Mirror
OVERVIEW
Mirror is a puzzle horror mystery video game that my team developed the key screens, user research, market research, and go-to market plan. It was the most invested game in in a Pitch competition of 20 teams, with special praise for the user interface.
TEAM
Zichen Zang, Alana Zhang, Tahiat Tisha Market, Ally Vern, Sae Whan
DURATION
7 weeks
HOW MIGHT WE...
Business Goal
Reimagine the story and playing experience of coded video game "Mirror" ?
The Bare Bones
This is the video game our team has reimagined. We aimed to retain the concept of alternate portals and mirrors while enhancing the experience to be more engaging and ensuring it stands out in the market.
PROGRAMMING CREDIT: ABBY PENG
Market Research
Desk Research
We conducted market research to determine if there is an audience and a market interested in purchasing our game idea.
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Puzzle games show robust growth, with a projected annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.05%, reaching a market volume of US$22.51bn by 2027 (Source: Statista, 2023)
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Horror games, known for their devoted fanbases, present a niche market with lower barriers to entry compared to mainstream genres
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2023 is acclaimed as possibly the best year ever for horror video games, with three titles scoring above 90 and an additional nine achieving scores of 73 or higher on Metacritic (Source: GameSpot, 2023).
Competitive Analysis
By examining similar games in the genre, we identified key trends and player preferences, which informed our design decisions. This analysis revealed gaps in the market, such as a horror game where player's choices affect the rest of the gameplay. Additionally, understanding competitors' strengths and weaknesses helped us refine my game mechanics and narrative, ensuring a high-quality player experience.
Timeline
Story Development
Storyline
Step into the role of a detective investigating mysterious disappearances inside an abandoned castle.
Mirror bridges two worlds, the real world and the mysterious inside world accessible through mirrors. Players embody a brave and clever detective, gathering clues and solving puzzles dispersed throughout the game's map in both the real world and the mirror's mysterious realm.
However beware, for much like how a mirror distorts reality, appearances inside the mirror are deceiving and things are not always how they may appear.
Characters
With each step, the truth behind the castle's secrets draws closer, but so does the danger, as powerful boss mobs guard invaluable secrets.
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The player will encounter NPCs such as ghosts –some of whom are helpful while others deceitful– and must distinguish between them to progress. Other sinister creatures are also lurking around the castle, actively thwarting the detective’s mission at every turn.
Information Architecture
By structuring the game's narrative, NPC encounters, and challenges logically, we were able to help players easily navigate the storyline and immerse themselves in the game's world.
Gameplay Diagram
We created the gameplay diagram to provide a clear visual representation of the game's progression, including key elements like player interactions, NPC encounters, challenges, and storyline progression. This diagram serves as a valuable reference for the development team, helping to ensure a cohesive and engaging gameplay experience for players by visualizing the flow of the game from start to finish.
Design
Lo-Fi Screens
UI Concept Board
Hi-Fi Screens
START SCREEN
A compelling game screen that will create immersion.
NORMAL WORLD
Users main tasks are to find clues and explore the castle
MIRROR WORLD
Most battles happen in the Mirror World, where Boss mobs exist. Obstacles and horror features that are not visible in normal world become visible
NOTEBOOK
An archive of player’s clues found through interacting with NPC’s and game map exploration. Players can utilize this feature in choosing dialogue with NPCs as well as solving puzzles and the overarching mystery.
INTERACTING WITH NPCS
When users interact with NPC, they will view the high-fidelity image of the character. Users are able to choose from different options which lead to a different interaction which may lead to a clue, fake clue, or a battle. The user can decide if the NPC is deceitful, evil, or helpful based on the features of the NPC.
INVENTORY
Players can utilize and store collected items
SELECTING AN INVENTORY ITEM
Players strategically choose which items to equip themselves with for certain situations
Launch Plan
Our next steps include finalizing the game design document to ensure all mechanics, levels, and narrative elements are thoroughly outlined. Simultaneously, we need consider seeking funding or partnerships to support the game's production before executing our launch plan.
Soft launch to limited audience on Kickstarter
Feedback on gameplay, mechanics, and user experience to refine game elements for a polished launch
Youtubers to promote game + Game reviews
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Ben again -108k subscribers (Puzzle, Mystery Games)
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GamerSault -424k subscribers (Horror Puzzle Games)
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Create landing page & website with short trailer
​Captivating introduction to Mirror for potential players to convert website visitors into pre-orders or downloads
Funding
Crowdfunding
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Post our game project on crowdfunding platforms (e.g., Indiegogo and Kickstarter)
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Continuously post updates about development progress for feedbacks
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Provide rewards for people who funded us (e.g., early access to game demo, discount of completed game & in-game assets)
Indie Game Funding
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Applying for funding from big names (e.g., Epic Games, itch.io, Google)
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Make our game stand out (Unique features & Audiences’ preference)
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Game Pitch articulates an executable and profitable future vision
Reflection
In crafting the user experience for "Mirror," I've learned the importance of balancing engaging gameplay mechanics with a compelling narrative. I've discovered how crucial it is to understand the player's perspective, ensuring intuitive controls and seamless navigation. User feedback has been invaluable, teaching me to iterate and refine based on real-world testing. Thank you for reading!