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Running With Rupture The Three Days Design Document

Game Design Document

Running With Rupture presentsThe Three Days

DigiPen Institute of TechnologyGAM400 Project

v. 2.3 Copyright 2009, DigiPen (USA) Corp. pg. 1


Table of Contents

The Three Days is.........................................................................................4

Overview..........................................................................................................4

Project Objective..............................................................................................4

Team Overview................................................................................................4

Game Play........................................................................................................5

Combat............................................................................................................5

Time Points...................................................................................................6

Battle Flow.......................................................................................................6

Example of Play............................................................................................8

Controls............................................................................................................9

Characters.....................................................................................................11

Types..........................................................................................................11

....................................................................................................................12

Stats............................................................................................................13

Actions........................................................................................................13

Skills...............................................................................................................14

Skill Points...................................................................................................15

Status Effects..............................................................................................16

Field...............................................................................................................18

Components................................................................................................18

Field Effects................................................................................................19

Game Modes...............................................................................................19

Multiplayer..................................................................................................20



User Interface................................................................................................21

Front End....................................................................................................21

Before & After Combat................................................................................22

In Combat...................................................................................................23

Narrative & Campaign...................................................................................25

Assets............................................................................................................26

Art...............................................................................................................26

Audio...........................................................................................................27

Appendix 1: Target Audience.........................................................................28

Core Target.................................................................................................28

Casual Target..............................................................................................28

Appendix 2: Comparative Products................................................................30

Appendix 3: Risk Analysis..............................................................................32

Appendix 4: Playtesting Plan & Feedback......................................................34

Appendix 5: Document Change Log...............................................................35

Appendix 6: Resources & Copyrights.............................................................36



The Three Days isA game in which the player commands a squad of characters in time-based tactical combat in a fantasy world.

OverviewThe Three Days is a tactical role-playing game in which the player controls a group of characters in turn-based battle against an opposing (player- or computer-controlled) group of characters. Characters engage with close-range physical or ranged magic-based attacks. Battles take place on isometric fields. Units are controlled via mouse and keyboard commands. The objective of each battle may be different field-by-field, but generally involves defeating all of the opposing character units.

Project Objective Create a hardcore-focused tactics game

Show off awesome looking attacks and skills

Create a system which can be understood and enjoyed within five minutes

Have a portfolio piece to be proud of

Team OverviewLead Producer: Tim FuquaTechnical Director: Sean HunterProgrammer: Bryan ChacoskyProgrammer: Tom LopesLead Designer: Kye Harris



Game PlayGame time will be focused primarily on tactical, turn-based combat. Players move characters around a field, paying attention to positioning, to attack opposing characters with melee or ranged actions. Pre-battle preparation will be quick and easily manageable, allowing for the player to spend most of his or her time in battle.

CombatCombat involves two or more squads groups of characters controlled by players or computer-AI (up to three squads; up to two players) engaging with or against one another on a Field. Most commonly, this will be one squad trying to defeat all members of another squad. Squads will be distinguished by the color of the armor of all of its units. (All members of the players squad will have blue armor; an enemy squad will have red armor; a third army will be green.) Each character, within each squad on the field, takes a turn moving, attacking, defending or using a skill against an opposing character within an opposing squad or for a character in any squad.



At the start of a Scene, characters will be grouped near each other according to their squads. Conditions of Victory and Defeat will be detailed to the player and then Combat will begin. Combat will cease when either all of the Victory conditions have been met by a squad or one of the Defeat conditions has been met by a squad. At the end of Combat, any gained SP (from defeating opponents) will be rewarded to the squad. XP will be distributed amongst all characters of the squad when any member of that squad defeats an enemy character. When Combat is finished, the player may view details for the number of enemies defeated, the XP gained, and the SP gained.

Time PointsTime Points limit the actions that any single character can make during a turn. Each character, at the start of its turn, will have 100 Time Points (TP). That characters turn ends when it does not have enough TP remaining to make an action. (A characters turn may be ended prematurely by a field effect or the player command End Turn.) Each action movement, attacking, skill usage costs a specific amount of TP in order to be acted out and a character cannot make an action if it does not have enough TP to pay the cost. Movement, for instance, takes an amount of TP determined by the Agility of the acting character, the distance of movement, and the terrain the character is moving across:

TP Cost for Movement = (1 TP * feet traveled) * ((100 (2*(AG))) / 100)

TP will recover gradually as other characters take their turns. Each round restores 100 TP, regardless of the number of characters on the field:TP Recovered per Turn = (Number of Characters) / 100 [rounded

up]

Battle Flow



Once a player has a squad of characters to control, the player will proceed to a Combat overview. The Victory and Defeat conditions of the battle will be detailed and the player will have the chance to survey the placement of his or her characters. Characters will be placed at default locations, but may be clicked and dragged, within a shown radius, to a different starting position. The Combat phase will be initiated once this is confirmed. Play will pass from character to character on the field according to turn order and TP availability. Players will only have control over characters in their own squad. (Player 1 cannot control any characters owned by any other player or the AI.) The character on the field with the highest Agility will have the first turn in battle.* Once that character has spent all of its available TP, or prematurely ended its turn (due to the End Turn command or an effect), play will pass to the next character with the highest Agility and the most available TP. In this way, characters on field will take turns acting until either one squad has met all Victory conditions or all players, save one, have met any of the Defeat conditions.

On a characters turn, that character may spend available TP to move on the field to any location within range determined by the Agility of the character and its remaining TP --, initiate a physical attack with its equipped weapon, or use an available Skill.

*Turn order will be sorted first by Agility, then the characters Level, and last by a tie-breaker number. This number will be determined randomly at the start of Combat and assigned to the character. In a battle of four characters, two on each side, a die will be rolled four times: the first roll may assign a 2 to the first character, so a 2 cannot be rolled again; the second character may be assigned a 1; the third character is assigned 4; the fourth character is assigned a 3. This number means that if any two characters have the same Agility and Level, this character with the lower tie-breaker number will act first. This number being determined before battle and kept



throughout Combat keeps turn order consistent. This will remain a hidden mechanic.

Example of Play1. Enter the Exhibition game mode.2. Select a Field.3. Select 6 characters for a squad.4. Allocate SP among characters, giving them Skills to use in Combat.5. Determine the starting formation for the squad.6. Review the Victory and Defeat conditions.7. Initiate Combat.8. All Victory conditions are met and Combat ends.9. Review Combat statistics.10. Player is asked to Continue play another round of Combat or

Quit return to the Title Screen.



ControlsThe Three Days will be controlled primarily through button commands on context-based menus. The primary input method will be a mouse. Keyboard input will be accepted and used for shortcuts and other hotkeys. This will be for players more accustomed to PC strategy games. The arrow keys will scroll through any set of options on the menu with focus while the Space Bar will select a highlighted option. For the currently active character, the following are the controls and mechanics a player can chose to use during the turn:

Move Click a location on the Field within movement range. A semi-transparent path will be drawn to indicate how the character will reach the destination.

Attack Click a target within attacking range. A Move path will be made if the target is not within attacking range.

Skill A characters current Skills will be listed as buttons along the bottom of the screen. Click a Skill to select it. The highlighted area on the ground will change to match the range of this Skill. Click a target to use the Skill.

End Turn Click the current acting character. A list of these four commands will appear. Click End Turn to end the characters turn.

Each action will have a Confirm/Cancel prompt. A characters chain of actions will be listed at the top-left corner of the screen. One of these past actions may be selected to undo to that point.



CharactersEach character operates individually with its own set of Stats and Skills. A group of characters controlled by a single player (or AI-player) is referred to as a Squad.

TypesCharacters are distinguished by Type. A Character Type determines the model used to represent the character, the stats of the character, and how the character attacks. Types also determine the Skills a character has or may have. Each Character Type will have a set of Skills with SP pre-assigned to them. These SP may be reallocated to other Skills.

Soldier Has stronger physical capabilities. Uses horizontal arc sword attacks, anything within this slicing range will take damage.

Mage Has stronger magical capabilities. Uses forward thrust rod attacks, giving it a slightly longer reach for attacking.

Defender Built for endurance. Uses close-range, fist attacks.Hero The squads leader. Only exists in Campaign mode.

Type HP PA PD MA MD AGBase* 30 5 5 5 5 5Soldier 45 14 10 8 10 12Mage 36 10 10 14 12 10Defender 54 10 14 10 10 8Hero 60 15 15 15 15 15

*The Base Character Type is not in the game but is included here to show the stat relationship of the other characters.



*Concept art for Soldier.

*Concept art for Mage.

*Concept art for Defender.



StatsEach character has its own set of numbers which determine how it performs in Combat. These numbers increase as that characters Level increases.

(LV) Level Scales all other Stats. Increases with XP accrual.(XP) Experience Increases Level by 1 every 100 points.(HP) Health Points Depletes as damage is taken. Character is

KOd and unable to battle when 0.(PA) Physical Attack Modifies damage dealt by physical-based attacks.(MA) Magic Attack Modifies effectiveness of magic-based actions.(PD) Physical Defense Decreases damage received by physical-based attacks.(MD) Magic Defense Decreases damage received by magic-based

actions.(AG) Agility Determines cost of movement and acting time.

Used as a modifier for avoiding incoming attacks or Skills.

ActionsAny command given to a character costs TP. (End Turn is the exception.)

Move Relocate a character on the field. Costs 1 TP per foot moved.Attack Use the equipped weapon to perform a physical-based

attack. Costs 45 TP.Skill Use an available Skill (provided by equipped SP). Cost varies per Skill.End TurnPrematurely end this characters turn. TP recovery begins.



Each character attacks with a different weapon. These weapons have differing ranges from each other: the Soldiers sword hits a wider range with a horizontal sweeping motion; the Mages rod is thrust forward, giving more reach; the Defenders fists have little range and can only hit a single target. Attack damage is always based on the Physical stats:

Damage = 0.5 * (PA) * 1.6 PD [rounded up]

SkillsCharacters with SP assigned may use Skills in battle. Skills provide a greater range of power and effects than base physical attacks. Any Skill can range between Level 1 effectiveness to Level 3 effectiveness. Each Skill has a base TP cost, a base Damage, and a list of possible effects. (Effects are generally cumulative.) Layers describes the lasting time of an effect.


Skill SP Cost TP Cost Power Range Area Effect Hit Avoid LayersBlaze 1 55 MA * 1.5 48' reach 12' diameter HP damage 75 + MA * 2 AG * 1.5 0+ Skill (Skill Power) - MD * 0.5Blaze 2 2 65 MA * 1.75 48' reach 21' diameter No further effect 75 + MA * 2 AG * 1.5 0+Blaze 3 3 75 MA * 1.75 48' reach 21' diameter Inflicts Berserk 80 + MA * 2 AG * 1.5 1Sparking 1 55 MA * 1.25 48' reach 18' diameter HP damage 75 + MA * 2 AG * 1.5 0+Sparking 2 2 65 MA * 1.5 48' reach 27' diameter No further effect 75 + MA * 2 AG * 1.5 0+Sparking 3 3 75 MA * 1.5 48' reach 27' diameter Decreases AG 80 + MA * 2 AG * 1.5 2Spite 1 50 0 42' reach 15' diameter Inflicts Poison status 70 + MA * 2 AG * 2 1+Spite 2 2 60 0 42' reach 15' diameter Inflicts Beserk status 70 + MA * 2 AG * 2 2+Spite 3 3 70 MA * 3.0 42' reach 15' diameter TP damage 70 + MA * 2 AG * 2 0Boon 1 55 0 42' reach 15' diameter Increases TP reload 90 + MA 0 1+Boon 2 2 65 0 42' reach 15' diameter Increases MD 90 + MA 0 5+Boon 3 3 75 0 42' reach 15' diameter Prevents Conditions 90 + MA 0 2Crescent Wave 1 55 MA * 1.5 63' reach 9' length HP damage 75 + PA * 2 AG * 1.5 0+Crescent Wave 2 2 65 MA * 1.5 63' reach 9' length Increases AG of user 75 + PA * 2 AG * 1.5 2+Crescent Wave 3 3 75 MA * 2.0 63' reach 12' length No further effect 80 + PA * 2 AG * 1.5 0Terra Shot 1 55 MA * 1.5 90' reach 3' width HP damage 75 + PA * 2 AG * 1.5 0+Terra Shot 2 2 65 MA * 1.5 90' reach 3' width Increases PA of user 75 + PA * 2 AG * 1.5 2+Terra Shot 3 3 75 MA * 2.0 90' reach 6' width No further effect 80 + PA * 2 AG * 1.5 0Cripple 1 40 PA * 1.0 3' reach target Decreases TP reload 90 + PA AG * 1.5 1+Cripple 2 2 50 PA * 1.0 3' reach target Decreases PD 90 + PA AG * 1.5 4+Cripple 3 3 60 PA * 1.0 3' reach target Decreases PA 90 + PA AG * 1.5 3Restore 1 50 MA * 2.0 45' reach target Restores HP 100 0 0+Restore 2 2 55 MA * 2.5 45' reach target Removes Stat decreases 100 0 0+Restore 3 3 65 MA * 3.0 45' reach target Removes Conditions 100 0 0Stratomance 1 45 0 0 field Causes Rain 75 + MA 0 3Stratomance 2 1 45 0 0 field Causes Dark 75 + MA 0 3Stratomance 3 1 45 0 0 field Causes Wind 75 + MA 0 3Manipulate 1 50 0 0 field Decreases PA 75 + MA 0 10Manipulate 2 1 50 0 0 field Decreases MA 75 + MA 0 10Manipulate 3 1 50 0 0 field Increases AG 75 + MA 0 10


Many Skills stack effects as they power up. (These Skills are marked above with a +.) For example, the Skill Crescent Wave deals damage to a targets HP. At Level 2, Crescent Wave has an effect of Increases AG of user. This means that at Level 2, Crescent Wave increases the users Agility and deals damage to a targets HP. On the other hand, Skills such as Manipulate do not stack or power-up as most others do. Only 1 SP is necessary for any level of Manipulate, allowing the player to choose which effect he or she prefers.

Skill PointsSkill Points are used to determine what Skills (in-battle techniques, such as healing) a character can use in combat. Each Skill can be viewed on the Battle Preparation screen where Skill Points (SP) may be allocated. When SP is assigned to a Skill, that Skill becomes usable in combat by that character. Up to three SP may be assigned to any one Skill on a single character; the amount of SP assigned determines the power and effects of that Skill when used in combat.

The following Mage can use both level 1 Blaze and Sparking because each has one SP assigned to it. Each Skill has one Skill Point assigned to it by default. This SP may be removed and placed elsewhere if desired.



Status EffectsSome Skills may invoke Status Conditions (or Effects) on a character. Each Status Condition has a different effect on the character and lasts a specific amount of time. Since some effects are inflicted at higher potency at times, the Life is determined by a base amount of TP that is increased by the number of Layers of the effect inflicted. For instance, Blaze 3 inflicts 1 Layer of Berserk, so Berserk lasts 100 TP; Spite 2 inflicts 2 Layers of Berserk, causing Berserk to last 200 TP.

Status Condition Description Effect Life

Stat Up Increases a single Stat Stat + 2100 TP * Layers

Stat Down Decreases a single Stat Stat - 2100 TP * Layers

TP Up Increases TP reload TP reload + 5500 TP * Layers

TP Down Decreases TP reload TP reload - 5500 TP * Layers

Poison Damages HP over time HP - 1 for every 25 TP500 TP * Layers

Berserk Forces forward action Disable non-Move/Attack100 TP * Layers



RainCauses heavy rain on the field

AG - 1; Blaze - 20%; Sparking + 20%

500 TP * Layers

DarkCauses darkness to cover the field Hit - 25%

500 TP * Layers

WindCauses strong winds across the field Skill Range + 10%

500 TP * Layers

Guard Prevents ConditionsMD + 100 for Status Condition

300 TP * Layers



FieldAll instances of environments where story events and Combat take place are referred to as fields. Fields are generally quadrilateral planes deformed to represent terrain and filled with terrain objects. (Fields may be shaped as any other polygon, though rectangles are most common.) A field makes up the entirety of a map nothing exists outside of the boundaries. The edge of a field denotes the edge of play area and will be indicated either by a drop-off (theres just nothing beyond the Field) or walls of some sort (thick trees or cliff walls). Fields are not grid-based. The average size of a Field is roughly 80 yards x 80 yards.

ComponentsFields are built with terrain objects trees, houses, crates, etc. -- on them to add obstacles to Combat instances. A Component is any object (not a character) present on a field. Components can be either static cannot move or be interacted with (i.e., a tree) or dynamic can be interacted with by characters (i.e., a breakable crate).



Field EffectsSkills or scenario conditions may place global effects on a field during Combat. Field effects, whether they hinder or aid, affect all characters on the field, regardless of squad alignment. Effects may be related to weather, altering terrain and Skill effectiveness (i.e., fire-based skills are weaker in rain), or magic-based, altering character actions or stats. If triggered by a Skill, field effects will last a specific amount of time; otherwise a field effect will last throughout an entire battle scenario.*See above with field range.

Game ModesCampaign puts a single player in control of predetermined characters to pass specific story-driven combat scenarios. Play will consist of a segment of story leading into a combat scenario, followed by Battle Preparations and Combat. From here, the three will repeat, with some dialogue occurring during Combat. The Campaign will be strictly single-player and will showcase scenarios with differing settings and Victory conditions. This mode will contain five specific battle scenes. Characters within the players squad will be used from one battle to the next, gaining XP and SP to increase Level and Skills. Characters who are KOd in a battle will be usable in successive battles. *See Narrative & Campaign below.

Exhibition mode allows one or two players to choose a battle scenario to play. Players will be able to select from a list of battle fields, choose a Victory condition, and then craft a custom squad of four, five, or seven characters, dependant on the size of the Field. Characters chosen for a players squad will be of a static level and will not be able to gain experience. Players have a preset stock of SP to allocate to characters for combat.



Options for a random squad or field will also be available. Squads may be saved for later use.

Quick Play allows a player to enjoy a combat scenario against an AI opponent without having to manage multiple options. This mode gives players a selection of squad templates to enter into Combat with on a randomly selected field. Squad templates will be labeled according to play types, such as Aggressive, Defensive, or Well-Rounded. The goal here is to allow more casual players to enjoy the game and to be able to find game play within about 3 mouse clicks.

Options displays a selection of the games settings to be viewed and adjusted by the player.

MultiplayerThe Exhibition and Quick Play modes will support player versus player multiplayer. All multiplayer will be hot-seat and will require the use of two Xbox 360 Gamepads.



User InterfaceThe UI will imitate the look of a on old printed book, much akin to the book images shown in the The Lord of the Rings movies. This will reinforce the fantasy theme of the game.

Front End



Before & After Combat


2 View Squad and set up characters.

1 View and set up Skills for each character.

3 View Victory and Defeat conditions, along with squad placement.


In CombatThe Field is viewed from a camera placed above the world and angled down (i.e., a top-down, isometric perspective). The camera can be rotated along the x-axis around the field at 45 degree increments; can be zoomed in and out at three separate levels; and can be lowered or raised, changing the angle at which the Field is viewed. The camera may be configured to zoom in or focus on actions (such as spells) or events (such as scripted scenes).

The acting character is distinguished by a light blue ring. The selected target has an appropriate ring beneath it. In the top corner, left-side, is a list of the active character and the upcoming three other characters, in order of action; the right-side shows the current Field effect (sun here, which is the default condition). The details of the current action(s) between characters



are shown at the bottom of the screen. Here the blue soldier has targeted the red mage. The soldier will have to move (path shown by the arrow) in order to be within attacking range. The TP cost is specified. The attack will use a sword to damage the mage, dropping its health to 12. The player will click the prompt (where OK? is) in order to initiate the attack; if anywhere off of any of these prompts is clicked, this current action will be canceled.



Narrative & CampaignThe Campaign mode in The Three Days follows the story of two men, Bryce and Augustus, the prince of Limgoth, during an attempted coup dtat. The king is killed by an assassin hired by the warrior Dorandus. Over the course of three days of war, Limgoths monarchy is changed, for better or worse. Augustus is determined to save his fathers kingdom and salvage the monarchy; Dorandus plans to instate himself as king. Meanwhile, Bryce, who had been labeled a criminal for theft by the kings men, must choose whether to aid his old friend Augustus or side against the monarchy.

The Campaign mode will contain five scenarios with the player in control of Bryce and his squad.

Day 1 Scene 1

Plot Introduce the player to the monarchy; establish that Bryce is a criminal; the king has been assassinated

Mechanics

One character of each type against a few enemies; simple terrain

Scene 2

Plot Bryce heads to the capital with a squad of men; he meets rebels in battle

Mechanics

Standard squad versus squad combat

Day 2 Scene 3

Plot Bryce meets rebels across a bridge; Augustuss army is on the ground below them

Mechanics

First 3-way battle; destructible terrain.

Choice 1Fight rebels; 2Fight monarchyScene 4

Plot Encounter Augustus fighting rebels at a river during heavy rain

Mechanics

Introduce a timed match with changing terrain and constant weather

Choice 1Aid Augustus; 2Fight AugustusDay 3 Scene

5Plot At the castle, Augustus has been captured and is

to be executedMechanics

Timed event occurrence, but not a timed match

Choice 1Save Augustus and Bryce dies; 2Fight the monarchy and the coup dtat succeeds; 3Rout Dorandus and promote the monarchy



AssetsBelow is a list of planned assets for The Three Days. Art has been separated according to its type (sprite, 3D model, etc.) and use. Audio is separated by sound effect (SFX) or background audio (BGM). For a complete asset list, see Asset List.xls.

Art1. Character Models 3D models with animation sets for Idle, Movement,

Melee Attack, Magic Attack, Take Damage, and Die; blue, red, and green texture sets needed

a. Soldierb. Magec. Defenderd. Hero for Campaign mode; lead player character, Prince,

Rebel Leader, and King; separate texture sets not needed2. User Interface 2D art (sprites), must be very scalable

a. Action confirmation promptb. Move path arrowc. Field effect icons sun, rain, wind, darkd. Status effect icons up arrow, down arrow, poison, berserke. Action icons move, attack, skill (one icon for each)f. Proceed buttong. Quit buttonh. Bookmark iconi. Back buttonj. SP icons filled and unfilledk. Skill set buttonl. Sun used for loading screens

3. Screens 2D art, should be made to fill any screen; may be animated for transitions

a. Splash screens DigiPen logo, Running With Rupture logob. Title screen lists all game modes to be clicked onc. Load profile (bookmark)d. Pre-combat screens view squad; view charactere. Campaign world mapf. Settings screeng. Credits screen



h. Mode details Campaign, Exhibition, and Quick Play; explains play for mode

i. Narrative screens art explaining the story as it passes

Audio1. BGM

a. Intro scenes for narrative in Campaign modeb. Title screenc. Combat music three different tracksd. Splash screen trackse. Pre-combatf. Victory screeng. Game overh. Creditsi. World mapj. Campaign mode complete

2. SFXa. Melee attack sounds punch, sword, rodb. Skill use sounds restore, fire, lightning, poison bubbles, wind,

rain, rocks breakingc. Movementd. Take damagee. Character deathf. Defeat condition metg. Victory condition meth. Gain XPi. Gain SPj. Set SPk. Remove SPl. Select character to view in pre-combatm. Confirm action or selectionn. Transition between screens (page turning sound)o. Dialog typing (or voices)



Appendix 1: Target AudienceThe Three Days is targeted primarily towards players experienced with tactics-based and role-playing games. However, with options available in the game, there is potential for more casual players to find enjoyment.

Core TargetThe core target demographic is 12-24 year old males. This demographic is familiar with tactic-RPGs, such as FINAL FANTASY Tactics, Fire Emblem, and X-COM. They show characteristics of both Achiever and Planner player types: these players seek to improve the abilities and powers of in-game characters and managing a set of resources. They value customizability (item and skill allocation) and visible progress (experience gain and stat increases). This audience will rarely spend less than ten or twenty minutes sitting with a game (given that they enjoy it).

This audience exists as a tight group and will likely spread word of any games they play and whether they enjoyed the game or not. Therefore, once a handful of this cluster has found a game to be good, that game will be recommended strongly to friends and family.

Casual TargetThis demographic leans towards games they can understand and enjoy within very few minutes of playing. This audience can be easily intimidated by complex control/command schemes and prefer to not invest more than a few moments learning how to enjoy a title. Large menus and detailed lists and specifications act as deterrents to them. For them, The Three Days provides the Quick Play option. This mode allows them to bypass all squad management tasks and proceed straight into Combat, thus maximizing the time spent in-game.



This audience is less-versed about specific game genres and tends to play games that immediately appear fun, understandable, and are recommended to them. The task of approaching this audience is given to images and video that focus on simple command sequences having noticeable results. Recommendations from the Core Target are also valued.



Appendix 2: Comparative ProductsThe Three Days is a tactical role-playing game, focusing on character ability accumulation and stat progression. The game plays on polygonal, grid-less fields and focuses heavily on combat scenarios.

FINAL FANTASY Tactics (SQUARESOFT, 1998) is the primary comparative product (and basis) for The Three Days. Shared components include a focus on character ability improvement through battle experience and skill usage. Play takes place on quadrilateral, grid-based

fields and game time focuses on combat scenarios. Team management takes up a sizable amount of time. Special actions require a specific amount of time to commence. Control passes from character to character, rather than team to team, based on the agility of the character and the number of actions it took the previous turn. Exclusive components for The Three Days include the exclusion of class assignments, restricting skill usage to item allocation instead. Combat fields are grid-less, allowing for free range movement. Special actions are not limited by Magic Points, but the time needed to commence them.



X-COM: UFO Defense (Mythos Games, 1993) utilizes a similar time-based action system.

Phantom Brave (Nippon Ichi Software, 2004) presents game play that does not take place on a grid. Actions and movements are shown as grid-spheres or grid-cylinders and arrows across the terrain. Action is individually turn-based rather than squad phase-based.



Appendix 3: Risk AnalysisTactics games tend to be tedious and have steeper learning curves: it takes a bit of time and a good number of menus to get into the game and the player needs to know what all of the numbers mean. How do you plan to appeal to a pick-up-and-play audience?First of all, the numbers and menus are being reduced to as few as possible. The stats are very basic, skill trees are non-existent as every skill is available to any character, and classes have been reduced to three type: physical, magic, and defense. A full squad can be built within 5 mouse-clicks. A player should be able to get into and complete a full Exhibition game within 6 minutes. Icons will also be used heavily to lower the learning curve. Things should just look and feel right and do what the player expects. To help guarantee this, playtesting with a range of player types will be essential.

Trying to appeal to both hardcore and casual audiences could easily lead to a watered-down experience. The hardcore crowd tends to oppose games that feel dumbed down. Are you afraid of losing both audiences with this attempt?For this reason, the hardcore demographic has been established as our core audience. In the case that the experience begins to seem watered down, the casual audience will be dropped. Our top priority is to appeal to the hardcore crowd.

Multiple game modes, including a branching path campaign, requires a vast amount of content. With only a 7 month development time, how do you plan to accomplish this and what are you willing to sacrifice?The Quick Play mode is our first priority and we will build up from there. Once Quick Play is implemented, all forms of mechanics and game play will be present. Providing the player, then, with the option to select characters



for a squad will give us the Exhibition mode. With these two in place, the Lead Designer will begin creating maps and scripting scenes for the Campaign mode. All content created for Campaign will also be present in Exhibition and Quick Play, as well.

A potentially very high number of assets are necessary to represent the amount of content in this project. Without any dedicated artists, how does the team plan to tackle this obstacle?All members of the team are familiar with 3D modeling and creating 2D art. Tasks have been distributed amongst them so that no one person is bearing all of the weight. Character models will be simple and relatively geometrically based. These characters also will not have arms or legs, allowing more flexibility with animations. Most attacks will be particle-based. Fields will be created in 3DS Max and exported to be used in the game.

In the second month of the development cycle, the Lead Designer took an extended absence to accommodate family. Considering the amount of content needed for a tactics game, this could potentially be a fatal blow. In the case that the Lead Designer does not return within a few weeks, how do you plan to create the content necessary for this project?The Lead Designer is more than willing to work as much as possible on the project while absent and will be in contact via email at all times. In the case that he is not able to return for the remainder of the semester, the Lead Designer has agreed to contribute unofficially to the team. This is something he has done previously and is comfortable doing.



Appendix 4: Playtesting Plan & Feedback1. How long did you spend preparing your team your first time playing?

Other times?2. How long did your first battle take? Other times?3. What did you feel or think playing The Three Days?4. Were the buttons easy to understand?5. Were your characters easy to control?6. Were the objectives in Campaign mode easy to understand? Were

you ever confused about what to do?7. Did any one character type feel noticeably better than the others? Did

one seem weaker?8. If you played Quick Play, was there a team strategy that you wanted

but was not available?9. How experienced would you say you are with tactics games?10.What did you enjoy most about The Three Days?11.What did you like least about The Three Days? Did anything aggravate

you?12.Overall, how would you rate The Three Days?



Appendix 5: Document Change LogVersion 0.1 Created Design Document file RWR_DesignDocument_v0.docVersion 0.2 Added Table of Contents and expanded outlineVersion 0.3 Game Mechanics and Game Modes detailed

Battle Flow, Example of Play, and Controls roughly filledVersion 0.4 Characters, Stats, Actions, Skills, Inventory, Status Conditions roughly filledVersion 0.5 Field, Field Components and Effects roughly detailedVersion 0.6 Appendix I, Core and Casual Targets, Appendix II detailedVersion 0.7 Added Skills listVersion 0.8 Skills, Character Types, Conditions spreadsheets added in; Physics Design detailedVersion 0.9 Added to Risk Analysis and Comparative ProductsVersion 0.9.1 Added concept character art and detailed the Last Stand! actionVersion 1.0 Filled Narrative & Campaign detailsVersion 1.1 Updated Game Mechanics, with sample imagesVersion 1.2 Added comments, fixed a few details, began detailing Project Object, ProfilesVersion 1.3 Made changes according to feedback from instructorVersion 1.7 Added a fleshed out details and lots of concept art to show how

thingsll look and workVersion 2.0 Lots of info reworked; format moved around; images added;

asset list detailedVersion 2.1 Updated Narrative & Campaign sectionVersion 2.2 Updated Stats and Skills sheetsVersion 2.3 Updated calculations for TP Cost and Attack Damage; removed

Technology section



Appendix 6: Resources & CopyrightsMentioned Products:

FINAL FANTASY Tactics, 1998 Square-EnixX-COM: UFO Defense, 1993 Mythos GamesPhantom Brave, 2004 Nippon Ichi Software

Image Sources:GameSpot.comPush.cxIGN.com

All other content Copyright 2009-2010 DigiPen (USA) Corporation, all rights reserved.


The Three Days isOverviewProject ObjectiveTeam OverviewGame PlayCombatTime Points

Battle FlowExample of Play

ControlsCharactersTypesStatsActions

SkillsSkill PointsStatus Effects

FieldComponentsField EffectsGame ModesMultiplayer

User InterfaceFront EndBefore & After CombatIn Combat

Narrative & CampaignAssetsArtAudio

Appendix 1: Target AudienceCore TargetCasual Target

Appendix 2: Comparative ProductsAppendix 3: Risk AnalysisAppendix 4: Playtesting Plan & FeedbackAppendix 5: Document Change LogAppendix 6: Resources & Copyrights

pdfdownloader.lain.in-22001430-game-design-document.pdf

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