Stina and I have chosen to work together on a new project separate from Illusions. We wanted to create something very simple and understated in terms of narrative after the narrative-heavy design of our previous game. With the brief meaning we'd likely end up using Gamesalad, we decided to push for something level and sidescroll based.
I began looking into independent games like Braid, Fly'N, Limbo and so on. Each was a sidescroller in movement, but employed various gameplay mechanics to keep them unique. Through back and forth discussions, we decided we wanted to create a game around the mechanic of creatures who could adapt to their environment in order to bypass obstacles.Visually, Stina and I quickly took background and character design respectively. Knowing my creation would have to be animated (and knowing how little I know about animation), I chose to do something simple. For inspiration, I examined a fair few sources.
A primary beacon of interest was SA2's chao. These creatures develop abilities and physically when exposed to different sources, adapting and growing depending on what they are given.
Visually, I felt very drawn to the art style used in Fly'n. I discussed it with Stina many times, having felt greatly inspired by the simple representations and shapes. The forest-esque environment made me want to place our design within a similar world.
And my own interpretation. I eventually decided that these were too similar to the original Fly'n design.
Going back to my idea of adapting to succeed, I began to think about how I would represent that visually on the character. With adaptation in mind, I immediately began to think more of plants and how they change to suit their environment. I used Pokemon for the visual reference side, knowing that their grass types tend to look like plants themselves and have features relevant to their powers. Eg: Chikorita's vines come from visible nodules in her neck, and the leaves she throws are situated upon her head.
Shaymin, the second Pokemon linked, is interesting because it looks like a real creature with more grass-based features. I wanted to use this idea for my own creatures.
I wanted to go one step further than these creatures and do something directly related to a plant. Specifically, I studied seeds.
And my interpretation..
From here, I cleaned up my ideas and created new ones.
For a flying/gliding power, I looked at dandelion seeds and how they float.
And my interpretation:
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