WORLD, OBJECT AND ENEMY INTERACTION TESTING
Now that you know all of the ways the character can move it’s time to figure out the enemy and object interactions. Create another simple test environment to figure out your world and object interactions.
You will probably want to have:
· Doors – These will separate your areas and are a great way to block off areas until the player has earned the right ability or item. (Special weapon, key, suit, items, etc. are required to unlock.) Create all door types in your test environment! Try to use a single standard door size with different looks that represent what the player should use in order to open them. Remember doors can:
o Open and Shut repeatedly
o Lock behind the player to force them to deal with a situation
o Unlock based on a puzzle or defeating an enemy.
o Require an ability, weapon or key to unlock.
o Be used to mask loading or help with area transitions.
· Destructibles – These are objects that can break, dissolve or disappear in order to allow players to progress or find hidden items.
· Obstacles – These are things that can damage the player. You might be able to bypass them by using unlocked abilities. Each should serve a purpose and be tuned to be overcome with ease once the player has acquired the right tool.
· Devices/Moving Objects – These are things that require the use of certain abilities in order to activate them. They will move the player from one point to another and should be required to be used in order for the player to reach a new location. (Zip lines, elevators, moving platforms, gears, pistons, power sources, etc.)
Remember that some of these things can and should be utilized before unlocking new abilities. Others should require abilities to use. Each ability the player has should have at least one interactive element that works well with it. (Or requires an ability to use it)