Michael Van Zant
Game Design
Level - Mechanics - Narrative
High Concept:
A 2D arcade platformer in the vein of Bubble Bobble.
Development: 01/2014 - 04/2014
Team Size: 4
Engine: Zero Engine
The player takes the role of a snail who has to make it through a series of challenges in order to kill all the enemies. The snail can slime them, and then eat the otherwise harmful opponent. Along the way, the snail has access to several weapon upgrades that can be a benefit or a hindrance.
What went right?
We managed to integrate a large amount of mechanics and enemy types in a relatively bug free experience. We accomplished most of what we set out to do, which is a good thing to say for a freshman project.
What went wrong?
We often spent too much time on elements that didn't need it, and made the game more complex than it needed to be. We should have reduced the scope and then focused on a strong level progression.
What did I learn?
Team atmosphere is the most important thing on a project. This was a freshman project, and as such, I was anxious to prove how hard of a worker I was and how committed. When other teammates were less so or were more focused on other projects, I handled it poorly. When I tried to improve our relationships, other teammates handled that poorly. The project would have been much more successful and better off if we had worried about our team relationship first and the final product second.