MTL - Almighty Game Designer (Almighty Video Game Designer)-Chapter 39 Plants vs. Zombies version planning

After finishing the recruitment information, Chen Mo plans to go to the evening to see the application email.

Now Chen Mo needs to plan a version update of the Plants vs. Zombies.

In the past life, "Plants vs. Zombies" has a sequel, but the word of mouth is very poor, although in terms of profitability, but the player's word of mouth is far worse.

Therefore, Chen Mo does not intend to develop "Plants vs. Zombies 2". If it is just to make money, then it is also awkward. Why not make a domestic money game? At least to preserve the word of mouth and brand of Plants vs. Zombies.

This version update is likely to be the first and last version update of Plants vs. Zombies, so Chen Mo’s goal is to mobilize the player’s enthusiasm as much as possible and let them Develop new ways to make people who love this game play.

After all, Chen Mo will soon start research and development of new games, and now there is not much energy to maintain "Plants vs. Zombies."

After considering it, Chen Mo roughly planned the following contents for the new version.

First, in terms of game content, a new [developer tool] can be used. Anyone can use this [developer tool] to make some attempts under the large framework of Plants vs. Zombies.

You can adjust the value settings of plants, zombies, environment, maps, etc.

New art resources can be uploaded to create new plants and zombie species.

Use existing art resources to create new maps, or new levels and gameplay.

These newly created mods (meaning modules, a modification or enhancement of the game), will have a dedicated portal in the Plants vs. Zombies game, and players only need to download the appropriate mod. Play the game.

Players can also score and evaluate each mod. In the mod function, the system will have a default algorithm that sorts each mod by downloading, scoring, game duration, etc., and recommends it to the player on a regular basis.

Second, build networking and community features to make players more connected in the game.

The Plants vs. Zombies developed by Chen Mo has a simple networking and ranking function, but this is only to meet the needs of players to show off and compare, not to meet the deeper social needs.

With new networking and community features, players can add friends to each other or join the same community (can be understood as a guild). Friends or fellow players can watch other players, upload and share videos of their customs clearance levels, and recommend some fun mods.

Third, develop simple multiplayer features.

In fact, for the players, with [developer tools], they will make multiplayer games sooner or later, and Chen Mo is just a joke to speed up the process.

The multiplayer game in Chen Mo’s plan temporarily has two modes, which are relatively simple.

The first mode is multi-person cooperation mode, each person controls 3~5 roads, supports 2~5 players to play games at the same time, that is to say, there are up to 25 roads, the screen can be dragged up and down, and freely view other players. .

The sunlight produced by each person is calculated separately, which can help other players grow plants to jointly resist the invasion of zombies.

In the multiplayer mode, a player can be revived by a special plant after death, and players can also work together to plant some special plants.

The second mode is the multiplayer confrontation mode, which can be 1v1, 2v2 or 3v3. Every player can get sunshine and moonlight over time, sunlight for plants, and moonlight for zombies.

Zombies are produced at a slightly faster rate than plants.

Players must use plants to defend their lawns and use zombies to attack enemy lawns. Once a player is defeated, they cannot be resurrected.

As for why you need both sunshine and moonlight resources, this is to prevent everyone from planting seeds without planting zombies and dragging the game into a bladder.

If one party controls the plant and one controls the zombie, the balance will become difficult to control, so Chen Mo did not do so.

Whether these two multiplayer modes can be successful, Chen Mo is not sure, but he is relatively optimistic, because these two modes basically conform to the original gameplay of the original, and the changes made are some gains. The changes will not damage the core fun of the game.

Of course, it doesn't matter if you don't succeed. There will be various mods that players will study independently.

Chen Mo’s expected development cycle is two weeks. This is already a very loose time. After all, the main function of Plants vs. Zombies has only been developed in just over a month.

Chen Mo roughly finished the outline of the design document, it is already night.

Experience the store closed, Chen Mo returned to the second floor, opened his designer mailbox, began to screen the resume sent by the applicant.

The vast majority of these resumes are applied for assistants, and only four are employed at the front desk.

Chen Mo turned over their resumes, not very satisfied, or the understanding of the game is too superficial, or basically did not play "Plants vs. Zombies", or the two appreciations are very perfunctory.

Of course, mainly because of the appearance of these four sisters, there is no eye for Chen Mo.

Chen Mo is not an appearance association. There is no ulterior motive for recruiting the front desk. But after all, this is a relatively well-paid job. Chen Mo has many choices and there is no need to make do.

This is also for the sake of their own players, a sweet and sleek front desk will make players who experience the store experience game more happy, so still have to find a good point.

At least be cute.

Chen Mo continued to look at the resume of the assistant.

There are a lot of these resumes, and Chen Mo is looking at them. If they meet the requirements, they will all be brushed off. He currently only needs one assistant, so it is relatively free to brush his resume.

If you are too old, don't consider it.

People who are too old are mainly conservative in thinking, not active enough, lack of innovative spirit, insufficient training potential, and will be awkward to be an assistant to those who are older than themselves.

If you have long-term work experience in other game companies, don't consider it.

Chen Mo's game design concept is completely different from other companies. In other game companies, people who have worked for a long time, the game design concept must be stereotyped, and it is very difficult to reverse it.

In addition to playing games, nothing is needed.

Playing games and playing games are two completely different things. Playing games requires responsiveness, operation, and game intelligence. Playing games requires good logical thinking, delicate ideas, a solid work attitude, and a little inspiration.

A pure player is hard to master game design work.

Then it is to watch the game appreciation from these people.

Game appreciation can reflect a person's basic understanding of the game, Chen Mo can not choose a person who is contrary to his game concept as an assistant.

For the appreciation of Plants vs. Zombies, Chen Mo mainly looks at the candidate's understanding of the game, as long as he can say the flash of the game in any 2~3 aspects of creativity, gameplay, system, level, and value. Point, even if it is qualified.

For the appreciation of other games, Chen Mo mainly wants to look at the type of game that the candidate prefers, and his vision. As long as you choose a relatively successful game, simply say the highlights of this game, even qualified.

This is an additional question for the future of the game.

If you judge the future of the game too wrong, don't consider it. This kind of person is too stupid and can't teach.