Chadius: SwordDraw
Contents
Executive Sheet (Summary)
Title
Sword Draw (working title)
Genre
RPG, Arcade
Version
2.2
The Big Idea
This game is a mouse-driven dungeon crawler. The player moves the PC around, buys equipment, and attacks enemies using only the mouse. Some dexterity will be required to draw patterns accurately to survive in battle. Strategy sets in as the player will need to choose attacks carefully to best handle the foes' defenses and attacks.
The levels and battles will go by relatively quickly to maintain a fast and loose atmosphere. There is little need for maintainence in the levels, to encourage the player to keep moving toward a goal. Difficulty and some unpredictability may end careers early, to encourage per-run quests instead of one long journey. These factors and a high score board will encourage the arcade experience and expectations.
The character and storyline is a tongue-in-cheek jokes for fantasy role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons. At some level they understand their struggles will never end (because a Game Master keeps making up quests for them) so they have resigned themselves to this. The enemies are more busy with mundane activities (music, fashion) than trying to destroy our heroes.
Category, Inspirations
Lost Magic for the Nintendo DS has a mechanic where you draw glyphs to cast spells. Sword Draw uses preset shapes to trace using the mouse to attack with. The Dungeons & Dragons arcade games produced by Capcom in the 1990s use a traditional button and joystick setup but combine arcade action reflexes with RPG statistics.
This is a single-player game. There is a short campaign where you must rescue a pet salmon, Bob, who has been kidnapped by forces unknown. Its owner Hubert takes this as a grave offense and hunts his normal list of suspects in hopes of finding an answer, dragging his neighbors along for the ride.
Platforms
PC (Windows, Mac, Linux)
I develop primarily in Linux, so I should be able to run it here. Utilizing Simple Directmedia Layer will make it easy to port to other systems.
License
This is an original property. It should go well with long-time fantasy fans who have seen it all and don't mind a game making fun of itself.
Play Mechanic
Sword Draw uses the mouse for almost all interactions. Attacking consists of clicking and dragging to trace the given patterns accurately and quickly. The player defends by clicking on moving targets before they reach the PC and damage vis armor. There is map movement where the player uses a way point system to direct the PC.
Technology
- Simple Directmedia Layer is a 2D engine that handles input and output on multiple operating systems.
- PyGame is an SDL binding written for Python.
SDL will simplify porting issues and help retain resources. PyGame will make it easy to use Python scripts, which are even easier to deploy across platforms (they just need a Python interpreter.) The code and resources will be public so there is no need for compilation or compression.
Target Audience
The type of gamer who plays Sword Draw is here for a high score. They do not mind failure to complete the quest, and enjoy the random challenge in each run. The PCs are designed for different skillsets (increased accuracy, more damage, better equipment, etc.)
Key Features
- Mouse-exclusive controls
- Quick arcade feel
- Tongue-in-cheek fantasy setting
- Unique characters adjusted to user's strengths
Marketing Summary
Expect players to have a combination of excitement and strategy. The high score is ever elusive and always to look after. The play modes are basic, with a campaign mode. The stages are easily editable, so a modding community can easily adapt and modify it, extending its replay value indefinitely.
The player draws patterns to attack using the mouse, and clicks on defenses to protect against enemy assault. The PC earns experience and money to level up and buy new equipment with.
Links
Version 2.0 Downloads
This was written in C++. Only the source code is available to download. One version covers the map portion. The other version covers the battle UI.
Version 1
Downloads
This contains only the attack phase
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