Magister Ludorum gamification

A gamejam is a game design contest in which participants create a game in a short time, usually within a specific thema or specific restrictions. The goal is to take on a creative challenge, to experiment and getting out of you comfort zone to create and release something in a short timeframe. I like to participate in jams to hone my skills and for the sheer fun of it.

The ‘You can’t save them all’ gamejam

I’d been wanting to experiment with a pinball-themed game for a long time. At the “You can’t save them all” gamejam I seized the opportunity. By adding an ever-increasing number of balls to the game – so many that it’s impossible to save them all – the connection with the theme was quickly made. Now I had to find an interesting gameplay element and a visual style that would capture the imagination, yet still be achievable for a game made in 8 days…

Itererating and finding the fun

After setting up the pinball mechanics, I spent every day of the jam experimenting, improving and refining the game. I’ve neatly summarised this process in a “progress reel”. It really offers a behind-the-scenes look at the iterative process of creating and refining a game concept:

The final game

The final game won in the “Best 3D Graphics” category. The game is built around an alchemy theme and it features two colours of energy balls and two colours of cauldrons. Using the flippers consumes energy of the corresponding colour. The energy is recharged by shooting balls of the correct colour into the correct cauldron. For added gameplay depth, the “alchemy effect” can be activated. By timing this just right, balls can change colour and still end up in the correct cauldron. The aim is to keep going for as long as possible and save as many balls as you can. The best players can have their names immortalised on the “leaderboard”.

Screenshots:

Gameplay:

Alchemy effect:

Main menu:

Play the game:

The game is free to play right inside your browser. Just click on the capsule image below: