Bubi's Betrayal
A top-down adventure and narrative driven game where Ironmouse fights through Bubi's castle to save her beloved Bats!
Summary of Contributions
For this project I was in charge of the Game Design, Level Design and Narrative Design. In addition, I created the concepts for the UI/UX. I wrote the game design document and regularly used tools like draw.io and Photoshop to visually show the UI, how each cut scene played out and how the enemies attack.
During meetings, I explained how the game would look, feel and work through my game design document and sketches. In the game engine, I collaborated with the programmer while building the level. Each level gives an open space, easy for fighting and dodging enemies.
Moreover, I created all the Environment Art in Adobe Photoshop and regularly shared my process with my team. The environment art shows the evil and spooky atmosphere of the antagonist's castle. It also reveals tit bits of Bubi's lore as the player traverses through the castle.
Early UI Concept: Game HUD
Paper Map of the Second Level
Gameplay from the second level: Hoard of enemies attack the player and the player uses gremlin scream, dodging and shooting to survive.
Tilemap of the boss level
CONTRIBUTIONS
Game Design Document
I completed this Game Design Document within a week, then made any additional changes and balances throughout development. Each level is detailed down to the look, mechanics, dialogue and cutscenes. Additionally, I wrote everyone's schedule at the end of the document.
Level Design
Paper Map lvl 1 with key
Gameplay from the first level:
Dialogue and few enemies
Level 1 - The Tutorial
I allowed a medium space with trees and a pathway to guide the player and allow them to get familiarized with the controls. Additionally, to introduce the player to the enemies I allowed 4 close range enemies and 2 long range enemies who were already spawned in. As for the environment, this is located outside Bubi's Castle, to allow the player to become curious of what's inside of Bubi's castle. Starting at the entrance is a symbol for being at the beginning of the game.
Gameplay from the second level: Fight against a hoard of Bubi's Guards
Paper Map lvl 2
Level 2 - Preparation for the Boss level
This level the player is introduced to the antagonist, Bubi. He calls upon hoards of his guards to kick the player out of his castle, and this is where Iromouse's Ability - Gremlin Scream - Really comes into play. Players can use the large spread of damage to take out multiple enemies at once! This rush allows for exciting gameplay.
Additionally, the space allows for plenty of dodging, running away from enemies and the hallways are spawn points for enemies to surround the player.
The viewers increase and the stream chat goes faster the more kills the player has, encouraging players to keep going. It also shows how much progress the player has made, because the hoard of enemies stop spawning after 1000 viewers.
Paper Map lvl 3
Boss Level: Bubi's Beam attacks the player
Boss Level: Connor teleports and attacks the player
Level 3 - The Boss level
Players finally meet Bubi again for a final showdown in his throne room. The throne room's large space allows for the player to shoot, dodge and put themselves in the best position to win.
Similarly, it also allows both of the bosses Connor and Bubi a large space to teleport around. The hallways at the sides allow for additional enemies to slip in and catch the player off guard. From practice during the second level, players should be more prepared against hoards of enemies.
Bubi has 3 different abilities - a beam, a teleport and a spread of three bullets. Moreover, Connor has a spinning spread of bullets and frequent teleportation. This gives a fun, exciting but challenging variety of gameplay as the player adapts to the different abilities.
Combat Design
Shooting and Frank's Help
Frank the bat companion, who has been flying at the players side and serving as a tutorial for players the whole game, assists the player in shooting the boss. This extra damage allows for a feeling of power and gives Frank a significant role in the game.
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Gremlin Scream
This spread of bullets allows the player to take out hoards of enemies at a time, which is an important skill to use in a pinch, as hoards of enemies will be attacking the player at all sides.
Dodging
The player is transparent, has increased speed and can't take damage for a couple of seconds. As there will be a lot of different enemies attacking the player, dodging is essential for survival.
Health
Noticing that Ironmouse struggles with shooting games, I allowed more health and forgiveness for mistakes.
Bubi's Attack 1
Bubi's Attack 2
To allow for a variety of fun and challenging gameplay, Bubi has two different attacks. Bubi has a strong weakpoint if players manage to get behind him, so to combat this we've allowed Bubi to walk around and teleport.
Connor attacks the player
Connor is a funny surprise boss that Bubi summons once the player has depleted half of his health. He is comedic relief in a challenging game.
Additionally, he is a popular streamer especially for fans of Ironmouse.
Connor keeps the player on their toes and gives a fun variety by teleporting all around the map and releasing a deadly stream of bullets. He must teleport because he has a strong weakness against the Gemlin scream ability.
UI Design
Title Screen
The title screen sets the spooky but cute atmosphere and aesthetic of the game. Additionally, it introduces the two main characters, Ironmouse and Frank the Plushie.
The purple wave and the hearts that appear when the player hovers over the menu options gives a more lively and interactive menu
Narrative Screen
This narrative screen pops up before each level starts. It allows for easy to see text and the illustration displays what emotion the text is trying to convey.
Allowing each letter to type out gives the feel that each character is talking.
Health Bar
"Viewer" Points
Fake Chat that goes faster the more "Viewer" points the player has
Gremlin Scream ability charge
Game Screen
As this game was made for Ironmouse and Ironmouse's viewers, adding her and her stream will make them feel included and represented. The chat also contains gameplay tips and reminders of controls, as Ironmouse would be in a rush to play all of the games in the game jam.
To simulate there being a chat, the more viewers that Ironmoue has, the faster each chat will be displayed.
Early UI Concepts
Below are early UI concepts I made within Draw.io to illustrate to the team what each UI menu should look like, as well as show what must be completed in terms of tasks.
Title Screen
Game Screen
Boss Screen
Art
Thumbnail and Title Screen Art
Displays the two main characters: Ironmouse and Frank while Bubi's castle looms in the background. It also shows the feel and atmosphere of the game.
Winning Screen Art
Displays the goal of the game being completed (saving the plushies) and Bubi, the antagonist, angry about it.
Tilemaps for all 3 levels
Within this slideshow is each tilemap I made for the environment of Bubi's betrayal. Some were converted to game assets. It gives a spooky atmosphere and showcases Bubi's likes and lore. It is also in Bubi's color theme.
Reviews
Rated Top 10 in the Mouse Game Jam
Played by: Ironmouse
(53:50)
