drive-thru tycoon a conceptual game design by ching chun kao (kevin) project goal: to let the...

Drive-thru TycoonDrive-thru Tycoon

A conceptual game design byA conceptual game design byChing Chun Kao (Kevin)

Project Goal: To let the players have a sense of accomplishment by running his/her drive-thru restaurant.

Student #: 200122176

Drive-Thru Drive-Thru TycoonTycoon

Persuasive PurposePersuasive Purpose

- to engage the player to become a manager of a drive-thru restaurant- to let the player have an basic understanding of running a fictional restaurant- to let the player understand the basic structure of supply and demand- … and most importantly, to let the players have fun!

User DescriptionUser Description

Casual gamers who have time to play a game that requires no more than ten minutes per play on each level.

They are likely…

- age 13-40- love simulation/tycoon genre- comfortable at using the computer

Drive-Thru TycoonDrive-Thru Tycoon

Storyboard: Making moneyStoryboard: Making money

Storyboard: Making Storyboard: Making moneymoney

Features / FunctionalityFeatures / Functionality- players will have an initial budget (amount depend on the game level), where - players will have an initial budget (amount depend on the game level), where

he/she must decide what kind of kitchen appliances that is in need of an he/she must decide what kind of kitchen appliances that is in need of an upgrade at every game levelupgrade at every game level- the more upscale the appliances are, the faster the food are being - the more upscale the appliances are, the faster the food are being produced by the chefsproduced by the chefs

- the number of drive-thru customers will depend on the game level (high the number of drive-thru customers will depend on the game level (high level will have more customers)level will have more customers)

- players will need to set salary level of the restaurant employees. This includes - players will need to set salary level of the restaurant employees. This includes the chefs and the drive-thru staffthe chefs and the drive-thru staff- the higher their salary level, the faster the food are delivered to the - the higher their salary level, the faster the food are delivered to the customerscustomers

- players will need to constantly direct the drive-thru staff to pick up food in players will need to constantly direct the drive-thru staff to pick up food in the kitchen and drop off food at the respective drive-thru standthe kitchen and drop off food at the respective drive-thru stand

- as the game progresses, a number of variables will appear:- as the game progresses, a number of variables will appear:- the number drive-thru stands will increase for the player to micro-manage- the number drive-thru stands will increase for the player to micro-manage- randomly generated “events” (e. g. a ton of customers will arrive at the - randomly generated “events” (e. g. a ton of customers will arrive at the player’s restaurant due to rush hour, fire in the kitchen that will destroy an player’s restaurant due to rush hour, fire in the kitchen that will destroy an appliance)appliance)

- the player must satisfy an specific amount of budget in order to continue the - the player must satisfy an specific amount of budget in order to continue the gamegame


Technical RequirementsTechnical Requirements

The game will be developed through Flash.The game will be developed through Flash.Reasons are:Reasons are:

- flash is multi-platform (PC and Mac)- flash is multi-platform (PC and Mac)- flash player is free for download- flash player is free for download- can be played immediately though the web (no - can be played immediately though the web (no installation)installation)- file size is small- file size is small- an old computer can run the game as long as - an old computer can run the game as long as the computer supports the latest version of Flashthe computer supports the latest version of Flash- 2D artwork can be produced through flash- 2D artwork can be produced through flash- …and most importantly, the game requires no - …and most importantly, the game requires no game engine extensionsgame engine extensions


Justifications for DesignJustifications for DesignPersuasive StrategiesPersuasive Strategies- should be able to complete the game given our short course - should be able to complete the game given our short course

timeframe and number of members per teamtimeframe and number of members per team- should easily be programmable and develop- should easily be programmable and develop- simple game mechanic, yet effective game play (basically a - simple game mechanic, yet effective game play (basically a

series of point of click repetition)series of point of click repetition)- 2D artwork can be completed and revised in a number of - 2D artwork can be completed and revised in a number of

days, instead of weeks (3D models)days, instead of weeks (3D models)- the game’s time and money management aspect appeal to - the game’s time and money management aspect appeal to

casual gamers (both sexes)casual gamers (both sexes)- wide audience, as this game is playable on all computers - wide audience, as this game is playable on all computers

that supports Flash playerthat supports Flash player- most importantly, this game is fun through player’s choices - most importantly, this game is fun through player’s choices

in order to run a successful, drive-thru restaurantin order to run a successful, drive-thru restaurant


User TestingUser Testing

Tina, 20Tina, 20


-the game seems confusing at first for the participant- may need to include a short tutorial to get the player up to speed- liked how each level only requires a short time to finish- big fan of simulation genre games

ShortcomingsShortcomings

- may be too complicated for the average - may be too complicated for the average user to playuser to play

- might get boring after two to three plays - might get boring after two to three plays due to repetitiondue to repetition

- does not reflect real-life restaurant - does not reflect real-life restaurant managementmanagement

- Flash games have a tendency to slow down - Flash games have a tendency to slow down computers, resulting the game unplayablecomputers, resulting the game unplayable

- too much variables and syncing on the - too much variables and syncing on the programming side given the course programming side given the course timetable and amount of team memberstimetable and amount of team members


Expansion – What else is Expansion – What else is possible?possible?

- mini-game: food ingredient maker- mini-game: food ingredient maker- each restaurant employee has his/her - each restaurant employee has his/her

own specialized skillsown specialized skills- hiring new employees (chef and drive-- hiring new employees (chef and drive-

thru attendants) given their skill levelsthru attendants) given their skill levels- each food ingredient used is deducted - each food ingredient used is deducted

from the player’s budgetfrom the player’s budget- able to own several drive-thru - able to own several drive-thru

restaurant stores, making it a popular restaurant stores, making it a popular franchisefranchise


The Next Steps in the Design The Next Steps in the Design ProcessProcess

- build paper prototype of Drive-Thru - build paper prototype of Drive-Thru TycoonTycoon

- usability studies- usability studies

- get the team’s programmer inputs on - get the team’s programmer inputs on the game mechanics (is it realistic or the game mechanics (is it realistic or not)not)


The SummaryThe Summary

- Drive-Thru Tycoon - Drive-Thru Tycoon is based on the is based on the player running player running his/her own drive-his/her own drive-thru restaurants by thru restaurants by directing the staff, directing the staff, and by managing and by managing the cost of cooking the cost of cooking appliancesappliances


drive-thru tycoon a conceptual game design by ching chun kao (kevin) project goal: to let the...

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