Forgotten Ruins Scraps Level Design Document

Team NameTeam AsparagusTeam MembersTeam Lead: Danielle Fimbres Team Member: John Nowicki Team Member: Aharon Nelson Team Member: Nathan Martin Team Member: Philip Escobedo

Level InformationLevel Visual InspirationAsset Usage ListPhysics Items:Collectable Items:Other Important Assets:Level Area - SinkholeReferencesAppendixLevel AssetsPhysics ObjectsRocksCavesBarrelsScaffoldingMechanical Devices (Right to left: Generator, Turret, Switch)Tables and ChairsShelvesInteractable objects (Right to left: Overhead light, Chest, Wood Pallet, Camera)Fire pitsFire Pits with FireBoardDumpsterOverhead LightsTraffic BarriersPressure PlatesPickupsCash BundleBatteryGas CanPaintingSkull ShieldFencingRebarBroken Building BitsArea Specific AssetsWasteland:PowercellKeycardSinkhole:Bridge piecesLadderPalace 1:BombTrip WiresCorpsesArmor CrateCaverns:Unstable PillarPalace 2:Final Treasure (subject to change)Floating Debris

Level Information

Visual theme:

The player will find themselves in the heart of the deserts of Sudan. Its hot due to the midday summer sun. Vast amounts of desert surround the player with scarce sight of small desert plants. There is hot, white sand piling into sand dunes as far as the eye can see covering most of the villages that used to exist there. In the distance the player can make out the glorious Bastion with its windows glinting in the sunlight. The player finds themselves in the middle of an abandoned village that has been ravaged by the sun and overtaken by sand dunes. On the other side of the village, there is a large sink hole has devoured a once amazing Bastion Palace. Looking down into the hole, there are traces of manmade tunnels going off into the darkness of the earth below. (Shaw, M.)

Time of day/year: Summer-ish, midday, sunny(Phantom Cave)

Climate: Hot, Sunny Setting: Vast desert with moderate sand dunes, and white sands Objects in the distance have a blurry heat wave effect. There will also be a particle system to create a blowing dust effect for the wind. Natural lighting used in the first area to convey it being outside. Area 2 begins a transition of natural light to a dark space. Area 3 is filled with lots of traps from previous scrappers trying to protect areas they were searching. Area 4 is more based upon navigation instead of traps and intense puzzles. Area 3 and 4 will be dark spaces requiring artificial lighting. Area 5 will be dark with a point light of natural light illuminating the treasure.

Scrapping Goal:

After the introduction, the player understands that he is looking for an ultimate treasure for the narrator, George, to gain access to the Bastion. George is the players long lost father, whom the player separated from years ago, and he does not know he is sending instructions to his son. Nor does the player know that he is receiving instructions from his father. George believes he is contacting a scrapper to receive his treasure with a reward of being accepted into the Bastion. The player is on a journey to find this treasure and finally join the Bastion. There is also an alternate ending, that will reward the player for exploring and finding 100% of the items scattered around the level.(Ancient Desert Palace)

Basic goal: To retrieve the ultimate treasure from the palace and pick up as much cash as possible in order to buy their way into the bastion. Bonus ending (if time permits): To retrieve 100% of possible treasures getting the player the best ending.

Backstory:

Years ago, scientists created the ability to nullify gravitation. This technology caused earthquakes creating sinkholes all over the earth. These sinkholes destroyed entire cities and caused massive panic and fighting. The player and his family were lucky enough to make it into a Bastion. The Bastion that they lived in soon became the main HUB in an area of multiple Bastions. After some years, another earthquake hit, opening up another sinkhole that destroyed the Bastion they were living in. During their attempted escape, the player was separated from his family. Alone, the player wandered the wastes until a group of Scrappers took him in and taught him the way of the Scrappers.Present day, the player is an expert Scrapper who is contacted by a Bast named George. George tells the player the story of his lost son and enlists the player to help him get back remnants of his old life and possibly find his missing son. George sends the player to the area where the old Bastion was destroyed. The player finds the sinkhole with the old Bastion collapsed at the bottom of it. George tells the player that Scrappers moved into the sinkhole to raid the palace of all of the goods that were stored in it before it was destroyed. Since the sinkhole was so large and it was so much work to get into the palace, the Scrappers decided to build camps at the bottom of the sinkhole. For years, Scrappers worked at cleaning out the palace and getting through all of the collapsed rubble of the palace. But the earthquakes soon returned and made the sinkhole too dangerous to live in. Before the Scrappers were able to clean out the entire palace, they deserted the camps because they feared for their lives.(LeClair, R. )

Map: https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/19kGF1K0ozCtorhbcDsuaJWTnL0qODIMSgUZ_jh2HKiE/edit

Level Area - SinkholeTeam member: Dani Primary Mechanic: Architectural Puzzle

Player Goal: The main goal of the player is to make their way down to the palace entrance towards the bottom of the sinkhole. There will also be collectable items that will help the player through the rest of the level, but are not required to move on to the next area of the level.

Area Mechanic Details: The main mechanic in this area will be architectural puzzles. The player will have to make their way through three different maze areas in order to collect needed resources and reach the palace entrance.

Featured Asset: The featured asset in this area will be a dilapidated bridge system that player must cross. This bridge system will consist of several parts that make up a large maze type puzzle the player must move through in order to get to the next area of the level.

Area Flow: The player will enter the sinkhole by way of a dilapidated scaffolding system that is built out of the sides of the sinkhole and leads down to an abandoned Scrapper camp that is built on a small plateau in the side sinkhole. The player will have to make their way through the deteriorating scaffolding system to find switches that will turn on lanterns that will light the pathway that leads down into the sinkhole to the Scrapper camp. The player will have to move objects out of their way or use them to get across gaps in the scaffolding.After the player makes their way down the walkway, they will find themselves in the Scrapper camp. Here, the player must make their way through a maze of abandoned campsites and fallen debris in order to make it to the bridge system that leads to the palace entrance. Here, the player can also explore the abandoned camp and collect useful resources, like cash, batteries for their flashlight, and gas cans.Once the player has made their way through the Scrapper camp, they will proceed to the bridge system. The player must move both horizontally and vertically, across multiple bridges that connect the Scrapper camp to the palace entrance.

Setup Details: 1. The player will enter on a deteriorating wooden scaffolding system that is leading downward into the sinkhole.2. The scaffolding will have a large gap that the player cannot cross on their own. There will be a large board leaning against the side of the sinkhole that the player will use as a bridge to cross the gap.3. The player will be presented with a wall of darkness that they cannot move past. George will contact the player and tell them that they need to find a light switch to turn on the lanterns that will light the area.4. The player will then follow a short path to the left where they will interact with a light switch that will turn on the lighting.5. There will be a path to the left of the light switch that will lead back to the main path. On this path, the player will have to use the gravnull to move large objects that are blocking the players progression.6. A short ways down the main path, the player will be faced with another wall of darkness. 7. Again to the left will be a small pathway that will lead to a switch that will turn on more lights. To the left of the switch will be another small path that will lead back to the main path.8. The player will walk further down the main path and find that the scaffolding has collapsed and will have to take an alternate route to the left of the main path.9. Down this path, there will be another large gap in the scaffolding. The player must knock down a stack of boards in order to make a ramp that will lead across the gap.10. The player will be faced with one last wall of darkness to the left of the path they are currently on. They will have to walk further down the path in order to flip the switch to light up the final part of the scaffolding.11. Once the area is lit, the player must walk back to path that led to the left and follow that path to the end of the scaffolding system.12. Once at the end of the scaffolding system, the player will enter an abandoned Scrapper camp that is full of tents and fallen debris.13. The player must find their way through a maze of tents and fallen debris.14. Some of the pathways will lead to dead ends, but they will also contain hidden items like cash or flashlight batteries.15. In some areas along the path, there will be piles of fallen debris or large objects that are blocking the players progress. The player must use their gravnull to move these objects and clear their path. 16. The player will then enter a system of dilapidated bridges suspended above the bottom of the sinkhole and leading to the palace entrance.17. The bridges will have ladders which the player can either climb up or down to get to the entrance.18. There will be areas that are blocked by fallen objects that the player must move with their gravnull in order to continue on their path.

Asset Usage ListPhysics Items: Rocks Package The player can move these to clear their path, build platforms or as a projectile. Plastic & metal Barrels The player can move these around to clear their path, or build platforms. Some barrel explode when through which is denoted by their color. Scaffold The player can move the scaffolding pieces to use as a bridge to get across gaps in the scaffolding in the sinkhole. Ladder The player can climb up and down these to move to different areas. Generators The can use these to power lights, and doors. Some will require gas to run others only require a keycard to activate. Turrets The players only active enemy, they impede the players movement and cause harm to the player. The player can use debris and other objects to knock over, damage, block, or destroy the turrets. Switch The player can interact with these switches to open doors and turn on lights. Tables Debris set in players path. Can be used to build platforms or block turrets. Chairs Debris set in players path. Can be used to build platforms or to disable traps. Wooden Board The player can move this to bridge gaps in certain areas. Shelves Used to hold interactive items. Can be moved to create platforms. Rebar Debris set in players path. Added aesthetic for the destroyed world. Broken building pieces Debris set in players path. Added aesthetic for the destroyed world. Fences Debris set in players path. Added aesthetic for the destroyed world. Traffic Barriers Can be moved in order to clear the player path. Dumpster Can be moved in order to clear the player path. Overhead lights These will be used to help light the players way through some of the underground areas. The player will be prompted to complete puzzles that will turn these lights on. Chest Holds hidden collectable items. Wood Pallet Debris set in players path. Can be used to build platforms, often used to hide hidden paths or openings. Fire pit Can be used by the player to illuminate area. They are also placed by other scrappers who have been there before. Bombs Placed throughout areas, like Bastions and ruins to keep unwanted visitors out. Often using simple triggers like pressure plates and trip wires. The player can use debris found throughout the level to disable or destroy them. Alternatively, a clever scrapper can find unique ways to avoid these obstacles. Pressure Plates Used to activate traps when weight is removed from them, or to activate doors and walls when weight is applied.Collectable Items: Gas Can Used to start fires in fire pits and refuel generators. Cash Bundle Adds to the total earnings in the players inventory. Battery (lose after use) Added to the players inventory when picked up and taken out when used. Adds to the percentage of battery life for the flashlight. Powercell Used in area 1 to power the generator that uses the keycard. Keycard Used to open the door to area 2 once the generator is powered with the powercell. Journal Entries Explains more of the story to the player with small snippets of the background story. When collected they are added to the players inventory. The journal entries for Alpha will be text provided when a conditional event is activated. (Such as interacting with a object) In Beta, a prefab paper-like game object could be made for the player to see. Armor Crate The player can walk over and collect these crates to gain an armor bonus to help negate the amount of damage they receive from traps and turrets.Other Important Assets: Final Treasure Added to the players inventory. Needed for the end game. Bridge Pieces Used in the sinkhole to lead the player from the Scrapper camp to the palace entrance. Caves Used mainly for aesthetics. Corpses Remnants of scrappers and citizens of a fallen Bastion. They provide the player with resources and collectibles. Some even tell tales after their untimely demise. Trip Wires Used to arm traps, they can be broken by throwing debris on one end to break the wire without setting off the trap. Floating debris Used in the Palace 2 area to build the staircase.

References

Images

Ancient Desert Palace - Viewing Gallery. (n.d.). Retrieved February 5, 2015, from http://galleryhip.com/ancient-desert-palace.html

LeClair, R. (2010, June 4). Pictures: Guatemala Sinkhole Adds to World's Famous Pits. Retrieved February 7, 2015, from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/06/photogalleries/100604-sinkhole-pictures-around-the-world-guatemala-city/

Phantom Cave, the deepest underwater cave in the USA - TEKDiveUSA.2014. (2013, July 17). Retrieved February 7, 2015, from http://tekdiveusa.com/the-story-behind-phantom-cave-the-deepest-underwater-cave-in-the-usa/

Shaw, M. (2014, September 3). Sudan's Pyramids Offer a New Angle on Africa's Ancient Civilizations. Retrieved February 7, 2015, from http://architizer.com/blog/sudans-pyramids-offer-a-new-angle-on-africas-ancient-civilizations/

AppendixLevel AssetsPhysics Objects

Rocks

Caves

Barrels

Scaffolding

Mechanical Devices (Right to left: Generator, Turret, Switch)

Tables and Chairs

Shelves

Interactable objects (Right to left: Overhead light, Chest, Wood Pallet, Camera)

Fire pits

Fire Pits with Fire

Board

Dumpster

Overhead Lights

Traffic Barriers

Pressure Plates

Pickups

Cash Bundle

Battery

Gas Can

Painting

Skull Shield

Fencing

Rebar

Broken Building Bits

Area Specific AssetsWasteland:

Powercell

KeycardSinkhole:

Bridge pieces

Ladder

Palace 1:

Bomb

Trip Wires

Corpses

Armor Crate

Caverns:

Unstable Pillar

Palace 2:

Final Treasure (subject to change)

Floating Debris5