Case Study
Play-test Instructions
Optimum player window settings for the test5.exe is 1920 x 1080. It is recommended that first-time players complete the intro level before attempting other challenges. Test Level Available Here
Welcome to the Apothecary. Your master has left you in charge of the Apothecary whilst he is away. Your job is to correctly make the potions that customers ask for and try not to blow up the shop with an unstable concoction. Click and hold to move items around in the scene, release hold to place items. Use the left and right arrow keys to view different workstations around the apothecary. Drag ingredients of the potions over the cauldron and release to place them in the pot. Be sure to place only the ingredients in the recipe in the cauldron or the potion could become unstable and explode.
Informal Play-test Results
Casual play-testing revealed that the items in the scene can be pushed through the walls and lost beyond view. The colliders on the cauldron are quite big and very sensitive, easily set off by accidental bumping. The tendency for the cauldron to explode suddenly added to the narrative of the game.
Further Development Details
The level scene has several issues. Items can be pushed through the walls and lost, the code that allows for item pickup in scene is fairly inaccurate and causes some bugs. The code needs to be more accurate in selecting and moving the items. A collider needs to be set up to keep items in view.
There is a single 2D customer placeholder in the scene. The next stage would be to model a 3D character with animations to increase interaction with the player and multiple skins for customer variety. After all ingredients are put in the cauldron, they will be replaced with a single physical potion that the player can pick up and give to the customer.
There should be an audio element that works with the narrative of the game, and sound effects to emphasize the game events. Payment from the customer in exchange for the potions will be displayed and updated in the UI.
At this stage in the game development there is a single, easy intro level. More levels with different challenges would be the next step. The addition of a timer at more competitive levels would increase the challenge and pressure for the player to complete the customer order. More complex recipes will be an option.
Teayl Thorn 