We have spent the past few days looking at the elements that would go into my version of a sequel to the arcade classic 720°. We covered the changes to the graphics, how it would appear like an isometric sprite-based game, but would actually be a 3D engine. With the updates in technology it would be able to zoom in, and out of the action. Also how the physics would be based on being able to pump transitions, allowing the character to build speed on ramp, and park courses. We looked at being able to spin, and flip along all three axis on vert tricks. We discussed how downhill skating would allow the player to tuck to gain speed, and slide around corners. We looked at the new skeleton skating main character, and how they can be customized. Players would be able to unlock skateboards, shoes, and protective gear which not only change the aesthetic of the character, but can boost their stats in competition. Some of the other things that players can unlock include visual effects to the stages, and character. One of which for example turns the level textures into bright neon colors, even bolder than the already wild graphics. Another would leave colorful speed lines behind the player, which would twist, and turn with their actions.
We also looked at how Skate City, and the competition portions would have evolved. We talked about how competition ramp, park, street, and downhill courses would be randomly generated so that the player would never play the same way twice. The final competition that players would be able to unlock is the Jump contest. In the original game this was a series of jumps onto targets. There were never any contest like this in 1986 when the game was originally released. With that said it would predict the rise in an entirely new form of ramp contest, specifically the Mega Ramp that was pioneered by Danny Way. Danny’s part in the King of Skate contest in 2002, and his video part in the DC Video in 2003 helped bring the gigantic ramp into public consciousness. He worked with the X-Games to get it into an official competition in 2004. It has been a featured event ever since, bringing the world a number of firsts for skateboarding.
The jump contest in the 720° sequel would be replaced with a Mega Ramp. Which is actually two unique challenges. First players have to get across a gap that goes anywhere from 40-70 feet. Players have enough speed, and hang time to perform off-axis 720° spins. Or a front, or back flip, while rotating up to 540° as well. Then they have to deal with an 18+ foot halfpipe which can launch them over 25 feet in the air. With that amount of speed, and height it is actually possible to spin 1260°, or even corkscrew a double inversion which would otherwise be impossible on a regular halfpipe. I want players to realize that all of the practice they’d gotten in vert competitions actually comes in handy when trying to spin, and flip on the monster ramp. I also want players to be in awe of how colossal airs are in the jump park, when compared to a standard halfpipe.
The actual mega ramp requires an advanced level of skill in order to ride successfully. This is why it would be the last type of contest a player would unlock. It requires the ability to go fast, handle split-second reactions, not to mention spin, flip, and land tricks. Players would have to have gotten a lot of experience going through Skate City, as well as entering other competitions to ensure they were completely comfortable with the controls. Also so that the stats of the character would no longer be Novice. An amateur skater would not have the speed, or rotation required to clear the gap, or land a big air out of the halfpipe. This is why Ams would compete on a scaled-down ramp called the Mini-Mega Ramp. It doesn’t have a gap, but rather platform in the middle.
Competing on the smaller Mega-Mini would help the player learn how to control their speed, pump, and land tricks. The Am version of the ramp wouldn't change too much, aside from the location, and color of the ramp. The bigger differences would happen between Pro, and Legend contests. Those would become as random as other events. The first thing that would be random would be the placement of the quarter pipes at the bottom of the roll in. Some are positioned closer to the gap which would allow players to land standard tricks easier.
To win the competitions a player would have to either try a more difficult flip on the short gap, or more rotations on the long gap. A pro contest ramp might feature two closer quarter pipes, and one longer one, or vice-versa. The thing that would be added to Legend ramps would be a rail in the middle, or off to the sides of the gap. Players would know where the rail was by an arrow painted on the roll in. This would be like the diamond painted on the ramp in the original jump contests. So a legend jump contest would have a short quarter pipe gap, a long gap, and a rail. The placement of the rail, and quarter pipes would be random at each legend jump contest. Players are allowed up to seven tries on a jump ramp. To try and win a medal a player might use a short gap run to get on the scoreboard, and then chase a big launch, or rail combo which is required for the gold medal.
So that would be the last type of contest that you would be able to enter in my sequel. With that audiences would be able to cruise the massive Skate City, and get invited to random events all over the world. I’d like to know if this is a skateboarding game you would be interested in playing. Are there things that you would like to see? Or questions you have on the game play elements? I’d certainly like to hear about it. Also I need help coming up with a good name for it. Maybe this game should be called 900° in honor of Tony Hawk?
Then again Guy Khuri did land a 1080° on a halfpipe, and Mitchie Brusco did a 1260° on the mega ramp! They deserve some consideration too! Well, in any case it needs a good name. Tell me your thoughts on the entire project. Would you like to play it? Do you think I have a future in making games? Thank you for walking down this what-if road with me. Would you like to see me do another one of these armchair write ups on another game? If so which one would you like to see me tackle? If you would like to sponsor me please visit my Patreon page and consider donating each month, even as little as $1 would help make better blogs and even podcasts!
No comments:
Post a Comment