Game Design Document: Rift Guardians

1. Title Page

• Game Title: Rift Guardians
• Version Number: 1.0
• Date: April 4, 2024
• Team Members:
  • Lead Designer: Treyvion Johnson
  • Lead Programmer: Treyvion Johnson
  • Artists: Jackson Lau
  • Sound Designer: Trevion Johnson
• Contact Information: artetech@gmail.com

2. Table of Contents

1. Title Page
2. Table of Contents
3. Overview
4. Gameplay Mechanics
5. Story and Setting
6. Characters
7. Art and Visuals
8. Level Design
9. User Interface
10. Sound and Music
11. Game Progression
12. Multiplayer (if applicable)
13. Monetization (if applicable)
14. Technical Requirements
15. Marketing and Promotion
16. Budget and Timeline
17. Appendices

3. Overview

Rift Guardians is a fantasy role-playing game set in a world torn apart by an ancient conflict between gods. Players assume the role of a chosen hero tasked with restoring balance to the realm by collecting powerful artifacts and defeating the minions of darkness.

4. Gameplay Mechanics

• Combat System: Turn-based combat with a focus on strategic use of abilities and positioning.
• Exploration Mechanics: Open-world exploration with hidden secrets, quests, and dynamic events.
• Puzzle-Solving Elements: Environmental puzzles that require logic and creativity to solve.

5. Story and Setting

• World Background: The game world, Aeloria, was once a paradise before the gods' war shattered its peace.
• Major Factions: The Order of Light, The Shadow Legion, and neutral factions like The Free Traders.
• Key Characters:
  • Protagonist: A chosen hero with a mysterious past.
  • Antagonist: The Dark Lord, a powerful being seeking to dominate Aeloria.
  • Supporting Cast: Allies, mentors, and key NPCs that aid or hinder the hero.

6. Characters

• Protagonist:
  • Name: Aric
  • Background: Raised in a small village, discovers their destiny after a tragic event.
  • Personality Traits: Brave, curious, determined.
  • Abilities: Master of elemental magic and swordsmanship.
  • Role in Story: Central figure in the quest to restore balance.
• Antagonist:
  • Name: Lord Malakar
  • Background: Once a noble guardian, corrupted by dark power.
  • Personality Traits: Ruthless, cunning, ambitious.
  • Abilities: Command over dark magic and an army of minions.
  • Role in Story: Primary antagonist and final boss.

7. Art and Visuals

• Concept Art: Character designs, environment sketches, and key visual themes.
• Character Designs: Detailed illustrations of main and supporting characters.
• Environment Sketches: Visual references for landscapes, towns, and dungeons.

8. Level Design

• Layouts: Maps and blueprints of key game environments.
• Descriptions:
  • Forest of Whispers: A dense forest filled with ancient secrets and hidden dangers.
  • Crystal Caverns: A labyrinthine cave system illuminated by glowing crystals.
  • Sky Citadel: A floating fortress and the game's final level.

9. User Interface

• Mock-Ups: Design layouts for main menu, inventory screen, and HUD elements.
• Menu Design: Easy-to-navigate main menu with options for settings, save/load, and exit.
• HUD Elements: Health bars, mana bars, mini-map, and quest tracker.

10. Sound and Music

• Sound Effects: Realistic and immersive sound effects for combat, environment, and interactions.
• Music Style: Epic orchestral music for battles, serene melodies for exploration, and tense tracks for suspenseful moments.
• Voice Acting: Professional voice actors for key characters and narration.

11. Game Progression

• Outline:
  • Introduction: Tutorial and initial quests to familiarize players with the game mechanics.
  • Mid-Game: Main story quests, side quests, and character development.
  • End-Game: Final showdown with Lord Malakar and resolution of the main story.
• Rewards: Experience points, new abilities, rare items, and story progression.

12. Multiplayer (if applicable)

• Co-Op Campaign: Players can team up to complete the main story together.
• PvP Modes: Arena battles and capture-the-flag style competitions.
• Online Leaderboards: Track and compare players' progress and achievements.

13. Monetization (if applicable)

• In-App Purchases: Cosmetic items, character skins, and special mounts.
• DLC: Expansion packs with new story content, characters, and regions.
• Subscription Services: Monthly memberships with exclusive benefits and rewards.

14. Technical Requirements

• Supported Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
• Minimum System Requirements:
  • Operating System: Windows 10
  • Processor: Intel Core i5
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 970
  • Storage: 50 GB available space
• Game Engine: Unreal Engine 5

15. Marketing and Promotion

• Social Media Campaigns: Regular updates and community engagement on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
• Influencer Partnerships: Collaborations with popular gaming influencers and streamers.
• Gaming Events: Demos and presentations at conventions like Next FEST.

16. Appendices

• Additional Documents: Legal agreements, supplementary concept art, and external references.
• Resources: Links to useful articles, tools, and assets.