Repo Ruckus game design document: Jan 2023 - Overview:
"Repo Ruckus" is a fast-paced, silly, first-person puzzle game that challenges players to repossess a variety of items within a set time frame. Players must navigate through five levels of each of the game's three themes, which include an office, pirate ship, and tavern, all while using WASD movement and crouching to find and grab items. VR players will have an added advantage with the joysticks that allows them to grab the nearest item to their controller if it's within range.
As players progress through the levels, they will be rewarded with stars based on their speed, with three stars for beating the level the fastest, two for the middle, and one for merely beating it. These stars are used to unlock more levels and themes. In addition to the timed puzzle/hidden object hunt game mode, players will encounter a cast of characters that includes the determined repo guy, his boss, and themed NPCs who offer hints for item locations.
Gameplay Mechanics:
Controls and input methods
WASD movement + crouching and running. Left click of mouse will grab items directly under the crosshair if it is a physics object.
VR Only: Lower trigger press will grab the nearest item to the controller if it is within a set range.
Game modes and levels
There will only be one game mode for the game, a timed puzzle/hidden object hunt.
There will be 3 themes: Office, Pirate Ship, and Tavern. Why? Because that’s just the assets I have on hand…
5 levels of each theme, as you beat levels within a time period, you will unlock more levels.
Objectives and goals
Repossess all of the items within a certain time frame. 3 stars for beating it the fastest, 2 for middle, and 1 star for beating it. Your goal is to collect these stars to unlock the next levels/theme.
Story and Characters:
Background story and setting
Step into the shoes of the most determined repo guy with one thing on his mind. REPO. You don’t care what the client is saying or what’s in your way, you have a list of items to repossess and by golly, you’re gonna finish that list.
Main characters and their motivations
Determined Repo Guy (You) - Collecting items with a burning passion for payment plans.
Your boss - Organizes who you are taking from & once you get more stars he gives harder jobs.
Non-playable characters (NPCs) and their roles
NPC’s will be used for hints of where they put their items when you need it. All NPC’s in this game will be themed, with a slightly more difficult or annoying NPC with more dialogue on the last level of each theme type.
Art and Audio:
Visual style and art direction
The visual style will be low-poly for the entire development of the game. Flat colors and low detail should keep the price and time of production down and keep the project on track.
Character and environment design
Each level’s environment will be designed by me, falling under specific themes to keep the experience cohesive. The character will not be visible for the whole game. It will be fully fps with no external cutscenes.
Sound effects and music
Frequent cha-ching! sound effects throughout the game. Custom high tempo or synthwave music made by me to keep the player motivated and moving quickly.
Voiceover and dialogue
I was thinking about hiring Jack Black to voice over all of the characters, but I’ll have to check his schedule.
User Interface and User Experience:
User interface design
The user interface in our game will be designed to be user-friendly first. Also intuitive, with a focus on ease of use. Big buttons with bright colors for a quick and obvious message and quick turn around from using the menu to being in game. Players should be able to easily navigate menus and options, with clear visual cues and feedback provided throughout the game.