Project completed during semester 1 of year one at the university. We went to Barbican Centre in London where our task was to come up with an idea for a game.
"Borrowed Light" by TROIKA became my inspiration. Instillation was an artificial infinite loop of sunset and sunrise.
Idea evaluation: Sunrise -> country of rising sun (Japan) -> Japanese mythology -> Kitsune
Gameplay idea: You play as the Kitsune character and your task is to bring the light to the specific lantern at the end of each level, therefore the sun can raise.
Each level the background changes colors, representing different phrases of sunrise.
Visuals
Background design per level (from left to right level 1-level 6): Transition from nighttime to daytime.
Reference picture (Kyoto, Japan)
Sketch
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
Characters
Reference picture
Sketch
Design
Reference picture
Sketch
Design
The Protagonist (the kitsune) has two forms, a fox and a human.
Fox: Main form of the Kitsune. Each level the fox gains a tail. The fox mustn't be spotted by NPCs, or they would kick it out of town (restarting the level). In this form the Kitsune is faster, lighter, can fit into tight places and jump further.
Human: Temporary form. In this form the kitsune wears a kimono and a mask resembling a human. The only visible fox feature are the tales. In this form kitsune carries a small lantern, thanks to which the character is always surrounded by light.The small lantern allows the player to light up surrounding lanterns, including the main lantern at the end of each level. Only in this form kitsune can use items.
Mechanics: Changing forms
In the fox form the Kitsune is much smaller and can fit into tight places that in the human form would not be possible.
In the fox form the Kitsune can jump further and avoid traps.
In the fox form the Kitsune is lighter than in the human form. That would allow it to step on the fragile surface.
When the Kitsune gets spotted by the NPCs in the fox form they will capture it and kick it out of town. That would mean the restart of the level. However if the Kitsune is in the human form NPCs ignore it.
In the Human form the Kitsune can use items that are essential in some situations. For example: some places are too high for to jump of safely in the fox form. The protagonist needs to use an umbrella in the human form to not crush on the ground.
When it is completely dark the protagonist gets lost, which means the restart of the level. In the human form the Kitsune is always surrounded by light because of the lantern that it carries so it cannot get lost. It is only possible to get lost in the fox form. However in the human form the Kitsune can light up surrounding lanterns so when it transforms back to the fox form the area will remain lit.