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Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Power Up (NaGaWriMo Day 20)

Day 20 of National Game Writing Month! These game concepts are silly one-offs that will never be considered for production. If you’re inspired by one, feel free to use it, but it would be nice if you told me!

Mushrooms. Stars. Gems. Orbs. Chests. We have all seen a power up before. It is a common conceit in games, a quick reward for the player or something to get them out of tight spots. But, power ups are fleeting, never lasting as long as we want them to. Power Up is not just another power fantasy. This game explores what happens if all your power ups stayed.

Stacking on top of one another, Power Up will combo the players gains into a near unstoppable force. The simple fulfillment of power fantasy alone is enough of a hook. You start the game weak and slowly stack more and more power ups until you rule the game world like a god.

But what is the price of power? Perhaps there is a reason that power ups are fleeting. As you get stronger in the game, you will be able to progress further, but more and more character interactions will be blocked off to you. NPCs will stop responding and eventually main and companion characters will leave you as well. You are stronger now yes, but you are also alone. This quest for power has isolated you.

Want to do your own NaGaWriMo? It’s fine if you start late. It’s a made-up challenge. Write a good one and include the hash-tag!

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