Balloon

A game project made in order to elucidate the importance of 'Juicyness' in games. The terms was for it to be an infinite vertical jumping game. We decided to take an alternative approach to the assignment and create a simple journey of a balloon as it struggles to survive the hardcore world - which as we all know - is full of dangerous paper airplanes and rockets! There has also been many thoughts on keeping a visual ekspression of the world being a board and paper elements!

by

Rasmus R. Nagel & Marie-Louise Sørensen

<--- Click the image to try it!!

The design of this game mostly followed the MDA model but also included elements of the Elemental Tetral.

Noteworthy is that the focus lied on 'Juicyness' in the game. The Aesthetics were the main focus. As this is a prototype, and with limited time and resources the game had a strong aesthetics and a consistent visual expression and dynamics, but kept to a simple game mechanics.

Thoughts

Balloon is an alternative approach to the classical vertical jumper game. Biggest of the differences might be the fact that the player also has the ability to push the balloon downwards doing gameplay. Another key element separating this game is the dynamics and behaviour of the balloon as it aims to behave as one such.

Again the game is mainly skill based, as the player has to rely on skill and experience to exceed in the game. Also pointing towards Ludus as the rules are predefined and in a sense strict. Furthermore The goal of the game is to survive and collect as many points as possible without hitting any destructive objects.

The spawning of hostiles is based on a limited randomised algorithm and therefore arguably also applies an element of Aleas.

MDA:

M: A simple invisible cross on the screen defines the applied force and direction of the balloon.

D: Advanced Dynamics as the balloon would have to act and feel like a balloon. When hit it would have to fly fast and then quickly lose momentum. When hitting walls and objects the feel of the balloon should be right. Also the background and the objects behaviour was in focus.

A: Aiming to awake serenity, a small ocasional amount of excitement and relaxation.