Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
The power of an item
At the core of any inventory/shopping system are the individual items themselves. They
need to be designed in a way that will not only set each item apart from every other item,
but will also ensure that they work together to benefit the player as they travel through your
world.
Items generally have their individual properties. Refer to the following table:
Item/property
Description
Slot
Can this only be used in a certain slot for the player or in general?
Stackable
Can items, such as ammo or potions, be stacked on top of each other?
Health
Yes, items should have health and they shouldn't degrade.
Strength or damage What is the effect on the player's health (can it be negative to add health)?
Defense
Does the item protect the player at all, even if only a little bit?
Power
Does the item have its own source of power/ammunition? Is it limited?
Recharge rate
Does the item recharge itself or not? Can it be recharged?
Size
Is the item bulky and cumbersome?
Weight
Is it light or heavy? Will it encumber the player or slow them down?
Similar to a backpack, does it enable the player to carry more? Negative would mean that they
will carry less.
Storage
Cost
What is the in-game or real currency value of an item?
Trade-in value
In some systems, the item's health will impact this.
