Game Development: Starting with Recreating the Anime Game Style

Chapter 463 Adam's World

"Holy crap! It's the legendary blank board!"

"In my lifetime! I actually witnessed President Chu performing a ritual!"

"New guy, can you tell me? This is just a regular whiteboard, what's all the fuss about?"

"Hey newbie upstairs, go catch up! You know 'Final Frontline'? CEO Chu used this thing to draw the prototype of the entire game back then!!"

"That's right! This is no longer a blank slate, it's a sacred relic! It's an artifact from the God of Inspiration!"

The live chat was flooded with jokes, and the people at the scene were also surprised because the whiteboard really was moved from Chu Chen's office.

Chu Chen was also stunned for a moment when he saw it, but only for a moment.

He quickly picked up the whiteboard marker and tossed it in his hand.

He was aware of all the rumors circulating about the whiteboard, but he hadn't thought much about it himself.

This thing wasn't some magical artifact to him; it was simply a tool that could clearly present the chaotic inspirations and logical lines in his mind.

As someone who strives for excellence in everything he does, Chu Chen's level of commitment to this match far exceeded everyone's expectations, a commitment that was quickly reflected in the video.

"The theme is parallel worlds, what are your thoughts?"

Chu Chen was the first to ask a question.

Song Yueying rested her chin on her hand and pondered for a moment.

"When I think of parallel worlds, the first thing that comes to mind is visual contrast."

"One is light, the other is darkness; one is vibrant, the other is lifeless. Players can travel between parallel worlds and use the differences between them to solve puzzles."

This is the most classic and safest design approach.

Bennett's MT Studio, through another window, also finalized a similar direction almost immediately.

Chu Chen nodded, neither confirming nor denying.

He simply tapped the whiteboard lightly with his fingertips, producing a crisp "tap-tap" sound.

"Light and darkness, life and death—this design concept is classic and reliable."

"If we had three months, it would be a great starting point. We could build two vast, distinct yet interconnected worlds, filled with rich details and ingeniously designed puzzles. Players traversing these parallel worlds would experience a powerful visual and atmospheric impact, which would be an amazing experience."

"But we only have 48 hours. What does 48 hours mean?"

"Does that mean...we have to give up a lot of things? Like a complex plot, a vast world-building, and exquisite art style?"

"That's right, but it's not enough."

Chu Chen shook his head.

"This is not just about subtraction, but about choosing the simplest path that best embodies the word 'creativity'."

He didn't draw any grand scenes, nor did he write any complex world-building.

He only drew two parallel horizontal lines, like a simplified version of a level cross-section, and then, between the lines, he drew a simple little figure, like a stick figure.

"Let's think about parallel worlds."

Chu Chen's voice carried a unique magic, as if revealing a brand new law.

Why must 'parallel worlds' be two independent macroscopic spaces? Why can't they be the same space with two completely opposite 'rules'?

To write an essay, you must first understand the topic.

Chu Chen's approach was to create two "worlds" in the same location to realize the theme of "parallel worlds".

This creative idea was built using two original materials.

One is the 2013 indie game "Is This My ID?", which received a 10/10 score from IGN; the other is the classic film "The Truman Show".

Let's start with "Please Show Your ID". This game is highly praised by everyone who has played it.

Players take on the role of a border inspector in a "fictional" dictatorship, reviewing the documents of people entering the country, verifying the accuracy of the information, and making decisions to allow or refuse entry.

The gameplay is simple and the graphics are basic, but the game does a pretty good job of addressing censorship and the core theme that "small power can influence big events".

As a border inspector, the player possesses "absolute power" over those entering the country.

Using this right, the game has given rise to a variety of events.

To those who want to enter the country, players are like "gods," but at the same time, they are just insignificant border inspectors in the entire empire, a job that can't even feed them.

The game also features an economic pressure system and related interpretations of this change in identity, which are part of the game's depth.

As for *The Truman Show*

Then it's a classic film that basically needs no introduction.

To put it simply, the protagonist, Truman, lives in a fake world completely controlled by a director, surrounded by actors, and his life is a 24-hour live reality show.

The entire movie revolves around Truman's growing awareness of the strangeness of his world, his eventual awakening, and his attempt to escape.

Chu Chen thought of this movie because The Truman Show was very suitable for the theme of "parallel world".

In The Truman Show.

The actors, Truman, the production team of this reality show, the cameramen—they are all in the same space.

But the world they live in is completely different.

Chu Chen's initial creative idea.

Players can take on the role of a "staff member" of a "Truman Show crew," who needs to review various elements that allow entry into the "Truman World," including actor credentials, prop lists, and scripted events.

We also need to arrange for a tour of the venue and the program.

As Truman's level of awakening increases during this process, the censorship requirements will become more stringent.

"So, what's the game called? Truman's ID?" Song Yueying joked as she sketched the UI on her tablet.

"Let's call it 'Adam's World' for now. Considering copyright, we definitely can't use Truman as the main character."

Chu Chen picked up a marker and wrote the name at the top of the whiteboard.

"Our task list is very clear. The first step is to complete the core loop within 12 hours. I need a playable version that includes the most basic document verification, rule judgment, and awakening level increase/decrease system. Xiong Rui and Xiong Ping, you two will be in charge."

“In terms of art,” he said, looking at Song Yueying.

"It doesn't need to be too complicated. Just use the pixel art style of Star Engine HD-2D. The key is that the UI needs to be clear, the operation needs to be smooth, and it needs to have a sense of censorship. Also, the classic stamping process needs to have good sound effects and animation feedback."

“No problem.” Song Yueying gave an “OK” sign.

"We guarantee that players will be stamping so many times they won't be able to stop."

"The second step, in the next 24 hours, is to fill in the content and improve the framework. We need to design at least 10 to 20 random events, as well as a dynamic set of 'Program Production Rules'."

"For example, who Truman met and what he said today should cause the rules to be updated immediately the next day, adding new censorship items. Players need to feel that they are facing a 'living' world."

"In the last 12 hours, we polished, optimized, and added Easter eggs to complete the ending."

Chu Chen paused deliberately at this point.

Song Yueying looked up curiously.

"What ending?"

Chu Chen smiled but did not answer directly.

"I haven't decided yet, but it should be an ending that makes all the players who make it to the end think deeply."

(End of this chapter)