A narratively driven 2D side-scroller puzzle adventure game that was built in Unity for an academic project at Simon Fraser University. The game is about 2 employees, Anthony and Theo, that were sent to infiltrate a rival company, Melon Corp. However, both believe to be working alone and are unaware of the other. The player plays as each character in their respective chapters, before playing as both in the final chapter. The goal of this project was adapting a script into an interactive medium.
Keith Law - Puzzle/UI Artist, Environment Artist, Script Editor
Jillian Li - Game Designer, Game Developer, Map & UI Layout Designer, Script Writer
Tools
Unity & C#
Aseprite
Github
Timeframe
7 weeks [October 2024 - December 2024]
Focus
My focus during this project was to create strong environmental storytelling through the use of map design, level design, and cutscenes. My goal was to ensure that it would immerse players into the story, communicate narrative details, and expand upon the existing world.
Environmental Design
I focused on creating environments that reflected on the game’s lore to immerse the player into the story. The building I was responsible for is described as a high-tech controlling company so backgrounds were drawn to reflect that through the use of colour, props, and NPC dialogue. Security cameras are generously placed, except to people in power. Additionally, interactable props were used as hints for puzzles players needed to solve.
The office workspace. Oppressive company communicated with the company motto, separated desks, and security cameras.The manager's office. The props are a representation of the love they have for their kid, as well as a hint to get the computer's password.The research lab. High-tech and oppressing atmosphere created by using blue-grey, device props, and a high security camera presence.
Storytelling Through Puzzles
Gameplay was designed to be related to the player character’s task to communicate to the player what was happening in the narrative and indicate challenges the characters were facing. It served to show the character's different approaches to problems: Anthony's charisma and social skills versus Theo's technological and hacking skills.
This NPC deduction puzzle conveys Anthony’s (Ch1 player) approach to problems. The player deducts the correct dialogue option based on the NPC’s appearance and dialogue to try to pickpocket their keycard.This circuit puzzle focused on conveying Theo’s (Ch2 player) approach to problems. The player connects the two ends of the circuit. The purpose was to create a distraction by connecting the sewage vent to the lab room.
Dialogue and Cutscenes
I created the dialogue system to included profile pictures, variable text size, and colour to make moments more memorable and give more character to the NPCs. NPC dialogue changed depending on story progression to increase immersion and reward players for exploration. Dialogue focused on conveying the workplace atmosphere and reactions to story beats. Since Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 takes place simultaneosly, dialogue reflected changes from both sides of the story.
Dialogue 1: The NPC's initial dialogue before the events of the story during Chapter 1.Dialogue 1: The NPC's dialogue after the power goes out due to the actions of Chapter 2 player character.
Reflection
Through working on this project, I’ve improved my skills in Unity development and environmental art. I’ve learned more about designing meaningful interactions, environments, and narratives in video games.
I’ve learned to tell the story effectively and maintain player engagement by having gameplay intertwine with the character’s skillsets and narrative beats. By doing so, players were able to learn the story we wanted to tell without compromising engagement.
In the future, I would introduce our game’s hook earlier in the game. Currently, it starts with a cutscene to walking to cutscene which wasn’t that fun to the player. Introducing an interaction prior to going to the rival company would help deliver background information as well as increase player engagement.
