Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 6. Platformer
Platform games or platformers are classics of the video games industry. In the early
1980s, when they first appeared in the market, they became the tiny bridge from
symbolic primitive arcades to more graphical and realistic storytelling, introducing
more freedom for players. They were not locked in one static screen anymore. Game
worlds became larger and gave players plenty more adventure experiences. The
heightened pictorial look of the characters increased players' empathy toward their
avatars, generating greater feelings of exciting.
Scaffolding
Outstanding platform games are a mix of principles from board games and puzzles,
which is why the gameplay is so rich and diverse. In online board games, players
move their game piece on a specially designed game board consisting of blocks,
which form the platforms; there are normal game blocks, bonus ones, and of course,
pitfalls. Pitfalls are either enemies of various forms or pits where a game piece can
easily fall through, losing position. The following is an example of a game that is a mix
of principles from board games and puzzles:
A specific rule defines how a player can overcome an opponent or any other type of
obstacle; the player may use special weapons or fight using jumps or ram. All these
features are taken from boards game; nevertheless, puzzles also add some nontrivial
game mechanics.
Game levels imply a few ways to complete them. A player can use different types of
strategies, and as a rule, a more advanced approach is rewarded with a more power-
ful bonus. The game may also include a system of triggers that transform some ele-
ments of the game board; for instance, they turn on lifts, open gates, and lock en-
emies. Sometimes, there are special game blocks that allow the player to reach cer-
tain sections of the scene so that the player can move ahead on the game board,
solving various forms of direct and collateral puzzles.
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