Fly By Night

Systems Designer January 2024

Team of 4 Unity

Global Game Jam and Download Page

Overview

Fly By Night is a top-down shooter game created within the intense 48-hour timeframe of the 2024 Global Game Jam. In our small team of four, I served as the systems designer, collaborating closely with one coder and two dedicated artists.

With a limited pool of resources and a pressing deadline, my role involved prioritizing tasks to ensure we delivered a presentable product. Embracing the theme of cartoon slapstick humor, I opted for an arcade-style gameplay with an emphasis on randomness. This choice not only complemented the zany aesthetics crafted by our art team but also extended the playtime, making the most of our assets.

Throughout the process, I guided the team in making pragmatic decisions about which ideas could be implemented within our constraints. By fostering clear communication and teamwork, we were able to distill our collective vision into an enjoyable gaming experience.

Skills Honed

Systems Design

Balancing

Unity

Communication

Prioritization

Leadership

Encounter Design

Procedural Generation

Time Management

Accomplishments

Developed a functional and captivating top-down shooter within a 48-hour timeframe.
Implemented procedural generation techniques to create dynamic level layouts, ensuring each playthrough offers a fresh and exhilarating challenge.
Crafted an engaging difficulty curve that escalates as players progress through the game, maintaining tension and excitement despite the presence of random elements.
Designed a diverse array of 8 power-ups, each with unique effects, enriching the gameplay experience and providing players with strategic choices.
Created 10 distinct enemy types and hazards, skillfully leveraging the limited pool of assets available to add variety and depth to the game's challenges.