Devlog 4.5: Game Ideation

Documented below are a few game ideas that I contemplated, that would be suitable for the scope and theme ('Break The System') of KIT207 assignment 2:

Z-Huggers

Synopsis: 'Z-Huggers' is a pun combining the 'z' in zombie with 'tree huggers'. In this game, you step into the sandals of an 'awakened' hippie who witnesses the dread of society - the zombies working 9-5 endlessly, without time for joy or freedom. The hippie makes it their mission to hug and compliment as many people as possible during the typical morning and evening commutes home. Help others to break free of society's chains!

Target audience: In a fast-paced, 3D arcade style, with the goal being to accumulate as many points as possible, the target audience would range from children to adults. This would be a quick game that could be picked up and put down any time, and so would suit the lifestyle of many different people.

Why it would be successful: I believe this game would be successful due to its wholesome nature; instead of collecting points by attacking or killing entities, it would be done by spreading love and affection.

Development goal: The goal of the prototype would be to solidify the gameplay: walking around, spawning the workers travelling to their workplaces, and successfully hugging/complimenting to accumulate points.

Override the Catpocalypse

Synopsis: In a cat-eat-cat, dystopian world where society is tightly controlled by an oppressive government, players take on the role of a  hacker cat from an activist group called the Whisker Rebellion. Their goal is to infiltrate and dismantle the system by exposing corruption, purloining confidential information, and ultimately, inspiring a feline revolution. The game would focus on completing cat-themed puzzles as a way to 'hack' various systems, such as rerouting yarn grids, breaking encrypted treat recipes, or planting virtual catnip viruses.

Target audience: With a dark, cyberpunk, feline aesthetic and complex puzzles, the target audience would be players who enjoy cyberpunk themes, strategic puzzle-solving, and those interested in societal and ethical issues related to technology and power. These kinds of players tend to be teenagers and upwards, but its cute nature may also appeal to younger audiences.

Why it would be successful: I believe this game would be successful due to its engaging narrative, complex puzzle gameplay, and exploration of ethics and society that mirrors real life. But also, being a hacker in the form of a cat sounds epic!

Development goal: The goal of the prototype would be to showcase examples of each different kind of puzzle that is available to solve in the game.

Thank you :)