Dread

A Platform Game
Daniel Chapman - Savage Cat

Dread

Overview
Introduction
Game Synopsis

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Story
Story Synopsis
Playable Character

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Gameplay
Core gameplay
Controls
Goal of game
Mechanics
Levels
Hostile Non Playable Characters
Friendly Non Playable Characters
Multiplayer Elements

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UI
Main Menu Flowchart
Paused Menu Flowchart
Camera View

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Moodboard
The Game Environment
Character Design
Effects
Character Animation/Movement
Visual Style

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Art

Sound
Sound Effects
Music

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Market
Platforms
Box Art Idea

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Dread

Overview
Introduction
This game design document details the contents of the side scrolling platform game, Dread.
The document will tell you all you need to know about what the game is designed to be.

Game Synopsis
Dread is a 2D platforming side scroller in which the player takes on the role of the villain. The
player completes levels and fights enemies, including a boss at the end of each level. They
have the chance to gain unique abilities or choose to summon defeated bosses to help them
in battle.

Story
Story Synopsis
The game is set in a fantasy world named Eathor, in which the majority of the world has
been conquered by the evil overlord known as Dread. The main character, Dread, must
destroy the last bit of resistance as he seeks world domination. The last remaining beacon of
light, a powerful magic that counters Dreads dark magic, is the City of Miracles, a place
where the followers of Hope, Dreads adversary, have found refuge. Dread now lays siege to
the City of Miracles in hopes of conquering all of Eathor.

Playable Character
The main playable character is the villain named Dread. Dread rises from the underworld in
hopes of finding a world to rule. Instead, he finds a world that is full of civilisations at war with
each other. His motivation to conquer the world is driven by his desire for world order, and
to stop all fighting. The only way he sees able to accomplish this goal is by ruling the world
himself, and anyone who defies him this goal is not useful to him, so he kills them, not matter
if they are innocent. He is influenced to make this decision by the collective mind, an entity
that resides in the underworld. He is a demon clad in black armour. No part of his flesh is
visible, all being covered up by the armour. He wields a weapon named Willbreaker which is
a sword engraved with runes. His attacks are seen as heavy, with big and powerful swings
with his sword. When in control of Dread, the player can utilize fear, which has a random
effect of either makes the enemy flee, gets them to join you or makes them more powerful.

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If playing multiplayer, the other playable character is the hero Hope. Hope sees Dread as an
ultimate evil, something she must stop. She is a descended angelic being from the upper
world and self proclaimed defender of Eathor, and is worshiped by many civilisations. She is
seen as wearing armour similar to Dreads, but is golden instead of black. She wields a
spear named Faithbringer. Unlike Dread, Hopes attacks are a lot more quicker, and her
character relies on agility rather than strength. Unlike Dread, the player can shoot bolts of
light energy. Instead of fear, Hope can use the ability rally, which has the same effects as
Dreads fear.

Gameplay
Core gameplay
The player must make their way through levels, fighting enemies along the way. Fighting
mechanics include a generic sword swing and the use of abilities. The player moves left and
right along a 2D level. The player has the ability to jump onto different platforms on the level.

Controls
The player can move left, right , down platforms and can jump. A keyboard is needed as it is
the only way someone can play. Mice have no input in the game. Menus are navigated using
the keyboard controls. Here is a list of all controls In game
D = Right
A= Left
W = Jump
S = Drop
Space = Basic attack
Hold space = Glide
F = Fear ability
G = Fireball ability
H = Possession ability
X = Summon ally
ESC = Menu
Menu controls
W = Move up
S = Move down
Enter = Select/confirm
ESC = Back

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Goal of game
The goal of the game is to complete each level, with the goal of reaching the final level and
defeating the antagonist.

Saving
The game automatically saves each level. The player also has the choice to pick a save slot
to manually save their progress. If that slot is loaded, the player will begin at the start of the
level.

Death
When a player dies, either by falling off the screen or losing all health, the player will be
presented with a game over screen. This screen gives the player the option to either load
from their last save, autosave or to quit to the main menu.

Health
Both Dread and Hope have a health pool of 50 points, which can be increased by defeating
certain bosses (see mechanics). Each time they are damaged, the number of damage is
reduced from their health pool. There is no way to regain health, so it is encouraged to keep
as much as the player can.

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Attacks
Each sprite also has a damage amount. Each time their attacks hit, the thing that was hit
takes this much damage. The number of damage is how much health they take off of the
target. Each enemies damage amount is detailed in the enemies section.

Mechanics
The game includes a number of mechanics. After a boss is defeated the player can either
recruit the boss as an ally, or take its unique ability. For example, one boss will have the
ability of flight, and defeating said boss will grant the player the ability of flight. Here is a list
of all abilities that can be gained from bosses (not in order) Abilities A
1)Increased running speed (gained from 1 boss) - (if recruited, then x1.5 running speed. If
boss is killed, then 2x running speed)
2)Increased jumping height (gained from 2 different bosses) - (if recruited, then x1.5 jumping
height. If boss is killed, then 2x jumping height)
3)Increased health (gained from 2 different bosses) - (if recruited, then add 25 points of
health. If boss is killed, then add 50 points of health)
Abilities B
4)Possession (allows the player to take control of an ally) (not available if boss was
recruited) - When used, the player disappears from the screen, becoming an inactive and
invisible object. The player then gains control of a summoned ally, who they can play as for
30 seconds or until the ally loses all its health. Once in control, the player can utilise the
bosss unique ability and basic attacks. Once the 30 seconds are up, Dread re-appears on
screen and the player takes control of him once again, and the ally remains by the players
side. However, if the ally dies while the player is still possessing them, then the ally dies and
remains unsummonable until the level has been completed, and the player takes control of
Dread. Gained from defeating the Phantom.

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5)Wings(ability to glide) (not available if boss was recruited) - Wings allow the player to
glide across the level. Once in the air, if used, the player will slowly glide to the left or to the
right, slowly falling, and will only stop gliding if the touches the environment or they have
been gliding for 5 seconds, causing them to fall. As well as adding a physical ability, it also
adds a visual onto the character, which are black,tattered demon-like wings. Gained from
defeating the White Dragon.

6)Fire breath (gain the ability to attack enemies using fire) (not available if boss was
recruited) - Fire deals twice as much damage to enemies than a basic attack, but this ability
has a 30 second cooldown between uses. When used, a ball of fire, about the size of the
player, will shoot across the level, damaging any enemies that intercept with it, until it is out
of the players view. When out of the players view, the fireball becomes inactive. Gained from
defeating the Fire Eater. This ability counts as 5 hits to an enemy.

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Abilities A are gained no matter if you choose to recruit or kill a boss. For example, after
defeating boss 3 (increased health), and if recruit is chosen, then 50 health points are added
to the player's health and the boss becomes a summonable ally. If the player chooses to kill
the boss, then 100 points are added to health but they cannot summon the boss. So, recruit
adds a summonable ally and a bonus to stats, while killing the boss gives a bigger bonus to
stats . Abilities B are only gainable if the player chooses to kill the boss, and the abilities
remain until the end of the game. If the boss is recruited, then abilities B are not available to
the player.
Summoning is an ability gained after recruiting a boss. When used, a round wheel will
appear, with spaces for each boss. If not recruited/reached yet, a certain boss will just be a
silhouette. However, if the boss is available to the player then there is an image of that boss.
When a boss is selected, they will appear in the level next to the player. Said boss will then
help the player by attacking enemies for them, only leaving once they have lost all of their
health. Once an ally has been summoned, another one may not be summoned for the
remainder of the level. If the player dies, then the summoning ability is reset.
Another mechanic that can be used is fear. This ability is available from the beginning of the
game. Using it activates a visual effect, which is Dread shouting and some small
shockwaves emitting from him. Once used, a random number generator is activated. This
triggers the chance of three different outcomes. Outcome 1 is the ability makes enemies
flee, making them disappear from the level, as if defeated. Outcome 2 makes the enemies
convert to your side, throwing themselves at enemies. Outcome 3 will make enemies
stronger and faster. There is a one minute cooldown on this ability.

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Levels
Each level is a 2D plane, with a starting point and the end, which ends the level. Along each
level are obstacles that could potentially kill a player and enemies that attack the player, and
can be killed by the player. Every level includes some form of platforming (eg. gaps in
between platforms) which requires the player to jump. Some platforms are on top of other,
bigger platforms and can be walked through if there is a platform underneath. At the end of
each level is a boss, which the player has to defeat. They all have a considerably larger
health pool than normal enemies, and each one possesses a unique ability. After the boss
has lost all its health then it is defeated. A menu appears on the screen which asks the
player to either kill or recruit the defeated boss. After a selection has been made, then the
level has been completed, and the player is able to move onto the next level. This cycle
continues until the player reaches the final level. After this final level is complete, a cutscene
plays which shows the player the ending of the story. After the cutscene, a splash screen
appears that congratulates the player on completing the game. Credits then play after the
splash screen has been dismissed, and after the credits, the player is then taken back to the
main menu. There are 10 levels, with each one ending in a boss fight. The order of levels
are First three levels in forest
Next three in ruined city
Next three in city
The last level in palace

Checkpoints
Throughout the levels there is at least one checkpoint in which the player can respawn to if
dead.

Hostile Non Playable Characters

As well as friendly NPCs, each level includes hostile enemies which can potentially kill the
player. They can be defeated using attacks and abilities. Here is a list of all included
enemies Common enemies
Infantry - The most common enemy, infantry can be killed with two basic attacks. They are
melee based and attack at half the speed of the player. They are human males that wear
common medieval soldier armor and use a sword to attack. The damage they deal is 5. They
are in every level.
Spearman - Stronger versions of Infantry, three basic attacks are needed to defeat this
enemy. As well as melee, Spearmen have one ranged shot by throwing their spear. They
attack the same speed as the player. They are human males that wear the same clothing as

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infantry but hold a spear instead. The damage they deal is 7. Appears in level 2, and is in
every level after.

Knight - Heavily armored versions of infantry, it takes five hits from attacks to defeat a
Knight. They attack half as slow as Dread. They wear full armour with a helmet, so it is not
known what gender or race they are. They use a two handed greatsword. The damage they
deal is
10. Appears in level 3, and is in every level after.
Archer - A ranged only enemy, they fire an arrow per second with a range of half the screen.
It takes one hit to defeat Archers. They wear the same type of clothing as infantry and use
bows as weapons. The damage they deal is 5. Appears in level 2, and is in every level after.
.
Elf - Stealth melee based enemies, they can turn invisible. They attack twice as fast as the
player. It takes 4 hits to kill them. Wears a green tunic and hood. They attack with two
daggers and a bow. The damage they deal is 12. Appears in level 5, and is in every level
after.

Dwarf - Smaller versions of knights, Dwarves use crossbows and axes to deliver both melee
and ranged attacks. It takes 6 hits to take Dwarf down and they attack the same speed as
Dread. Heavily armoured with a helmet, but face is visible. Uses an axe and crossbow to
attack. The damage they deal is 12. Appears in level 5, and is in every level after.

Angel - An enemy with flight capabilities, they use ranged magic to attack. It takes 6 basic
attacks to kill an Angel. Wears a white robe and has wings. Uses magic to attack (blue
fireballs). The damage they deal is 20. Appears in level 8, and is in every level after.
Bosses - In order of level
Captain of the Guard - A boss with the same look as the spearman enemy, but has a flag in
his back and wears a helmet. To attack, he uses a glaive. As well as basic attacks, which
takes 10 points of health away, his unique ability is a sweep with his glaive, taking a quarter
of the players health away. He cannot jump, although he can move. He deals 10 damage
per hit with a basic attack. Defeating this boss gives increased jumping height It takes 10
hits to kill this boss.
The Priestess - A boss that has long, red hair and a white robe. Uses a staff to attack for 15
points of health, and her special ability is summoning a pillar of light to damage Dread for
25 health. Can move and jump. Defeating this boss gives increased health. It takes 20 hits to
kill this boss.

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The Fire Eater - A bald, tattooed man. Carries two torches which he can hit the player with,
dealing 10 damage. Special ability is to inhale the fire on the torches, and spit it out at the
player, dealing 30 damage. Can move and jump. Defeating this boss gives the player the
fire breath ability. It takes 20 hits to kill this boss.
The Rouge - A masked, hooded figure with unknown features/gender/race. Uses a
crossbow and daggers to damage the player with 5 damage points. Their unique ability is
them throwing a smoke bomb, hiding the Rouge from vision. Can move and jump. Defeating
this boss gives increased jumping height. It takes 15 hits to kill this boss.
Elven Queen- A boss with the same look as the Elf, but does not have a hood and wears a
crown made from twigs. She uses a bow to damage the player for 20 damage. Her special
ability is firing 4 arrows that bounce of the surface of the level three times, or until it hits the
player. She can move and jump. Defeating this boss gives increased running speed. It takes
20 hits to kill this boss.
The Phantom - A boss that resembles a wraith (tattered robes, red eyes). Attacks by
scratching the player, dealing 25 damage. Special ability is to possess the player, guiding
them towards danger for 2 seconds. The Phantom moves by floating on the screen.
Defeating this boss gives the player the possession ability. It takes 30 hits to kill this boss.
Dwarven King - Uses the same look as Dwarf, but without a helmet, with a big beard. Uses
a great axe as a weapon to deal 25 damage points to the player. The bosss special ability i
the Dwarven King jumping into the air and slamming his axe down, ending out shockwaves
that deal 30 damage to the player. Can move but not jump. Defeating this boss gives
increased health. It takes 20 hits to kill this boss.
The White Dragon - A white dragon. Fires light from its mouth in the forms of beams,
which deal 20 damage to the player. Its special ability is to use its wings to fire lightning,
which deals 30 damage. Can move and fly. Defeating this boss gives the player wings. It
takes 40 hits to kill this boss.
Human King - A boss resembling the Knight, but without a helmet, but a crown instead.
Attacks with a golden sword that deals 30 damage per hit. His special ability is the power to
summon infantry to help him. Can move and jump. Defeating this boss gives increased
jumping height . It takes 40 hits to kill this boss.
Hope - Has the same look as an Angel, but wears golden armour instead of robes. Uses a
spear that does 40 damage when it hits. Her special ability is to heal herself by 5 hits.
Defeating this boss ends the game, resulting in a win for the player. It takes 50 hits to kill this
boss. If playing multiplayer, this boss is controlled by a player, and not fought as a normal
boss battle.

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Friendly Non Playable Characters

The game includes a number of AI controlled friendly NPCs (Non-playable characters).
They can aid you in boss fights or can be directly controlled. Only one ally is allowed at a
time however, giving the player the option of summoning one friendly NPC per level. These
allies are the bosses from the hostile characters category. All of the summonable allies can
use the abilities that they had as a boss.

Multiplayer Elements
There is an optional multiplayer mode, which sees a second player join the game. When this
mode is active, player one controls Dread, and after each level is complete as normal, player
one must place traps throughout the level (Enemies, obstacles etc.). Player two then takes
the role of Hope, a hero. They must go through the level that player one reshaped. If the
level is completed successfully, then both players must fight each other. If Dread wins, then
the game continues as normal, with this event happening at the end of each level as long as
the multiplayer is active. If Hope wins, then player one gets a game over screen, and must
start the game again from the last saved point. However, during this battle Hope is seriously
disadvantaged in terms of power. However, the more levels that player two completes, the
more powerful Hope gets.

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UI
Main Menu Flowchart

Pressing either the Local or online will start the game with the chosen option. If singleplayer
was pressed then the game starts as normal. When display is clicked the options for screen
resolution and graphics configuration appears. Going into audio displays the screen for
managing audio (Volume, speaker type etc.). Going into the game settings allows you to
change aspects of the game, such as disabling blood and enabling subtitles.

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Example of what the main menu should look like - (Colours/text not final, will be a
background of a evil looking fortress.)

Paused Menu Flowchart

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Camera View
The game is played from a 2D perspective. The camera is centered on the player, and
moves depending on where/what the player does. For example, if the player jumps, the
camera follows the player, moving up. There is no restrictions on where the player may go,
as long as they can reach that area. The game allows the player to move left and right
across levels. The reasoning behind letting the player move backwards through the level is if
they missed something important, and they need to go back to get it.

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Art
Moodboard

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The Game Environment

The environment within the game ranges from brightly coloured forests to dark, ruined cities.
There is always a background in each level. For example, in the forest level, there will be
green platforms that resemble grass, that the player and enemies can travel on. In the
background, there will be a static background of a forest, which the player can have no
interaction with, and is there for purely visual effect. The background changes depending on
the level Forest Levels, ground consists of greens and browns - Trees in background
Ruined City Levels, ground consists of a mix of grass (green) and stone (grey) - Buildings in
background
City Levels, ground consists of stone (with green overgrowth on it) - destroyed buildings in
background
Palace Levels, ground consists of stone (marble) ground - walls/columns and furniture in
background

Character Design
Characters have a medieval/fantasy look, with most wearing metal armour. Most fantasy
races, such as elves and dwarves, have a similar look to those in the high fantasy genre
(Lord of the Rings etc.)

Character Movement
Most sprites move the same speed. Every sprite can go left and right in a level, and most of
them can jump.

Visual Style
Dread will have a pixel art style, and will utilise sprites, similar to that of Shovel Knight or the
original Sonic the Hedgehog.

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Sound
Sound Effects
Dread has sound effects based on what is happening within the game. The following sound
effects are not final but more like guidelines on what it should be like.
Sprite attacks - A sound resembling something moving fast in the wind
Sprite takes damage - A sound similar to a metal object hitting something
Sprite jumps - A short whooshing noise
Sprite moves (on ground) - light footsteps
Sprite moves (in air) - No sound
Fear is used - A short shout
Fire abilities - Sound of fire crackling
Wings - Flapping sound
Possession ability - A popping sound

Music
The type of music in Dread is 8-bit. The music will change based on the location of the level.
Here is a list of the types of music based on level Forest Levels - Upbeat, lively music
Ruined City Levels - slow, eerie music
City Levels - A faster version of ruined city levels music
Palace Levels - Imperial-like music

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Market
Platforms
Dread will be released on PC only, and only be distributed digitally through platforms like
Steam.

Box Art Idea

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