Eclipse Abyss

Overview

As part of Circuit Stream Unity Game Dev Bootcamp, students are required to design and       develop a game utilizing many key skills acquired through the course in the name of the Capstone project.  The project includes a team of 2, Trevor and Manjeeve.

Concept

Eclipse Abyss is a combat heavy, narrative adventure through the catacombs of a mystical land.

We want our game to follow a seasonal pattern where the player adventures into new dungeons that are based on real life seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter). Each new floor of the dungeon will be a new seasonal adventure awaiting the player.

 Master new and fantastical weapons (Dagger, Sword and Shield, Axe, Snow Gun) to take on a variety of enemies within the catacombs.

The goal of our game is to recover, destroy or claim the eclipse shard (also known as the dark heart crystal) from the clutches of the dungeon guardian that lies at the very end of the abyss. To clarify, the player will have 3 choices at the end of the game which will trigger different endings depending on what the traveler decides.

Genre and Theme

Fantasy, Adventure, Drama

Target Audience and Platform

People who enjoy combat/story based games. A teenage to Adult audience is our main focus. For a PC based audience (used on Itch and maybe Steam in the future).It won’t be playable in VR and AR on the platforms we chose. At this stage our focus will be PC only.

Project Scope

The first version of the project will be done by January 11th, 2024, and we will use this time to create a solid base for what we want our game to ultimately be as our final product in the future. Our first iteration will have the first 4 levels out of 10, including a dungeon crawler, a maze for the player to escape, a target to obtain to reach the end goal, and a boss to end off the last level.

In the future we want our game to include 10 levels all with fun and unique twists. We want the levels to range from what was described above, and to have a more fleshed out inventory system, weapon changes, enemy variety etc.

Essentially with the time given we want our first iteration of the game to be a minimum viable product.

Gameplay

 

The objective of the game is to introduce an fps game style with novel ideas such as daggers to shoot, seasonal change to the different floor which will have enemies matching the seasons. Complete all the levels to Escape, survive and reach the end of the narration and have the player make a final decision to decide how the game will end.

To mark the game’s progression, players will need to complete each level without dying, and continuing the story line. Introduction of UI buttons will be implemented to support different panels such as the pause menu, Startup menu, game over menu, next level menu. Additionally, have a graphical user interface(GUI) to help the player know what buttons to use by displaying a message on the screen and a Narrative sprite display to show messages (in the future iteration we want voice acting) of the story to keep the player engaged in the adventure.

Mechanics

 

·         First person Shooter ·         Jump (Space) ·         Walk WASD ·         Aim (Right Click) ·         Attack (Left Click) ·         Reload (R)

·      Inventory (I) ·         Pick up items (F) ·         Esc toggle menu/pause (UI Buttons) ·         Exit game (UI buttons) application.quit ·         Main menu (UI Buttons) ·         Settings (UI Buttons) ·         Block/shield (Q)

Game Elements

Story

The origins of the legendary treasure are shrouded in mystery. It is said that the treasure was once the cherished possession of the ancient civilization that inhabited the catacombs. This civilization, steeped in darkness and driven by the lust for power, created the relic using the malevolent energies harnessed by the Darkheart Crystal. This artifact, known as the "Eclipse Shard," was intended to grant its bearer unparalleled strength and dominion over the shadows.

However, the Eclipse Shard's power came at a steep cost. As the civilization delved deeper into darkness, they lost their humanity and compassion, becoming consumed by their desire for power. The Eclipse Shard's influence turned them into monstrous beings that roamed the catacombs as guardians of their treasure. The civilization's fall was a testament to the folly of their pursuit of strength at any cost.

As the player descends into the catacombs, battling slimes, monsters, and the remnants of the corrupted civilization [1], they gradually uncover the true nature of the Eclipse Shard's power. They find inscriptions that warn of its corrupting influence and the dire consequences of seeking power without understanding the costs. The player's journey becomes a test not only of their combat prowess but of their resilience, compassion, and the strength to resist the allure of absolute power.

As they confront the challenges within the catacombs, the player begins to realize that the real strength lies not in possessing the Eclipse Shard, but in the personal growth and transformation they experience throughout their journey. Overcoming obstacles, forming alliances with fellow adventurers they meet along the way, and facing their inner fears all contribute to their development as a true adventurer.

In the climactic moments of the game, the player faces a choice: whether to seize the Eclipse Shard and risk succumbing to its corrupting influence, or to reject its power and embrace the lessons learned through their journey. Their decision determines not only their fate but the fate of the catacombs and the legacy of the civilization that once dwelled there.

[1] The Corrupt: people who have turned, and who were tempted by the Darkheart Crystal’s power, eventually fooled into giving up their essence. - essentially zombies

Characters

Adventurer:

Name: Finn Stoneheart

Background: Finn grew up in a quaint village near the Catacomb Mountains. Always fascinated by tales of ancient treasures, he left his simple life to seek adventure. His knowledge of the Eclipse Shard comes from bedtime stories told by the village elders.

Class: Rogue

Appearance: Finn is a wiry figure, dressed in practical leather armor that allows for swift movements. His brown hair is cropped short, and he sports a pair of daggers with ornate handles at his belt. Around his neck hangs a talisman, a gift from his sister, said to bring luck and protection.

Backstory: Finn left his village seeking excitement but soon found himself drawn to the mysteries of the Catacombs. He hopes to discover a treasure that will bring prosperity to his village and make a name for himself as a legendary adventurer.

Motivation: Driven by a desire for fame and fortune, Finn is lured by the rumors of the Eclipse Shard's incredible power. However, as he delves deeper, he must decide whether the risks are worth the reward.

The Corrupts:

The inclusion of "The Corrupt" adds a fascinating layer to your narrative, providing a variety of enemy types that reflect the diverse stages and forms of corruption brought about by the Darkheart Crystal. Each type of corrupted being could present unique challenges for the player, enhancing the gameplay experience. Here's a brief exploration of each type:

• Zombies:
• Undead:
• Mummies:

○       Description: Once ordinary people, now reanimated by the corrupting influence of the Dark Heart Crystal.

○       Abilities: Slow but persistent, swarming in numbers. Some may have residual memories, making them more unpredictable.

○       Description: The corruption has progressed further, turning the individuals into skeletal or ghostly figures.

○       Abilities: Increased speed and agility compared to zombies. Possess dark magic or ethereal abilities that make them more challenging adversaries.

○       Description: The corruption has taken on a mummified form, wrapping the individual in dark, cursed bandages.

○       Abilities: Endurance and resilience. They may have curses or debuffs, making encounters more strategic for the player.

• Snowmen:
  • Abilities: Cold-based attacks, freezing abilities, and the ability to reform if partially destroyed. They may also summon blizzards for added challenge.

○       Description: A unique manifestation of corruption in icy environments, creating animated snow creatures.

These different forms of corruption could be scattered throughout the catacombs, each type reflecting a different level of the civilization's descent into darkness. Additionally, encounters with "The Corrupt" could serve as a visual representation of the consequences of succumbing to the Eclipse Shard's power, reinforcing the cautionary nature of the overarching narrative.

Moreover, the variety in enemy types offers the player diverse challenges that require different strategies and approaches to combat. It can also provide opportunities for the player to learn more about the fallen civilization's history by studying the remains and remnants of "The Corrupt."

Incorporating these diverse corrupted beings not only adds depth to the gameplay but also contributes to the immersive world-building and storytelling aspects of your game or narrative.

Boss Enemy:  Minotaur (Dungeon Guardian)

Name: Toro Boyka

Spirit Guide:

Name: Dree (Glow ball)

Locations

A deep dungeon where the main McGuffin of the story lies. The player will traverse through the cave deeper to discover seasonal based areas from Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall like rooms.

Conclusion

 In conclusion we have big aspirations for the final product of our game. We are looking to keep working on Eclipse Abyss even after the capstone and course is completed. Our goal is to make something that we would want to play, making it a fun story, having fun game mechanics and thinking outside the box to create something truly special.

All in all, the process of making Eclipse Abyss into a full game from scratch to the end will teach us a lot, this will be very valuable to us.  Eclipse Abyss will be one of our first big stepping stone to our future professional game dev journey.