Research and design ideas
● Design intention: At first, it was an underwater turn-based game. During my research, I saw many pictures of underwater creatures. Among them, the ones that attracted me the most were the various semi-transparent and colorful jellyfish. They were like neon lights in the deep sea, dazzling ghosts, just like the wandering souls of the deceased in the sea. Based on this idea, I started the initial design of the game “Chasing the Tides of Light”
● Image source: At the beginning of designing this character, I was very hesitant about its image. After integrating the soul setting, I finally decided that it would be more appropriate to design it as a mother as the main character of the plot, which would also make the subsequent plot more profound for me. At the same time, her singing could also serve as the background sound when the jellyfish were swimming.
● Jellyfish Survey During my research on jellyfish, I was increasingly impressed by the uniqueness and magic of this creature. It can reproduce sexually or self-replicate asexually. This setting can serve as a continuous cycle for players after the game ends, as a jellyfish larva hatching from a nest similar to a sea anemone and starting a new journey. Each playthrough can trigger different game voices from NPCS. Moreover, the form of a jellyfish larch is similar to that of a sea anemone. Therefore, I want a sea anemone to serve as a guide. It could be a soul that doesn’t want to be reborn, has no attachments, and thus doesn’t become an outlaw. Instead, it guides new souls in its birthplace as a daily routine. When you are reborn for the second time, she might say, “Oh, you’re back?” No, it’s new? Interesting.
● Characteristics of jellyfish: The semi-transparent luminous form serves as the main feature of the health value mechanism. Its brightness is used as proof of life strength and gradually decreases when attacked. The tentacles, as its core attack method, can deal damage to the enemy that attacks by surprise while moving forward. The jellyfish is very suitable for side-scrolling platform games. Its forward movement form is very interesting. As the umbrella cap wriggles during movement, the tentacles on it will also sway along.