Aquarium is a demo I developed while I was in school. The object of the game is for the player to raise a pet goldfish. As the player progresses they can use money to purchase things such as additional fish, decorations and bigger aquariums.
This demo was made for a school project. The project was to teach us about working with outsourcing. The project had us create a game that would be made for the Iphone platform. I competed against fellow students. I had to give a demonstration of the game in front of students and faculty. The votes were placed by students and a few of the professors. Ultimately I came in second place. I got 13 votes with the winning game receiving about 15.
This demo was made for a school project. The project was to teach us about working with outsourcing. The project had us create a game that would be made for the Iphone platform. I competed against fellow students. I had to give a demonstration of the game in front of students and faculty. The votes were placed by students and a few of the professors. Ultimately I came in second place. I got 13 votes with the winning game receiving about 15.
Unfortunately the project went nowhere. We got in contact with people willing to make the winning game but for reasons unknown to me the professor and the students on the winning team lost contact with them. I still have the working demo of my game so I decided to share it.
The demo allows for players to take care of a single goldfish inside of a ten gallon tank. The player is able to decorate the tank with the decorations given. The money mechanic is not in the demo. The demo's purpose was just to show off that everything I was talking about was possible. I did all the art for it. Ideally it would all be really well done 2D or 3D assets. My friend Jeremy Lobdell helped me with a lot of the programming. We're not programmers but he has a better understanding of ActionScript than I do.
The demo allows for players to take care of a single goldfish inside of a ten gallon tank. The player is able to decorate the tank with the decorations given. The money mechanic is not in the demo. The demo's purpose was just to show off that everything I was talking about was possible. I did all the art for it. Ideally it would all be really well done 2D or 3D assets. My friend Jeremy Lobdell helped me with a lot of the programming. We're not programmers but he has a better understanding of ActionScript than I do.
The HUD for the demo.
When I designed the HUD I tried to keep it clean and simple. I wanted everything to be clear to the player. In fact the only thing that isn't too clear is the net. The net allows for players to place decorations in the map but in the full game it would of allowed for players to add and remove fish from your current aquarium.
Gameplay
Decorating: The decorations box is where the player keeps all of their decorations. All decorations when not in use are stored here in the box.
Certain Decorations are part of a theme or set. Having a complete set of decorations in your tank can have positive benefits on your fish.
Certain Decorations are part of a theme or set. Having a complete set of decorations in your tank can have positive benefits on your fish.
Feeding: Feeding the fish is done simply by clicking on the fish flakes icon. Players need to be careful to not over feed the fish else they will die. If the player doesn't feed the fish it will die.
Cleaning: Over time the aquarium will get dirty. The player can clean the aquarium by clicking on the sponge. If the tank is allowed to get dirty the fish will die because the water would no longer be inhabitable. The player can buy a water filter to help keep the tank clean.
If the tank is not kept clean is is susceptible to tanks pests such as invasive plants and parasites.
If the tank is not kept clean is is susceptible to tanks pests such as invasive plants and parasites.
Fish Weekly Catalog: This is where the player can buy new decorations, fish and tank helpers. It is updated on a regular basis with new decorations and items.
Players have the option of naming their fish.
Fish Status and Emotional State: As you take care of your fish his status and emotional state will change. When the fish is selected his status will be shown. It will let you know what kind of mood they are in and what they need to be happy. The longer a fish is happy the longer it will live.
If your fish is bored you could decorate the tank and give it something to explore. If your fish is hungry you can feed them. Sometimes the fish will get worried or scared. This might mean that they are not getting along with their tank mater and will need some help. The fish you care for can have a wide range of emotions and statuses. Some fish prefer warmer water, lots of plants and etc. These factors and more can affect their happiness.
Each fish will have specific characteristics. Such as temperament, Habitat, happiness, personality these characteristics will be affected by the aquarium itself and the other fish in the tank. Some fish are nocturnal so will prefer a hiding places and other like to swim and prefer more space to race around the tank. The player will be able to name there individual fish if they choose to.
Fish Bio Example: Goldfish
Bio: A simple fish that is the starter pet for Gold fish just about everyone. Requires little care
Temperament: Friendly / schooling fish
Happiness: 50%
Habitat: freshwater ponds
Cost: $1
Lifespan: 1 year
Food: Fish flakes
Each fish has a bio featuring it's stats, needs,cost and etc. Players can find the bios inside of Fish Weekly Catalog.
Bio: A simple fish that is the starter pet for Gold fish just about everyone. Requires little care
Temperament: Friendly / schooling fish
Happiness: 50%
Habitat: freshwater ponds
Cost: $1
Lifespan: 1 year
Food: Fish flakes
Each fish has a bio featuring it's stats, needs,cost and etc. Players can find the bios inside of Fish Weekly Catalog.
Species of Fish:
|
Gold fish
Tinfoil barb Neon Tetra Angel fish Tiger Barb Flower Horn Silver Dollar |
Clown Knife fish
Siamese fish Oscar fish Pacu Alligator Gar Bubbly Eyed Goldfish Blue Discus |
Giant Freshwater Puffer
Fancy Goldfish Blue Ram Spotted Gar Ghost Catfish Arowana Koi |
Fish temperaments: Dictate how your fish will behave and interact with other fish. Fish can have up to two temperaments.
Friendly- Will be accepting to other fish species
Territorial- Often will claim a spot of the tank as its own, might bully smaller fish that enter that area. Mostly solitary
Schooling fish- Lives happier with fish of its own kind or in a school of 5 or more
Predatory- Will often prey on fish smaller then itself
Active – Often will be seen swimming constantly
Bully- Will pick on or attack smaller fish
Peaceful- Gets along with any kind of fish but is prone to be bullied
Nocturnal- Is most active at night
Hardy- Gets along with other fish and is less prone to disease or parasites
Guardian- Smaller fish will often school or feed next to this fish to avoid bullies
Shy - Likes to hide.
Friendly- Will be accepting to other fish species
Territorial- Often will claim a spot of the tank as its own, might bully smaller fish that enter that area. Mostly solitary
Schooling fish- Lives happier with fish of its own kind or in a school of 5 or more
Predatory- Will often prey on fish smaller then itself
Active – Often will be seen swimming constantly
Bully- Will pick on or attack smaller fish
Peaceful- Gets along with any kind of fish but is prone to be bullied
Nocturnal- Is most active at night
Hardy- Gets along with other fish and is less prone to disease or parasites
Guardian- Smaller fish will often school or feed next to this fish to avoid bullies
Shy - Likes to hide.
A sucker catfish.
Tank Helpers: Tank helper are fish that you can place in your aquarium that will assist the player in balancing the ecosystem and removing tank scum and pests.
List of tank helpers
- Mini crab
- Cleaner shrimp
- Sucker catfish
- Black mystery snail
List of tank helpers
- Mini crab
- Cleaner shrimp
- Sucker catfish
- Black mystery snail
Themes and decoration sets:
Cowboy theme- Featuring a saloon and a cow skull for fish to swim in
UFO theme- Featuring a crashed saucer with bubbles coming out and little aliens
Classic theme- The classic plastic castle and deep sea diver are back
Pirates them- Featuring a sunken pirate ship and a treasure chest full of booty
Ancient Rome theme- Featuring colossal pillars and statues
Horror theme– Zombies, Skeletons, vampires and werewolves and a haunted house to swim in
Thailand theme- Featuring beautiful statues and temples
Egyptian theme- Pyramids and sarcophagi and all other kinds of neat decor
Additional themes and sets can as the player progresses.
Cowboy theme- Featuring a saloon and a cow skull for fish to swim in
UFO theme- Featuring a crashed saucer with bubbles coming out and little aliens
Classic theme- The classic plastic castle and deep sea diver are back
Pirates them- Featuring a sunken pirate ship and a treasure chest full of booty
Ancient Rome theme- Featuring colossal pillars and statues
Horror theme– Zombies, Skeletons, vampires and werewolves and a haunted house to swim in
Thailand theme- Featuring beautiful statues and temples
Egyptian theme- Pyramids and sarcophagi and all other kinds of neat decor
Additional themes and sets can as the player progresses.
The chart demonstrates how the game works.
The Flower Horn is the secret fish in the goldfish unlock chain.
There are many varieties of fish and what I would call unlock trees. For example your starter Goldfish will always be available to purchase but when you unlock bigger aquariums there will be more fish but the fish themselves will have unlock trees. For example by taking care of your goldfish you unlock the bubbly eyed goldfish and by taking care of the bubbly eyed goldfish. Once you complete an unlock tree you can unlock a secret fish.
The secret unlockable fish.
For the project I designed what would be a less cluttered HUD for the Iphone. This design would utilize the touchscreen. This game was made with the technical limitations of the Iphone in mind. I also designed it so that it would appeal to the casual player but would also have the depth for a players that seek a richer experience.
- Danny Q
@Dannylv100
@Dannylv100
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