Game Concept

Overview:

Working title:

Neptune’s Trial

Concept statement:

The concept for this game is to have a puzzle platformer following the god Neptune during the aftermath of a major battle as he tries to rebuild his kingdom.

Genre/category:

Puzzle platformer.

Concept creation process/area and influences:

The influence for the trident throwing and platforming mechanics were largely inspired by a GameJam game called pokeypoke. The platforming mechanics and feel were also inspired by pokeypoke, as well as other platformers like the Mario games and Super Meat Boy.

Audience and competitive analysis:

This Game is aimed mostly towards people that have experience playing video games, as there are a lot of common elements in this game, such that it would probably be difficult for a first-time gamer to grasp all of the controls and mechanics and they would instead probably end up confused and giving up. This game draws a lot of influence from other games, but the thing that I believe sets it apart is its story, I haven’t seen a platformer/puzzle game follow the story of a god, especially one that has just (kind of) lost a fight (although I could be blind), but at the end of the day I’m just trying to make a fun experience and a cool story.

Game treatment and concept art:

In this game you will play as the god Neptune as he journeys to repair damage done to his kingdom in a recent battle. You will be able to run, jump and wall jump through levels to reach the damaged areas and fix them, as well as shoot and impale enemies with your trusty trident. This trident will also come in handy for traversal, as you can impale it into a wall or solid surface and stand on it as if it were another platform, then recall it to your hand and continue on your way. To end a level, you will have to reach the hole in the castle walls and repair it by interacting with it using E. There will be a lot of fun platforming and puzzle mechanics, such as one-way platforms, switches, moving platforms and hazards to name a few. there will also be enemies you have to kill/circumvent in order to progress.

Some sketches I made for the player model:

The player idle (note that the hair is a ponytail/manbun and the character is male):

The player recalling the trident:

The Trident buried in the wall (note the rubble):

One example of an end of level hole (note the fish - you will be able to see out into the open ocean through them):

I will try and get an actual artist to draw me up some sprites, failing that I will turn to the internet for a solution.