2D Scroller Project

Project Description

Students will develop a simple 2D scroller in the form of a game or environment for exploration. Students will develop a Python-based 2D scroller (Side or Top-Down) along with its accompanying photoshop assets portfolio. Students will be task with the development of basic interaction code (i.e. movement, rotation, collision) for the manipulation of 2D assets and the design of point of interest (i.e. 2D composition) in the environment.

My Idea

I am looking to create a simple horizontal scroller, were players must avoid obstacles. If the edge of the screen catches the player they receive a game over.

Players must jump gaps and over obstacles, such as tree stumps and rocks, if character falls into gap a game over is received.

If I have the time I would also add collectibles which continually add different colours to the background as they are collected by the player.

 

In terms of aesthetics I took inspiration from the game Limbo by Playdead. The dark, gloomy levels give the game a creepy, unsettling feel which I look to portray within my own game.

Limbo Example

I started by completing some basic tonal sketches of various 2D environments.

 

Within the game the player will travel through different backgrounds and environments, which will seamlessly connect with each other and then loop once the cycle has been completed.

The edge of the screen will be a mist of darkness, this gives the player a visual to illustrate the danger of the edge of the screen.

As mentioned previously, as the background is gonna be extremely dark, I thought about implementing a collectable. This collectable would add individual colours to the background until all were collected and the background was no longer black.

 

In keeping with the unsettling theme of the aesthetics, I decided to make the player’s character a string puppet. It will look like a basic mannequin, however the movement of the mannequin will suggest the user of the string puppet is a child. This will be conveyed by the harsh up and down movements with forward motion and the careless upward jerk for the jump.

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