Individual Project

Platform: Mobile
Software: Android Studio
Genre: Social deduction

Project Overview

This project involves the design and prototyping of a multiplayer social game, developed to integrate seamlessly with the client's platform, which focuses on facilitating social interactions between players. The game encourages engagement, cooperation, and competition, offering players a dynamic experience through various roles and powers.

Objective

The objective of this project was to design and develop a multiplayer social game that would seamlessly integrate into the client's platform, fostering social interaction and engagement among players. The game aimed to provide an accessible yet engaging experience, encouraging friendly competition and cooperation. It was designed to be simple to play while offering strategic depth, with features like customizable avatars, adjustable game settings, and in-game powers to enhance player interaction. Feedback-driven iterations ensured the game evolved to meet the needs of players, with a focus on providing a flexible, multiplayer experience that could be easily expanded in the future.

Concept

Initially, six concepts were developed, ranging from cooperative guessing games to competitive truth-telling games. After narrowing down the options, the focus was on a team-based truth-telling game, which combined competition and cooperation, in line with the design requirements.

After extensive testing and feedback, the game was structured around a simple mechanic where players use powers like revealing roles or coercing answers to influence the gameplay. Players are secretly assigned either the "Liar" role or the "Truth Teller" role, which they must embody when responding to questions. Each player is part of a team and must work to identify their teammate by actively listening, asking insightful follow-up questions, and carefully observing the behavior of others throughout the game. The identities of all players remain hidden until the game concludes, adding an element of mystery and strategy. The goal is to deduce which player shares the same team without revealing roles prematurely.

The Game

In this team-based game, players are secretly assigned the roles of "Liar" or "Truth Teller." The goal is for players to identify which other player is on the same team as them through strategic questioning, listening, and observation. Roles are kept hidden until the end of the game.

Players & Setup

• The game requires at least four players, with two teams: one for Liars and one for Truth Tellers. Each player starts with three energy points, but one energy is locked for the end of the game, leaving two points available for use during gameplay.

Gameplay

• The game is played in three rounds, with players answering predefined or player-created questions. After each answer, other players can ask follow-up questions. Players can use energy to activate powers that influence the game, such as revealing another player’s role or making someone answer incorrectly. After each round, additional energy points are distributed based on votes from other players.

Goal

• Players aim to identify their teammate and accumulate points by correctly giving their remaining energy points to players on their team at the end of the game.

Scoring

• At the end of the game, players distribute all their remaining energy to other players. Energy given to teammates earns points for that team. The more energy a player has left, the greater their influence in the voting phase.

Energy System & Powers

• Each player starts with three energy points, one of which is locked. Energy distribution occurs twice during the game, with additional points being given to players based on votes from other players. Players can use energy for two powers:

• Reveal a player's role (2 energy points).

• Make a player answer incorrectly (1 energy point).

Anonymity

• Roles, powers, and voting actions are hidden, ensuring players cannot be influenced by others' choices during the game.

Questions in the Game

• The gameplay centers around open-ended questions that require thoughtful answers, with some questions provided by the game and others created by the players themselves.

• This game combines deduction, strategy, and social interaction, creating an engaging experience where players must use both logic and deception to succeed.

Prototyping Process

• Paper Prototypes: Initial concepts were tested using paper prototypes to gather insights and refine gameplay mechanics.

• UI/UX Design: Low-fidelity wireframes were created in Figma, iterating based on feedback from the team and client to enhance the user experience.

• Digital Prototype: Using Android Studio and Firebase, the final prototype was developed. It featured a seamless multiplayer experience, with clear screens for power usage, voting, and team roles. Firebase handled real-time synchronization across devices, ensuring a smooth gameplay experience.