titanium: titan's periodic quest | video game design document

8/6/2019 Titanium: Titan's Periodic Quest | Video Game Design Document

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VideoGameDesign&Development

Titanium:

TitansPeriodicQuest

JosephRomano|LauraBacigalupo|AhmedAl-Sinan

Version1

Thursday,May26th2011


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TableofContents

GAMEDESIGNDEVELOPMENT 5

GAMEDESIGNDEVELOPMENT|VERSION1:THINKOUTSIDETHEBOX 5GAMEDESIGNDEVELOPMENT|VERSION2:TITANIUM:TITANSPERIODICQUEST 6

GAMEOVERVIEW 7

GAMEPHILOSOPHY 7

PHILOSOPHICALPOINT1|GOALOFTHEGAME 7

PHILOSOPHICALPOINT2|ACCESSIBILITY 7

PHILOSOPHICALPOINT3|LATERALTHINKING&CRITICALPROBLEMSOLVING 7

COMMONQUESTIONS 8

COMMONQUESTION1|WHATISTHEGAME? 8

COMMONQUESTION2|WHYCREATETHEGAME? 8

COMMONQUESTION3|WHEREDOESTHEGAMETAKEPLACE? 8

COMMONQUESTION4|WHATDOICONTROL? 8

COMMONQUESTION5|HOWMANYPLAYERSDOICONTROL? 9

COMMONQUESTION6|WHATISTHEMAINFOCUS? 9

COMMONQUESTION7|WHATISDIFFERENT? 9

GENERALGAMEFEATURESET 10

GENERALGAMEFEATURE1|EDUCATIONALCOMPONENT 10

GENERALGAMEFEATURE2|NARRATIVECOMPONENT 10

GENERALGAMEFEATURE3|GAMEPLAYCOMPONENT: 11

INTRODUCTION 11

INITIALGAMEPLAY&STRUCTURE 12

GAMESUCCESSION 12

GAMECOMPLETION 13

SINGLE-PLAYERGAMEFEATURESET 14

OVERVIEW: 14

HOURSOFGAMEPLAY 14

VICTORYCONDITIONS 14

SINGLE-PLAYERGAMEFEATURE1|PUZZLECHAMBER 14SINGLE-PLAYERGAMEFEATURE2|THEFINALCHALLENGE 15


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GAMECHARACTERS 16

OVERVIEW 16

PERSONALIZINGACHARACTER 16

CHARACTERS: 16

TITAN 16

DR.DAVIDDI 17

DIOIXDE 17HYDRA 18

GAMEWORLDFEATURESET 19

OVERVIEW 19

GAMEWORLDFEATURE1|THEPASSAGEWAY&CHAMBERS 19

GAMEWORLDFEATURE2|SATURNIANTITANIUM 19

GAMEWORLDFEATURE3|DIOXIDESLAIR 19

GAMEWORLDLAYOUT&WALKTHROUGHFEATURESET 20

GAMEWORLDLAYOUT&WALKTHROUGHFEATURE1|THEPASSAGEWAY&CHAMBERS 20GAMEWORLDLAYOUT&WALKTHROUGHFEATURE2|THEFIRSTCHAMBER&PUZZLE 21

GAMEWORLDLAYOUT&WALKTHROUGHFEATURE3|CHAMBERKEYPADS 22

GAMEWORLDLAYOUT&WALKTHROUGHFEATURE4|HYDRA&PUZZLETIPS 23

GAMEWORLDLAYOUT&WALKTHROUGHFEATURE5[A]|HYDRA&TITAN 24

GAMEWORLDLAYOUT&WALKTHROUGHFEATURE5[B]|HYDRA&TITAN 25

GAMEWORLDLAYOUT&WALKTHROUGHFEATURE5[C]|HYDRA&TITAN 26

GAMEWORLDLAYOUT&WALKTHROUGHFEATURE6|OBTAININGTHESATURNIANTITANIUM 27

GAMEWORLDLAYOUT&WALKTHROUGHFEATURE7|FINALPUZZLECHALLENGE 28

GAMEUSERINTERFACE 29

OVERVIEW 29

GAMEUSERINTERFACEFEATURE1|INITIALINTERFACE: 29

HOMESCREEN|MAINMENU 29

SKILLLEVELSELECTION|SUBMENU1 30

PERIODICTABLECATEGORYSELECTION|SUBMENU2 30

LEVELOVERVIEW&SELECTION|SUBMENU3 31

GAMEUSERINTERFACEFEATURE2|GAMEPLAYINTERFACE: 31

PASSAGEWAY|GAMEPLAYNAVIGATION1 31

LEVELEDCHAMBERS/SOLVINGPUZZLES|GAMEPLAYNAVIGATION2 32

GAMEUSERINTERFACEFEATURE3|SOCIALINTEGRATION: 35

GAMECENTRE|IOS 35

GAMEMUSICALSCORES&SOUNDEFFECTS 36

OVERVIEW 36

SOUNDCLIPS 36


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THERORETICALCONSIDERATIONS 38

SALEN&ZIMMERMANMAINPOINTS,SUB-POINTS&VISIBILITYINOURGAME 38

LUSORYATTITUDE 38

MAGICCIRCLE 38

BOUNDRIES 38

SPACEOFPOSSIBILITY 38

CHOICE 38INTERACTION 39

SYSTEMS 39

MEANINGFULPLAY 39

INTEGRATION 40

DISCERNABILITY 40

GAMECONSIDERATIONS&CHANGES 41

GAMECONSIDERATION&CHANGE1|PUZZLEDEVELOPMENT 41

GAMECONSIDERATION&CHANGE2|GAMETESTING 41

GAMECONSIDERATION&CHANGE3|DEVELOPMENTOFHYDRACHARACTER 41

GAMECONSIDERATION&CHANGE4|GAMECODING&APPSTORE(OREQUIVALENT) 42

PUBLICGAMEDESIGNCREDITS 43

ACTIVITIES 43

GROUPORGANIZATION&MANAGEMENT 43

GAMEDESIGNCOMPONENTS(GAMEDESIGNDOCUMENT) 43

PRESENTATIONCOMPONENTS 43

GROUPMEETINGS 43

MISCELLANEOUS 43


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GameDesignDevelopment

GameDesignDevelopment|Version1:ThinkOutsideTheBox

Atitsconception,thegameworldwasnothingmorethanadarkblackboxwithoneavatarinside.Itwasaflashbasedgamethatsoughttoteachpeopletothinkcritically

andalternativelybysolvingdifferentpuzzlesduringthegame.Thegoalofthatgame

wastogetthatavataroutsideoftheboxbysolvingdifferentpuzzlestoobtainpiecesof

aladdertoclimboutsidethebox.Theplayersrolewastoattempttosolveapuzzlewith

theanswerseemingobvious,butthisisnotthecase.Conceptually,theplayerwould

mostlikelyendupansweringthepuzzlewiththewronganswer,thinkingthatitwasas

simpleasitlooked.However,inordertoanswerthepuzzlecorrectly,thepersonneeds

tolookatandthinkaboutthepuzzledifferently.So,theplayerneedstothinkoutside

theboxandthatishowwecamewithnameThinkoutsidetheboxforourgame.

Thegamewasintendedtobeasingle-playergamepuzzlegenregametobeplayedon

theInternetusingpersonalcomputers.Theplayershadtheoptiontoposttheirresults

afterattemptingeachspecificpuzzleonasocialmedianetwork,suchasFacebook,

MySpaceandTwitter,tosharetheirscoreandachievementswiththeirfriends,making

thisacompetitivegame.

Thepurposewasofthisgamewastoexposetheplayersthoughtsandtosuggestan

alternativeandmorecriticalwayofthinking.Also,thisgamemayhavehelpedplayers

tobegintothinkaboutandfindalternativewaystosolveanyproblemstheymay

experienceintheirlives.Theaudienceintendedforthisgamewasopen.Therewasno

agelimittothisgame,butwehadatheorythattheyoungertheplayerwouldhavebeentheindividualtoretainanddevelopthiscriticalthinkingprocessthroughouttheir

lives.

Thegamewasintendedtobeseeninthethird-personperspectivesotheplayerscan

seetheiravatarandhowthedarkboxwouldlooklike.Therewasnostorybehindthe

gamesoweneverthoughtofwherethatavatarcamefromandhowdidheendedupin

thatbox.Thegameamountedtosolvingpuzzlessotheplayerswillbeawardedwith

ladderpiecestocombinetogetoutsidethebox.Thevictory-conditionwaswhenthe

avatarreachestheoutsideoftheboxandsharingyoursuccesswithanetworkoffriends

asthehighscorerofaspecificpuzzle.Theloss-conditioninthiscasewouldhavebeen

whenanotherplayerwasinspiredtoachieveahigherscorethantheirnetworked

friendsinanypuzzle.Withthat,playerswillthinkmorecriticallywhenattemptingto

solvepuzzles.


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GameDesignDevelopment|Version2:Titanium:TitansPeriodicQuest

Manychangeshavecomeaboutregardingourgame.Wehavedevelopeditbasedon

thefeedbackrecievedfromourfirstpresentationintheDigitalGamesandLearningcourse

(EDUC5863).Oneofthecommentswasabouttheavatar,askingwhohewasandhowdid

heendedupinthebox?Weneededanarrativewhichweneverthoughtwouldbe

necessarytoapuzzlegame.Also,howwerewesupposedtoknowthelevelofdifficultyofthosepuzzlessinceitwasnotdirectedtoacertainage?

Anotherissuewecameacrossishowthepuzzlesareconsiderededucational.They

mightteachushowtothinkcriticallybutisthereacertainsubjectwemaylearnabout

fromthesepuzzlesorisageneralknowledgeofhowtothinkcriticallyenough?Inthat

sense,wehadtofocusonlyononeeducationalsubjecttomakesurethattheplayers

willbenefitfromitinafuncreativegame.

Thegenderissuewassomethingweneverthoughtabout,withquestionslikewhyisthe

avatarifonlyamalegender?Thegamewasnotintendedtobeforthemalegenderonly

butbyhavingamaleavatarinthegamethisishowitwasperceived.

Withtheissueswefaced,wewerethroughitwouldbebesttorethinkthewhole

conceptofourgame.Wearenotsayingitwassomethingeasytodobuttherewasone

thingwehadinmind,thepurposeofthegameshouldbethesame(criticalthinking)but

tomakeitmorespecificandrelatedtoasciencesubjectlikeChemistry.Itwasa

challengebutwemadeitworksothegamenowisapuzzlegamebasedonChemistry.

AndsincethegameisnowaboutscienceChemistrypuzzles,wehadtolookandsearch

foranagetothatwillbesuitableforstudentstoplayit.Oneofthemainpurposesof

thegameistomakeiteducationalandthefunelementshouldbetheretoo.Wealso

addedanarrativepartwithdifferentcharactersofthegameincludingafemalecharactertomakesurethatthegameisnotdirectedtoonlyonespecificgender.

Actually,thenarrativepartisconsideredoneimportantandinterestingpartofthe

game.Thegameworldevolvedfromadarksmallboxtohugeandwiderareatogivethe

playersmorefreedomandmorecontroloverthegameenvironment.

Thissectionisonlytogiveyouabriefhistoryabouthowthegamewasinitsearlystages

andhowitdevelopedfromthosestagestowhatitisnow.Thissectionisalsomeantto

giveyoubriefsdetailsonhoworwhatwasdonetofixtheissueswehadtomakethe

gamebetter,enjoyableandeducational.Weareallproudtopresenttoyouthisdetailed

designdocumentofourgame:Titanium:TitansPeriodicQuest.


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GameOverview

GamePhilosophy

PhilosophicalPoint1|GoalOfGame

Theprimarygoalofourgameistheenhancementofscienceskillsinplayers,including

rudimentaryscienceprinciplesandtheirapplication.Thiswillbeachievedthroughthe

challenges,whicharebasedonmultiplescientificexperiments.Theseprincipleswillbe

putintouseatthefinalbattlebetweenTitanandDioxideinordertoillustratetheir

applicabilityinreallife.

PhilosophicalPoint2|Accessibility

Ourgamewillbeavailableasanapplicationformobiledevicessuchassmartphones,

andpersonaltablets.Webelievethisisanemergingfieldofplatformsforeducational

gamesandwehopetocapturethismomentum.Bymakingourproductcompatiblefor

themobiledevicemarket,weaimtoreachavastanddiverseaudiencewithan

entertainingandchallenginggamethatprovidesplayerswithanopportunitytolearn.

PhilosophicalPoint3|LateralThinking&CreativeProblemSolving

Titanium:TitansPeriodicQuestattemptstoencouragealternateandcreativewaysof

solvingpuzzlesfromitsplayers.Wearehelpingshowouraudiencethatthereare

multiplewaystosolvecommonproblems,andthislateralthinkingwillhelpplayers

beyondthegameinseekinginnovativesolutionstomundanechallenges.


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CommonQuestions

CommonQuestion1|WhatIsTheGame?

Titanium:TitansPeriodicQuestisaneducationalgameplayableonavarietyof

mobileplatformsthathelpsplayersformulatecreativeandcriticalsolutionstoaseriesof12textandimagepuzzles.Withcorrect,timelyandaccurateanswers,theplayers

imprisonedcharacterisflownontotheproceedingplatformwhereheawaitshisnext

challenge.Onceall12increasinglychallengingpuzzlesarecompletedandtheevilboss

Dioxideconquered,thegamehasbeencompleted.

CommonQuestion2|WhyCreateThisGame?

Wearecreatingthisgametofosterinnovativethinkinginplayers.Webelieve

edutainmentgamesinthecurrentmarketfocustooheavilyonmemorizationskillsand

donttrainnewwaysofthinkingthatcanbetransferredintotheplayersreallife.Titanium:TitansPeriodicQuestwilltrainplayerstofindnewwaysofanswering

apparentlystraight-forwardquestionsrelatedtospecificsciencecontent,andwillnot

focusondrill-and-practiceprinciples,commoninmanyedutainmentproducts.

CommonQuestion3|WhereDoesThisGameTakePlace?

Thelocationofthegame(i.e.thepuzzles)takesplaceinthesecretundergroundlairof

theevilnaydoerDioxide.DioxideslairislocatedinMintropolis;theScienceand

TechnologyhuboftheWesternHemisphere.Dioxideslairisaseriesofchambers,and

trappedinsideisTitan,thegameshero,whoisdesperatelytryingtorescuehimself.Aswellasregaincontrolofhispowersource(Titanium)thatwasstrippedfromhimina

battleagainstDioxide,Titanisalsotryingtoout-racetimeinordertosavetheworld

fromDioxidesimpendingdeathray.

CommonQuestion4|WhatDoIControl?

Theplayerwillcontroltheresponsestothevariouspuzzlespresented.Oncethe

questionisansweredcorrectlyTitanispermittedtomoveontothenext,higher

chamber.TheplayerwillmanipulateTitansmovementfromplatformtoplatformashe

movesclosertohisTitanium.Iftheplayerdoesnotsuccessfullyreachthesucceedingplatformwithinthegiventimeframehewillbereturnedtothestartingpositionandwill

havetostartover.Additionally,timebonusesearnedforcompletingpuzzlesunderthe

giventimeframecanbeusedattheplayersdiscretionwhenevertheyfeelmoretimeis

needed.Thesetimebonusesareanotherplayer-controlledfeatureofthegame.


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CommonQuestion5|HowManyPlayersDoIControl?

TheplayerwillonlycontrolthemainfigureofTitan,ashejourneysfromplatformto

platformandontoeachsucceedingpuzzle.Theplayerwillbepresentedwitharcade-

stylecontrols(directionpad,interactionandjump+flybuttons)onthegamesinterface

givingthechoicesofhorizontalandverticaldirections.Uponsuccessfulcompletionof

eachpuzzle,Titanwillberequiredtoenterapasscodetoenterthenextchamber.Theplayerwillalsocontroltheenteringofthiscodeonanalpha/numericpad.WhenTitan

solvesthehalfwaypuzzle,Dioxiderealizesthereissomethingamiss:Dioxidestrusty

apprenticeHydrahasbeenhelpingTitanallalong.AsTitanissealedinthehalfway

chamber,Hydraisthrowndownintothefourthwhereshemustsolvethepuzzletoaid

herandTitansrelease.Atthehalfwaypuzzleofeachelementcategorytheplayer

controlsHydrathesamewayasTitan.Oncethispuzzleissolved,Titanisreleasedand

theplayersimultaneouslycontrolsthetwoheroes(inthestyleofSonictheHedgehog

andhisside-kickTails).

CommonQuestion6|WhatIsTheMainFocus?

TheprimaryfocusofthegameisTitansescapefromDioxideslairandretrievalofthe

powerfulTitanium.ObtainingtheTitaniumwillpreventDioxidefromusingitinhis

deathray,ultimatelypreventingtheendoftheworld.

CommonQuestion7|WhatIsDifferent?

WhatsetsTitanium:TitansPeriodicQuestapartfromitscompetitorsisfirstand

foremostitsfocusonscienceprinciples(primarilyChemistry),atopicnotcommonly

featuredinvideogames.Asaneducationaltool,thisgamecanbeusedforitsprimary

audience,whichisstudentsinGrade7andabove(ages12+),aswellitcanalsoserveas

aremedialresourceforchallengedstudents.Ourgamealsoasksitsplayerstodevelop

lateralthinkingskillscriticalandcreativeproblemsolvingtacticsopposedtothe

typicaldrillandpracticeprinciplesfrequentlyobservedinedutainmentproducts.

Lastly,ourgameisuniqueinitsengagingandentertaininggame-play,influencedby

moderngameandfilmnarrativesofsuperheroalliances,powerfulelementsand

deviousevildoctors.Thechosenplatformofmobilepersonaldevicesalsofavorsour

gameasitmakestheproductaccessibletogamersofallstyles(casual,hard-core,

educators/students)andintellectuallevels.


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GeneralGameFeatureSet

GeneralGameFeature1|EducationalComponent

Playedwithinavarietymobileplatforms(examples:iOS,Android,BBOS),Titanium:TitansPeriodicQuestisaneducationalgamefocusedprimarilyonbasicscientific

principles,withthelearnedcontentofthegamebeingthePeriodicElementsandhow

saidelementsareappliedtoabasicChemistryformula.Thisformulawillbeappliedat

theendofthegame,aslearnedmaterialobtainedthroughoutgameplayrelatedto

periodicelementsisusedinafinalpuzzle.Thebasisoftheeducationalmaterialutilized

withinthisgamederivesfromtheOntarioScienceCurriculumforGrades9and10.Here,

thegamemaybeutilizedasatoolforpreparation(byuseofGrade7and8aged

players),atoolforlearning(byuseofGrade9and10agedplayers)andasatoolfor

extension(foranyplayersinneed).Asasecondaryeducationalcomponent,the

developmentofcriticalthinking,problemsolvingandexplorationskillswillalsobe

addressedwhilefosteringLateralThinkingskills.AsthinkerEdwardDeBonotheorizes,

LateralThinkingissolvingproblemsthroughanindirectandcreativeapproach,using

reasoningthatisnotimmediatelyobviousandinvolvingideasthatmaynotbe

obtainablebyusingonlytraditionalstep-by-steplogic.Withthis,mostoftheproblems

inthinkingareperceptual.AsdeBonostates,thinkingirrationaloncefactorsare

knownproducesfewermistakesthanjumpingtoconclusionstoosoon

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_de_Bono).Creativityshouldbeproducibleon

demandwiththeformationanddesignfromnewideas,andnotlefttochance.

GeneralGameFeature2|NarrativeComponent

ProtectingthecityofMintropolis,asuperheronamedTitanoverseesthewellbeingof

allcitizens.BornwithinacosmicburstinasupernovaoutsideofSaturn,Titanisaspace

being,resemblingahuman,whotraveledtoEarthuponconceptionasaparticleofdust,

pressurizeduponatmosphericentrycombiningwithparticlesoftheelementof

titanium.Fromthisimmensepressure,titaniumbecameapartofTitan,hissourceof

superheropowers(superfast&highflyingandsuperhumanstrength).Titanstitanium

sourceisarareandpowerfultype,existentonlyonamoonthatorbitsSaturninSpace.

HemeritsEarthasbeingtheplaceinwhichhewasgiventheabilitytoliveandprosper,

andduetothis,hefeelstheurgetorepayhishostbyprotectingtheplanetwiththis

powers.

MintropolisistheWesternHemispheresScienceandTechnologicalhub,with

innovationandresearchkeytothecityseconomicsuccess.MagnaCorp.,thelargest

NanoSciencelabwithintheregion,begandevelopmentsofapressurizedlaserbeam

meantforthesplittingofatoms.Dr.DavidDi,NobelPrizewinner,headresearcherand

scientistontheproject,wasrecentlyfiredfortamperingwithMagnaCorp.patentsin

thecreationofadeathraythatharnessesthepowersofthepressurizedlaserbeam.


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Withasuperiorintellect,awantedmanandobsessedwithhiscraft,Dr.Dievolvedhis

interestsinthenameofevilandnowlivesundertheguiseofDioxide,anevildoerwho

plotstotakeovertheworld.Bycraftingadeathraythatisaimedatandwillstrikethe

coreoftheEarth,erasingallformsoflife,Dioxideplanstoformhisownsuper-evil

humanrace.

AsDioxideworkstowardthecompletionofthedeathray,withhistrustyassistantHydra

athisside,thefinalcomponentofthisweaponistherareSaturniantitanium.Housed

withinacavityinthechestofTitan,Dioxideplotstoseizethiscrystallizedtitanium

sourceasthelastpiecetohisevilpuzzle.Withoutthissourceofpower,Titanisleft

powerlessandassuch,theworldisleftdefenselessagainstthepowerofDioxide.

GeneralGameFeature3|GamePlayComponent

IntroductionDuringanepicbattlewithDioxide,TitanisstrippedofallpowersandabilityasDioxide

removesthecrystallizedtitaniumsourcefromTitanschest.TheonlywaytosavetheworldisforTitantoregaincontrolofhistitaniumsource,thesourceofhispowers.

Followingthebattle,adefenselessTitaniscapturedthenisthrownintoabelowground

verticalpassageway.Thispassagewayiscraftedoutofhighgage,superstrengthsteel,

impenetrabletoanythingandisfoundwithinDioxideslair.Asthetitaniumneeds

exposuretoairtomaintainitscoretemperature,DioxidenotonlyholdsTitancaptivein

thissecurepassageway,butalsostorestheSaturniantitaniuminaperforatedsteel

enclosurefoundmountedatthetop,nearthepressurelockedentrance/exit.The

passagewaycontainsaseriesofchambers(roomsfoundalongthewallsofthe

passageway)accessedonlybyplatformsthatonecouldstandon,atvaryingheights.

Theseplatformsejectfromthewallwhenactivatedbytheinputofcorrectanswerstoperiodictable/elementsquestions(example:WhatdoestheperiodicsymbolNa

represent)toopenthechambers.

Inhissickandtwistedway,DioxideproposesachallengetoTitanasawaytowatchhim

struggleandsufferwiththesurvivaloftheworldonhisshoulders.Theonlywayfor

Titantogetoutandregaincontrolofhistitaniumpowersourceistoanswerpuzzles

posedbyDioxide,witheachcorrectpuzzle(withineachchamber)gainingTitanhis

abilitytoflytotheheightofthesubsequentplatform.AsTitanworksthroughthese

puzzles,thesemi-exposedtitaniummaintainsaneurological-connectionwithhim.With

this,aseachpuzzlelevelispassed,thetitaniumincreasesinpowerand,duetothe

increasedheatatitscore,emitslightthatTitanmayutilizetoseethekeypadsand

screensonthewalltoentersubsequentchambersandthus,gainmorepower.


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InitialGame-PlayandStructure

Aftertheinitialnarrativescene,theplayerispresentedwithgroupingsofthemain

categoriestaughtingeneralScienceclassesinGrade9and10fromtheperiodictableof

elements(Alkali,AlkaliEarth,HalogensandNobleGases)colourcodedaseitherMetals

orNonmetalsontheirscreen.Fromhere,theplayermayclickonaboxtoopenthe

levelscoveredwithin(eachlabeledwiththeelementname,symbolandatomicnumber

itexplores)butmayonlyaccessthelevelstoplayinthefirstboxinitially.

Aftertheplayertapstoopenabox,theyarepresentedwiththeLevelOverview&

SelectionSubMenu.Onthisscreen,thelevelsarespreadoutfirstinsequentialorder

then,whentheperiodictableiconistapped,atoptheperiodictableasanindicationof

whichleveladdresseswhichelementgroups.LevelsmaybeaccessedonBOTHthelevel

spreadscreenandtheperiodictablescreen.Inaddition,theperiodictablescreenserves

asavisualrepresentationormapoftheplayersprogressthroughthegamein

correlationwiththeelementslistedonthetable.AplayercanONLYselectalevelfrom

thismapiftheyhavecompleteditORiftheywanttorevisititoutsideofgameplayasa

review.Onceanentirebox/categoryoflevelshasbeencompleted,theplayerhastheoptiontoprogresstothenextseriesAND/ORPAUSEGAMEPLAYtoREVIEWeachlevel

separately.

Thestructuredescribedabovewillberepeatedthrougheachofthemainfour

categories(Alkali,AlkaliEarth,HalogensandNobleGases).

Theselevels,undereachperiodiccategory,arepresentedaspuzzlesarranged

throughoutthechamberswithinthepassageway.Whentheplayersavatariswithinthe

generalpassagewayspace,fromplatformtoplatform,theavartarisviewedbythe

playerinthethird-personperspective.Further,whentheavatarisseenwithineach

chambercompletingapuzzle,theviewtogglestothefirstpersonperspectivewitha

viewofthepuzzlepresentedtobesolved.

Eachofthepuzzles/levelsposesachallengetobesolvedrelatedtoaspecificelementin

awaywheretheplayeristoapplyknowledgealreadygainedinpriorpuzzles/levelstoa

situation.Forexample:Abottleisfilledwithbakingsoda,whichelementshouldbe

addedtopopouttheyournextcluefromthebottleopening?.Uponcorrectly

answeringthepuzzletheplayerwillgainanincreasedunderstandingofbasicprinciples

ofelementsrelatedtotheperiodictable.Theseprincipleswillbeappliedatalaterpoint

inthegame.

GameSuccession

Aslevelsarecompleted,theplayerwillachieveaPeriodicPiece.Thesepieceswillbe

representativeofthemainelement(s)/concept(s)learnedwithinspecificlevelsandwill

bestoredinanonscreenToolKitforlateruse.Thispiecewillbeanitemforuseduring

thefinalbattlewithDioxidewhereanunderstandingoftheelementspropertieswillbe


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applied.Secondly,thispiecewillactasaninformationcardwhentappedthatwould

giveadescriptionand/orlistofcharacteristicsoftheperiodicelementanda

practical/reallife/householdexampleofanappropriateuse.Thistoolkitmaybe

accessedasareferenceduringanypartwithinthegametosupporttheplayer.When

accessed,gametimestopstoallowprocessingandlateralthinkingtime.

ThetitaniumsymbolizestheTitanspowers,andaseachlevelispassed,thelightinthe

passagewayincreasessymbolizingourherosincreasingstrengththroughthe

establishedneurological-connection.Asthelevelsprogress,thequestionsgetharder

andwiththis,Titanspowers(bothneurologicandphysical)alsoincrease.

Thisprogressionofeventsisconnectedtoatimedincentive.Withthis,theplayeris

givenaspecificamountoftimeinwhichtocompletelyfinishthegamedependingon

theabilitylevelselectedatthebeginning(Beginner,NoviceorAdvanced).Aplayerwill

havetheabilitytoselecttheirabilitylevelforeachcategoryandwillalsohavethe

optiontocompletetheentiregamestorylineusingonlytheselectedcategorys

structureorincombinationwithothercategoriestoatotalofallfour(example:players

canplayonlywithintheNobleGasescategoryaloneorinconjunctionwithothercategories).Withthis,thefinalchallengewillbedependentonthatcoveredthroughout

thelevelsplayed,whichisdependentontheplayerschoiceofcategory(ies).Acount

downclockwillrunonscreen(topleft-handcorner)throughouttheentiregame.This

clockrepresentsthegameasawholewithasecondaryProposedTimethatwill

appearunderneathwhentheplayeriscompletingaspecificactivity(solvingpuzzleor

navigatingavatar).Iftheplayercompletesaspecificpartundertheproposedtime,they

willaccumulateaTimeBonustobeusedattheplayersdiscretionwhenever,and

wherevertheywish.Thisbonuswillbeaccessiblethroughoutthegameinthetime

spaceatthetopleftportionofthescreen.

GameCompletion

Closetothetopofthepassageway,closesttotheSaturniantitanium,nomore

platformswillbeejected.ItisuptoTitantoreleasehistitaniumsource,breakfreeof

thepressurelockedexitandflyoutofthechamber(seenasacutscene).Thefinal

escapetakesplaceintheformofaFINALCHALLENGE,apuzzlebattlewithDioxidefor

thetitaniumsourcewheretheplayerutilizestheskillsdevelopedinlearningaboutthe

differentperiodicelementsinasawayofdefeatingtheevildoctor,determiningEarths

fate.


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Single-PlayerGameFeatureSet

Overview

Titanium:TitansPeriodicQuestisasingle-playergameandbeginswithacut-scenedescribingthehistorybetweenDioxideandTitan.Thissituatestheplayerinaplace

wheretheyfeelconnectedtotheantagonistandwillfeelmotivatedtohelphimescape

thelair.Theplayerwillprimarilyexperiencethemanypuzzleswithinthegame,asTitan

movesfromonechambertoanother,closertohisTitanium.Therewillbetwoother

majorscenesinthegame,oneofwhichwillnotrequiretheplayersinteraction:

DioxidesdiscoveryofHydrasbetrayal(viewedonly)andTitanandDioxidesfinal

battle.Theplayerwillberesponsibleforcorrectlyansweringandsolvingthepuzzles

throughoutthegameandatthefinalscene,asiftheywereTitan/Hydra.

HoursofGameplay

Thereareapproximately40hoursofgame-playduetothevolumeofpuzzlesavailable.

Gameplaydurationvariesonhowlongeachplayertakestosolvetheindividualpuzzles.

VictoryConditions

Theplayerwinseachmini-gamebycorrectlysolvingthepuzzleandescapingthe

chamber.TheentiregameiswononceDioxideisdefeatedandtheTitaniumisreturned

toTitan.Theplayerisalsogivenadditionalincentivethroughthebonustimefeature,

whichisachievedbysolvingthepuzzleundertheproposedtimeindicated.

Single-PlayerGameFeature1|PuzzleChamber

WhenTitanenterseachchambertheplayerviewsthepuzzleinfull-screenmode.The

playerthenattemptstosolvethepuzzleasquicklyandaccuratelyaspossibleusingthe

itemsacquiredintheToolKitandtheirownknowledge.Duringthistime,thegames

timerwillbeheardunlesstheplayerisviewingtheseToolKititemsatwhichpointthe

timerispausedtoallowlateralthinking.Uponleavingthetoolkitthetimerresumesand

theplayermustattempttoanswerthepuzzle.Iftheplayercorrectlyidentifiesthe

puzzlessolutionthePuzzleCompletesoundwillbeheard;conversely,ifthepuzzleisnotsolvedcorrectlythePuzzleIncorrectsoundwillplay.Ifthepuzzlewasnotsolved

correctlytheplayerwillcontinuetoseethepuzzleandwillrepeatthisprocessuntil

correct.Iftheplayercorrectlysolvesthepuzzle,thecorrespondingsoundisheard,the

chambersdoorwillopenastheDoorOpensoundisplayed.TheplayerasTitanwillexit

thechamberandbeginjumpingforthenextplatform.Whiletheplayer/Titanis

jumping,theJumpingsoundclipwillplay.Successfullandingontothenextplatformwill

initiatethenextchambersdoortoopenandthenextpuzzletocommence.


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Single-PlayerGameFeature2|TheFinalChallenge

TheplayerwillhavecontroloverTitanduringhisfinalbattleandchallengeagainst

Dioxide.InthisscenetheFinalBattlemusicwillbeheardinthebackground.Titanmust

correctlysolvethelastpuzzleusingthetoolshehasacquiredthroughoutthegameplay.

Ifthisfinalpuzzleiscorrectlyanswered,theplayerwillwatchasTitanremovesthe

Titaniumfromitssteelenclosure,savingEarthfromdestructionandrestoringhispowerstotheirfullstrength.


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GameCharacters

Overview

Therearethreecharactersinthisgame,oneofwhichtheplayerhascontrolofformostofthedurationofthegame(Titan)andanotherwhotheplaycontrolsforalevel

(Hydra).Astherootofthegamesnarrative,theseplayersvaryintheirbackground,

characteristicsandpowers,alladdingtothecomplexityofthegame.

PersonalizingaCharacter

Playerswillhavetheoptiontoselectwhichperiodictablecategorytheywishtoplay

within,butnotessentialdetailsofthecharacteritself.Theplayermaychangethefacial

andphysicalcharacteristicsofTitantosomedegree,evolvingfromtheprovided

characteravatar.PlayersmaypersonalizeTitanbyalteringphysicalfeaturesbutcannotalteranythingtodowithhispowersofflightandstrength.

Characters

TitanBornwithinacosmicburstinasupernova

outsideofSaturn,Titanisaspacebeing,

resemblingahuman,whotraveledtoEarth

uponconceptionasaparticleofdust,

pressurizeduponatmosphericentry

combiningwithparticlesoftheelementof

titanium.Fromthisimmensepressure,

titaniumbecameapartofTitan,hissource

ofsuperheropowers(superfast&high

flyingandsuperhumanstrength).Titans

titaniumsourceisarareandpowerfultype,

existentonlyonamoonthatorbitsSaturn

inSpace.HemeritsEarthasbeingtheplace

inwhichhewasgiventheabilitytoliveand

prosper,andduetothis,hefeelstheurgetorepayhishostbyprotectingtheplanet

withthispowers.

TitanConcept


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DavidDiConcept

Dioxide

MintropolisistheWestern

HemispheresScienceandTechnological

hub,withinnovationandresearchkey

tothecityseconomicsuccess.Magna

Corp.,thelargestNanoSciencelab

withintheregion,begandevelopments

ofapressurizedlaserbeammeantfor

thesplittingofatoms.Dr.DavidDi,

NobelPrizewinner,headresearcher

andscientistontheproject,was

recentlyfiredfortamperingwithMagna

Corp.patentsinthecreationofadeath

raythatharnessesthepowersofthe

pressurizedlaserbeam.

Withasuperiorintellect,awantedmanand

obsessedwithhiscraft,Dr.Dievolvedhis

interestsinthenameofevilandnowlivesundertheguiseofDioxide,anevildoerwho

plotstotakeovertheworld.Bycraftinga

deathraythatisaimedatandwillstrikethe

coreoftheEarth,erasingallformsoflife,

Dioxideplanstoformhisownsuper-evil

humanrace.

DioxideConcept


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Hydra

Aoncepart-timelabassistantto

Dr.DavidDiatMagnaCorp.,HillaryDrak

workedunderthistwistedscientistwith

promisesofresearchandgrantmoneyto

fundherbiochemistryendeavors.With

hopesforthefuture,DrakealwayssoughtopleasehersupervisorDr.Di,evenwhe

heturnedtothedarkside.Withthis,

HillaryDrakebecameHydraasshe

continuedtosupportDioxideinhis

scientificquestforworlddomination.

Maintainingherinnocenceandgood

nature,HydranolongersupportsDioxide

questandlookstobreakfreeofhishold,

supportingallthosewhoseekto

overpowerhim,suchasTitan.Hydravow

tohelpTitanalonghisquestbycommunicatingvitalpuzzleinformationt

himinthepassagewayviaaBluetooth

earpieceshethrewintothepassageway

thattheybothwearthroughoutthegamHydraConcept


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GameWorldFeatureSet

Overview

ThegametakesplaceinMintropolis,acityonplanetEarthrenownedforitsreputation

ofScientificandTechnologicalactivity.Theplayerswillbeabletoseesomepartofthe

citythroughcutscenesatthebeginningofthegametogetanideaofwhatthecity

lookslikeingeneral.However,theprimarygameworldwillbeinaVerticalPassageway

belowthegroundwherethesuperheroTitanisbeingheldcaptivebyhisevilnemesis

Dioxide.

GameWorldFeature1|ThePassageway&Chambers

Thispassagewayiscraftedoutofhighgage,supersteel:impenetrabletoanyknown

material.Thepassagewayisdark,andcontainsaseriesnumberofchambers(roomsfoundalongthewallsofthepassageway)accessedbyplatformsatvaryingheights.Each

chamberhasapuzzlethatneedstobesolvedinorderfortheplatformstoreleasefrom

thewalltoleadtothenextchamber.

GameWorldFeature2|SaturnianTitanium

Ontopofthepassageway(entrance/exit),theSaturnianTitanium(thesourceofpower

forTitan)isheldtokeepitscoretemperaturestablebybeingexposedtoair.Wheneach

puzzleissolved,thetitaniumwillshinebrightersothepassagewaywillbefilledwith

morelight,makingiteasierfortheherotomaneuver.Asthetitaniumglowincreases,

andourherogetsclosertothesurface,Titanregainshissuperstrengthandabilitytofly.

TheseabilitieswillhelpTitanjump(orfly)fromeachplatformtogettotheother

chamber.

GameWorldFeature3|DioxidesLair

Afterreachingthetopofthepassageway,thegameworldwillchangefromthe

passagewaytoDioxidesLairwherethefinalbattlewilltakeplace.Theplayerswillbe

abletogetanideaofhowtheDioxidesLairlookslikethroughanothercutscenebeforethefinalchallengebeings.


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GameWorldLayout&WalkthroughFeatureSet

GameWorldLayout&WalkthroughFeature1|ThePassageway&Chambers

ThegamewilltakeplaceinDioxideslairwhereTitaniscapturedandthenthrownintoabelowgroundverticalpassageway.Thisplacehasonlyonewayoutandthatisonthe

topofthepassagewaywhichispressurelocked.Thepassagewayisdarkwhichmakesit

hardforTitantoseeandtheonlysourceoflightcomesoutfromthepressurelock

whichcontainsTitansourceofpower,theSaturnianTitanium.Thepassagewayincludes

anumberofchambersthatareaccompaniedwithmagneticdoorsconnectedtoa

keypadoutsideeachdoor.EachchamberincludesapuzzleforTitantosolveinorderto

getaccesstothenextchamberuntilhereachesthetoptoexitthispassageway.Also

outsidethesechambers,thereareplatformsthataresupposedtotakeTitantoeach

chamber,theonlywaytogetaccesstothesechambers.ThepassagewayisalsoinaV

shapestructuretomakeitharderforTitantomovefromeachchamberbyflying.But

Titanispowerlessnowashissourceofpowerisontopofthevertical.Inotherwords,

Titanisamerehumanwhenthegamestarts.Thegameplaywillbeinthefirstperson

viewforthetimebeing.

Feature1Concept


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GameWorldFeature2|TheFirstChamber&Puzzle

Evenwithouthispowers,Titanwillbeabletojumptothefirstchamberbecauseitis

reachableandsoclosetothebottomofthepassageway.Thefirstdoorwillbeopento

letTitangetaccesstothefirstchamberandthefirstpuzzle.Asitwasmentionedbefore,

Titanneedstosolvethefirstpuzzleinordertogettothenextchamber.Atthatpoint,

theviewfromthepassagewayintothechamberwillgofromthethird-personperspectivetothefirst-personperspectivesotheplayerwillbeabletousethetouch

screentosolvethepuzzles.Also,bysolvingeachpuzzletheviewwillgobacktothe

third-personperspectiveandtheSaturnianTitaniumwillshinegivingTitanlimited

powertobeabletoflyforashorttimetogettothenextchamber.TheTitaniumwill

shinestrongereachtimeTitansolvesapuzzlesohecouldgetmorepowertoflymoreto

reachthenextchamberandsoon.

Feature2Concept


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GameWorldFeature3|ChamberKeypads

Additionally,aftersolvingeachpuzzletheplayerwillgetaPeriodicPiecethatrepresents

oneoftheelementsintheperiodictable.ThesepieceswillbestoredintheToolKitthat

willbeusedlaterinthegame.Withthosepieces,Titanwillneedtoenterinformation

aboutthemonakeypadoutsideeachchambertoordertogetinsidetheproceeding

puzzle.Atthatpoint,theviewwillchangeagaintothefirstpersoninordertousethetouchscreentoinputtheinformationonthekeypads.Eachchambersmagneticdooris

relatedtothepreviouspuzzle,inthepreviouschamber,sotheplayermustunderstand

theinformationanduseitonthekeypadtogetaccesstothenextchamber.

Feature3Concept


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GameWorldFeature4|Hydra&PuzzleTips

Iftheplayerhadaproblemwiththeinformation]he/shehasthenhe/shecanreturn

backtothepreviouschambertoreviewthepuzzleanditsinformationandthenreturn

thelockedmagneticdoor.Also,HydraisavailabletohelpTitanthroughthepuzzlesby

communicatingwithherthroughtheearpieceasaTipsfunctionontheGameUser

Interface.Buttheplayermustrememberonething-therewillbeatimeronthetopleftcornersotheplayermusthurrytofinishallthepuzzlestogetoutsideofthelair.Soany

timeusedgoingbacktoapreviouschamberorcommunicatingwithHydraiscounted

duringthegame.

Feature4Concept


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GameWorldFeature5[A]|Hydra&Titan

Thegamewillcontinuewiththisformatuntiltheplayerreacheshalfwaythroughthe

game(whichinthesketchischamberfour).WhenTitangetshalfwaythroughthe

game,anewcutscenewillappearshowingDioxidegettingangryandconfused:Titan

wasnotsupposedtoreachthatfarinthepassageway!HelaterdiscoversthatHydra

washelpinghimallalonesohetrapsandsealsTitaninthelastchamberhesolvedandcapturesHydraintheproceedingpuzzle.

Feature5AConcept


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GameWorldFeature5[B]|Hydra&Titan

Atthispointofthegame,therolesofcharacterswillswitchandtheplayerswillgetto

playasHydratosolvethepuzzleinthatchamberwiththehelpofTitanbyusingthe

sameearpieceshegavetofreehim.AfterHydrasolvesthepuzzle,Titanwillbefreeto

flytothenextchamberwhereHydraistrappedinandusestheinformationhegotfrom

thepreviouspuzzlesolvedtofreeHydra.

Feature5BConcept


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GameWorldFeature5[C]|Hydra&Titan

Whenthishappens,thetwocharacterswilljoinforcestogetoutofthepassagewayand

todefeattheevilDioxide.ThecontrolwillgobacktoTitanandHydrawillbefollowing

himaround(mimickinghismovesbehindhim)byflyingtogettothenextchambers.

Feature5CConcept


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GameWorldFeature6|ObtainingTheSaturnianTitanium

ThegamewillcontinueasitwasbeforewithHydrajoiningTitantheentiretime.When

theyreachthelastchamberandsolveit,theSaturnianTitaniumwillshinetoits

maximumlimitgivingTitantheabilitytoflytothepressurelocktogettheTitanumback

toretrievehissourceofpower.

Feature6Concept


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GameWorldFeature7|FinalPuzzleChallenge

WithhisSaturnianTitaniumpowerandHydraathisside,acutscenewillshowTitan

breakingthecrystalizedtitaniumfreefromitsperforatedcaseandbreakingthroughthe

pressurelockedcoverintothegroundfloorofDioxideslairtoseeDioxidestandingby

wherehewillchallengeTitantoaFINALPUZZLECHALLENGEfortheSaturnianTitanium

Crystal.Fromhere,thefinalpuzzleandbattlebetweentheescapedheroesandtheirnemesiswillbeseen.ThisfinalchallengewillutilizethePeriodicPiecesearned

throughoutthemaingame-playtodefeatDioxide.

Feature7Concept

Atthispoint,thecutscenewillendwithafinalfirstpersonpuzzleversusDioxide.The

winnerofthischallengewillearnthetitanium,inturnchoosingtheworldsfate:

destructionorsurvival.Oncetheplayerhascompletedthepuzzle(winorlose)afinal

cutscenewilldescribethefateoftheworld,continuationoflifeordestruction.Willit

betheendofDioxide?Orwillitbetheendoftheworld?ItisalluptoTitanandHydra

tosolvethisperiodicquesttoendthisjourneyonceandforall.


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GameUserInterface

Overview

Thisgamewillbeavailableasanapplicationformobiledevicessuchassmartphones,andpersonaltablets.Asthisisanemergingfieldofplatformsforeducationalgames,

thismomentumiswhatistobecapturedinemployingthisgameontheseplatform

types.Bymakingtheproductcompatibleforthemobiledevicemarket,theaimisto

reachavastanddiverseaudiencewithanentertainingandchallenginggamethat

providesplayerswithanopportunitytolearn.

Theuserinterfaceforthisgamewilltakeshapeusingtheframework(s)providedby

variousmobileplatforms(examples:iOS,Android,BBOS).Withthis,theuserinterface

withemployandbuildoffoftheinnatefeaturesofthedevices(smartphonesandtablets)thisgamewouldbeplayedon.Aseachdeviceeludedtooffersadifferentsetof

featuresandfunctions,theprimaryandcorefunctionalitiesoftheuserinterfaceiswhat

willbedescribedhere(touchscreenmanipulation).Withmoredevelopmentand

consideration,saidfunctionalitiescouldbefurtherexploredtoharnessthepowersof

eachuniquedeviceanditsembeddedsoftware.Note,aniOSexampleisshownhere.

GameUserInterfaceFeature1|InitialInterface

HomeScreen|MainMenu

Attheonset,theplayeristotaptheTitanium:Titans

PeriodicQuestapplicationicontoactivatethegame.

Withthis,thegamesHomeScreenMainMenuappears.

TheplayeristotaponPLAYtobegingameplay,ormay

selecttoOPTIONStoaccessgamesettingssuchasgame

effects(sounds,musicandgamereset),avatar

appearance(creatingpersonalizedfeatures)andsoon.

Further,selectingCrystalatthebottomofthehome

screenallowstheplayertolearnmoreabouttheorigin

oftheSaturnianTitaniumCrystal,Titanspowersource.


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SkillLevelSelection|SubMenu1

ThesubsequentscreenseenistheSkillLevelSectionSub

Menuwheretheplayerhastheabilitytocustomize

gameplaybyselectingtheirskilllevelrelatedtotheir

knowledgeoftheperiodictable.Withthis,tapinga

particularskilllevel(Beginner,NoviceorAdvanced)will

allowtheplayertheabilitytoselecttheirabilitylevelfor

themaincategoriestaughtingeneralScienceclassesin

Grade9and10fromtheperiodictableofelements

(Alkali,AlkaliEarth,HalogensandNobleGases).The

playerwillhavethecapabilitytoselecttheirabilitylevel

foreachcategory(asdescribedbelow).Finally,the

playerisofferedtheopportunitytorevisitthisSkillLevel

Sectionscreenduringgameplaytoadjusttheirselection.

PeriodicTableCategorySelection|SubMenu2

Onthenextscreen,theplayerispresentedwiththe

PeriodicTableCategorySelectionSubMenu.These

aregroupingsofthemaincategoriestaughtin

generalScienceclassesinGrade9and10fromthe

periodictableofelements(Alkali,AlkaliEarth,

HalogensandNobleGases),colourcodedaseither

MetalsorNonmetalsonthescreenintheformofa

box.Fromhere,theplayermaytaponaboxtoopen

thelevelscoveredwithin(eachlabeledwiththe

elementname,symbolandatomicnumberit

explores)butmayonlyaccessthelevelstoplayinthefirstboxinitially.Theplayerwillhavetheoption

tocompletetheentiregamestorylineusingonlythe

selectedcategoryslevelstructureorincombination

withothercategoriestoatotalofallfourcategories.


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LevelOverview&Selection|SubMenu3

Aftertheplayertapstoopenabox,theyare

presentedwiththeLevelOverview&SelectionSub

Menu.Onthisscreen,thelevelsarespreadoutfirst

insequentialorderthen,whenthePeriodicTable

Iconistapped,atoptheperiodictableasan

indicationofwhichleveladdresseswhichelement

groups.LevelsmaybeaccessedonBOTHthelevel

spreadscreenandtheperiodictablescreen.In

addition,theperiodictablescreenservesasavisual

representationormapoftheplayersprogress

throughthegameincorrelationwiththeelements

listedonthetable.AplayercanONLYselectalevel

fromthismapiftheyhavecompleteditORifthey

wanttorevisititoutsideofgameplayasareview.

GameUserInterfaceFeature2|GamePlayInterface

Passageway|GamePlayNavigation1

Joystick&

ToolKit

Total/Proposed&

BonusTime

Interaction&Fly+

JumpButtons

TitaniumPower

LevelIndicator


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Afterselectingalevel,theplayerbeginsplayingthegame.Theplayerwillmovethrough

twoscreens.First,theywillviewtheavatarfromthethird-personperspectivewithinthe

firstGamePlayNavigation,thePassageway.Heretheplayerwillhavetheabilityto

movetheavatarinvaryingdirectionsviathevirtualjoystickonthebottomleftportion

ofthescreen.Further,workingintandemwiththejoystick,theplayercanalso

manipulatetheINTERACTIONvirtualbuttontointeractwiththekeypadinthefirst

personviewoutsideeachchamberandtheJUMP+FLYvirtualbuttontojumpandfly.

NOTE:ThepowertoflyisactivatedbypressingandholdingtheJUMP+FLYvirtual

button.TitanwillbeabletoflyONLYwhentheplayersolvesthefirstpuzzleandONLYas

highashisTitaniumpower,asindicatedbyhisTITANIUMPOWERLEVELINDICATOR

(TL).

Thisprogressionofeventsinthegameisconnectedtoatimedincentive.Withthis,the

playerisgivenaspecificamountoftimeinwhichtocompletelyfinishthegame

dependingontheskilllevelselectedatthebeginning(Beginner,NoviceorAdvanced).A

countdownclockwillrunonscreen(topleft-handcorner)throughouttheentiregame.

Thisclockrepresentsthegameasawholewithasecondaryproposedtimethatwill

appearunderneathwhentheplayeriscompletingaspecificactivity(solvingpuzzleornavigatingavatar).Iftheplayercompletesaspecificpartundertheproposedtime,they

willaccumulateatimebonustobeusedattheplayersdiscretionwhenever,and

wherevertheywish.Thisbonuswillbeaccessiblethroughoutthegameinthetime

spaceatthetopleftportionofthescreen.

LeveledChambers/SolvingPuzzles|GamePlayNavigation2

Total/Proposed&

BonusTime

ToolKitwith

PeriodicPieces

PUZZLE 3


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Uponavatarentryintoeachofthechambersfoundwithinthepassageway,theplayer

willbeconfrontedwithpuzzles/levelsthatposeachallengetobesolvedrelatedtoa

specificelementinawaywheretheplayeristoapplyknowledgealreadygainedinprior

puzzles/levelstoasituation.


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Uponcorrectlyansweringthepuzzletheplayerwillgainanincreasedunderstandingof

basicprinciplesofelementsrelatedtotheperiodictable.Theseprincipleswillbe

appliedatalaterpointinthegame.Here,theplayersimplyutilizesthebasictapand

swipefunctionsemployedwithmanytouchscreendevicesasawayofmanipulatingand

selectingapplicablecontent(asinstructedwithinthepuzzles).


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PeriodicCardConcept

Atoolkitisfoundatthebottomcentreofthegameplay

screen,accessiblethroughouttheentiregame,which

housesPeriodicPieces.Aslevelsarecompleted,the

playerwillachieveaPeriodicPiece.Thesepieceswillbe

representativeofthemainelement(s)/concept(s)learned

withinthespecificlevelandwillbestoredinthetoolkit

forlateruse.Thepieceswillbeusedasitemsforthefinal

battlewithDioxidewhereanunderstandingofthe

elementspropertieswillbeappliedandsecondly,will

containaninformationcardthatwouldgivea

description/characteristicsoftheperiodicelementanda

practical/reallife/householdexampleofanappropriate

use.Thistoolkitmaybeaccessedasareferenceduring

anypartwithinthegametosupporttheplayer.When

accessed,gametimestopstoallowprocessingandlateral

thinkingtime.

GameUserInterfaceFeature3|SocialIntegration

GameCentre|iOS

Think

AnewsocialgamingexperienceontheiOS

userinterface,GameCentreletsfriends,and

soon-to-be-friends,inonalltheaction.Players

caninvitesomeonetojoin,thengetagame

goingwithGameAppsbuiltforGameCentre

integration.Titanium:TitansPeriodicQuest

isdesignedtodojustthat.TheGameCentre

apponiOSletsaplayerexpandtheirsocial

gamingnetwork.Allanyoneneedstoplayisan

iDevicerunningiOS.Playersneedonlytapthe

GameCentreappontheirHomescreen,sign

inwiththeirAppleID,andtheyregoodtogo.

Anygamescanbedownloadedbytapping

linksinGameCentre.Gamescanbestarted

rightintheGameCentreapp.Titanium:

TitansPeriodicQuestwillconnecttothe

GameCentreandwillenableplayerstocheck

outtheleaderboardsandseehowtheirscore

ranksagainsttheirfriends,aswellasall

playersofthegame.Playerscanalsocompare

gameachievementswithothers.


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GameMusicalScores&SoundEffects

Overview

ThemusicusedinThinkOutsidetheBoxwillreflecttheindustrial,futuristicatmosphereinwhichthegametakesplace.Whatwehavedecidedtouseisambientbackground

noiseofanautofactorytoreflecttherighttypeofmoodwebelievetoexistinDioxides

lair.Soundeffectstobeusedwillalsoembodythesamekindofindustrialenvironment,

andwillbeusedtoemphasizetheopeningandclosingofchamberdoors,Titans

jumpingandlandingfromplatformtoplatform,aswellasthesoundofbuttonsbeing

pressedwhileeachchamberspasskeyisentered.Adescriptionofeachoftheseclips

areincludedbelow.

SoundClips

Event Description/Purpose Clip

MusicalScore

Thesoundusedforthegamesbackgroundwill

representitsindustrialandfuturisticatmosphere.

Thechosenclipisambientbackgroundnoiseofan

autoplant.

SoundClip1

AmbientAutoFactory

KeypadButtons

AsTitanandHydraenterthepasscodetoescape

eachchamber,thefollowingclipwillbeusedto

emphasizethesoundofbuttonsbeingpressed.

SoundClip2

Button

DoorOpen

Wheneachchambersdooropens,thefollowing

soundwillbeplayed.

SoundClip3

DoorOpen

PressureLocked

DoorOpen

ThissoundwillbeheardwhenTitanentersthe

passagewaytothechambers

SoundClip4

PressureLocked

DoorOpen

Jumping

AsHydraandTitanjumpfromplatformto

platform,thefollowingsoundwillbeheard.

SoundClip4

JumpOff

Landing

AsTitanandHydrajumpfromplatformto

platform,thefollowingsoundwillbeheardto

highlighttheimageoftheirlanding.Whilethisclip

haswhatwewantfromanaudioperspective,itis

toolongandwillhavetobemodifiedtosuitthe

timeconstraintsofthecharactersactuallanding.

SoundClip6

Landing


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Timer

Astheplayerattemptstosolveeachpuzzlethe

followingclocksoundeffectwillbeaudible,

remindingthemtocompletetheriddleasquickly

aspossible.

SoundClip7

Timer

FinalChallengeDuringDioxideandTitansfinalchallenge,thisclip

willbeplayedinthebackgroundtointensifythe

scene.

SoundClip8

Battle

PuzzleComplete

OnceHydraand/orTitanhavecompletedapuzzle,

thefollowingsoundwillbeheard.Thisclipwillbe

editedtofitourtimeframe.

SoundClip9

PuzzleComplete

PuzzleIncorrectIftheplayerchoosestheincorrectanswerforthe

puzzle,thefollowingsoundwillbeheard.

SoundClip10

PuzzleIncorrect


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TheoreticalConsiderations

Salen&ZimmermanMainPoints Sub-Points VisibilityinourGame

LusoryAttitude

TheplayerisimmediatelyfacedwiththetensionbetweenTitanand

Dioxideandtheknowledgethattheywillhavetosuccessfullyand

quicklysolvemultiplepuzzlesinordertogetout.Theplayermust

decideattheoutsetwhetherornottheywishtosetoutonthe

challengeofsolvingeachriddle.Iftheydochoosetoproceedwitht

game,theyarecommittingthemselvestothetimerequiredtosolve

thesechallenges.Additionallytheplayersareapproachingthegame

knowingthepuzzleswillchallengetheircurrentknowledgebaseof

chemistryprinciples.Theplayerwillcertainlyhavemomentsofdou

buttheymustbeopentolearningnewfactsandbecomecomforta

withthefactthattheymayanswersomeofthepuzzlesincorrectly.

withthisattitudethatplayersshouldbeginthegame.

MagicCircle

TheMagicCirclesurroundingourgamebeginsandendswiththe

physicalboundariesofthegame'splatform,whichwehaveassigne

personalmobiledevicessuchassmartphonesandpersonaltablet

computers.Therealityofthegameoccursonlywhenthedeviceiso

andloadedtothegame'sstartpage.Ifaplayerdoesnothaveacces

oneofthesedevices,gameplaycannottakeplace.Onceaplayer

beginsloadingthegameontheirchosenplatform,thecircleis

figurativelydrawnandgameplaycanbegin.Theplayerhasleftthis

circlewhenthegameisexitedandthedevicereturnedtoitshome

state/page.

Boundaries

Theboundariesofourgameareimpermeableandmustbeentered

intoinordertocommencegame-play.Ourgameisdesignedforpla

onmobiledevicesandassuch,anumberoffactorsmustbeinplace

priortogameplay:

1.theplayermusthaveaccesstooneofthesedeviceswithoutwhic

gameplaycannottakeplace.

2.thedevicemustbeoperable(charged,notbroken,updatedto

compatiblesoftware/firmwareversions)

3.theplayermusthaveknowledgeofhowthedeviceworksandho

tomanipulatethecontrolsinrelationtothegame.

4.thegameitselfmustbeoperationalinorderforthegameplayto

commence.ifthereisatechnicalissueor"bug"thentheboundarie

thegameoperatingwithinthedevicearemoot.

SpaceofPossibility

TheSpaceofPossibilitywithinourgameislocatedprimarilyineach

puzzlechamber.Withinthisrealm,playersmaychoosetopurposelanswertheprovidedquestionincorrectlyiftheyhavelittledriveor

motivationtosucceed.Conversely,theplayermayanswerthe

questioncorrectlyiftheywishtomoveontothenextroundofpuzz

Choice

TheelementofChoiceispresentedinourgamethroughthedecisio

facedbytheplayertopurposelyanswerthepuzzleincorrectlyor

attempttosolveitcorrectly.Eachofthesechoiceshasanimmediat

outcomeasrepresentedbytheauditoryandvisualcuesprovidedaf

thepuzzleisanswered.

Interaction OurgamerepresentsallfourmodesofInteractivity:


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Interaction

Cognitive

OurgamehasCognitiveInteractivityinitspracticeandapplicationo

chemistryprinciples.Theplayerisnotjusthelpingthegame's

protagonistgetfromAtoB,buttheyarealsolearningreal-worldsk

tohelpthemsucceedand/orimproveinthescience/chemistryfield

Functional

Theplayerinteractswiththegameonafunctionallevelbyactivatin

specificiconstodirectandmanipulatethegame'scharacters.Asth

directionalpadandjumpbuttonaretouch-basedtechnologies,the

playerwillessentially"tap"thecharactersaroundthegameworldtexperiencethenarrative.

Explicit

Theplayermustmanipulatethegame'smaincharacterinorderfor

game-playtocontinue.Eachpuzzleisinteractiveandrequiresthe

player'sparticipationforcontinuationofthenarrative.

External

Object

Interactivity

Duetoitsexistenceinthedevelopmentstage,therearenoformalo

informalcommunitiesbasedonthegame'snarrativeorgameplay.

Thereistheinformalcommunityofgamerswhocollectivelysharet

scoresandratingsontheleaderboard.Thisisexternaltothegame

itselfandexistsforplayerstointeractwitheachotheroutsideof

game-play.

Systems

FormalAsaformalsystemofrules,ourgameisclosedasitfunctionsprima

withinitsownstructuresandboundaries.

Cultural

Asaculturalsystem,ourgameisopenasitpromotesinteractionfr

theusertoapplytheirownknowledgeandunderstandings,regardl

ofexperience,situationorlocale.

Experiential

Thisgameshiftsfrombothopenandclosedasitemploysbothform

andcultural(experiential)systemsintoitsgameplay.Knowledgean

understandingareunderstoodasaculturalvariantwithinaformal

systemorstructureofrules/objectives.

Open

Thisgamefunctionsasanopensystemasuserinteractivityiswhat

employedtomobilizeandcontextualizethecontentintendedtobe

explored,andthuslearned,throughoutthegame.Here,human

interactivityiskey,andbyemployingatouchsensitiveinterface,su

aninteractionisextendedbeyondthelateralthinkinglevel,tothe

physical/tacticallevel.

Closed

Someaspectofthisgamemaybeclosed,astheusermaynotbeab

tointeractwithandcustomizegamestructuresbeyondselectable

options.

Framing

Thisgameisframedwiththeparametersofthebroadschoolsystem

asapplicabletoScienceclassesandtheculturalframingwhichbroa

them.Thisgameextendsitselftobelinkedandconnectedtoacore

aspectoftheculturecreated,sustainedandengagedwith

(Chemistry/thePeriodicTable).

MeaningfulPlay

TheplayinourgameisMeaningfulduetoitslearningandeducatio

potential.Eachpuzzleisapotentiallearningorremediallearning

opportunityfortheplayer,andassuchhassignificancebeyondsim

answeringthequestion.FurtherMeaningfulPlaylieswithintheoveaimofthisgame,whichistoprovideassistancewithscienceprincip

andpracticestostudentsofchemistry.Wesucceedincreating

MeaningfulPlayduetothepresenceofDiscernability(immediate

feedbackonthepuzzle'sanswer)andIntegration(thecorrectansw

ofeachpuzzleprovideanitemforthetoolkittobeusedlater,asw

astheoverallprinciplesusedthroughoutthegameandappliedatt

finalchallenge).


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Integration

WedecidedtoshowIntegrationinourgamethroughseveralmeans

Thefirstevidenceofthisistheaccumulationofitemsfromeachpu

intoatoolkitforuseatthefinalchallenge/puzzle.Theseitemsare

collectedthroughoutthemaingame-play,butitisonlyattheendo

thegamethattheyarerequiredandused.Alessmaterialexample

Integrationwouldbetheoverallprinciplesandknowledgelearned

duringgame-play.Thesefactsandpracticesareappliedinafinal

puzzlethatteststheplayer'smemoryretention,logicreasoningskil

andcreativity:insum,theirlateralthinkingability.ThisIntegrationofknowledgeandgamepiecescreateshoursofMeaningfulPlay.

Discernability

Discernabilityisvisibleinourgamethroughtheimmediatefeedbacgeneratedonceapuzzleissolved.Whetherthisisdonecorrectlyor

incorrectly,theplayerisprovidedimmediatevisualandauditory

feedback(theabilitytoleavethecurrentchamber,andbuzzeror

fanfaredepending).Additionally,thecorrectassembalageofitems

fromthegame'stoolkitduringthefinalbattleandchallengewith

Dioxidealsoprovidesdiscernabilityonalargerscale:iftheplayerha

correctlyansweredallthepuzzles,theyhavebeenprovidedwitha

designateditemtohelpthemaccomplishthefinaltask.Defeatingt

antagonistinthefinalscenetheplayeralsoexperiencesdiscernabil

bybeingabletosaveEarthfromDioxide'sdeathray.


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GameConsiderations&Changes

GameConsideration&Change1|PuzzleDevelopment

Withtheallowanceoftimeandfurtherexpertise,thepuzzlescreatedforthisgame,as

wellasthoselistedwithinthisdocument,wouldhavebeenfurtherdevelopedalongthe

Chemistrythematic.Withthis,moretimewouldhavebeenspentonpuzzle

developmentalongwithfurtherconsultationwithaChemistryexpertandaScience

educator.Here,ideally,puzzleswouldberootedinasolidtheoreticalbase,with

applicationtoreallifeexemplarsintegratedwithinthepuzzlesthemselves.

Developingpuzzlesinthiswaywouldmakeformeaningfulinteractionwithafun

elementofthegame.Playerswouldinteractandengagewiththepuzzlesinwayswhere

theywillapplytheirpriorknowledgeandunderstandinginmeaningfulways.

GameConsideration&Change2|GameTesting

Ideally,thisgamewouldbemarkettestedtoGrade7toGrade10agedstudents(12

15yearsold)toestablishasenseofunderstanding,applicationandengagement.With

this,gamerswouldbeaskedtoplaythegameoveranextendedperiodoftime,bothin

linewithChemistryrelatedmaterial(inclass)andotherwise.Throughthistesting,an

understandingofhowgamemechanics,andtheirapplicationtoourtargetmarket,

wouldbeanalyzed.

Fromthedatauncovered,furtherdevelopmentsandchangeswouldbeconsideredin

gamedesignwhichcouldpotentiallyimpactaspectsofgamedesign,userinterfaceandplayerengagement.

GameConsideration&Change3|DevelopmentOfHydraCharacter

Toextendthisgamefurther,focusonthedevelopmentofthecharacterHydrawould

bemadeintermsofstrengtheningherrolewithinthegame.Asawayofbroadeningour

playeraudienceandfocusingonissuesofequityandequalitythroughgender

representation,effortswouldbemadeinplayercustomizationsothattheavatarused

bytheplayerthroughoutthegamecouldpotentiallybefemale.

Anotherwaytogoaboutthiscouldbetoofferanincreasedperiodofplayabilitywith

Hydrainsuchaswaywherehercharacterbranchesofffrominitialgameplay,intoasub-

narrativeofherown.


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GameConsideration&Change4|GameCoding&AppStore(OrEquivalent)

Asafinalconsiderationofthisgame,itwouldideallybecodingandmadeavailable

throughonlineapplicationmarketplacessuchastheAppleAppStore,BlackBerryApp

WorldandAndroidsAppMarketplace.

Ifmoretimewasavailable,thisdevelopmentwouldworkintandemwithgamedevelopmenttestingasawayofimprovinggameuserinterface,gameplayandplayer

engagementasperspecificsmartphone,tabletandadjoiningoperatingsystem.


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titanium: titan's periodic quest | video game design document

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