Game Design Spotlight: Alien Weapons of Destruction
What constitutes a solid lineup of starting weapons?
What makes a particular weapon fun to play?
How do you develop an arsenal of weapons that’s balanced, while ensuring that each appeals to a very specific playstyle?
For this week’s post, we’d like to pull back the curtain on some of Big’s Time’s initial lineup of weapons. The precise and the powerful. The ranged and the ruthless. As game developers, our goal is to nail the “A” in ARPG. Delivering fast-paced action with weapons that provide that “crunchy” feel.
A well-designed weapon is more than just its DPS (damage per second rating). Ideally, each should provide tactical superiority in a certain situation. Closeup, ranged, crowd control, or mano-a-mano. These differences in power, speed, and utility ensure there’s something for everyone. The right tool for the right job. A well designed arsenal also allows groups of players to complement each other on the battlefield. Taken as a whole, a properly geared party should be able to tackle anything our designers can throw at them.
As you traverse the world of Big Time, you’ll be aided by a collection of finely crafted weapons of alien origin. Here’s a look at just some of our starting arsenal:
- THE BATTLE AXE: The relic of some long-forgotten war, this hefty blade, honed by alien technology, has yet to dull after thousands of years of battle. Its razor-sharp edge is ideal for whittling down an individual target. This axe is meant for chopping the tree, not the entire forest.
- DUAL BLADES: One of our fastest weapons, these blades are ideal for players looking to dive deep behind enemy lines. The finely weighted pair allows the bearer to dance their way across the battlefield, delivering a rapid series of hits spread across many enemies.
- TWO-HANDED GREATSWORD: Built from some long forgotten alloy, the sheer size of this weapon hints at its alien origin. Who would have built something so massive yet so light and nimble? The two-handed greatsword can be swung in a large arc, cleaving a path through enemies and parting the sea for spell slingers and ranged attackers alike.
- SWORD AND SHIELD COMBO: The one handed sabre is a well-balanced blade that’s both powerful and fast. Paired with a sturdy shield, it provides the ideal balance between offense and defense. Mix up strategies and open your own windows of opportunity!
- QUANTUM STAFF: The Chronomancer’s trusty standby, this ancient artifact radiates immense temporal energy. It uses alien technology to channel arcane power, allowing the caster to lay waste to their foes at range, then extract themselves when things get really hairy.
- THE WARHAMMER: Built from a super dense metal of extraterrestrial origin, the only clues to the hammer’s maker are the strange sigils inscribed on its face. One person wielding a warhammer can hold their own against numerous foes, with powerful slams that allow you to push around even the most intransigent foe.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this early look at our weapons of destruction. Our goal is to provide players the tools they need to survive even the deadliest timeshares. But this is just the beginning. We’re also developing systems that will allow you to customize your favorite weapons, introducing even more flexibility into our gameplay. Details to come!
As always, check out our social media feeds for the latest updates. See you in the future!
