Dev Log #1

For this dev log, I looked at three horror video games (with Rainbow Friends being a game I played previously) and noted some design choices within those games.

Game #1: Amanda the Adventurer

• Effective:
  • The codes, passwords, and secret tapes the player collects do not change or need to be collected again after the player dies.
  • The puzzles to earn the hidden tapes are done well.
  • Jokes and references to Dora the Explorer are funny and accurate.
  • The live-action segments on the bonus tapes have an interesting story.
  • The bulletin board helps the player set up the backstory of the fictional show.
• Not Effective: 
  • I needed to have the passwords and codes to the locks written down.
  • The weather and “What’s a family?” tape puzzle are confusing. 
  • The newspaper object is hard to read.
  • It would be nice to have a mechanic where an equipped item can be moved in front of your face to allow the player to read it.

Game #2: Andy’s Apple Farm

• Effective:
  • The game is intentionally buggy and has a lot of clipping issues because the game is supposed to be a beta for playtesters.
  • Mini-games are fairly simple (DDR-style rhythm game, fishing game, sorting game, and I Spy game)
  • The opening beta tester message introduces the player to the game’s aesthetic.
  • The cuts that allude to Thomas Eastwood’s murder and home life tell an interesting story. However, the cuts are out of order with Thomas killing Arthur shown first. 
• Not Effective:
  • There is no clear way to change to make the game fullscreen or change the window size. (I accidentally made the screen full-size somehow.)
  • The main menu uses arrow keys only instead of the mouse which confused me when I opened the game.
  • The game had a coding error pop up after the tag minigame.
  • There is no way to leave the game. (I had to Ctrl-Alt-Delete to close the window.)
  • The story of Andy’s friends stealing his keys does not make sense.
  • Glitches are shown for a split second and do not give enough time to read.

Game #3: Rainbow Friends (Roblox)

• Effective: 
  • Collected objects are highlighted if players have difficulty locating them, which makes the game easier.
  • Even though the game is multiplayer, the game can be completed solo.
  • Each of the Rainbow Friends has a different ability to differentiate what to do when a player encounters them.
    • Green and Cyan, in particular, are the only two characters that can kill the player while hiding in a box, with Green killing the player if they touch them and Cyan sensing the player’s movement.
  • When one of the Rainbow Friends sees a player, there is a visual exclamation point and a sound effect to let the player know.
  • Players who are hiding in a box have a slower speed to encourage players to hide when needed.
• Not Effective: 
  • The AI of the Rainbow Friends can be a bit awkward at times.
  • The Lookies in Chapter 2 are difficult since they move around, can only be carried one at a time, and are dropped if the player crouches or hides.
  • The backstory of the Scientist and the Rainbow Friends are not yet fully explored.
  • Other than Green and Cyan, the ability to hide in a box can be abused by players to stay in a box for the entire game.