Introduction:
True Element is a side scrolling puzzle game created by Christopher Macker. As required, this game will employ sprite-based animation, tiled backgrounds, collision detection, physics, AI, side scrolling & gravity, efficient memory management, render threading, and more basic 2D game techniques.
Technology:
True Element will be developed for Windows using Visual Studio and DirectX. Artwork will be made using Microsoft Paint and Photoshop Deluxe.
Back Story:
You are Christoph, a young man with a grudge. You used to be a commander in the Emperor’s elite guard, but were betrayed. The Emperor’s personal assassins think you have died, but the assault merely resulted in the loss of your left arm. Magic normally requires two arms, but you are far from normal. Once you have regained your strength, the Emperor will regret ever turning his back on you.
Objective:
Your objective is to master the four elements and assault the Emperor’s Fortress. After losing your left arm, you have no way of fully using your magic. You are now only able to enchant objects you touch and your injuries have drained your power. Once a master of the four elements, you are now barely able to set fires or chill the air. You must find a techanic to build you a mechanical arm, and then embark on your journey back to the capital to face his majesty.
Gameplay:
This game is a side scroller with use of melee and ranged forms of combat. You can alter the state of the environment by using one of the four elements. Examples include freezing the ground to remove friction, burning down obstacles, etc.
The start of the game teaches you how to use Ice and Fire. You will have no left arm and no ability to wield any items as you need your right arm free to use magic. Once the starting tutorial on magic finishes, you will find the techanic to fix you up an arm. He will introduce you to each weapon and show you how to enchant your weapons with magic.
Weapons:
Different weapons will have affinities for specific elements, repel certain elements, or are destroyed by certain elements. For example, do not set fire to a wooden sword, or it will crumble in your hands. Weapons each react differently to each element. A Bow with Fire will create flaming arrows, while Earth with a Sword will create an unstoppable blade.
Swords- A standard melee weapon that can be used to attack enemies in close proximity as well as destroy some barriers.
Bows- A silent long ranged weapon that fires in an arc. The longer you hold the bowstring, the farther the arrow will fly. Your bow can be used to pick off enemies from a distance or destroy things that are out of reach.
Hand cannon- Reloads slowly and without arcing. Ammunition is expensive. The sound might draw unwanted enemy attention. Reacts to elements differently than with a bow.
Elements:
Each element can be used on its own or along side a weapon. The effects vary depending on the weapon as follows.
Ice- This element involves slowing enemies and creating slippery ice. When cast on the ground or another surface you will remove a lot of that surface’s friction. When used with a sword or with arrows you will freeze enemies solid. Landing arrows will stick with some force, allowing you to use them to climb and scale walls. When used with a hand cannon you will create frozen bullets that do not require ammunition. Ice bullets do a lot less damage than normal, but can be useful in certain situations. Ice bullets shatter upon surfaces, freezing them.
Fire- Sets appropriate objects ablaze or burns enemies. It can burn down most vegetation and it spreads. Enemies that are set on fire will begin to panic. A blazing sword can more quickly cut through wood while arrows can burn from afar. The hand cannon’s ammunition can be fired like a shotgun when used with fire. The result is explosive, inaccurate and uses more ammunition.
Wind- Gives control over the air, allowing you to retrieve some objects, move more agile, and lessen the effects of falling. A wind sword creates a gust of wind that blows enemies and some objects backwards. Wind allows arrows to be pulled back to you, along with whatever they might be attached to. The hand cannon’s ammunition can bounce and fires silently.
Earth- Allows you to cling to some surfaces, as well as empower your weapons. An earth sword deals a lot of damage and can cleave armor. Some obstacles that normally resist a sword can now be broken. Earthen Arrows can also cleave armor and pack more of a punch. Hand cannon ammunition enchanted with the powers of earth will pass right though enemies and terrain, making for a very lethal weapon.
Controls:
Mouse- Aims your weapons
Left Click- Uses your current weapon.
Right Click- Uses the currently selected element.
A- Moves Christoph towards the left.
D- Moves Christoph towards the right.
S- Makes Christoph duck. While ducking Christoph can move silently. When switching to ducking while running you will slide then begin to sneak.
W- Makes Christoph jump. You can grab on to cliffs and some objects while jumping.
Space- Pauses the game and brings up element and weapon selection. Also allows you to exit the game.
Graphical User Interface:
Splash Screen- Displays the Game title and tells the player to press enter to play. The user is given the option to start a new game or continue from one of three available saved slots. If a new game is started, then the intro story will run.
In-Game Menu- When paused, allows several options.
-Change your current weapon between sword, bow, hand cannon, and bare handed.
-Change your element from among fire, ice, wind, and earth.
-Save your current game in one of three slots.
-Load from among three previously saved games
-Start a new game
-Controls help that displays the game’s controls.
-About screen that gives information about the author.
-Exit to desktop
In-Game GUI- Shows various important information to the user.
- Number of lives
-Magic power
-Ammunition
-Selected weapon
-Selected element
Artwork:
Christoph- Christoph will be wearing loose fitting, torn and bloody clothing. In the start of the game he will only have one arm, but he will soon have a mechanical left arm.
-No left arm
-Mechanical left arm
-Holding sword with left arm
-Holding Bow with left arm
-Holding Hand cannon with left arm
Each of these states is further modified with a sprite showing which element you are using. Your right hand will glow blue for ice, red for fire, green for wind, and brown for earth. Flames, snow, gusts, or rocks will accompany this glow.
Animations:
-Attacking with weapon in left arm
-Using magic with right arm
-Running left/right
-Ducking
-Ducking and sneaking left/right
-Jumping
-Colliding with wall while running
-Colliding with floor from a great distance.
-Taking damage
-Dying
Enemies- Include guards, bandits, assassins, knights, mages, musketeers, and the emperor. Animations are similar to Christoph with a few exceptions.
-All enemies are right handed while Christoph is left handed.
-Bandits use swords, bows, and occasionally Hand cannons, but they are poor shots. Bandits show looks of surprise/fear when you start killing them off.
-Assassins use daggers, which function like fast short ranged swords. Daggers are slashed downward and are held blade down. Assassins always duck and sneak until attacking. Assassins may also use bows, but they will only fire from out of reach.
-Knights use swords and are covered in armor. This armor is very ornate and heavy, giving the nights a slow clumsy gait.
-Mages channel magic with two hands above their heads. They wear robes and come in every element with blue being ice, red fire, green wind, and brown earth.
-Musketeers use swords and Hand cannons. They switch based on distance. They are not armored, but fight more aggressively than other enemies. Their clothing is similar to that of royalty, but without anything clumsy looking.
-The emperor is a huge man. He laughs at you when you use an attack that doesn’t harm him. He moves rather quickly but his attacks are delayed and can be dodge. His height allows for you to slide between his legs with ice. His hair is grey, but he is muscular and powerful. He can use similar forms of magic, but all he has is a large sword. He fires balls of energy that are colored after each element.
Will be downloaded from offline. Various collisions, use of magic, opening of doors, and more will be included. Voices will be recorded by me, family, and friends.
Music:
Will be added as time permits. Likely to be rock songs.