12 Weeks Development

Week 1: Planning and Exploration Objectives:

• Design: Initial UI design and simple gameplay mechanics.
• Develop: Core game concept of randomly generating kittens with unique features.

Key Results:

• Implementations: Quick UI design and simple gameplay.
• Prototype Purpose: Test the core concept of “sucking cats” and random generation of kittens.

Playtest & Feedback:

• Player feedback: Positive response to the core idea.
• Team feedback: Suggestions to enhance randomness and playability.

Review and Iterate:

• Review: Successful implementation of core mechanics.
• Iterate: Explore code implementation regarding randomness.

Week 2: Engine Transition and Character Customization Objectives:

• Design: 3D cat models and their random generation.
• Develop: Transition from Unity to Unreal Engine.

Key Results:

• Implementations: Successful generation of cats of different colours.
• Prototype Purpose: Test the feasibility of using Unreal Engine for development.

Playtest & Feedback:

• Player feedback: Negative for the low poly art style.
• Team feedback: Suggestions to use Unreal Engine for development.

Review and Iterate:

• Review: Challenges with Unreal Engine and C++.
• Iterate: Consideration of using Blueprint for game functionality.

Week 3: Feedback and Return to Unity Objectives:

• Design: Enhance playability and narrative elements.
• Develop: Return to Unity for development.

Key Results:

• Implementations: Decision to revert to Unity.
• Prototype Purpose: Test the enhanced gameplay mechanics.

Playtest & Feedback:

• Player feedback: Core gameplay is simple but boring.
• Team feedback: Suggestions to focus on level design and playability.

Review and Iterate:

• Review: Unreal Engine not suitable for the game’s requirements.
• Iterate: Focus on sub-mechanics to enhance playability.

Week 4: Game Document Update and Gameplay Feedback Objectives:

• Design: Refinement of gameplay mechanics.
• Develop: Update Game Design Document (GDD).

Key Results:

• Implementations: Updated GDD and refined gameplay.
• Prototype Purpose: Test the updated gameplay mechanics.

Playtest & Feedback:

• Player feedback: None.
• Team feedback: Suggestions to avoid imitating other games and add unique elements.

Review and Iterate:

• Review: Need for unique gameplay elements.
• Iterate: Consider more designs on plots and scenarios.

Week 5: Game Analysis and Design Objectives:

• Design: Study similar games for inspiration.
• Develop: Focus on core gameplay mechanics.

Key Results:

• Implementations: Game case studies.
• Prototype Purpose: Understand gameplay mechanics of similar games.

Playtest & Feedback:

• Player feedback: None.
• Team feedback: None.

Review and Iterate:

• Review: Insights from similar games.
• Iterate: Incorporate learnings into the game design.

Week 6: Unity Asset Store Exploration Objectives:

• Design: Integration of art assets.
• Develop: Limit the game’s scope and focus on core mechanics.

Key Results:

• Implementations: Exploration of Unity Asset Store.
• Prototype Purpose: Test the integration of assets and tools.

Playtest & Feedback:

• Player feedback: None.
• Team feedback: None.

Review and Iterate:

• Review: Need to keep a small scope.
• Iterate: Focus on developing the core system of the game.

Week 7: Art Resources and Design Simplification Objectives:

• Design: Integration of art assets.
• Develop: Simplify game mechanics.

Key Results:

• Implementations: Creation of a mini vertical slice of the game.
• Prototype Purpose: Test the simplified game mechanics.

Playtest & Feedback:

• Player feedback: None.
• Team feedback: Suggestions to focus on core gameplay.

Review and Iterate:

• Review: Challenges with time constraints.
• Iterate: Focus on current development and core systems.

Week 8: UI Design and Clear Planning Objectives:

• Design: Detailed UI design.
• Develop: Refinement of development plan.

Key Results:

• Implementations: UI design with a focus on player perspective.
• Prototype Purpose: Test the new UI design.

Playtest & Feedback:

• Player feedback: The casual vibe is attractive.
• Team feedback: Positive response to the UI design.

Review and Iterate:

• Review: Successful UI design.
• Iterate: Continue research on the core systems of the game.

Week 9: UFO Sprite and Cat AI Design Objectives:

• Design: Redesign of the UFO sprite.
• Develop: Development of the cat’s AI movement system.

Key Results:

• Implementations: New UFO design and cat AI development.
• Prototype Purpose: Test the UFO’s visibility and cat AI.

Playtest & Feedback:

• Player feedback: The first version of the UFO is ugly.
• Team feedback: The second version of UFO’s pixel size is incorrect.

Review and Iterate:

• Review: Need to change the first version of the UFO, as well as the size of second version.
• Iterate: Use AI software for UFO design.

Week 10: UFO Sucking Function and Sucking Logic Design Objectives:

• Design: Core UFO cat-sucking function.
• Develop: Implementation of cat-sucking logic.

Key Results:

• Implementations: Development of the UFO’s core function.
• Prototype Purpose: Test the cat-sucking function with juicy visual-sound effects.

Playtest & Feedback:

• Player feedback: Where’s the cool UI?
• Team feedback: Need to speed up to finish on time.

Review and Iterate:

• Review: Challenges with implementing the cat-sucking logic.
• Iterate: Simplify certain game mechanics.

Week 11: Pixelize GUI and Simplify Vertical Slice Objectives:

• Design: Pixelated UI design.
• Develop: Determine functionality for the final vertical slice.

Key Results:

• Implementations: Pixelated UI design and updated gameplay flowchart.
• Prototype Purpose: Test the pixelated UI and refined gameplay.

Playtest & Feedback:

• Player feedback: Positive response to the pixelated UI.
• Team feedback: Need to speed up to finish on time.

Review and Iterate:

• Review: Successful pixelated UI design.
• Iterate: Focus on the core functions of UFOs.

Week 12: Debugging and Final Polishing Objectives:

• Design: Finalize art assets and sound effects.
• Develop: Debugging and polishing of game mechanics.

Key Results:

• Implementations: Debugging of cat suck function, map fix, SFX fix, and assets fix.
• Prototype Purpose: Test the final version of the game.

Playtest & Feedback:

• Player feedback: Energy consumption is too fast, misleading UI, and confusing map design.
• Team feedback: Poor tutorial and lack of guide. Running out of time.

Review and Iterate:

• Review: Challenges with map design and energy consumption.
• Iterate: Adjustments to the map and energy system.