So, what business do I have developing an iPhone game in the first place?
Good question.
One could argue that I'm ignorant of the immensity of the task before me and they'd probably be right. But since I don't know what isn't possible...I might just achieve it! I believe too often we eliminate the possible from ever happening simply because we THINK we know it can't be done. Granted, there is a time to be realistic about things (please don't jump off the empire state building thinking you can fly), but there is also a time to dream and let your inspiration be what drives you to do something impossibly great. Sometimes you have to commit to putting a man on the moon before it's ever been done, or calling that girl that makes your heart beat wildly even though she seems way out of your league. And even though all reason seems to say that "it's impossible", there comes a time to give it everything you've got and put yourself in a position to expect a miracle.
That's what I'm doing. I may fail horribly...but I'm going to try it.
Enough with the "pie in the sky" stuff. I bet you want to know how exactly I plan on doing this.
By starting with specific goals and a plan of attack. Now, if you feel compelled to follow me on this crazy journey via these blog entries it's only fitting that you understand what it is I am trying to achieve. Here are the specifics:
1. My goal is to submit a casual game to Apple for release on the iPhone in 30 days or less.
2. The app will have to be something of value...worth paying at least $0.99 (this is not a promotional app or marketing scheme)
3. I will do so using the rapid development platform known as GameSalad (www.gamesalad.com). This revolutionary software package will help eliminate my need for most programming skills.
4. All graphics will be original artwork by me (no pre-rendered characters)
5. The storyline has to be fresh
So now that you know my plan/goals, let me share what I did for my first day on the job.
For starters, I spent the better part of the day discussing my idea/quest with several friends in the gaming community that I know and respect. After gathering their feedback on what made a great casual iPhone game that's fun to play for all ages I came up with the following goals:
1. The game must be simple to operate. One or two actions (at most) should be required to accomplish the majority of the tasks required for gameplay. This ensures a good crossover market between adults and kids. After all, with as many iPhone as there are, if a game navigation is too complex to figure out...the audience will look elsewhere for something fun to play.
2. Use "move" based actions. This game should not require quick reaction times by users in order to avoid "enemies". If we keep it logic based and possibly allow for users to even "undo" their previous moves it keeps the game more casual and encouraging to the user base. Think "chess game" not "xbox game". If you can make it multiplayer...all the better.
3. Give them the same thing...only different. This suggestion is for both enjoyment and rapid deployment. With only 29 days left I will need to reuse the same functionality over and over again. But this isn't a bad thing. Actually, repetition is one of the things that makes games so enjoyable. You play UNO because it's the same thing (but with different challenges each hand). The same function is required for iPhone games as well. Get a good concept and repeat it for multiple levels with slight (and increasingly harder) variations on the same goal.
4. Tip your hat. Don't leave your users guessing in the dark. Give them enough information to plan their next move effectively. Even if they guess wrong, they will be glad you hinted at the answer and adjust their approach when they try it again. If you confuse them too much...they'll never come back.
5. Make it social. Allow users to post their high-scores on a website or brag about the game on Facebook. If this can be integrated the user base for the app will broaden quickly.
and Finally...
6. Destroy stuff. Let's face it - it's fun to watch things get blown up/broken. It's part of the allure of gameplay. We can't do it in "real life", but if we can vent our frustrations through creative gameplay it can curb our curiosity and make us smile.
I'm going to add another element to this list even though it wasn't said. I think having a compelling storyline (no matter how simple or fantastic it might be) will help appeal to the user's heartstrings and emotionally attach them to the game. I'm not talking anything "tear jerking" here...just something to connect them with the gameplay in some way.
That being said, I did some brainstorming and came up with the following log-line for my game.
"A spring loaded rabbit discovers the bunny of his dreams has been taken captive by an evil hedgehog. He must collect 24 golden carrots before sundown or he will never see his sweetheart again."
Sounds like a hollywood blockbuster in the making, eh? Well, at least its a start.
My thought at this point is to make the game about "leaps and bounds". How many leaps will it take to retrieve a golden carrot from each level. The fewer leaps you require...the better your score. The idea is like "bocce ball" but with bunnies. Sounds simple enough, right?
We shall see.
Until tomorrow...sleep well and dream big!
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