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Portal Puff

Game Overview

Genre: 2D Puzzle Platformer
Platform: Desktop and Mobile
Release Date: March 18th, 2024
Development Duration: 3 months


Description
"Portal Puff" is a 2D puzzle platformer in which players guide Puff through a series of inventive puzzles, using teleports to navigate and escape from each level. As my first venture into game development, "Portal Puff" was crafted with enthusiasm and a deep love for puzzle games, marking the beginning of my journey as a game designer and developer.

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Game Concept

In "Portal Puff," players must use teleports to navigate through various levels filled with obstacles, traps, and puzzles. Each portal has a distinct effect on Puff. These effects include shrinking or expanding Puff, reversing or altering gravity, and even creating multiple copies of Puff to solve puzzles. The game challenges players to creatively understand and leverage these effects to overcome the increasingly complex levels.
 

Unique Selling Points

  • Diverse Teleport Effects: Each teleport provides a unique effect, such as changing Puff's size, altering gravity, or multiplying Puff, adding layers of complexity and creativity to puzzle-solving.

  • Strategic Puzzle Design: Players must think ahead and plan their moves carefully, considering how each teleport will affect Puff and how to use those effects to progress through the level.

  • Whimsical Art Style: The game's vibrant and charming visuals complement the imaginative mechanics, making it an engaging experience for players of all ages.

  • Cross-Platform Accessibility: "Portal Puff" is available on both desktop and mobile platforms, offering a consistent and enjoyable experience no matter where you play.
     

Target Audience
"Portal Puff" is designed for puzzle enthusiasts who appreciate games that blend creativity with challenge. The unique teleportation effects appeal to players who enjoy thinking outside the box, while the game's approachable art style and intuitive controls make it suitable for both casual gamers and those seeking a deeper puzzle experience.

Level 10: Escaping the laboratory

Level Design

The level design of "Portal Puff" is a blend of systematic planning, organic creativity, and spontaneous inspiration. I aimed to create naturally evolving levels while maintaining a structured exploration of the game's mechanics. This approach allowed me to balance the initial vision with new ideas that emerged during the development process.

Sketching on the Go
My daily commute provided a unique opportunity for creative thinking. On my way to work, I would sketch out level ideas on the train, capturing moments of inspiration as they struck. These sketches became the blueprint for my evening development sessions, where I would bring these ideas to life. This routine allowed me to maintain a steady flow of creativity, ensuring that each level was thoughtfully designed and polished.

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The sketch for level 29 - drawn while riding the train to work.

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Game mechanics exploration table

Systematic Exploration of Mechanics
Inspired by the brilliant GMTK, a YouTuber and game developer, I created a table with all the game's portals and mechanics listed along the X and Y axes. This table was a roadmap, helping me systematically explore new interactions between existing mechanics. However, I didn't rigidly follow the table; instead, I used it as a guide while staying open to new possibilities that arose during development.

Balancing Difficulty
To ensure a balanced and engaging gameplay experience, I introduced one new mechanic every three levels. This pacing allowed players to gradually master each mechanic before encountering the next one, preventing overwhelm and maintaining a steady learning curve. Simultaneously, I increased the difficulty of each mechanic as players progressed through the levels, creating a satisfying challenge that escalated over time.

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Levels, mechanisms, and difficulties

Development Process

Role and Contributions

As the solo developer and designer of "Portal Puff," I handled every aspect of the game's creation, from conceptualization to final implementation, including designing game mechanics, coding, and integrating all elements for a cohesive experience.

Tools and Technologies

The game was developed in Unity, primarily using C#. I leveraged Unity's physics and scripting capabilities to bring the teleport mechanics to life. I extensively used its editor tools for level design and testing to ensure a smooth difficulty curve.

Asset Integration

To focus on gameplay mechanics, I used high-quality, royalty-free assets for graphics and sound sourced from reputable online platforms. This approach allowed for a polished final product while maintaining efficient development.

Project Management
Managing the entire project independently required strong organizational skills. I set clear milestones and deadlines to keep the development on track, breaking down the project into manageable tasks. This approach allowed me to complete "Portal Puff" within three months.

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