Moving Forward... to Alpha Build 4. I feel like the final game is beginning to take shape. I still need to add a few engine features... and, of course, fix bugs. But most of the framework I need is there.
One thing I've noticed, and is already starting to annoy me, is backtracking through the hub area. The game looks like this
A3-A2-A1 B1-B2-B3
\ /
HUB
/ \
C3-C2-C1 D1-D2-D3
I recently inserted a system of bridges:
A3-A2-A1 ... B1-B2-B3
. \ / .
. HUB .
. / \ .
C3-C2-C1 ... D1-D2-D3
Currently, in each of the level 1 towers maps (A1,B1,C1,D1) there is a key which grants the player access to any of the level 2 maps, along with the bridges that allow the player to skip the hub.
Now I'm thinking that I don't want to give that key out so soon. For one, there is a sharp increase in difficulty moving from the level 1 maps to the level 2 maps. I don't like games which hold the player's hand--so if that was the only reason, I wouldn't bother worrying about it. But as I'm developing the storyline and integrating it into the environment, there are more reasons to steer the player toward finishing more of the level 1 maps.
My new plan (in progress) is to assign a level with each milestone the player completes. This level will change what NPCs and objects are loaded into the maps. I can use this mechanism to keep maps that the player might have to travel through fresh. It also might mean the game changes depending on the order the player wants to tackle the towers in.
New roadmap:
Lv 1. Player completes "hub area". Objective--find the Onyx key in the media room.
Lv 2. Player selects and completes one of the Level 1 maps in towers A, B, C, or D
Lv 3. Player returns to the "hub area". A new set of enemies is present, but with better rewards
Lv 4. Player completes a second Level 1 map
Lv 5. A friendly NPC warns the player high level guards have overtaken the hub area, and a second hub opens up. I'll replace the bridges with accesses to this second hub
Lv 6. Player completes third Level 1 map.
Lv 7. Player completes final Level 1 map. At this point I'll open up all of the Level 2 maps.
The second hub exits already exist and are near the stairs to the Level 2 maps, so the second hub is far more convenient for moving between towers. The Level 2 maps can be less linear since backtracking won't be as much of an issue. Eventually the player will have to make their way through the original hub area again--which is now a "boss zone"
A3-A2-A1> <B1-B2-B3
\ /
HUB 1
/ \
C3-C2-C1> <D1-D2-D3
<> A1, B1, C1, D1 are all also connected to HUB 2
The next hurdle will be to work out a way to inform the player what their objective is. Friendly NPCs would be a good way to do this, but I need to work out why they would be in the towers and willing to help Marika out. She doesn't have any friends here.
