If you’re wondering what this is, see the explanation at the beginning of Day 1. For the rest of us, on with today’s idea…
Theme: Insects
Explanation:
Bugs! Creepy Crawlies! I say insects, but arachnids or other similar critters would also be perfectly acceptable. There’s a whole range of different and interesting creatures out there with a whole load of unusual or interesting behaviors that could make a great basis for some interesting games.
Potentially Appropriate Genres:
Puzzles, sandbox/simulation, tower-defense (or attack!).
Brief Game Ideas:
A simple strategy game where the player controls a colony of ants. Tasks would include gathering and appropriately using resources, scouting for said resources, fighting off intrusions, colony maintenance, etc. Defence of the queen would be a critical objective. This game could also be easily adapted to a hive of bees.
A game where the player is a snail, and has to carefully navigate the environment whilst staying out of sunlight, avoiding predators, etc. and reaching supplies of food.
Have you played sim-ant? It’s pretty fun, although pretty old now too. In fact it can probably be classified as REALLY old. Anyway your description is a fairly accurate one of sim-ant. Although you only control one ant at a time in that game, through your actions you develop the colony. You can switch to other ants too if you like. The long term objective of the game is to over-run a house :p.
Comment by Ben — September 28, 2009 @ 3:15 am