Project 4: Arms Race

I've been kicking around the idea of a 2D game in which the player can design their own weapons. Through placing blocks of various materials in various configurations, the player effectively draws their 2D lo-fi gun while also defining its function. This is part of a wider series of experimental construction-based gameplay ideas I am getting increasingly excited about and would much rather work on.

So why not start investigating a portion of this within the framework of this course?

An interesting concept built itself in my head as I rode the train, about a scenario in which the player is an arms dealer. An evil arms dealer, profiting from a war between two sides, both of which are customers. One side will ask for a great weapon to slay their enemies with, and the player can design them a weapon. Then a simple simulation is displayed showing the two sides fighting, one using your weapon. The losing side will then come to you requesting a weapon that will defeat their enemies. This cycle repeats ad infinitum.

Just to highlight the ethical questionability, the player will earn cash each time their weapon brings victory.

There are quite a few things to consider to make this feasible in the timeframe:

• lo-fi graphics for everything
• bare minimum animation
• simple AI and setup for the war simulation
• simplify available pieces and functions for gun construction, while allowing for a reasonable amount of creativity in form and function
• physics for bullets should be very simple

This is idea 1 anyway.