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Introducing Console Challenge™

 

 

 

 

 

Click here to try the interactive mockup at ConsoleChallenge.com

 

Concept

Console Challenge™ is a free-to-play browser-based game. The game consists of inexpensive downloadable console-type games wrapped in a compelling alternate-reality metagame.

The concept could be summarized like this:

• Create a downloadable games service using a fictional 'game console' as a device to distinguish the service and to unify the games under one brand.
• Create a ‘second console’ as a ‘competitor’ to the first, just to make things interesting.
  
• Create a whole alternate universe in which these two competing consoles exist. This alternate universe reveals itself through in-game websites and a graphical representation of an alternate-universe Media Room.
  
• Blur the lines between real world and game world with physical branded controllers, real-world advertising and press releases, and more.

 

The Consoles

At the core of Console Challenge are the two competing fictional game consoles – Gamerooni and ConsoleX [working names]. Each console will have a distinctive physical form, though it will only ever exist as an image on your monitor. And of course each console will have its own available lineup of games.

There will be launches with launch titles, various hardware/software bundles, cartoon animal mascots, periodic new releases, and everything else you’d expect from two competing game consoles.

 

The Games

The Console Challenge games will come from a variety of sources, including games developed exclusively for Console Challenge, smartphone ports, existing obscure freeware and shareware games, and more. Games will likely be sold for the equivalent of $1 - $4 (see Monetization and Resources below).

All games available through Console Challenge must of course meet a certain quality standard. But just as importantly, each game must match the identity of its respective console and also fill a niche in that console’s game lineup. This careful curation, along with the unifying console brands, will help each individual game seem solid and important.

The Console Challenge interface takes the form of a Media Room

Interface

Console Challenge uses a ‘Media Room’ metaphor for its main interface. From the Media Room, the player can access the Computer, the Entertainment Center, and the Basement using a Navigation Bar at the bottom of the screen.

• Media Room
  View and customize the media room, access the other areas.
• Computer
  Use the in-game Internet to purchase virtual and physical merchandise and to read the latest news in the Console Challenge game world.
• Entertainment Center
  Play games on the Gamerooni or ConsoleX, view and organize your collection of game cartridges, or just watch television.
• Basement Dungeon
  Grind for loot and stats by fighting monsters in the basement dungeon.

  Use the Computer to access the in-game Internet

 

Play "console" games or just watch TV at the Entertainment Center

Monetization

Gold Sales
The sale of in-game Gold for real-world money is the most obvious revenue source for Console Challenge. Gold is used to purchase consoles, games, and other virtual items. 

Physical Merchandise Sales
Physical merchandise including official branded game controllers and logo-emblazoned clothing & items will be available for purchase at Console Challenge’s ‘semi-fictional’ online retailers. Physical Console Challenge merchandise may also be available at real-world game retailers, both online and in stores.

‘Television’ Advertising
The in-game Television is always on by default. It can easily be turned off. The Television can show the following:

• Commercials Only
• Infomercials
• Public Domain Movie – supported by heavy advertising. The advertising decreases in frequency the longer the movie plays.

 
Web Advertising
Some of Console Challenge’s fictional websites may host real-world advertising.

 

Resources

In-game Gold, In-game Gems, and real-world cash can be used to purchase physical and virtual merchandise.

Gold
Gold is purchased with real-world money at the in-game ‘Bank’ website. It is available in [$5] increments.
Gold can be used at in-game online retailers to purchase:

• Consoles and Games
• Room Enhancements
• Dungeon Gear

Gems
Gems can be earned by killing monsters in the dungeon beneath your house.
Gems can be used at in-game online retailers to purchase:

• Room Enhancements
• Dungeon Gear

Real-World Cash
Real-world money is used to purchase:

• In-game Gold
• Official Controllers
• Branded Clothing & Items

Merchandise

Merchandise in Console Challenge includes both the virtual variety and the physical variety.

Virtual Merchandise

Consoles and Games 
Gamerooni and ConsoleX. Your first Console is free when you create an account. The second one can be purchased with Gold. Just like in the real world, you’ll have to decide whether to spend your resources on a second console or on more games for the first.

 At least one game will be bundled with your first Console. Additional games can be purchased for Gold. The price will likely be from $1 to $4 per game in real-world money.

Room enhancements
These are virtual items that can be purchased and used to personalize the player’s Media Room.

The following elements are always present in every Media Room, but they can be customized by purchasing replacements:

• Paint (wall color)
• Flooring
• Computer
• Computer Desk
• TV
• Entertainment Center
• Coat rack

The following item types can be purchased and added to the Media Room:

• Posters
• Souvenir batting & football helmets
• Bobbleheads
• Pennants
• Fine art paintings
• Fine art sculptures
• Lamps
• Additional furniture
• Pets

Dungeon Gear
Everything you need to explore and fight monsters in the basement dungeon.

• Weapons
• Armor
• Spells
• Potions

 

Physical Merchandise

Official Controllers
The consoles themselves may not be strictly real, but the controllers will be. Just like with the ‘real’ consoles, the design and appearance of the official controller is an important part of a console’s image.

The official controllers will be the preferred method of control. All games will also be compatible with keyboard/mouse and with standard gamepads. 

A ‘starter kit’ bundle may be available (example: a Controller, some in-game Gold, and a T-shirt).

Branded Clothing and Items
Clothing and other items will be available featuring logos and graphics representing each console, specific games, Console Challenge, MegaCorp, Fred’s Furniture, and every other fictional brand represented in the game.

• T-shirts
• Hoodies
• Caps
• Etc.

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  Console Challenge is a trademark of Crucial Games, LLC
 Copyright © 2010 Crucial Games, LLC
 All Rights Reserved

Introducing Parkview Towers™ [OBSOLETE]

 

 

Note: This post, which assumes
last-gen and multiplat, has been superseded by
'Introducing Parkview Towers™ for PlayStation 4.'

 

"What's going on out there?"

Parkview Towers is a massively multiplayer tower defense light gun game and virtual apartment community for Kinect for Xbox360 and PlayStation Move.

 

The Story So Far…

Twenty years ago a new power source was discovered by Earth’s scientists. The global government initiated a program to create new power generators using this new technology in cities throughout the planet.

The template for these new generators was the same in every location: bulldoze an abandoned, contaminated, or crime-ridden area of the inner city to make room for the generator, a surrounding park area, and a housing development. In every city, the housing development had the same standardized name: ‘Parkview Towers.’

The generators are buried beneath the city, and heavily shielded and guarded against natural disasters, sabotage, and acts of war.

In Parkview Towers, your television monitor becomes  
a window onto a city under alien attack.

The Game

Several apartment buildings overlook a large park or square in the heart of a large city. The city is under attack from alien spacecraft.

The head tracking capabilities of Kinect for Xbox 360 and PlayStation Move will transform your television screen into a window onto that park, and your living room will become a hi-rise apartment in that city under siege.

You will be issued a physical weapon (basically a ‘light gun;’ see Peripherals below) to help repel the alien invasion. Damage, destroy, and distract the various alien craft from the unique perspective of your apartment window.

 But you’re not alone. Those other apartments you can see out your window are all occupied by actual players! You can see their silhouettes in the window, and you can see their attacks against the alien invaders.

Each player has a semi-permanent residence in a specific building. Your closest neighbors can hear you shout, and you can hear them.

It’s up to the brave residents of Parkview Towers to repel the aliens and save their city’s generator from destruction. If your entire neighborhood can learn to work together, the aliens don’t stand a chance.

  Neighborhood layout. The Generator lies out of frame to the lower left.
The apartment buildings create a gauntlet for
attacking alien bombers, fighters, and mechs.

Goal

You are defending your neighborhood and the nearby power generator from the aliens. If the aliens do sufficient damage (a process that takes days or weeks of real-world time), your neighborhood will be evacuated, and you will have to move into an apartment in a new neighborhood.

It’s all but inevitable that your city will eventually succumb… but how long can you hold out?

 

Real-Time Persistent World

When you put the Parkview Towers disc in your game console, you’re not starting a game – You are opening a window to an alternate world that always exists outside that window, even when the window is closed.

Events unfold in real time. You can leave the game running for hours, and you can actually do other things around your house - go make a sandwich, or just gaze out the ‘window’ - during the frequent lulls in the attacks. Remember, your living room is now an apartment in Parkview Towers, and your television monitor is a window. But when you hear the warning sirens, you’d better be prepared to man your post.

 

Kinect/Move Functionality

Head Tracking
Creates the ‘virtual window’ effect at the core of the game.

Hit Detection
Detects when a player is hit by an alien beam or projectile.

Silhouette Position
Other players in your virtual neighborhood will be able to see your approximate position in your virtual apartment in silhouette form. Nearby neighbors may see a more detailed representation.

(PlayStation Move will extrapolate Hit Detection and Silhouette Position info from head and Motion Controller positions.)

Room Color
As seen by other players, your virtual room will take on the color of the lighting in your real-life room.

Gesture-Based Actions (Kinect for Xbox 360)
Motion Controller Actions (PlayStation Move)

• Open/Close Window Glass
• Open/Close Drapes/Blinds
• Blast Shield Mode (Down/Auto)
• Use Binoculars
• Use Telescope
• Throw Tennis Balls
• Throw Confetti
• Throw Paper Airplanes
• Use Bullhorn
• Use Laser Pointer
• Use High Beam (powerful flashlight)
• Spray Water with Water Hose
• Control R/C Plane and/ or Blimp
• Prepare and Throw Grenades
• Prepare and Throw Smoke Bomb

 

Open or close the curtains with a wave of the arm.

Voice Commands (Kinect for Xbox 360)
The Window can be controlled with voice commands.

• Open/Close Window Glass
• Open/Close Drapes/Blinds
• Blast Shield Mode (Down/Auto)
• Repair Window

Voice Proximity Simulation (Kinect for Xbox 360)
Kinect’s microphone will pick up your voice and transmit it to your neighbors in the virtual world.

 

Peripherals

Weapon
A physical light gun-like Weapon is required to play Parkview Towers. This Weapon has six Modes:

• Laser Gun (steady)
• Blaster (bolts)
• Rifle
• Shotgun
• Rocket Launcher
• Grenade Launcher

Kinect for Xbox 360
A custom gun controller will use integrated sound, light, and vibration effects to simulate the different weapon modes and to indicate when the player has been hit or stunned.

PlayStation Move
Parkview Towers for PS3 is compatible with the PlayStation Move Shooting Attachment and the PlayStation Move Sharp Shooter Attachment.

A custom Parkview Towers Shooting Attachment may also be available.

In all cases, the Motion Controller will use its light and vibration capabilities to simulate the different weapon modes and to indicate when the player has been hit or stunned.

Combat Goggles
Combat Goggles are optional LCD shutter glasses. The shutters flip up and out of the way when not in use, allowing for smooth transitions between the real world and the game world.

Kinect for Xbox 360
Combat Goggles provide a stereoscopic 3D effect for a single player.

PlayStation Move
Combat Goggles allow two players to simultaneously use one or more monitors while retaining the head tracking functionality.  Combat Goggles can also provide a stereoscopic 3D effect for a single player.

[The original spec called for both the Sony and Microsoft versions to use this scheme, but apparently Sony has since locked up the technology with a patent.]  

Open the glass 'manually' or
use the window remote 

Window Remote
A physical remote control for the virtual ‘window.’

• Open/Close Window Glass
• Open/Close Drapes/Blinds
• Blast Shield Mode (Down/Auto)
• Repair Window
  

Kinect for Xbox 360
A standard Xbox 360 controller serves as the Window Remote.

PlayStation Move
The Navigation Controller serves as the Window Remote. DualShock 3 or Sixaxis controllers can also serve this purpose. 

Monitor Stand
This custom Monitor Stand can hold two monitors one above the other, to create a large ‘double-hung window,’ or it can hold a single monitor sideways, to create a smaller double-hung window.  It also works as a conventional monitor stand. All configurations allow dedicated shelves for Kinect or the PlayStation Eye.

 

 

Supports Single Console or System Link/LAN

Standard Configuration
One console and one monitor. Your monitor represents a single window in your virtual apartment. Most players will use this configuration.

System Link/LAN Creates Multiple ‘Windows’
Link two consoles together to create a second window into the game world. Two linked monitors can be placed side-by-side to form two windows along a wall, or they can be placed at a right angle to one another to create a ‘corner apartment’.

Two monitors can be stacked one above the other to create a large ‘double-hung window.’ A stand will be available for this purpose (see Peripherals).

Linked systems consisting of (4) or more consoles will be given access to exclusive virtual ‘Penthouse Suites.’ These Penthouse Suites can be configured to match many different monitor arrangements. Up to 16 consoles can be linked to create the ultimate 16-window experience.

Other Uses for Linked Monitors
Monitors can be used for more than just windows. A monitor could become a mirror, a bookshelf, a fireplace, or a weapons cache. A monitor could even create a portal in a real-world wall in your house, provided that there’s a Kinect/Move setup on each side of the wall.

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More info and video coming soon. Meanwhile, here's a very early concept video:

 

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  Parkview Towers is a trademark of Crucial Games, LLC
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners
Copyright © 2010 Crucial Games, LLC
All Rights Reserved

Introducing Cannon Battle™

WE’RE BRINGING OUT THE BIG GUNS!

 Wage war across sprawling continents in Base-to-Base combat. Build an assortment of Cannons and other mighty weapons and pummel the enemy with artillery fire. You will use your vast array of weaponry to disable or destroy enemy Bases while defending yourself from incoming projectiles.

Capture enemy Bases or build new ones on vacant Energy Wells to expand your territory and advance across the Continent toward your ultimate goal – the enemy’s Primary Base.

Cannon Battle is a real-time strategy variant with an emphasis on manually-controlled artillery. It's designed to be played with a gamepad, but is easily adaptable to mouse-and-keyboard controls.

The game could be described as 'Rampart meets Herzog Zwei' - or to use more modern examples, 'Supreme Commander meets Tiger Woods.'

 

A simulated gameplay video appears below, followed by a video of a more fully-realized Command Center:

 

 

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  Cannon Battle and We're Bringing Out the Big Guns are trademarks of Crucial Games, LLC
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners
Copyright © 2010 Crucial Games, LLC
All Rights Reserved

Introducing Crucial Games™

Hello! Welcome to crucialblog, the official blog of Crucial Games, LLC.

Crucial Games is an independent video game studio in Portland, Oregon. We are here to create the future of entertainment.

Crucial Games is currently working on four projects:

• Cannon Battle
• Parkview Towers
• Console Challenge
• 2000: The Game

Over the following days and weeks, details about these projects will be revealed right here on crucialblog.

Thanks for coming by, and stay tuned!

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  Crucial Games is a trademark of Crucial Games, LLC
Copyright © 2010 Crucial Games, LLC
All Rights Reserved