The Island Escape

 ℹ️ “The Island Escape" was a game created for the 2021 Kenney Jam. The game involves navigating a rotating island to collect items necessary to escape. This document outlines the game concept, mechanics, assets used, issues, and potential solutions.

The document also includes links to pages discussing changes and potential improvements to be made to the game.

Design Overview

Game Concept

"The Island Escape" is an exploration game where the player must navigate a rotating island to collect the items necessary to escape via boat.

Game Assets

Kenney assets were used during this jam.

UI

Regarding the UI, I opted for a simple design that wouldn't distract the player. The only visible element in the window is the item counter on the upper right side.

Game Mechanics

• The island rotates every few minutes, making navigation difficult.
• The player can pickup items i.e. map or collectable.
• The player can use a map to navigate the island.
• The Player can walk, run and jump to get around.

Game Play

• The player starts with a basic map that shows the location of key areas on the island.
• The player must explore the island to collect the necessary items to escape.
• The game ends when the player collects the needed items

Design Process

When I started working on "The Island Escape", I was excited about the rotation theme. I wanted to create an immersive environment that would keep the player engaged and on their toes throughout the game.

My idea was to have the island rotate. The island was split into three segments, the outside, middle and top. These segments would then rotate in opposite directions every 30 seconds.

I hoped that this would create an element of surprise for the player. As there is no warning that the island will rotate as soon as they pick up the first item, players may feel like they are playing a regular exploration game. But once the island starts to turn and the player must adapt to get to their destination.

The player must use a map to navigate this changing environment and find the necessary items. This map keeps track of the collectable items and landmarks to help players orient themselves.

Overall, the mechanic of a rotating island adds a unique twist to the game and makes it stand out from other exploration games. It adds an element of thrill and excitement that will keep players engaged and wanting to play more.

Design Issues and Potential Solutions

This game was very fun to make and allowed me to experiment with a rotating map which I hope to improve in the future and create something more engaging. I want to act upon the issues identified above.