puppeteer

Project Duration:  3 weeks (2015)

Team: Jasper Stutterheim, Jeremia Oelschläger, me

Game Engine: Unreal Engine 4

Platform: PC

Theme: Experimental Input-device

Main Feature(s): Puppeteer-inspired controls with strings attached to the players fingers

My Part: Game System Design, Programming (UE Blueprints)  

 

Summary

Puppeteer is a short prototype made during a 3 week game jam that revolved around unconventional input-devices. My Team was made up of two artists, Jasper and Jeremia, and me as system designer/programmer. Our spin on the topic was to create an experimental puppeteer-inspired input device, meaning the player controls the character by pulling strings, instead of pushing buttons. We built the first version of our input-device out of a computer keyboard, wooden sticks, rubber band, tape and strings. Later we switched to an upside down midi keyboard with strings attached to the keys.

The dynamic of puppeteer is similar to games like QWOP or Octodad, where the goal is simple, but the unfamiliar controls make it challenging nonetheless. In our case, the player has to clear a small stealth level by activating 3 switches and reaching the exit of the room. 

Developement

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Final Prototype