how to choose your game theme:
- Is your theme something you’re into
- does your theme communicate the goal
- does your theme have both familiarity and novelity
concept 1(experiment):
Secret Fisherman
Resources
2D pixel graphic Player Input: mostly mouse click additional resources: sound, and fishing knowledge
Idea Description
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Main Idea Secret Fisherman is a lighthearted 2D fishing simulator with a comedic twist. The player controls Gianni, a man secretly obsessed with fishing who hides his hobby from his strict wife, Rosa. Each day, Rosa requests specific fish for dinner, and Gianni must sneak away to catch them before she notices. The tension between keeping the secret and perfecting fishing skills drives the game.
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Core Mechanics Fishing Simulation • Choose lures, time of day, weather, and water depth to influence fish behavior. • Observe patterns, test combinations, and build knowledge to improve success. Resource Management • Limited time: must return before dinner. • Limited money: spent on lures, bait, or upgrades. • Catching extra fish can be sold for money or stored for later. Progression System • Unlock an encyclopedia with each new fish species, including fishing tips and trivia. • Earn money for upgrades: better rods, specialized lures, boats, and extra time. Humorous Consequences • Fail to bring the right fish → Rosa punishes Gianni with funny scoldings or comedic mini-scenes. • Success → Gianni keeps his fishing obsession hidden.
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Goal of the Game The player’s main objective is to consistently deliver Rosa’s requested fish while maintaining Gianni’s secret passion. Long-term goals include: • Expanding fishing knowledge. • Unlocking rare fish and bigger fishing spots. • Upgrading equipment to maximize efficiency. • Ultimately becoming a master fisherman without Rosa ever finding out.
level design
In Secret Fisherman, players progress day by day, with each level representing a new day in Gianni’s secret routine. At first, fishing is simple with only basic gear and easy fish requests, but as time goes on, Rosa demands rarer fish, new locations unlock, and players must master more complex combinations of bait, timing, and weather. The gameplay evolves from trial-and-error learning to strategic planning, balancing time, money, and fishing knowledge. Each successful day strengthens Gianni’s secret hobby, while failures lead to humorous punishments, making progression both challenging and entertaining.
concept 2(free):
name: Zhou eliminate three evils
Resources
2D pixel graphic Player Input: gamepad, keyboard, touch control additional resources: sound, fictitious cult
Idea description:
- Main Idea The game tell a story about Zhou eliminate three evils, with an anti-cult theme at its core. The three “evils” are not just monsters but symbols of cult influence:
- The Tiger represents violence and intimidation used by cults.
- The Dragon represents false myths and spiritual manipulation.
- Zhou Chu himself represents the ignorance and blind obedience that allow cults to thrive. The story becomes a journey of both action and reflection, showing that the greatest challenge is overcoming deception and changing oneself.
- Core Mechanics
- Combat & Puzzle Solving
- Fight the Tiger → stand against threats and violence.
- Face the Dragon → solve truth-versus-lie puzzles, breaking free from brainwashing.
- Mindset System
- The player has a reason/faith meter: exposure to cult lies lowers it, while making wise choices or helping villagers increases it.
- Reputation & Choice
- The player can choose to deceive or guide villagers. These choices affect Zhou Chu’s path and the ending.
- Goal of the Game The player’s goal is to eliminate the three evils: defeat the Tiger, overcome the Dragon’s deception, and ultimately confront Zhou’s own flaws. The true victory lies not just in fighting monsters but in resisting cult influence and transforming from a feared menace into a respected protector.
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Good Ending: Zhou breaks free from cult thinking and becomes a guardian for the people.
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Bad Ending: Zhou defeats the beasts but remains arrogant and misguided, becoming the “fourth evil” himself.