Glowing Gloom - (prototype demo completed)

"This is a small game demo for Project 2 , COMP3831 Game Prototyping  class at University of Denver"

----November 2nd, 2023

💬Project Collaborators:

• Matt Dessert (game programming, Unity building)
• Murphy Li (puzzle design, game assets)
• Ben  Wander (Instructor)

🎮 Game Overview:

Woke up and shrouded in darkness. With only a candle to guide you, navigate through this mysterious room, lighting your path and solving intricate puzzles. 

❔Key Question for Developers to Ask Themselves:

How can we effectively combine the elements of illumination and puzzle-solving to create a captivating and atmospheric gaming experience?

✏️Prototype Details:

We developed 3 initial game areas using basic structures. Each area contains 1 puzzle that the player needs to complete. 

💡Game Loop

Navigate ➡️ Illuminate ➡️ Puzzle Resolution

💬Playtesting feedback:

• The initial navigation might be perplexing.
• A sense of unease is evident, which is effective.
• The constrained visibility due to darkness contributes to a tense atmosphere.
• Environmental transitions between the three chambers...
• Cultivating a thick air of suspense without delving into horror territory.
• Consider moderating the candlelight's usage?

🤔Reflection Journal (11.4.2023)

• Is it representative of the core loop you wanted?

Indeed, it does.

• Did it give you an answer to the question you posed, and if so, what is the answer?

While our prototype integrated the element of light, it revealed a need for greater interaction with lighting to enhance reliance on it rather than simply presenting puzzles in a static environment.

• How would you change it, if at all?

 We intend to incorporate a more complex lighting system and design puzzles that exploit light as a central mechanic.

• Where would you take the idea next?

Refining the puzzles is our immediate focus, alongside introducing fitting visual elements and devoting additional effort to crafting the auditory landscape.