This GDD is my game design document for the game I will be creating which is named Escape the Maze. Escape the maze is puzzle game full of twists and turns that will challenge the player to learn from their mistakes. The inspiration for Escape the Maze is firstly other puzzle games in the genre where you need to escape along with the maze element of this game being inspired by the Greek myth of the Labyrinth which was this giant maze made by the legendary artificer Daedalus for King Minos. I first learnt of this legend when I was a kid in hospital and their would be special guests and stuff brought in to read and just interact with the children in the hospital. I don't remember the guest but I remember he was reading a book about Greek myths such as Hercules etc.. The idea is that the labyrinth is constantly changing and altering so going off that every time you re enter a game the puzzle to open the door wont be the same as the last time you were there.
This was the concept that I based the core elements of my game around. However Escape the Maze will be different in many aspect compared to the myth of the Labyrinth.
Genre
The genre of my game Escape the Maze is a puzzle game. The Oxford Dictionary defines puzzles as "Cause (someone) to feel confused because they cannot understand something". This maze will be about learning from the past and adapting it to your current situation to move forward. As the puzzles won't always stay the same to being one of the correct one to open the door you may have to learn how to complete each puzzle to understand how to quickly get out, before you run out of time. This will cause frustration and confusion which is what most puzzle game have.
GamePlay
Escape the Maze will be a game where the player will maneuver through a maze full of puzzles. by completing the correct puzzles they will let the players get closer to freedom. The player will be able to move forward, left and right on completing a puzzle when choosing a puzzle they will be able to move forward, backward, left and right. You will be greeted by a sign explaining the rule, for example if you choose the wrong puzzle or fail a puzzle you timer to get out of the room will decrease. This is to challenge the player as they will have to learn from their failures on how to solve the puzzles. The timer will add a sense of making urgent decisions that depending on how many puzzles you have failed or completed either subtract or add to your timer The player will view this maze as a first person view. This is to create a immersive feel for the player. The player will not be able to see the maze as a result of this meaning if they take a wrong turn while moving between rooms they could very easily get lost. These decisions are to hopefully challenge people's mind and encourage the player to think outside the box so to speak.
Target audience & platforms
The target audience of Escape the Maze is anyone who enjoys and challenge and a good puzzle. This game is more aimed at a teenager up demographic as the puzzles are made to incite a level of challenge. I would say anyone over the age of 15 is who the main target audience of this game would be.
Look and Feel
When you play the game you will be immersed in the a world of mystery. This will be achieved by the use of a first person view. This will make the player feel a though this is what they are actually seeing. The maze will be divided into several different paths leading to room full of several puzzles. This will give the player a chance to learn as they go to find the correct path to freedom. The maze will be a vibrant colors that will be appealing to the eye, each color showing the progress the player has made. The feelings the player should feel while playing are excitement, frustration, dread and relief. The player should feel excitement while progressing. While they will feel frustration when failing to complete puzzles, choosing the wrong path. They should feel dread when the time starts to run out. Finally feel relief when escaping the maze.
Story
The story of Escape the Maze is the player wakes up in the maze understanding why. There is a note from your abductor explaining that you are trapped in a maze like prison and that you have a shot at freedom. You explore the maze solving puzzles to open doors in hopes that you have chosen the correct passage to safety.
How to Play
The player will begin by walking up to the first puzzle.
The player will select the puzzle with their cursor.
The door will open and the payer will use the arrow keys to move trough the door and the maze at large.
Once going through a door the player will not be able to turn back.
The player will be made aware of a timer when they begin each puzzle.
Separate from the one going on through the maze.
Artwork (design)
The artwork for this game will be very simple. The maze will be a brick/block style design. The puzzle stations will be a wooden a metal design. I hope to have a woodland landscape for when the player escapes the maze.
Technical Requirements
My game will not require many technical requirements as it is a fairly basic game. The only main requirement is for the player to be able to play and work the game themselves.
Heads Up Display (HUD)
The player will know how long they take by the timer that is counting down. The timer will be in the top right hand corner on the screen, The timer will begin counting down when the player enters the maze. There will be a secondary timer when the player starts a puzzle to keep them moving. Each puzzle will have a max of 5 minutes to solve.
Level Design
In this game, there will be 3 levels. There will be one room that splits into three rooms and then they split into two each and one of those being the room with the exit. The player will know they have been successful when they get to the third room and there is a doorway. With one finale puzzle to solve.
Global Elements
The viewer will view the maze through a eye level, the player will be able to view in front and 35 degrees(peripheral vison) to each side. The player will be able to navigate the puzzle room in any direction they choose however once leaving the room they will not be able to turn back. The outside will be land and sky however this will only be viewable once exiting the maze. The player will be able to view the walls and floor puzzles while inside the maze.
Player View
The players view of the maze will be eye level. The camera will be fixed in place on the y-axis with the x-axis being moveable. While in puzzles the view will be fixed.
Game Flow Chart
Audio & Sound F/x
There will be no music in my game. There won't be music in the background or sound effects.
Technical Requirements
As I will not have music my game will not require any technical requirements for this.
Technical
I will be using Unity to create and code this game. I will be using my Lenovo ideapad 330 to complete the game. I will also be using a number of video resources online to help me through the development of this game.
The player will be able to move through the puzzle rooms with the arrow keys and select puzzle through the cursor. The up arrow will move the player forward. The down arrow will move them back and left and right arrows will move them from left to right.
