Audience:
Simple controls and addictive gameplay loop make it satisfying to a wide range of player's, regardless of skill level. Low price point and amount of playtime gives the game a strong sense of value, contributing to positive word of mouth.
Weaknesses:
Gameplay:
The gameplay gets repetitive after extended periods of play. The fundamental gameplay action of surviving waves and killing enemies remains consistent, regardless of various weapon combinations and hidden secrets.
Look & Feel:
The cluttered visuals on the screen can lead to sensory overload for sensitive players, hindering the emotional appeal. The absence of storytelling may fail to emotionally engage players who seek a narrative experience. Having to restart after a long and successful run, brings frustration of failure.
Audience:
The graphics are retro style. While this is intentional for performance considering the amount of action on the screen, current gamers may be disappointed.
My game will feature a dynamic movement system that goes beyond simple directional navigation. Player's will have to strategically manage their stamina, choosing when to speed up or dash to traverse the environment and avoid threats. The upgrade system further enhances player agency, allowing them to customize their play style. No two combinations of upgrades will feel the same, offering a different experience each time.
Additionally introducing the concept of energy management, adds an additional survival element to the game. Player's must consider their surroundings while navigating a perilous environment. Player's must hunt for smaller prey amidst the chaos, increasing tension throughout a run. Additionally, having upgrades that persist between runs adds depth and a sense of long-term progression, mitigating the frustration of failure.
I intend to imitate the addictive gameplay loop of Vampire Survivors, with a new art style and different tone overall. Beautiful hand drawn art will provide a unique charm and whimsical quality. Evoking a sense of wonder and discover. This will generate a strong emotional connection to a memorable and unique atmosphere, therefore appealing to a much wider audience.
slither.io (Steve Howse, 2016)
Strengths:
Gameplay:
Simple rules and mechanics make it accessible to a wide audience. Objective has a clear cause and effect. Player must strategically plan their own path and make quick decisions.
Look & Feel:
The game invokes a sense of tension as player's competed to become the biggest snake. There is a natural human desire for progress and growth. The vibrant colors heighten sensory awareness.
Audience:
Slither.io's simplicity makes it a game that anyone can pick up and play, regardless of their skill level. The fact that it's available in a web browser makes it even more accessible.
Weaknesses:
Gameplay:
The game's simplicity also limits its strategic depth and player autonomy. The emergent behavior as a result of the gameplay mechanics can very predictable.
Look & Feel:
While the game does evoke a strong emotional response, it also lacks deeper emotional investment. There's no connection to a story or character and the experience lasts until you die and start over. No game progress is actually recorded. The world is open and empty, lacking substance.
Audience:
The game has largely remained unchanged over a long period of time. This shows a lack of developer engagement and lack of care.
My game will have the same gameplay strengths as slither io, with a clear cause and effect for actions taken, demonstrated through clear visual feedback. These mechanics will be improved drastically with stamina management of walking, running and dashing, adding a layer of depth to exploration and combat and forcing players to make more strategic decisions.
The addition of progression systems, such as upgrading core stats or evolving will not only offer players a sense of accomplishment and personal investment, but additionally enhance player autonomy and offer a different experience based on the choices they make.
From an emotional appeal standpoint, my game will also feature a back story for the protagonist, aligning mechanics with the story of survival and evolution, therefore providing context and meaning to gameplay. Additionally, having a dynamic procedurally generated environment will prove to be much more engaging than an empty world and invoke a sense of wonder.
I envision this game as a living, evolving experience and I want to foster engagement within a community and support the game with ongoing updates, therefore addressing the lack of developer engagement.
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