Can You Dig It? Roadmap

Digging Mechanic

The player digs when switching to shovel mode. After doing so, a pile can be created where they activated the shovel. We might be able to scale the pile model or use either a small to large based on the meter progression of their dig.

We can add a save module to these piles so players can save their progress. But once a player exits a park or goes into night mode, we can eliminate them and reset piles to 0. It could be a pain to program these things so when a Player leaves or enters a park, transitions to night mode, or anything in between, we can setup an autosave to ensure this works.

The appraisal menu appears after digging.

LINKS

• Appraisal Menu

Standard Shoes Mechanic

Once Players equip the shoes, they can traverse the environment at normal or highter speed on most terrian. For now we'll explore whether to keep only multipurpose.

Game Demo Version

Determines player speed when roaming.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu
• Roaming Mode

Standard Shovel Mechanic

Once Players equip the shovel, they can dig at normal speed. With three other models such as the super shovel, ultra, and supreme, players can dig at 6 seconds, 4 seconds, and 2 seconds in most dirt environments.

Sand in particular is a tricky one because it shouldn't be any different compared to dirt but we do require players to wear sand shoes for speedy traveral.

Note: A demonstration of this can be seen in the current demo avaiable on itch.io. For more details, see digging mechanic

Game Demo Version

Bag Mechanic

The bag mechanic is what allows players to expand the amount of treasure they can carry. As they upgrade bags so too the capacity the can carry. While more means less trips to the store, at times a smaller amount allows players for more action and iteration. For this to work well we should incentivize a reason to remain in the park for longer periods of time to collect more itmes

Current demo version:

Metal Detector Mechanic

The metal detection mechanic would be similar to metal detection but filter out for gems. They would also borrow the same ideas in terms of hierarchy so upgrades would work best based on specifics or for catching rare class metal.

We could also create mechanics based on four types:

• Cheap class: ignores top tier
• Middle class: detects all metals
• Top class: ignore bottom tier
• Class 0: detects metal only within the Standard tier range.
• Class 1: detects metal only within the IgnoreRust tier range.
• Class 2: detects metal only within the Aluminum tier range.
• Class 3: detects metal only within the Copper tier range.
• Class 4: detects metal only within the Gold tier range.
• Class 5: detects metal only within the Iridium tier range.
• Reveal: Detects all metal and reveals metal once within a meter distance.

Current demo version:

This would work for metal and metals. We can also add a radar to help detect those too far to find.

LINKS

• Options Menu
• Roaming Mode

JEWEL CRAFTING

This would take place in the store and allow players a chance to deconstruct items they find and craft new ones. This could be a fun way to make money and create new items to sell.

We may just call this "crafting" since it also involves other items but we might also keep the specificity due to the invovlement of gems instead of just metals.

LINKS

• Jewel Crafting Station
• Jewel Crafting Menu
• Inventory Menu
• Store Menu

METAL CRAFTING

This would take place in the store and allow players a chance to deconstruct items they find and craft new ones. This could be a fun way to make money and create new items to sell. One example is steel. If the player meets the requirements of finding enough iron and coal or carbon as well as pay the fee, they can have steel crafted as an ore or bar and either sell for premium or auction with the risk of high discount or reward.

We might consolidate this with jewelcrafting or keep it seperate. Such is to be determined.

LINKS

• Metal Extraction Station
• Metal Extraction Mechanic
• Inventory Menu
• Store Menu
• Store Mode

RADAR

Towards the end of a jam it gets harder to find treasure but with the add-on of a radar on more expensive detectors, it can be easier to see where they might be located without knowing what it is.

This may also be a great mechanic to indicate something that exists in a hard to reach place either requiring a jeep, night vision, or some other means (such as only at night) for the Player to reach it.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu
• Roaming Mode

METAL EXTRACTION MECHANIC

When players reach the metal extraction station, for a fee they can select what they have available in thier inventory and choose to have it melted down into bars or ore.

LINKS

• Metal Extraction Station
• Metal Extraction Menu
• Inventory Menu
• Store Menu
• Store Mode

GEM BONUS

Award players with gem bonus when found in treasure such as earrings, necklaces, and rings as well as daggars, etc. These can be sold at the store for a bonus or taken apart and kept for crafting new items to sell or auction for greater returns at the store.

LINKS

• Appraisal Menu

POLISH MECHANIC

Players can polish thier treasures to get a higher appraisal value or add it to thier inventory total for metals such as iron and aluminum to be melted down and sold as bars or other items to sell for greater value.

This would only occur inside the treasure store at the polish station.

LINKS

Polish Station
• Inventory Menu
• Store Mode

Info Kiosk (Mechanic)

The info Kisosk is a place where the player can get information about the park and the game. It might also be where players learn about all the game rules, park history, and bonuses.

Speaking of, it's possible to hide an actual arcade game in the info kisok. We might be able to implant something in there.

LINKS

• Info Kiosk (Model)
• Store Menu

Soda Vending Machine Mechanics

Players can take advatange of this by collecting them after drinking and taking them to the shop for metal extraction. Then they can either build ore or use it for item crafting.

LINKS

• Soda Vending Machine
• Inventory Menu
• Store Menu
• Store Mode

Mila the Maleficent Mechanics

The player approaches the machine, is promoted to pay a fee for a fortune telling message, then after 8 seconds and some dramatic animation, a loud Ching (maybe a gong) sound along with a card dispensing tick occurs as a small retangular decorative paper spits out of a slot for players to grab when they approach it with a prompt to pick up. We can borrow treasure appraisal mechanics to give players a fancy card texture with a message.

We can randomize what it says from a preset of responses and proverbs but on occasion based on player conditions, we might be able to give them clues about where to find gold or reward them with an exception to their treasure finds and convert any rusty item into a value able one. We can also offer tips and tricks of the player is close to getting an item in a collection or if they accepted a ranked mission and have a hard time figuring where it is.

To make this work, we’ll need landmarks so players can find items accordingly. On the tech side it means per treasure clue, search for the closest landmark and loosely translate distance. 10 meters would be “not far” or if between two landmarks after a distance past 20 meters, she can say “between the —— and —— I sense a greater than silver fortune.”

If we have any Easter eggs in our game, Milas fortune is a great place to hide yet share with players.

Quotes from Mila

1. "I sense between ___ and ____ a treasure greater than _____"
2. "Success is time and chance."
3. "Fortune favors the bold."
4. "I sense the key to your adventure billowing by the trees in the merchants shadow."

LINKS

• Store Menu
• Store Mode

Security Guard Mechanics

During the day security guards can sleep and when engaged with respond with zzzz. But in night mode we can have them patrol around the area with a flashlight as they do in real life. After a certain time we can have them break for lunch and do a lunch animation. When done, they resume work and patrol the area. When players approach the guard, they should be able to do some kind of limited trade but most treasure sales should take place during the day. Cart rentals might be possible along with info Similar to the info kiosk. We can reuse its mechanics for the guard.

Since transactions are limited, it’s advised players have a large capacity bag. We might be able to introduce lockers. For a few, players can pay the security guard or have him store their inventory in the locker for sales during the day.

LINKS

• Store Menu

Compass Mechanic

The compass would display current cardinal direction relative to north at the top of the screen similar to those found in trucks and vehicles. It would be a simple widget but whether to turn it on or off is pending.

North would technically be Z-forward and our code would use either the Player's rotation or cosine and sine of the player's rotation to determine the direction of the compass.

We might also re-use and append this mechanic inside of vehicles in the form of a compass widget.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu
• Roaming Mode

Auto Save

when a Player leaves or enters a park, transitions to night mode, or anything in between, we can setup an autosave to ensure a smooth transition of save state data when traveling from one level to another.

ALLOY STATION MECHANIC

The alloy station should allow players the ability to convert any of their metals into new types. For example, if a player wants to create steel. They can take the required meds that they have and if they do, then they pay for it to be created. This will allow us the ability to have all kinds of different metals created from the base that players find which will give them an ability to sell for a much higher price, or create unique items.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu
• Store Menu
• Store Mode

METAL PREP STATION MECHANIC

The metal prep station will allow players to convert their metals into bullion bars, nuggets, wires, or cubes. They could also be in bearings or rods. The idea is that by having this the player can then craft different types of metals or sell them at the store for a price or have them auctioned.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu
• Store Menu
• Store Mode

AUCTION

This is where the player participates in an auction where thier treasure is up for bid. They have the option of participating with the risk of losing money if no one takes it. But it can also be a great way to urge NPC bidders to compete depending on demand for the item based on rarity and probability. For example, an item with 0.1% chance of being found has a higher chance of being bid on than an item with 10% chance of being found.

LINKS

• Goldrush Shop Level
• Auction House
• Auction Mode
• Inventory Menu
• Store Menu
• Store Mode

Snarky The Bear Mechanics

Snarky is meant to give players info, tips, and really entertain. It’s uncertain if he should be random or not. He’s supposed to work like an animatronic, meaning when players engage by hitting the key prompt “press x” for example, his animation would play according to a number of preset responses. Also his audio would queue along. This will require music and voice acting with animation.

He was the brainchild of Chris Kawagiwa. It’s a fun suggestion worth considering and in need of further development. Initially he’s meant as a form of entertainment when players use credits to activate him. At night if there’s a ghost near him, he should activate automatically without player prompt.

LINKS

• Store Menu
• Store Mode

COLLECTIBLES

These are items that yield bonuses when all parts are found. They can be sold or kept for crafting. For example, a broken statue made of gold can have a head, torso, and legs. When all parts are found, the player can sell it for a substantial bonus. Players who want to melt it for parts are warned by the menu that they will lose the bonus if they do.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu
• Appraisal Menu

NIGHT VISION

During night mode the player should be able to use this to detect anamolies and things that can lead to interesting types of treasures and areas with a haunting past, muahahahaa!

LINKS

• Night Mode
• Inventory Menu

Shovel Station Mechanic

This is where a collision box detects the player entering within a region in front of the shovel at the station, they can see the price along with a menu pop up confirming or canceling adding the shovel to the shopping cart UI in Store Mode.

LINKS

Shovel Station (Environment)
• Inventory Menu
• Store Menu

GOLF CART MECHANICS

The transmission, steering, and acceleration of the golf cart. A lot of the basics are already in the demo but suspension is still a thing and a great deal of fine tuning is needed.

Note: it's possible to be able to purchase cart rental with it directly. But an alternative is to have a cart rental kiosk where players can pay.

LINKS

• Golf Cart
• Store Menu
• Store Mode

Gift Station Mechanic

Why not? Players should be able to approach a series of well presented items with collisions in them that would allow the buying of gifts. We might be able to allow them a means to send one to a friend from a friend list if introduced.

Another neat idea would be to randomize the gifts that appear on display, common items would always be at the top or left shelf, and rare items would be at the bottom or right shelf. Player can then buy them and either keep it or go to a crafting station along with other items they found in the game and craft them into something new for sale at the store or auction.

It would also be fun for players to buy post cards as a memento for thier time at the park. Perhaps in future gampeplay areas an NPC or event would trigger if they collect post cards from all the parks and at least it can be kept in thier scrapbook.

Kudos if from time to time a Player's crafted item ends up in the gift section but they would have to buy it back at a markup.

LINKS

• Gift Station (Environment)
• Craft Mode
• Scrapbook
• Inventory Menu
• Store Menu
• Store Mode

RANK MISSIONS MECHANIC

This is where the player can accept missions to rank up thier adventurer card.

It's possible we may borrow from store mode but have a rank missions mode, since no purchases are made yet accepting an objective may still count as a transaction. Further investigation needed.

LINKS

• Bulletin Board (Rank Missions)
• Store Menu

ADVENTURER CARD

This is where the player can see thier rank and progress. It's a fun way to keep track of thier accomplishments and see how far they've come.

LINKS

• Rank Missions Mechanic
• Inventory Menu

Plants (Collectibles) Mechanic

We can randomize based on location and type similar to precious metals. Once spread throughout the park, players can use thier camera or googles to scan for them, get data, and take pictures. As collectibles we can give players some kind of tool to extract plants and place them in thier inventory.

LINKS

• Plants (Collectibles)
• Inventory Menu

Lockers

The player can store items found during night missions into the locker so they can sell at the store during the day as well as other things they want to store not ordinarily fitting in their bay. There’s a fee for usage and if the player doesn’t pay, they will have to wait until they can access their items again by collecting enough credits to access their items.

We might be able to have them pay a penalty for defaulting on what they owe but keep it optional.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu
• Store Menu
• Store Mode

Ghost Mechanics

Ghosts in general are meant to help clue players to haunted or special items in an area.

Ghosts wander only in night mode. They can’t be caught nor interacted with. They should have less than a 10% chance of appearing every x number of minutes. But they should hover around treasures marked or tagged “haunted”, especially if there’s a specific backstory. Players with night vision googled enabled should have a 50% chance of seeing them. When using the metal detector, when near a ghost there should be interference or a great randomization in the metal detector radar. If there’s any sound it should be a ghost voice whispering some word in relation to the haunted treasure. Once the haunted treasure is found, the ghost can disappear or Makena dramatic appearance during appraisal mode if the security guard is far enough away from the player. If the player has a crucifix, spiritual activity is reduced to 1% or eliminated. (Mila might be able to share this with players if they get her fortune)

Hummingbird Mechanic

The hummingbird mechanics are meant to also be simple. We can place waypoints on certain trees and perhaps embed them in prefabs so we don't have to worry about placing them. At the start of the game, each hummingbird would fly to each waypoint at x speed, land on the tree, and then wait n number of seconds before moving on to the next waypoint.

It would have an enum of variables for different states such as pirching, flying, drinking water, and making a bird call. Having these around the park to produce audio will give the game a much more realisitc ambiance.

We might also be able to reuse these dynamics for other birds varying the model, animation, and timing.

In later iterations of the game, we can use this mechanic to create a bird watching mini game. Players who capture a picture of a bird in flight or drinking water can get a bonus and sell thier photos at the store.

Note: We can also use this mechanic for other animals such as deer, rabbits, and squirrels. Also, we can pair this with inventory and photo mode. When taking a pic of a Hummingbird, it's added to the scrapbook to later sell to the store's Nature Photo Scout.

LINKS

• Photo Mode
• Inventory Menu
• Appraisal Menu
• Nature Photo Scout

Mud Mechanics

Similar to river mechanics, we can reduce the players move and dig speed by 75%. When they have mud shoes and mud shovel, their dig and move speed is normal. The Jeep should be able to cross mud at 90% speed, the golf cart at 33% speed.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu
• Roaming Mode

Mud shovel mechanic

Once Players equip mud shovel, they can dig in mud at normal speed. For now we'll keep it exclusive but it's possible to allow these to be true for swamp, water, and sand. We can start simple and explore whether to keep it only for mud or multipurpose.

There's also the choice of offering Players the super mud shovel, one made primarily for the mud but able to offer the same bonuses as the other shovels. If so, then they can sell their other shovels for this one.

On the flip side, we should consider advantages exclusive shovels can have that an all purpose can't. For example, these mud shovels can offer players an 80% speed in other wet environments while offering full benefits in mud.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu

Mud shoes mechanic

Once Players equip mud shoes, they can traverse mud at normal speed. For now we'll keep it exclusive but it's possible to allow these to be true for swamp, water, and sand. We can start simple and explore whether to keep it only for mud or multipurpose.

There's also the choice of offering Players the super mud shoe, one made primarily for the mud but able to offer the same bonuses as the other shoes. If so, then they can sell their other shoes for this one.

On the flip side, we should consider advantages exclusive shoes can have that an all purpose can't. For example, these mud shoes can offer players an 80% speed in other wet environments while offering full benefits in mud.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu
• Roaming Mode

Swamp mechanics

Since the swamp is somewhere in between a river and mud, we might be able to apply the same rules for both. This would also mean having either mud or river shoes to cross it at normal speed as well as a mud or water shovel to dig at normal speed.

We might eliminate the idea of having mud or water shoes and just have one type of shoe that can cross both. Even so we should also consider the player's speed reduced only by 25% - 33% instead pending play tests to allow for the jeep and other vehicles to have speed. The shovel is where keeping speed is important.

LINKS

• Roaming Mode

Sand mechanics

Similar to mud, we can slow the player's speed but by half instead of 75%. If they have sand shoes, we can allow them to move at normal speed. Same rules apply for sand shovel except we can preserve sand speed at 75% instead of 50%.

LINKS

• Roaming Mode

Pond mechanics

Ponds should be shallow enough for players to walk in and deep enough for fish to swim in. We can have fish swim in them and players can catch them with a net. We can also use their regions once placed with this module to randomize placement of precious plants for collecting.

LINKS

• Roaming Mode

Water shoes mechanic

Once Players equip water shoes, they can traverse rivers, ponds, and coastal water at normal speed (or anything tagged "water") at normal speed. For now we'll keep it exclusive but it's possible to allow these to be true for swamp, mud and sand. We can start simple and explore whether to keep it only for water or multipurpose.

There's also the choice of offering Players the super water shoe, one made primarily for the water but able to offer the same bonuses as the other shoes. If so, then they can sell their other shoes for this one.

On the flip side, we should consider advantages exclusive shoes can have that an all purpose can't. For example, these water shoes can offer players an 80% speed in other wet environments while offering full benefits in water.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu
• Roaming Mode

River Mechanics

Depending on the size and width, players crossing a river should slow thier walk speed on default by 75%. If they have water shoes, they may be able to cross it faster.

Dig times should also be reduced by 75% if the player finds treasure in a river. But if they have a mud shovel or water shovel (pending we either make them one in the same or have them seperate), they can dig at normal speed.

If the player has a jeep, they can cross at normal speeds, if they have a golf cart they will be able to cross any but at the 75% reduced speed. While the cart isn't ideal, it should still allow players to cross rivers otherwise inaccessible by foot or bridge.

Whether we have fish swimming in them is optional. Adding a fishing mechanic using a net pending.

LINKS

• Roaming Mode

Quicksand shoes mechanic

Once Players equip quicksand shoes, they can traverse quicksand at normal speed. For now we'll keep it exclusive but it's possible to allow these to be true for swamp, mud, and sand. We can start simple and explore whether to keep it only for quicksand or multipurpose.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu
• Roaming Mode

Quicksand Mechanics

When Players enter the quicksand region, we can slow their speed to 10% or less. If they have quicksand shoes, they can move at normal speed. By equipping any other shoe, we can allow a 50% speed.

To make the most of it, we can consider placing higher valued treasures in these areas to make the reward for effort worth it but since they can buy shoes to compensate for this, it's a secondary consideration.

This would normally be considered an environment but because we can reuse the sand environment and add a shader to it, we can consider it a mechanic. By being slighly indistinguishable from sand we can trick players into getting stuck and have them watch out for it.

LINKS

• Roaming Mode

Quicksand shovel mechanic

Once Players equip quicksand shovel, they can dig in quicksand at normal speed. For now we'll keep it exclusive but it's possible to allow these to be true for swamp, water, snow and sand. We can start simple and explore whether to keep it only for quicksand or multipurpose.

There's also the choice of offering Players the super quicksand shovel, one made primarily for quicksand but able to offer the same bonuses as the other shovels. If so, then they can sell their other shovels for this one.

On the flip side, we should consider advantages exclusive quicksand can have that an all purpose can't. For example, these quicksand shovels can offer players an 80% speed in other wet environments while offering full benefits in quicksand.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu

Water shovel mechanic

Once Players equip water shovel, they can dig in water at normal speed. For now we'll keep it exclusive but it's possible to allow these to be true for swamp, mud, snow and sand. We can start simple and explore whether to keep it only for water or multipurpose.

There's also the choice of offering Players the super water shovel, one made primarily for water but able to offer the same bonuses as the other shovels. If so, then they can sell their other shovels for this one.

On the flip side, we should consider advantages exclusive water can have that an all purpose can't. For example, these water shovels can offer players an 80% speed in other wet environments while offering full benefits in water.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu

Gemstone detector mechanic

The gemstone mechanic would be similar to metal detection but filter out for gems. They would also borrow the same ideas in terms of hierarchy so upgrades would work best based on specifics or for catching rare class gems.

We could also create mechanics based on four types:

• Cheap class: ignores top tier
• Middle class: detects all gems
• Top class: ignore bottom tier
• Class 1: detects gems only within the tier range.
• Class 2: detects gems only within the tier range.
• Class 3: detects gems only within the tier range.
• Class 4: detects gems only within the tier range.
• Class 5: detects gems only within the tier range.
• Reveal: Detects all gems and reveals metal once within a meter distance.

This would work for gems and metals. We can also add a radar to help detect those too far to find.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu
• Store Menu

Cave digging mechanic

Digging in caves would require the spawning of unique bulges in the cave walls players can either observe or detect. It's undecided if the kind of metal should be detected in caves or if a detector can reveal what it is before being dug. Instead of using the shovel, players would have to purchase a pick axe. When players first enter a cave (we can charge a fee for this, requiring a pass to enter or license).

Players can also dig in caves, there's no reason to deny them a chance to find treasure below with the detector and decide for themselves if it's on the ground or from a wall bulge.

We might also make players earn thier license in the form of a quick tutorial where they practice a mechanic before being allowed to enter a cave. This would be true for other mechanics also.

One potential mechanic to have is a canary that can be purchased in the store. It would be a small bird that can be placed on the player's shoulder or in a cage. It would be a simple widget that can be used to detect gas in the cave. If it dies, the player would have to exit the cave within a certain time frame or they pass out and lose all treasure found.

Cave digging activates Appraisal Menu or it can cast aside chunks of dirt for sifting. See Cave Dig Dirt Sift Mechanic for details.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu
• Appraisal Menu
• Cave Dig Dirt Sift Mechanic

Cave License Mechanic

A cave license is acquired by completing a tutorial mission, on return to the store, players get their ID. Without it, they would see a sign at the cave entrance warning they would not be able to enter and require a license at the store. For starters a provisionary is granted until they pass.

LINKS

• Store Menu

Cave Canary Mechanic

When the player sees the canary die or stop chirping in a cave after it has been placed in it’s designated location, there’s may be a few seconds before the player can exit the cave. When a breath meter appears. If the player passes out, the wake up in the park infirmary, and find all of their treasure are missing.

Players would be advised to listen for the Canaries chirp. There should be a two in 10 chance of carbon monoxide poisoning happening for players. And the amount of time they would be inside the cave before it occurs should also be randomized.

Setting up a canary and checking in on it should be part of getting one’s cave license

LINKS

• Inventory Menu
• Store Menu

Cave dig dirt sift mechanic

Modeled after the way dirt is sifted when excavating for gold, this mechanic works by taking wads of dirt acquired from the cave pick and then sifting them for x number of seconds before resulting in precious metals and unique finds. One of the major bonuses is greater chance to find precious stones as well as

LINKS

• Inventory Menu
• Appraisal Menu

Bird watching mechanics

Bird watching is a mechanic that allows players to observe birds in their natural habitat. Players can use (optional) binoculars to zoom in on birds and take pictures of them. The more pictures they take, the more points they earn. Players can also use a bird call to attract birds to them. The more birds they attract, the more points they earn.

In every tree, there would be a waypoint. Bird NPCs would routinely fly, land, and groom or chirp for x seconds until the next tree hop. Players with the bird camera would be able to zoom and snap a picture which ends up in the scrap book along with a momentary name and value of photo. Players may be able to learn about this mechanic from a hawk trainer or in the store from the clerk or from the editor of wildlife gazette who visits to collect and pays for premium photos.

Might require items such as cell phone, camera, or binoculars.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu
• Appraisal Menu

Hawk Trainer Mechanic

The trainer triggers an event for players to buy a camera, then take a photo of a bird, save to scrapbook and sell to the clerk. If the one taken is of his hawk, he’ll pay a handsome reward. One the trainer gets his bird after objective completion, he then becomes a mission bonus completion point for players to travel further reaches of the park, upgrade camera, and take photos of rarer species.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu

Fish Catching Mechanic

The players switches to a rod, one of three types. Or they can use one type of rod, but three types of lures. We can also make them interdependent systems. But the ideas to be able to improve the chances of catching a rare fish, depending on the rod a player will get. The fishing radar, which is a separate item will complement this so that players can find fish. We can make it expensive.

Note: we'll need to add a Fishing Rod to the inventory menu.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu
• Appraisal Menu
• Fishing Rod

Dog mechanics

In theory, we can have dogs help sniff out plants (or even metals) that would otherwise be hard for the player to find. Maybe the same could be true for different metals. And if possible, birds and insects. A cheap medium or expensive dog would change the range and quality of what the dog finds. But in theory would be a good complement of the metal detector.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu
• Appraisal Menu
• Roaming Mode

UFO mechanic

We might be able to give players the chance to actually board the UFO and if they trigger some kind of an element, then it takes them into planet Y. This can be a bonus hidden level in the game. It would only be accessible at night. Otherwise players would be able to spot that UFO in the sky at random during night mode. It would have to be under a special condition that the UFO would land mysteriously. The player wouldn’t know it, but some kind of event far off should create the conditions for this thing to land on earth.

Interesting if a pass is used to access the UFO when found from inventory but it can also just be automated.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu

Meteor mechanics

As with the meteor model, the mechanics would simply be to fly in the sky at random at night or to land during the day under a special or randomized circumstance.

Rain mechanics

The rain can fall at random or in certain levels where there’s a lot of overcast. It could increase the size of puddles in the game and cause certain areas to be unnavigable until the water receives, or difficult to traverse. It would be interesting if materials would be affected by it where reflection is cracked up to everything when it rains. And then the reflection is reduced when it subsides. It would also mean that san traps would be turned into the mud or quicksand. And lake and rivers would expand out further. The guy should also change color or texture when it rains and then clear again when it finishes.

LINKS

• Roaming Mode

CUSTODIAN MECHANIC

What a custodian can be kept as a simple character, they can also play another role either by giving players random clues, or taking the place of the store owner at night when the store is closed. It can also be a great character to keep players away from arias they may not be allowed to unless they get permission. The custodian should have a routine where he takes care of certain things and the players would have to look for them.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu
• Store Menu

Nature Photo Scout MECHANIC

The Nature Photo Scout could be someone that travels to the store to look for the latest in photography. For any photographs that the player takes, the editor can then given an assessment. And intern, depending on what the picture entails, the editor can give players money for their work. This can be a steady or randomize event.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu
• Store Menu
• Store Mode

INFIRMARY MECHANIC

Whenever the player has gotten themselves in danger, fallen off the world, take too much damage or done something they shouldn’t have done. They find themselves in the infirmary. We can also make it where in the event of an attack or dangerous situation. The player loses all of their treasure found.

FISH RADAR (ROD UPGRADE)

The fish radar could be a means to help players find fish sooner if they’re using a rod. We can also add a similar mechanic to the submarine. But for a submarine, we should probably consider radar.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu
• Store Menu
• Appraisal Menu
• Roaming Mode

FISHING LICENSE MECHANIC

The fishing license would be required in order to do fishing and potentially do the same with the submarine. In theory it could be issued at the store. For a few players would get a chance to expand the Games mechanic. And in order to earn a license, the player has to go through a tutorial. Once they pass, then they’ll be able to continue moving on. We should try to make it easy for them not to fail.

LINKS

• Store Menu

MONSTER FIGHTING (OPTIONAL)

At some point we might as well have an RPG element to the game. Originally we had an idea (such as at Monster Island). Ideally since the player doesn't have a weapon, it's possible the means to engage in combat is through defensive means such as a shield or armor. This is entirely optional and needs to be thought out more.

LINKS

Monster Jungle

Y-SPACE ROCKET MECHANIC

This is where the player can enter the rocket and take off to Planet Y. It's a bit of a stretch but it's a fun idea.

It may require the purchase of a boarding pass from the store. This event might not be available until players discover the UFO and turn in a rare item from it, idea pending.

LINKS

Y-Space Rocket

JEEP MECHANICS

The transmission, steering, and acceleration similar to the golf cart. But a major difference is that it would be a 4x4 and be able to traverse rough terrain in raggid areas.

Similar to the Cart Kiosk, it's possible players would rent or pay for access with a key when arriving at the lot and be able to use it for a limited time.

LINKS

• Jeep
• Inventory Menu
• Store Mode

SONAR UPGRADE

The sun upgrade could be something that they buy or rent for when they’re using the submarine for underwater levels.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu

Coconut Island Shop Clerk Mechanic

Similar to other shop clerks, the character is a gateway to handling customer transactions.

LINKS

• Inventory Menu
• Store Menu
• Store Mode

Jungle Giant Lizard Mechanic

Ideally we would only want one but it’s possible to max them at three. They might be able to attack the player but this is pending how the player can defend or attack. If the shovel can be upgraded as a weapon, this may open a function to attack but not kill the lizard, only pole or away to leave the player for a long time.

The danger it could pose to players is biting off the treasure sack where players lose their treasure and the bag along with it. We can have it attack players three times or have a bar somewhere indicating damage and once it hits 0, the animation for creature attacking the player against their will and taking their bag happens. We can also have the player pass out and wake up in the back of a jeep or on the couch of the game store letting them know they’ve been rescued before any harm could be done and are warned to be careful.

We might also consider a horn that plays loud enough to ward them off. But it would be fun to create a parallel where players also risk attracting other creatures that may harm them.

Snow Shovel Mechanic

Once Players equip the snow shovel, they can dig in snow at normal speed. For now we'll keep it exclusive.

There's also the choice of offering Players the super snow shovel, one made primarily for snow but able to offer the same bonuses as the other shovels. If so, then they can sell their other shovels for this one. We might be able to apply a multipurpose benefit to dry environments but at a reduced speed such as with sand and keep it exclusive to that type.

On the flip side, we should consider advantages exclusive snow can have that an all purpose can't. For example, these snow shovels can offer players an 80% speed in other environments while offering full benefits in snow.

LINK

• Inventory Menu
• Appraisal Menu
• Roaming Mode

Goggles

Hammering or chiseling rock can cause rock chips to fly up and enter your eyes -- wearing safety goggles can prevent this. We might have it as an upgradable item to prevent player fog or something of the like or make it high tech as a HUD.

LINK

• Inventory Menu
• Roaming Mode

Coral Collection Mechanic

The coral collection mechanic is a new feature that allows players to collect corals from the park's ocean. Players can use a special tool to collect corals, or similar to bird watching, take photos using either thier submarine drone cam or deep sea cam. We can also have a "collecting sample..." mechanic with special items to use for it that take the place of the shovel. If using a drone, perhaps it's a drone upgrade? Or if through pics, collecting pic or samples can then be sold for a profit. The more corals players collect, the more money they can make.

Collecting samples might be the way to go.

LINK

• Inventory Menu
• Appraisal Menu

Hawk Trainer

The hawk trainer wanders the park every so often wearing flannel, long pants, and an arm brace for training his lost hawk. He carries binoculars and stares out at the sky looking for his lost bird.

LINK

• Store Menu
• Hawk

Giant fish mechanic

We’re not sure how the spawning would work except to make them very sparse over an open area. And then create a probability. Overall, they would swim according to some pattern. Some would be closer to the surface. Some would be in the middle of the ocean and others would be closer to the floor. In theory of the ones closer to the floor would be where the rare ones could be found.

LINKS

• Giant Fish
• Appraisal Menu
• Roaming Mode

Giant kelp mechanic

The giant kelp can be a minor modeling element that weighs a little bit under the water. We can have short, medium and tall grass. And work on whether we can deform it around the player when they navigate or swim through. The same could be set of fish poking and out of the kelp.

Can You Dog It mechanic

Can you dog is a silly bonus mechanic where the treasure is simply replaced with dogs that you bury out of the ground?

LINKS

• Can You Dog It mode
• Appraisal Menu

Snow mechanics

Snow can slow the player down the same way as sand. We can potentially have the player also slip or be affected by physics without special shoes. We could also have frozen lakes. Players can glider across them unless they have special shoes.

LINKS

• Roaming Mode

TRAVEL AGENCY (LEVEL SELECT) MECHANIC

Weather players get to choose any level at the start of the game is a different story. But we wanna be able to set up price for the different types of parks they can go to. We can create discounts for easier levels and create expense for the harder ones. And then, when a player chooses a level of the loading screen becomes a storyboard about the process of them traveling from checking in to their hotel, renting their car, the plane taking off and all that jazz.

LINKS

• Start Menu
• Options Menu
• Store Menu