Given what you do know, make a list of 10 items that could replace a standard "crate" in a video game that your new friend can pitch in the next design meeting.
You're at the Game Developers Conference and you meet a game designer who says he works for Sci-Fi Games Studio (note: this is a fictitious company name). You and he strike up a conversation, and you ask what he's working on:
"I can't say. I'm under NDA right now," he replies. "But I can tell you that we're in the very early stages of preproduction for a next-gen console game."
You firmly decide that this will not stop you from networking with this guy. "Without saying anything about the game," you say, "can you tell me vaguely what kinds of challenges your team is facing at this stage in development?"
"Sure," he chirps. "The artists are fleshing out early concept sketches for characters and NPCs. Oh! The designers and artists have been working together to come up with a new object in the game that will essentially be a crate, without being a ‘crate,' if you know what I mean."
"Neat. Maybe I can help you come up with some ideas! What's the game about again?"
"I can't say," he reminds you.
Given what you do know, make a list of 10 items that could replace a standard "crate" in a video game that your new friend can pitch in the next design meeting.
Consider what information you do have:
1. The company is called Sci-Fi Games Studio. This might tell you something about the kinds of content the company is likely to be working on.
2. You want to provide a range of ideas, since you really don't know what the game will be.
3. "Crates" need to be simple objects which, in and of themselves, don't take up a lot of memory (read: low poly count).
Crates are used for storing, blocking, building, climbing, throwing, smashing, and more! The object needs to be versatile, movable, stackable, and stable when situated on the floor.
What else do you already know? What other assumptions might you make? Discuss them on the forum.
1) Hex Cubby Holes
If crates are going to be used as storage, cubby holes will do the trick. Hexes stack neatly and look more sci-fi than squares. They could even have scanners or pin pads for security.
2) Crystals
Crystals evoke a cave-like feel, perfect for alien planets. Can be used to barricade passages, players might also be able to hurl broken pieces.
3) Canister
The evolution of the crate. Though this object is to replace a crate's role, there's a reason why crates are still in use. But in the future, the shape and materials to make them might have changed.
4) Trans-dimensional portals
A computerized platform, the top shimmers with energy. Objects placed on the it are teleported to a secure location, code entry on the side keypad will retrieve the item(s).
5) Expanding Ladder
For the hero tired of climbing large blocks. An expanding ladder could replace the typical platforming puzzle of a block pyramid.
6) Alien Life Forms
A non-sentient gelatinous cube. Becomes rigid when electrical pulses are applied. Be careful! Blaster fire could frighten them, causing them to lose shape and absorb anything stacked on them!
7) Nanomachine Colonies
Self-repairing, self-replicating. The nanomachines of the crate might actually even be the item stored within, in a different form.
8) Tube Farm
Bundles of durable yet flexible tubes with a flat base. Great for compartmentalized transport of fluid, gas, or powder commodities or resources.
9) Alien Life Forms, Redux
Rapid-growth plants capable of forming a wall of thorny vines around an object.
10) Chunk of stone
Sometimes, a crate doesn't have anything in it - you just need something to break some skulls with! Stones are at home on any planet, you can roll them downhill, and they're easy to texture!
Comments
GameCareerGuide
There were apparently a lot of repeat ideas across submissions, but my teleporter idea was mentioned on page 2!
http://www.gamecareerguide.com/features/576/results_from_game_design_.ph...