Parker English

In our second week we used a random generation method to create a logline and then design a game world and mechanics, essentially the basis for a simple GDD, from that.

I started with the logline “a parasitic stealth game under the sea” and from there had to come up with a basic gameplay idea around it first. I imagined a game where one plays as a the parasite, slowly infecting a human who they must keep alive at all costs while secretly influencing their actions. For the setting, I chose a small submarine as this would make sabotaging it an easy task, and would also mean there would be small number of other humans the player could spread infection to, eventually commandeering the entire vessel. This concept was somewhat inspired by the 2D multiplayer submarine game Barotrauma, which also includes a feature where players can become infected by parasites and eventually turn into AI-controlled zombies. The small, cramped conditions and limited number of crew aboard the ship would also lead to tension reminiscent of 1982 film The Thing.

The game would be set in the depths of the Mariana Trench after it has been fully explored and colonised by several nearby pacific countries, resulting in thousands of small manned submarines and encampments hidden within it. I decided it would be a top-down game with a simple art style similar to games like Rimworld but would also include menus with a detailed breakdown of the parasite’s host system very much like that seen in Plague Inc. My partner for this task, Adi, added that the concept should include a slow motion mechanic while accessing these menus, so gameplay is never completely stopped but the player has a large amount of time to decide their next action. He also suggested that the game should include a fully dynamic soundtrack, with a dramatic score inspired by the thriller genre.

I very much like this game idea and think it could be adapted into a game one day, however for my task I wanted to come up with an idea with a lighter tone, so I will not be using this to create my official GDD.