Super Rapid Prototypes

So, of late we have been upping our game with inhouse games and part of that we have been experimenting and building various game ideas as rapid prototypes. So we gather around and discuss potential game ideas that are simple enough yet engaging and the ones that appeal are taken into prototyping. The catch is that we need to finish these Prototypes in a matter of few days so we can quickly decide whether or not the game would actually work. Since most ideas that sound exciting in theory doesnt really cut it when played around in a build, this step becomes crucial so we dont waste all that effort in building a full game only to realize that it didnt work when we are ready to ship.

Here are some ideas we have been prototyping lately.

Tuk Tuk Drag Race!

Our beloved Auto Rickshaw meeting CSR like drag racing!

Our beloved Auto Rickshaw meeting CSR like drag racing!

While this idea itself sounded fun when we pitched internally it never really evoked fun factor when we put it in a playable form. The fast paced experience that you see with sports cars doesnt necessarily work with Auto Rickshaws. The mechanics is just shifting gears and we realized it never gave the feel of racing a sports car. It is also that such a presentation don’t really work in the Indian context as our audience here like to be behind the wheel and race instead of controlling it passively(reason why racing games were/are always a popular genre in India)

Endless Auto Racing !

Endless Auto Racing !

During the course of the prototype we also pivoted to the idea of making it an endless runner through the crowed Indian Streets. That turned out a lot better and was fun. Again we had to kill in light of the other “Cooler” ideas that was generated.

Tap Car!

We called it Tap Car!

We called it Tap Car!

Well, this one actually turned out pretty good. We really loved Ketchapp’s Finger Driver and wanted to try our hands on that idea. Tap left and right to steer the car and keep it on course without hitting the sides of the road. Simple yes? The games mechanics itself is very engaging that you cannot take your eyes off the screen and needs tremendous hand (finger) eye coordination.

With exhaust smoke and tire marks when turning- those touches !

With exhaust smoke and tire marks when turning- those touches !

Heli Dash -

Call it Flappy Bird meeting Unicorn Dash and we love both those games. We built this prototype real quick with super simpler controls. Tap anywhere on the right to keep flying/ascending. Leaving it would make the Heli rapidly plunge down and crash. Tap anywhere on the left to dash through the obstacles. We created some rough visuals to make it look presentable enough.

Super rough concept

Super rough concept