uhhh what's up guys.
I've been in app development for a little while now and am pretty confident in my ability to create and release relatively simple app games.
Lately I've been brainstorming for a simple casual app game idea, in the spirit of "2048"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2048_(video_game)
2048 was made in a single weekend and went crazy viral to the surprise of the developer.
So point is I've been brainstorming for some time and so far i've just completely come up empty with a fresh idea or even an original modification to some existing idea.
Anyone wanna join in on the brainstorming? could be fun
I figure if the app goes viral i can keep 50% of any earnings, and give 50% to the forum or something.
I'm thinking of keeping the following constraints on the app:
1)like in 2048, super casual controls, basically:
a)swipe up
b)swipe down
c)swipe left
d)swipe right
e)(not in 2048), hold a touch for a length of time
The point is the user doesn't have to concern themselves about WHERE to place their finger. This keeps it super casual like 2048, you can just swipe anywhere.
2)My favorite reason for using 2048 as an example is the infinite yet simplistic logic of it's game design.
The way it works is, a "2" or "4" is created in a random square every time the player makes a move, yet the developer doesn't need to make sure that the random creation won't make the game impossible to continue. The only way to lose is if the player actively messes up(although there is actually a very high upper limit but its safe to assume no casual player would ever reach such a high score)
So the game idea must have a random progression to it, and be progressions safe, meaning it's always beatable unless the player messes up.
3)Turn based for ultimate casual gaming. The benefit of turn based over real time is that the player can unfocus from the game whenever they want to without worrying about messing up. It also means the player can take as much time as they want to to make a move which eliminates the need for reflex action speed and therefore further "casualizes"(my new word) the game.
4) 1 single core mechanic. in 2048 you just move and add squares... period. Technically it's 2 mechanics but the adding is a direct result of moving sorta, but regardless you can look at it as having 1 goal and absolutely no subgoals. Player strategy i guess can create subgoals for smart block placement, but that's completely up to the player. I guess this aspect of the game is harder to quantify but as long as the game follows rule 2, there should be infinite variation and some strategies will naturally emerge. This is of course the most difficult part, this is the HEART of the game, and it's what I'm stuck on.
So..... simple turn based game with non location specific controls and safe random progression.
That's basically where I'm at right now lol
I just can't think of a fresh core mechanic so far...
I'm thinking of making it a grid based game too like 2048, but it totally doesn't have to be, as long as it's simple enough to be casual its all good.
Writing all that kinda helped organize my thoughts a little better anyway
If anyone wanna join in on the fun, please throw some ideas into the mix!
I've been in app development for a little while now and am pretty confident in my ability to create and release relatively simple app games.
Lately I've been brainstorming for a simple casual app game idea, in the spirit of "2048"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2048_(video_game)
2048 was made in a single weekend and went crazy viral to the surprise of the developer.
So point is I've been brainstorming for some time and so far i've just completely come up empty with a fresh idea or even an original modification to some existing idea.
Anyone wanna join in on the brainstorming? could be fun
I figure if the app goes viral i can keep 50% of any earnings, and give 50% to the forum or something.
I'm thinking of keeping the following constraints on the app:
1)like in 2048, super casual controls, basically:
a)swipe up
b)swipe down
c)swipe left
d)swipe right
e)(not in 2048), hold a touch for a length of time
The point is the user doesn't have to concern themselves about WHERE to place their finger. This keeps it super casual like 2048, you can just swipe anywhere.
2)My favorite reason for using 2048 as an example is the infinite yet simplistic logic of it's game design.
The way it works is, a "2" or "4" is created in a random square every time the player makes a move, yet the developer doesn't need to make sure that the random creation won't make the game impossible to continue. The only way to lose is if the player actively messes up(although there is actually a very high upper limit but its safe to assume no casual player would ever reach such a high score)
So the game idea must have a random progression to it, and be progressions safe, meaning it's always beatable unless the player messes up.
3)Turn based for ultimate casual gaming. The benefit of turn based over real time is that the player can unfocus from the game whenever they want to without worrying about messing up. It also means the player can take as much time as they want to to make a move which eliminates the need for reflex action speed and therefore further "casualizes"(my new word) the game.
4) 1 single core mechanic. in 2048 you just move and add squares... period. Technically it's 2 mechanics but the adding is a direct result of moving sorta, but regardless you can look at it as having 1 goal and absolutely no subgoals. Player strategy i guess can create subgoals for smart block placement, but that's completely up to the player. I guess this aspect of the game is harder to quantify but as long as the game follows rule 2, there should be infinite variation and some strategies will naturally emerge. This is of course the most difficult part, this is the HEART of the game, and it's what I'm stuck on.
So..... simple turn based game with non location specific controls and safe random progression.
That's basically where I'm at right now lol
I just can't think of a fresh core mechanic so far...
I'm thinking of making it a grid based game too like 2048, but it totally doesn't have to be, as long as it's simple enough to be casual its all good.
Writing all that kinda helped organize my thoughts a little better anyway
If anyone wanna join in on the fun, please throw some ideas into the mix!
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