Context
Most games are developed through programing by static extension of existing code bases known as game engines and libraries. After coding, games are usualy considered finished products to be distributed as is, without modification.
With this project we aim to further develop the concept of a metamorphic game context – those that are designed as unfinished works or play spaces to be further reworked or extended – as part of a broader intention of exploiting the increasingly pervasive notion of user-generated content across all forms of media.
By taking on an existing working 3D game engine we will redesign it to enable the game engine to become a live editor supporting the transformation of the game scenario through simple scenario editing and game parameter functions.
The game concept for demonstration will be a desert tribes war for water on a desert Dune-like planet. Water, the scarcest and single most important resource is permanently recycled between atmospheric and other forms, as tribes developed the technology to use it as the basic material for energy, life forms, food, ammunition, etc. As a very limited resource, tradeoffs become inevitable, and the game will be very sensitive to initial conditions and to the challenges in the scenarios.
Objective
This project follows a Design Research approach, and will aim at the game design and agile development of a simple working prototype for playtesting experimentation and gameplay metrics collecting.
Results
This project was initialy developed by Arnaldo Moura as part of his MEI dissertation. This was used by Samuel Almeida for studying the influence of changing scenarios configurations on gameplay and game perception.
Recycle was later reworked by Rui Craveirinha as part of an effort to study the influence of individual/team reward feedback parameters on gameplay styles.