Innovative Touch Screen Controls SPIDER-MAN 3 DS Postmortem
Muhammad Ahmed and Leo ZunigaVicarious Visions
Game Developers Conference 2008
Introductions
Who are these guys? Leo Zuniga (Lead Designer) Muhammad Ahmed (Designer)
Vicarious Visions We also wanted an “all access”
pass!
Session Overview
We’ll focus on design implementations, specifically handling, AI, combat and of course the touch screen
This session is not about… Technical details of behind DS Touch
Screen Adapting a movie license into a game Although you can ask after the session
Let's Take a Step Back
Redefining core mechanics is not easy
You will have skeptics, but you can use them to your advantage
Communicate your core vision and stick to it
Prototype was extremely helpful
Innovation Risks
Why change what works? This is crazy? Please don’t mess with the formula? Believe in the idea, let it brew…
(give it time) How did we accomplish this?
Game Stats
Development time Team size Number Levels/Missions Open World Feel Accolades
We love reviewers... Sometimes....
Reviews
Gamespot 8 out of 10 “Touch-screen controls are comfortable
and make stringing together attacks easy”
IGN 8.1 out of 10 (.1 woohoo) “Stylus control works and works really
well in this beat-em-up.”Gamespy 9.0
“But where Spider-Man 3 really shines is in its innovative use of the touch screen, which is right up there with most of Nintendo's first-party DS games.”
Project Goals
Key FeaturesPrimary Aesthetic Goals
Players feel that they are Spidey
No Frustration on Controls Player exploration of handling within
gameplay space
Adapting a Movie into a Game
Get movie script from the internet Add a boss or two Done Oh yeah and random side missions ... Just kidding
Get a real writer
We have in-house guys to help during the adaptation process
... but we were not going to talk about this
Touch Screen Full commitment
Wanted to bring something NEW to the next big Spidey movie game!
Convince project stakeholders Kid testing yay!
Nintendo Demo Got their blessings Fit Nintendo DS strategy ( Iwata CEO )
We knew we're on the right track
Einstein QuoteThings should be made as simple as possible---but no simpler.
Nice suit...
.
Made it my self!
...Could have been simpler.
Iterations of Controls From USM
Close to 10 alternatives Everyone had their favorite Lot of feedback during this stage End result
D-pad Traversal Touch Screen Combat No shoulder buttons in core gameplay
Controls Overview
Shoulder buttons issues Mirrored controls
Who here is lefty? Minimal D-pad
General traversal (right/left) Jump Webswing
Optimal Touch Screen
The Webzip Dilemma
One of Spidey’s main moves What Gesture shall we use? Several options
Tap hold Tap drag Checkmark Gesture Double-tap
---> WTF---> WTF
---> WTF
---> FTW... FOR THE WIN!
Handling (2 Spideys)
Red Suit Acrobatic Flamboyant web abilities Show off super-hero elements
Black Suit Using more strength over agility More brutal attacks A sense of rage rather than heroism
How to Convey differences? Players can see a visual difference
on screen but handling should equally match visuals
Most of the moves had similar inputs Both suits had subtle but unique
gameplay differences Different set of finisher moves
(combat)
Combat
punch kick sweep kick uppercut webzip throws air punch web retrieve web pull web throw dodge circle kicks web slams web rodeo charge attack reflex moves Lots of Moves… and only touch
screen??
Gesture System
4 Key Gestures Stroke (8 variations) Semi-circles (4 variations) Circles (2 variations) Double Tap
Natural Mapping / Contextual Controls Feedback is important
Player knows success No need to look at touch screen
Semi-circles and circles
Semi-circles Web slams
Circles The rodeo (everyone’s favorite sport) Reflex moves (aka finishers)
If You Can Web it You Can Throw it!
Consistency throughout the game Weak AI Crates Explosive Barrels (boom!)
AI and Touch Screen Controls The player’s toys Must compliment combat Otherwise there’s little to the game
AI Types
Provided player with a good variety of ‘web’ fodder
4 Core AI Types Melee Thug Armed Thug Projectile Thug Big Guy Thug
... and there were Lizards as well like this guy ---->
AI Types
o Each AI had a weakness/tactical vulnerabilities once exposed open the door for a ‘can of whoop ass’ with the touch screen inputs
Kid Testing
Local kids from the area come and play our games
Great Feedback! Idea Generator Use the data to improve the game
and convince stakeholders
(the non-believers ooooohh!)
Final Takeaway
Quick prototypes are awesome (everyone knows that right?)
Iterative developments of the concept
Accept change Future?
Shrek 3, Tony Hawk and upcoming Dreamworks game Some great stuff please buy
them!
Best Project Quote
The team had some good ones but this beat them all...
“Will they ever get married?” – 8 year old girl kid tester.
No sorry out of scope Next…
Now it's Your Turn...
Seriously ask us something...anything
Weather? Favorite band? Spidey vs Pirates vs. Ninjas?