I plan to host a game design challenge frome time to time. If anyone wants to help or to host one by themselves, don't hesitate to ask, or to do so without asking if you feel impetuous.

Here is how it will work: for each challenge, I will propose a problem, a game design issue. If you are willing to participate, just send me your solution, as detailed as possible, and after a determined time I will post everything that was submitted to me and choose one that I will declare as the best solution.

The winner will have to take into account the various constraints that come with the problem, correct it while avoiding to create other problems, be original and fun.

For the first challenge, I will decide the winner by myself, but since every submission will be posted all the participants will be able to ask for opinions on their ideas. For the following ones however, I will ask a panel of judges to help me. If you are willing to be a judge, tell me - this doesn't stop you from participating.

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GAME DESIGN CHALLENGE #1

Problem:
Early Wii games have, in almost every case, been criticised for their lack of full 1:1 support - i.e., the player's movements with the Wiimote weren't accurately reproduced within the game. This was particularly noticeable in games were the avatar was holding a sword. As a result, most games' control schemes were immediately dismissed as unsuccessful, despite being relatively enjoyable in some cases.

Challenge:
Find a way to offer to the player an engrossing control scheme for a Wii game in which the controlled character is using only a sword, while not giving the player the impression that your game would have been better with perfect 1:1 fidelity.

Constraints:
You will use the Wiimote and its motion-sensing capabilities
You will not use any peripheral (no Nunchuk, no Motion Plus, no Balance Board...)
You will map at least the following actions to the controller:
-8-way movement
-Vertical attack
-Horizontal attack
-Guard
-Dodge
-Jump
-Contextual action
-Special power

Deadline is on the 7th of march (sunday).


If you have any question, feel free to ask. Additionnal constraint may be added (every participant will be notified by PM if this happens).