HA3 Task 8 Deliver The GoodsFor this project I was tasked with researching Iphone and Tablet apps then using market research techniques come up with my own App concept. Through my research I discovered several main aspects on which I based my app. These were competitive play, playing on the go, customizability and fast paced gameplay as you can see the aspects I have chosen are based around a gaming app as they are extremely popular yet to break into the market it was necessary to find something unique it was as I was researching themes and topics around which to base my game that I came across something interesting “SteamPunk” is a term referring to Victorian science fiction and is a very popular style as I was searching forums for more information on the subject I came to realise that the steampunk community is very large and in terms of gaming largely untapped so I set about coming up with an app concept that I eventually named “Steam Legion” it is a game that focuses around the main points of steampunk mainly steam mechs, Airships and crazy designs while presenting them in a way that would appeal even to people new on the subject the game requires the player to play fast paced minigames each with its own play style and leaderboard which unlocks new features and earns resources and then use those features and resources to construct a fully customisable army of steam tanks, mechs and airships then use that army to fight in real time battles with other players or an AI which would unlock more levels in minigames to play.

Steam Legions The Main MenuI tried to keep the interface as consistent as possible during production and the main menu is very simplistic each button is labled clearly and also provides some basic user stats it also allows access to the players personalized and fully customizable Airship as well as the options menu which contains everything from sound controls to multiplayer options such as filters. Though the main menu is very simple I decided to include a help button which will help new users get started and give basic directions and descriptions of what the different buttons do.

The Build ScreenThe Build Screen deals with the creation of new mechs and designing the set up for battles the player will be limited to 5 different unit types per battle. The load button opens a small pop up menu which allows the player to load, delete and edit other designs and will also come with a few pre-sets to start the player off every unit is fully customisable and is made modularly allowing the player to choose a hull, weapon, utility, movement (for example wheels, legs or wings) as well as extra options for specialized hulls.

The Resources ScreenResource management is a small but important aspect of the game each resource has its own minigame and completing levels on the minigame will supply short term boosts (and can be replayed) as well as their own production facilities which produce resources over time (completing higher levels of the minigames allows the building of more production facilities) the main use of resources are building robots as they are permanently destroyed during battle and must be rebuilt but every bot lost in battle will be placed on the players scrap heap so that a portion of the resources spent on them will be recovered over time. Each resource has its own page with more detailed information. The resources page also has access to the Leader Boards for the minigames and the Blue Prints page (blue prints are how the player unlocks new parts for airship and unit customization) Blue prints are earned at random after minigames and battles regardless of whether the player wins or looses however there is a greater chance if the player wins.

The Battle ScreenThe Battle Screen is where the player battles using his customized units in real time the image below only has a minimap yet other interface features such as command bars are under consideration. Aside from the minimap the screen also contains a menu button which will allow the player to change various options or exit the battle and a timer showing how long the battle has lasted. The player has a “Strength Cap” which they cannot breach this cap means that those with stronger units must fight with fewer than someone who has weaker units and many factors are considered when deciding a units strength. Battles are won by catching the enemy Airship (the Airship being the only unit that cannot be destroyed) the Airship also acts as a special unit with abilities varying depending on its customizations

BiblographyMinimap - http://trekwar.org/Wiki.jsp?page=Devblog-22062009

Battle Background - http://blog.humblebundle.com/post/18097074984/humble-bundle-mojam-wrap-up

Interface wass all taken from Hogs Of War a game from the PS1 the screenshots were taken myself.

Build Screen Robot - http://mutteringsfromtheoubliette.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/steampunk-z-i-is-for-insects.html