Solo Platforming

Platformers are action games with challenges requiring skillful use of controls and quick decision making. They appeal to competitive players as multiplayer or singleplayer games.

Characteristics

Dominate!

Race to the finish.

SPATIAL CHALLENGES

⚙️ Moving platforms ⚠️ Hazards & obstacles

➕ Increasing difficulty

TIME LIMIT

⏱️ Timers 🏃 Competition ⚡ Speed & agility to win

FLEXIBILITY

↔️ Side scroller or 3D

💠 Full game or add-on

📈 Varied difficulty levels

Keys of Success

• Everyone Can Play - Run, jump, slide, climb, etc

• Flexible Play Modes - Multiplayer or singleplayer, use of space, full game or add-on to a game

• Play for Long - Endless replay value through PowerUps, spawned hazards, and multiple levels

NEED TO HAVE

• Well planned terrain & spatial logic

• Timer on HUD

NICE TO HAVE

• Life system

• Quest dialogue states

• Rewarding VFX

• Varied difficulty levels

Game Loops

Below is a general game loop diagram for this genre. Your game's loops may vary.

Platformer

Learn to Create It

GAME MAKER TEMPLATE

LOGIC TO EXPLORE

• Life system

• Timer on HUD

• Checkpoints

Make it More Interesting

Consider ways to add to or change the core structure of this game type to challenge and motivate players differently.

MAIN OBJECTIVE

⚠️ Added risk vs. reward

❤️ Death free run

🔢 Ranking system

RAMP OF DIFFICULTY

🌟 NFT Sensor perks

⏩ Shortcuts

➕ Bonus challenges

🎲 Random items

CORE DECISIONS

🎛️ Fallen players control gameplay

🔧 Adaptive difficulty

PRACTICE: Modify the Life Jumper template to increase the fun:

• Teams

• Consumables

• Global & local variables

Useful Logic

• Time Trial Rule Preset (time)

• Collect Points Preset (points)

• Point Race Preset (time + points)

Tutorial Videos

Creating a Parkour Race Quest

Creating a Side Scroller

Some Platformers are 2D with a locked camera. The same kind of camera adjustments can be modified to create a top-down Experience, too.