Lethal By Design

Game Mechanic Spotlight!

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 01:35:00 -0400

This is a new series I have decided to start generating. I feel this is all part of a bigger learning process for myself as it allows me to not only remember great game mechanics but break them down.

Today’s Game Mechanic Spotlight: Power Stealing / Cloning

This particular mechanic is a very fun mechanic in video games, quite popular in action platformer games. The ability to steal a special attack, magic, weapon and etc. has made plenty of video game characters a BADASS.

A great example would be the famous Blue Bomber MEGAMAN (Rockman in japan)!

Mega man is a character that has first appeared in the late 80’s on the original Nintendo Entertainment System. I have fond memories of playing this game and even as a 9 year old (I know my parents bought it for me late) I loved its primary mechanic of power stealing.

For those unfamiliar with Megaman, you had to select a boss robot via character select screen. You then would have to play a boss themed platform style level to eventually reach the final room and duel with the boss. If you succeed in destroying the boss, Megaman then absorbs the special power of the boss. Keep in mind it wasn’t quite a direct clone, but for the most part when Megaman uses the special power you know who it belonged to via color pallette swap and unique attack animation.

This newly acquired power then created new abilities and usage for Megaman. These special powers not only provided the benefit of a unique attack to assist in killing potential tougher enemy robots during the bosses stage, but also if you select the right boss to fight and then use a power that is their weakness, you can do large amounts of damage on the boss defeating them in a quicker fashion.

For the most part this power was awesome as it showed Megaman would progressively get stronger firepower and abilities as he defeated more and more bosses. He retained the powers of defeated bosses and would carry them with him until you completed the game.

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Another example of the Power Steal / Cloning mechanic is Kirby from the famed Kirby’s Dream Land and Kirby’s Adventure!

A brief history on Kirby for those of you who don’t know of him, he first appeared in 1992 on the original GameBoy handheld. He did not actually have the Inhale Power steal mechanic though until he appeared in Kirby’s Adventure which was released on the original Nintendo Entertainment System a year later.

Now Kirby’s power steal / copy mechanic is actually different from Megaman’s version of power stealing. While mega man only receives his powers from boss fights, Kirby receives his power by swallowing enemies. The way Kirby initiated his was he first inhaled an enemy into his body, once he acquired an inhaled enemy he had the option to spit the enemy out as a projectile which damages enemies it collided with, or he could copy the enemies special power by swallowing them (I know grim stuff eh!).

An example would be if he swallowed a Waddle Doo (pictured below), Kirby would have a special Laser Beam Ability. This was a useful ability long range, but definitely not as helpful when pressured by enemies close range.

This brings up another unique mechanic to Kirby’s version of cloning/stealing, the ability to change his copied attack by eating a different enemy. In doing so he would receive a new power, but the con to receiving the new power is he overwrites the old one and cannot get it back until he eats an enemy again with the previous property. This mechanic allows the user to think of the powers in a more situation mindset. Should the user want a Long range attack? or maybe go for the Sword power to potentially fight a more close range fight with an upcoming boss.

Conclusion: The Powersteal / Cloning mechanic is a very interesting mechanic, which adds versatility to its lead characters and also an element of strategy. When done correctly it can propel the character into a super powerful being giving the player a sense of what its like to be Rogue from X-men minus the whole kissing requirement.

Ciao!

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theplayforge: Office dogs! The Playforge is lucky to work in a...

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:52:16 -0400

theplayforge:

Office dogs! The Playforge is lucky to work in a building that allows us to bring dogs to work. Here are some of the cute pups we see hanging around the office. Clockwise from upper left, we have Toby the Corgi puppy, Krogan the happiest boxer ever, Bowser, Toby’s big brother, and Max the one-eyed Shih Tzu!

Return!

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 03:46:44 -0500

My heavy Apologies for not posting anything of significance. I guess the biggest news right now is me and my GF are having a baby. We are due October! Till then I have invested myself in various projects. I really wish there was more time in the day for me. I do so much it kind of drives me nuts. Learning to focus fire is probably one of my most lacking skills.

Originally I wanted to do a podcast but have instead decided to focus on my design work. I am designing a special Tablet book which I would like to make for the childrens market. They are in an age now where things like Tablets are going to influence heavily how they approach technology as they grow up. My idea is to help the parents and kids find a medium they both can learn and share. For now that’s all the details I will provide on that project.

My next idea is to try to post as consistently as I can on Tumblr almost on a habitual level. I feel like this can really chronicle a lot of what I’ve been experiencing in this journey i call life so I would definitely like to share these with anyone who decides to follow.

When I get a new phone I promise I upload more photos and videos =) I share visuals if I do not want this to be boring.

And thats all for now!

-Jo

1st Post of 2012

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 04:13:15 -0500

Hey all, Finally had the chance to post something. Just wanted folks to see that my new gig is probably the greatest job to happen to me. I get paid well, everyone is awesome its like a family more then a job.

My latest obsession is with Table Tennis. Dammit the minute I played my first game I knew deep down this was going to become a new hobby. I started to play a fairly crappy slow style, but over these past 4 months I had built up a fairly strong style of offensive shakehand grip. I am not saying I am a pro player as there is so much more I need to learn but I am pretty hooked and determined to grow in the sport.

The current plans for this year is to start a podcast. About what? Well right now it seems like we want to do a variety show and won’t exactly know what is planned but I have tons to talk about.

Anyhow the GF had a nightmare so I have to send her back to bed. Gnite.

-Jo

SUIT UP!

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 02:00:51 -0400

SUIT UP!

First actual post, since the Reset

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 03:35:28 -0400

Hey Tumblrs and Tumblees! It has been a minute since my last posting I guess I have tons to share. Let me start of by saying Life is good! I feel like the only reason I have gotten anywhere in life is because I know incredible people and they always lead me to wonderful opportunities. So I have nothing but the utmost love for everyone who supports me and pushes me forward.

So I guess its safe to say I am officially working again. I work for a small gaming studio/start-up that makes social games. I am a Senior QA analyst who is currently working on getting their processes integrated to their Agile development systems. The company itself is packed with super young talented people, i’m pretty sure we do not have a single person that is in the 40’s / 50’s age bracket. The company culture is phenomenal! It is the perfect balance of Efficiency and Fun. Everyone is ultra friendly and welcoming, everyone contributes and everyone helps. I feel like at this company everyone makes a difference and not once so far have I felt alienated.

The gave me Awesome Equipment too, It was my first time using an Apple computer for a full day unlike the times I’ve dabbled with them at a friends or apple store. I feel like the OS isn’t perfect either. I don’t see how either PC or MAC heads have any sort of bragging rights about their OS being superior, I’ve experienced flaws on both ends. Regardless I got a brand new iMac 21inches of screen, i7 processor and a decent AMD Radeon HD Graphics card. I also have a bunch of Ipads and various iOS devices for tools. Oh and my first check came in, yes is pretty BAAAAALLLINNNNN.

On the gaming side of the spectrum, My awesome GF bought me Space MARINE! my best way to describe it, is imagine fast pace action of Modern Warfare combined with the 3rd person view of Gears of war and sprinkle the Melee combo system of Dynasty Warrior games, and you basically have Space Marine Multiplayer. It has everything I would expect from the 40k Franchise that i love so much such as Assault Marines with Thunder Hammers, crazy fire fights with Devastators defending points, super intense rushes by Tactical Marines. You can Customize your Armor and there are billions of possible combinations, but require you to unlock the various pieces. You can also customize loadouts for each of the classes available. All in all as a Warhammer 40k Nerd this game satisfies and it will hold me over until Battlefield 3 comes out.

K Sleepytime! Till next time my friends!

Had to delete my original account due to a bug

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 04:11:16 -0400

Sorry folks if you find adding / following me again to be an inconvenience, I will figure out a way to pay you back them 3 seconds you lost =P

Maybe build a time machine. Hmmmmm