A 2D, top-down shooter in a constrained area, similar to Amorphous+. Created in MonoGame; moddable in Javascript, via ClearScript; data-driven for easy editing.

AXIOMS:

• Fun and interesting
• Data driven architecture
• Moddable core and code -- JS (ClearScript)

CORE GAMEPLAY

• Infinite shooter where you're stuck in an arena fighting hordes of enemies.
• Enemies randomly generate (including their power) based on difficulty, and attack you
• Top-down is easier to animate and stuff, we can do sideways mode later...
• You pick up guns, mods, parts, or something (eg. laser gun, flame thrower)
• You can mod stuff -- turn laser into a double-laser (changes energy consumption) -- trade-off is usually "more power? more energy cost"
• Eventually, the queen comes out, and you defeat her to win.
• It's like Amorphous+.

OTHER GAMEPLAY

• Up to two weapons at once, switch
• Other power-ups, like a sentry gun, shield, etc.
• When you die, you die permanently
• Maybe walking speed and energy max/growth-rate is based on your level?
• Helpers can include kinetic (walking => faster recharge), solar (slow recharge if it's not cloudy/raining/night-time) ...

LATER MODS

• You can collect resources, like crystals
• You can build stuff, like sentries, a base, a research lab (capture live specimens?), etc.
• You need to explore and find the queen

EDUCATIONAL VALUE

• Biology: enemies are based on real (gigantified) bugs and creatures. You need to know their weaknesses. It's not just that uber laser kills everything, some enemies are laser-proof. Some succumb to fire, even if it's a low-level flamethrower.
• Science: weapons are based on real tech (lasers, rockets, etc.)
• Energy: a bit about heat vs. output, and kinetic vs. solar energy

LEVELS OF MODDING

• Enemies are reprogrammable: all enemies code live in JS
• Weapons are reprogrammable: all weapons code lives in JS
• Utilities, mods, etc. are reprogrammable: all code lives in JS
• Players can create a new (whatever) type by adding JS files, images, etc.
• Players have some way to repackage up XNB files with new/changed assets

MILESTONES

• Prove game with MVP: a few weapons and enemies. Is it fun?
• Convert everything to JS
• Mod everything.