Week #3 - Brackeys Jam Experience

Hello everyone! This week was entirely focused on the Brackeys Game Jam, which I mentioned last week.

The theme of the jam was "Nothing can go wrong...". It was open to interpretation, and we struggled at first to come up with a solid idea. We wanted to avoid focusing on 3D models and assets and instead emphasize game mechanics. However, as first-time participants, we found it quite challenging. Additionally, while the jam officially started on Sunday, we only began on Monday, which put us at a slight disadvantage. In hindsight, researching past game jams beforehand could have helped us prepare better.

Concept and Market Research

While browsing my asset library, I found a solid collection of store-related assets, including shop furniture, products, and various other elements. This led me to explore the idea of making a game centered around store management and economy.

After conducting some quick market research, I realized that most games in this niche focus on extreme realism. I wanted to explore alternative genres and mechanics, which I'll break down below.

Game Mechanics & Design

The game will revolve around economic management with a dark, atmospheric style. However, the gameplay won’t be limited to simply selling products. Instead, we are introducing mechanics involving chaos and AI-driven NPC interactions.

• NPCs can be good or bad, affecting the store’s dynamics.
• Random events such as plagues and fires will introduce challenges.
• As the business expands, an online extraction mode will unlock.

In this online mode, players will enter a procedurally generated maze alongside others, where they can collect valuable loot. However, other players can steal your loot before you extract safely. The goal is to use these special items to upgrade the store and unlock new properties, making this mode crucial for progress.

I’m excited to keep refining this idea and see where it leads. Stay tuned for more updates next week!