COMP 23: Introduction to Game Development, Fall 2015

The One Button Game

This assignment with worth 10 points, to be done individually.

Overview

Unfortunately in this economy, no employee is indispensable at WageSlaveGames, Inc. The sole premise of WageSlaveGames, Inc. is to create simple and addicting games for people who love to play computer/video games, but simply do not have the time and money to do so. The CEO of WageSlaveGames, I.M. Picky need to layoff 75% of the company to make the company more lean and profitable. To achieve this, he is putting every game designer's job on the line. How? Every game designer has to design the next big game: a one-button game. The best design wins.

You, one of the hapless souls of WageSlaveGames, Inc., have to develop this one button game. This game is to be played on a television screen. The console is a small box 3.9" (l) x 3.9" (w) x 0.91" (h) with an HDMI connector, and has built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The only constraint to this game is the controller: it has one button 3" (l) x 3" (w) x 2" (h) built on the console box (in other words, think of the Staples "Easy Button" toy). No control pad, no voice control, no camera, no touch gesture or multi-touch (duh!), no accelerometer allowed. Oh, and no in-game ads.

Instructions

In no more than 3 pages typed, in memorandum format addressed to CEO I.M. Picky, write a design document for this one-button game. Your document must contain the following sections and information:

• Game Title
• Overview:
  • The basics of the game
• Rules
• Gameplay Mode:
  • Setting
  • Challenges
• Core Features in the Game
  • Be sure to describe each feature and why it is important
• Game Mechanics
  • Data and algorithms used
  • Actions (i.e., what does the player need to do to tackle the challenges)
• Internal Economy:
  • Define the lives, ammo, money, health points, etc., in the game
  • How are they produced or obtained?
• Game Balance:
  • Positive feedback
  • Negative feedback
  • Adjusting the game's difficulty
• Victory Conditions:
  • How do you win the game? If there is no way to win the game, what is the player trying to accomplish?
  • How do you lose the game? (if applicable)
• Storyboard and Interface Design:
  • On plain white paper only (i.e., no notebook or lined paper)
  • Provide mockups and Description
  • Primary mode screen
  • A few screens that demonstrate the core features and game mechanics
• Business Case:
  • What other games out there are like this (i.e., market research)?
  • How do you make money?
  • How would you attract players and customers?

This document must be handed in to CEO I.M. Picky by Tuesday, September 15th in class, or else you will lose your job!

Submitting the Assignment

Hand in your memo class. No electronic submissions allowed.

Notes

• Use your creativity.
• This assignment may seem overwhelming, but in the professional-world, you need to convey your ideas concisely because people (especially upper management) simply do not have all the time in the world for you.
• The following is an example of a memorandum header:

  TO: I.M. Picky
  FROM: Ming Chow
  DATE: September 15, 2015
  RE: One-Button Game
  

• Read "Designing Games for the Wage Slave" at http://www.gamedev.net/page/resources/_/creative/game-design/designing-games-for-the-wage-slave-r2121
• Read "One Button Games" at http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20050602/green_01.shtml
• Mockups can be drawn electronically or by hand and they do not count towards the 3-page limit.
• You will be graded on conformity to the rules, content, creativity, and the selling potentials of the game.