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1. Research
Mel Nuttall

2. Existing Product
The Sonic the Hedgehog 2 game for the Sega Mega Drive uses a side scroll perspective
as the character moves in four directions on a 2 dimensional axis (up, down, left, right)
to collect rings, avoid or defeat enemies to get to the end of the level to move onto
the next one. The playable character is a 2D pixel Sonic sprite that has several
different movement animations depending on now fast he is going or if he is jumping
or not. However, from being 2D, we only ever see him from the side. We’re never told
about the location other than we can assume that it is in a fictional world with no clue
as to time period. The lighting and use of colour means that it’s bright and always
easy to see what is what. The background also uses similar colours to fit the style of
the platforms for that level, but it isn’t a distraction from where the character is. It’s
made up of a sky with clouds, hills in the distance and what appears to be a sea
leading to the horizon. The music uses a retro video game style of music in the
background with the sound effects of jumping and
collecting coins over the top of the music. It also
changes depending on level or if the character is being
hurt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN_Le3K7pNk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKuPQzhk8rY

3. Existing Product
Fantasy Life is 3DS game released in 2012 based around a
fantasy role playing adventure game. Players have the
option to create their own character with loads of different
customisation options, and then picking one from a
selection of lives. These lives can range from a chef to an
alchemist to a mercenary. They determine the sort of
quests these characters are given, while also leading
towards the main story narrative. These lives can also be
changed at any time, except when in a main story quest, to
allow the character to gain multiple skills that could help with the others. For example, the
character could become a miner to collect ores and materials to then become a
blacksmith to turn it into armour to wear as a paladin or a mercenary. The game uses an
exaggeration art style in a 3D third person almost arial view of their character at all times.
The music style is less retro gaming style, instead using
am orchestra to create a fanfare like soundtrack that is
popular among adventure games. For my project, I
could use a similar style, but perhaps add in 8 bit styles
to fit in with my game style more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quqMRMpdNP0

4. Existing Product
Pokémon SoulSilver, released 12 September 2009 is one
of the second generation 2D sprite adventure games in
the Pokémon series. The music uses a retro style of
music that changes throughout depending on where the
character is and if they are in a battle or not. The
opening music definitely gives a fanfare style to it to
make the characters seem more heroic. The player has
the option of either a male of female character that
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtYgIVQvhqI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKo7HkuQKS8
follows the main story quest to capture and train Pokémon, collect badges and
defeat the champion in the fictional world of Johto. Once the player has done that,
they can travel to the neighbouring region of Kanto, that is the place to explore in
earlier games, to become the champion there too among other additional quests.
Lots of colours are used both when exploring the
world and with the characters so they look more
appealing to a wide range of audiences, although it
is more mainly aimed at younger ages rather than
adults.

5. Existing Product
Dino Run: Escape Extinction is an online pixel art
side scrolling game. The aim for the player is to
play as their dinosaur character to avoid dying
and make it to a sanctuary. Collecting eggs and
bones can unlock abilities that could help the
dinosaur survive. The ‘wall of doom’ follows
behind the character as they have to run over the
uneven terrain and avoid other dinosaurs to not
slow down and risk being doomed. It doesn’t
have music but the game also has 8 bit sound effects for jumping and eating etc. Lots of
bright colours are used to make characters stand out, with the additional option of
customising your dinosaur’s colours and accessories as it runs for its life to get to the
sanctuary. Being a side scroll game, we only see the side view of the 2D pixel sprite of the
playable dinosaur as well as all of the other non-playable characters
in the game. There also doesn’t seem to be a set target audience.
With the storyline for the game so simple, the audience can
appeal to all age ranges who just want an arcade style game to
play for fun rather than some heavily based on plot and narrative.

6. Research Analysis
• What common features do the researched products
have?
• I’ve decided that the most fitting style of game would
be either in the old Pokémon style or a side scroll.
Having done a side scroll in the past, this may be of
help to me when deciding which would look best and
be more appropriate in the time I have. I’ll take most of
my inspiration from Dino Run and from Pokémon, since
they are closer to what I feel like I’ll be able to achieve.
Fantasy Life was a good game to research for ideas as
to gameplay features and storylines, but the others
were best for the visual aspects.

7. Interviews

8. Interview 1
1. When playing a pixel art style game, would you find a side scrolling game or the
old Pokémon and Zelda style games to be more appealing and why?
When looking for a pixel art style game the old Pokémon games are more
appealing to me because the layout for Pokémon is very understandable and
easy to know where you are at all times and its also very nostalgic as I used to
play Pokémon when I was younger.
2. Would you prefer brighter more eye catching colours when playing arcade style
games or softer colours that might add more detail and why?
I would prefer softer colours as I think more detail would be very eye catching as
its best to have a good quality product.
3. In one of the older styles of games, would the option of customising your
character be a good addition or is it not really required and why?
Customising your character will be a great idea as its very informative to the
player when playing the game.

9. Interview 1
• Observation:
• This person enjoys or enjoyed the nostalgic pixel art style that my game would
have, with softer colours so that I could add in more details and would enjoy a
customisation option as it would be informative.
• What this says about my audience:
• They have had experience playing these sorts of games in the past and
therefore know what they did and didn’t enjoy in the particular style.
• How will your product appeal to this
audience:
• I know to use a form of customisation to the player’s character somewhere in
the game and that less bright colours everywhere so that I could potentially
add more detail into the graphics.

10. Interview 2
1. When playing a pixel art style game, would you find a side scrolling game or the
old Pokémon and Zelda style games to be more appealing and why?
1. I would be in a side scrolling category preferably, although I do think theres a gap in
the market for a zelder style game in a pixel art format. It really determines on the
controls and gameplay of the game.
2. Would you prefer brighter more eye catching colours when playing arcade style
games or softer colours that might add more detail and why?
1. Brighter mainly because if its and “arcade style games” you want it to stand out s
much as every other booth/ game in the arcade.
3. In one of the older styles of games, would the option of customising your character be a
good addition or is it not really required and why?
1. I think if you want to focus on a story / narrative it gives the player choice hats always
a benefit of a single player experience. Although on a side scroller it would be a
welcome surprise to the game.

11. Interview 2
• Observation:
• This person is different to the other person who would prefer a side scroll game
that could suit multiple platforms possibly better than the other style, but
depending on the controls and gameplay. They also said brighter colours would be
better in in an arcade style so that the game draws attention to itself.
• What this says about my audience:
• They have also had experience in the best playing these styles of game and
knows what appeals to them in that aspect.
• How will your product appeal to this audience:
• I might try to combine what both people said and use brighter colours for titles
and what needs to catch the player’s attention but also have softer colours to help
the brighter ones stand out. I’ll make sure to have an aspect of customisation
included.

12. Bibliography

13. Bibliography
1. n/a. (2017). Fantasy Life. Available:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasy_Life. Last accessed 23rd February
2018.
2. n/a. (2018). Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. Available:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_HeartGold_and_SoulSilv
er#Plot_and_setting. Last accessed 23rd February 2018.
3. n/a. (2018). Dinorun: Escape Extinction!. Available:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dino_Run. Last accessed 23rd February
2018.