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Tales of Alex Swift
Tales of Alex Swift
Tales of Alex Swift
The Tales of
Alexander Swift
The Hunts Afoot!
Design History
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.- George Santayana
To illustrate the evolution of The Tales of Alexander Swift [ToAS], the following details the various
versions the game has assumed and its development to the end product.
Version 1.00
The original game design. Revolves around:
Characters: Alexander Swift [vain, rich, foolish part-time
detective] and his accomplice Pip Turngreen [young toad, vastly
intelligent, sidekick to Swift].
Story: Lady Swan attacked in London by mysterious beast. The
duo must solve the case.
Content: A collection of mini-games and puzzles which provide
varying levels of reward depending on performance.
Platform: iPad.
Target Audience: 12 & under.
Version 2.00
1. Platform change: iPad to Nintendo DS.
Due to the high volume of data ToAS will require (namely voiceacting) platform change has been made.
Platform greater associated with ToAS-style games (ie Layton).
Foresee under 12s having higher access to a DS rather than an
iPad.
2. Game to be fully voice-acted as selling point.
3. Character backstory change: Alexander Swift
Swift to be a time-travelling fox. Allows for access to crazier
mini-games and content given the context of Swifts access to
technology.
4. Atlantis game location added.
5. Trophy system applied to mini-games and puzzles.
Version 3.00
1. Character changes: Alexander Swift (1/2)
Swift returned tooriginal character design.
1.1. Pip Turngreen (2/2)
Re-named and re-designed to become Horus Greenbacher. Pip
too similar to Professor Laytons Luke sidekick.
2. Horus Greenbacher backstory and design added.
3. Mini-games introduced to replace the majority of puzzle games.
4. Trophy system replaced with coin system.
5. Hullaballoo-N feature added.
6. Sub-caption The Hunts Afoot added to title.
Version 4.00
1. Minor revisions throughout entire document.
2. A Toads Terrarium feature added.
3. Coin system augmented with purchasable in-game content.
Avatar clothing.
Hullaballoo-N dcor.
4. Theme music inspector established added to appendix folder.
5. P.C.D.I [Point, Click, Discover, Imprint] added to design.
Version 5.00
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Version 6.00
1.
2.
3.
4.
Version 6.10
1. Added to Character Appendix.
2. Added Key Story Beats to Story Appendix.
3. Removed alternate endings feature.
Version 7.00
1. Updated User Interface chapter.
2. Mini-game appendix updated.
3. Final touches made to final version (spelling, grammar etc).
Version 7.10
1. Minor amendments made to document.
2. Content discussed, confirmed and approved by Last Chance Games Team.
3. Final Version status applied.
Learning in context
Despite its interactive book nature, The Tales of Alexander Swift will
not make the player feel as if they are combing through a textbook.
Instead, information and educational content will be supplied through the
games narrative in a seamless fashion, ensuring that the player is
educated without even knowing it!
iii)
iv)
Common Questions
What is the game?
If Wind in The Willows were to meet Professor Layton, their collision would result in
The Tales of Alexander Swift.
Visually inspired by Studio Ghiblis Howls Moving Castle
Features inspired by Land of Me & the Professor Layton series.
Characters inspired by P.G. Wodehouses Jeeves & Wooster and The
Stories of Sherlock Holmes.
Humour inspired by Kenneth Grahames The Wind in The Willows.
The title involves playing through various mini-games and exploring an array of
worldwide locations to uncover a diabolical mystery, all the while learning about the
surrounding environment and the issues they face.
What do I control?
Whats different?
Unlike many games, particularly those of an educational nature, the use of comedy
and laughter as a means to carry, aid and inspire learning is key to ToAS.
Players will be able to, essentially, free roam the globe, partaking in more than just
one type of activity- from the educational to the trivial, involving a number of minigames and puzzles.
Copyright (C) 2012 Last Chance games All rights reserved
19/03/2012
ToASs main characters Swift and Horus will be fully voice-acted from beginning to
end.
Please refer to the Competition Analysis table below for a comprehensive display of ToAS
compared to other similar games.
Feature Set
Copyright (C) 2012 Last Chance games All rights reserved
19/03/2012
General Features
Hand-drawn 2D visuals.
Fully voice-acted.
16-bit colour.
Hand-drawn visuals.
Future downloadable content.
Art Deco themed world.
***
Gameplay features
i)
ii)
iii)
Collectibles
There are a vast number of collectibles hidden throughout the world- and where there
are collectibles, there are always collectors! Return these concealed goodies to their
respective enthusiasts (ranging from bugs and fauna to fascinating flora) for special
rewards and un-lockables.
New mini-games to enjoy.
Collect parts hidden throughout the world for Horus to
piece together: rewarding new gadgets to access new areas!
Collectible types:
Beetles
Flowers
Butterflies
Poisonous frogs
v)
Globe-trotting
Rather than restrict players to a linear on rails experience, The Tales of Alexander
Swift will immerse the player in Swift and Greenbachers world by allowing them to
return to previous locations, both within country locations and between country
destinations.
New events, conversations and collectibles will become
available at previous locations as the player progresses
through the game.
Return to previous locations with new gadgets/gizmos to
access new and exciting areas.
vi)
Mini-game galore!
The Tales of Alexander Swift is, for all intents and purposes, a vast collection of
iPod-esque mini-games, providing the player with numerous forms of
entertainment, which fit into a three different categories- which themselves will often
be combined.
a. Puzzle
b. Side-scrolling/platformer
c. Strategy
Visuals
Game Engine: Glassbox (as used for the Professor Layton series)
Copyright (C) 2012 Last Chance games All rights reserved
19/03/2012
10
Overview
Game visuals will be similar to the aforementioned Professor Layton:
A series of still images.
Interspersed with animation.
Hand-drawn.
***
The Serengeti
Busy streets
Cars tooting
Feet walking
Birds chirping
Various animal sounds
Flamingos
Hyenas
Wildebeest
Elephants
Tribal chanting
Amazon Jungle
Insects
Rainfall
Animal calls
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Foliage disturbance
Bird calls
Strong winds
Xylophone-orientated theme music.
Water bubbles
Electronics
Bleeping
Doors swooshing open.
Whale calls
The Antarctic
Atlantis
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of Art Deco dcor, kept true to the times identity in terms of architecture, transport, and
dress sense, however it also faces our modern day environmental issues.
Given the primary characters toad and frog forms, it goes without saying that the game
world is inhabited by fellow animal humans- also inspired by Wind in the Willows- whose
personalities are often represented by their animal type- may they be a sneaky weasel, or a
chicken chicken!
This said, these characters do not see themselves as animals, i.e., Alexander sees a wild fox
as a wild fox- not a fellow gentleman to have afternoon tea with!
Main Characters
Alexander Swift, Esq.
Renowned detective, Cracker of the Curious Cattle case and all-round
spiffing chap, dashing fox Alexander Swift has far more money than senseand even less intellect! While his intentions are good his own reflection often
gets in the way
1. Vain
2. Heroic
3. Posh
4. Over-dramatic
5. Not the sharpest tool in the box
6. Gentile
7. Very rich- and very aware of it.
Primary inspiration: Basil the Great Mouse Detective
Horus Greenbacher
The brains behind the bravado, Horus enjoys a peaceful, quiet life where he
can study, invent and drink tea in peace. While an unlikely friend of
Alexanders, ever since having shared accommodation during their education
at Eton, the intelligent toad feels somewhat bound to his ever-loyal
companion. And new chemistry sets dont come cheap!
8. Dry
9. Sarcastic
10. Prone to frustrated outbursts
11. Playfully patronising
12. Refined
13. Highly intelligent
Please refer to Character Appendix for complete cast list & relevant bios
***
Story
Copyright (C) 2012 Last Chance games All rights reserved
19/03/2012
13
Bond Street, London, 1913: Lady Swan has been attacked in her own home no less by a
mysterious black beast.
Scotland Yard is baffled. The Metropolitan Police have no leads. There is only one fox they
can look to for help
Join the quite literally clueless detective Alexander Swift and his brainy companion Horus
Greenbacher as they take on the challenges various environments have to offer- and observe
the hilarity that ensues!
Please refer to Story Appendix for game script.
***
ii)
The Serengeti (Africa): Open plains and native tribesmen await our detectives in
Africa.
Educational content
Animal food chains.
Animal poaching.
Animal habits & habitats.
Weather conditions.
Environmental factors.
iii)
The Amazon Rainforest: Dense jungles and dangerous predators stalk this
expansive terrain: home to some of the most amazing facts- and most endangered
animals.
Educational content
Ibid.
iv)
14
Ibid.
Global warming.
v)
Gameplay
Game Modes
i)
Main Game
a) New Game
Copyright (C) 2012 Last Chance games All rights reserved
19/03/2012
15
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
Slots 1, 2 & 3.
b) Load Game
Load Game
Delete saved game.
Options
Music volume
Dialogue volume
Subtitles
Mini-game library
A Toads Terrarium: a special treasure of Horus genius, the terrarium is a minienvironment contained within a glass bubble, which the player may use to
establish and successfully maintain various wildlife. Purchasable/changeable
elements include:
Weather
Zones (up to 4 quadrants)
Animals
Animal toys
Foliage
Fond Memories: mini-cutscenes between the two main characters regarding both
previous cases and humorous conversations (12 in total).
a) Swift teaches Horus a thing or two.
b) Horus explains the process of rain.
c) Gone fishing.
Please refer to Fond Memories Appendix for further examples and descriptions.
***
Maps
i)
Street Map: At any stage beyond World Map view, players may enter Street
Map, which displays a Birds Eye View of their current area, complete with
area/street names. Technically, each areas layout adheres to the example beloweach square representing a different area of the region. The areas of some
regions may also be further divided, depending on the area in question.
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ii)
World Map: Whether aboard the Hullaballoo-N or on foot, players may enter
World Map mode for an overview of the countries they may travel to. Note that
this map may only be accessed after unlocking the Hullaballoo-N. After tapping
the given country, players will travel to that destination following confirmation of
their choice.
Cartoonish style.
Easy country is differently coloured and contains mini-illustrations of
their core components.
Countries which currently contain objects of interest will contain a
glowing gold dot.
Navigation
i)
ii)
Local
Arrows at the top, bottom and sides of the screen will allow for transition between
the regions areas (and locations among those areas).
International
The Hullabaloo-N: Greenbachers greatest creation, the Hullabaloo-N
is the first successful (if not slightly bizarre looking) blimp- with a few
extra special gadgets and gizmos thrown in for good measure!
Upon realising the Black Beasts attacks have spread, the dynamic duo
will take to the air aboard the Hullabaloo-N to navigate from country to
Copyright (C) 2012 Last Chance games All rights reserved
19/03/2012
17
country, all the while upgrading, customising and exploring its curious
workings.
The Bridge Room will provide players with
access to the World Map, via which players
which travel between regions.
NOTE: Players may access the Green Room
within the Hullaballoo-N.
Observe the bugs and so forth they have
discovered and inspect them in closer
detail.
Find out how many more collectibles
regions/areas contain.
***
Key Objects
i)
Swifts camera
Use this cleverly constructed, one-of-a-kind portable camera (a special gift from
Horus) to take fun pictures on in-game events and sequences from P.C.D.I..
Timer: set it to click in 5 second, tap and pull Horus bottom lip when
the opportunity has presented itself, and capture his response forever!
ii)
Notepad 2.0
Another marvel of Horus mind, Notepad 2.0 remarkably takes down notes for
the two detectives as they discuss the case.
Provides a reminder to players of the on-going story.
Provides reminders of collector locations.
Provides another source of humour: the book may often leave rather
insulting scribbles for its reader!
Too lazy to write this down yourself, were you?
If you can read this, you arent as stupid as you look.
iii)
Trunk
Store any and all pieces discovered which contribute to building one-time-use
objects capable of unlocking new areas (and games).
Upon discovering the final piece of an object, item will automatically
be created and game will notify the player of this event.
Please refer to Objects Appendix for a list of constructible items.
iv)
Transmitter
Use to summon the Hullaballoo-N from the skies above and re-board.
v)
Flashlight
Copyright (C) 2012 Last Chance games All rights reserved
19/03/2012
18
Whether stuck in dark locations or looking for hidden collectibles during night
time, Horus crude but effective flashlight in indispensable.
vi)
Map
See above
vii)
Diary
Used to save progress and load previous/alternate saves.
***
Hours of Gameplay: Approximately 6/7 hours excluding exploration etc.
Victory Conditions
Reach the end of the main storyline.
Players may play through main story again, retaining all collected items and unlocked
areas.
Saving and Loading
Saving : The game may be saved at any time via the pause menus Diary option.
Loading : The game may be loaded from the main menu via the main menus Load
option.
User Interface
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20
Stor
Story Appendix
21
outside Father Foxs Gloucester estate, Alexander read a mystery novel hed come across in
the library room- labelling every character introduced, from bell boy to waiter as the
murderer. By the books conclusion, the young Swift sat bolt upright and said five lifechanging words.
I said it was him!
As for Horus, well
Horus
From a young age also, Horus knew his talents lay in the art of discovery! At the age of five,
hed invented his first, fully functional robot. At the age of seven, hed invented his second
fully functional robot to destroy the first one who had gone on a rampage, having eaten
several carpets and the town statue. Later in life, Horus visited Brush & Brooks gentlemans
club, in London, where upon he happened across the renowned detective Alexander Swiftattempting to figure out how to make a pot of tea. Upon his carrying out this unremarkably
challenging procedure for him, Swift declared Horus the brightest of bulbs, newfound
friend and partner in his crime-solving escapades.
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xxiv)
xxv)
xxvi)
xxvii)
Swift and Horus board the vehicle and are transported to Atlantis.
The pair explore Atlantis and all its magnificent content.
The pair reach the centre of the city.
The pair find out the Black Beast is a machination of Atlantis, controlled by none
other than: Lady Swans sister (Ugly Duckling).
xxviii) The pair defeat and arrest the sister, before hijacking another water transport and
heading back to London- leaving Atlantis as it crumbles behind them.
xxix) End of main game.
Character Appendix
This appendix provides a list of the primary characters (currently excluding
NPCs related to mini-game access).
London
i)
Name: Mayor
Animal: Pigeon
Job/role: Mayor of London
ii)
iii)
Name: Barney
Animal: Owl
Job/role: London Zoo Keeper
iv)
v)
Serengeti
Copyright (C) 2012 Last Chance games All rights reserved
19/03/2012
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i)
Name: Malabo
Animal: Meerkat
Job/role: Tribesman (Tribe A)
ii)
Name: Hasa
Animal: Hyena
Job/role: Tribesman (Tribe B)
iii)
Name: Logo
Animal: Lion
Job/role: TBA
iv)
Name: Elong
Animal: Elephant
Job/role: TBA
v)
Amazon
i)
Name: Pakpao
Animal: Panther
Job/role: Amazon warrior
ii)
Name: Otthild
Animal: Orang-utan
Job/role: Keeper of the Secret Temple
Antarctica
i)
Atlantis
i)
ii)
Name: TBA
Animal: TBA
Job/role: Submarine Driver
iii)
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Objects Appendix
This appendix provides a current list of objects the player may construct to
access locked areas.
London
Key (2 parts)
Cog (3 parts)
Lever (2 parts)
Power Cell (5 parts)
Africa
Telescope (3)
Car battery (5)
Snake pole (2)
Secret map (6)
Amazon
Machete (2)
Antarctica:
Snow drill (6)
Fishing rod (3)
Snow boots (3)
Ice picks (2)
Copyright (C) 2012 Last Chance games All rights reserved
19/03/2012
25
Atlantis
Pass card (2)
Scuba gear (see below)
o Breathing apparatus (3)
o Wetsuit (3)
o Flippers (2)
Goal
Author
Alfred Crawlers
Pond.
Pep Smintons
Banana Bouncer!
Iroquois Shiftskins
Diabolical
Dilemma
STAMPEEEEDE!!
Use the touch screen to fish out pieces of litter such as old boots and tin cans. The
player must avoid touching the pond's fish to prevent them from coming to harm.
The goal is to return the pond to its former beauty and make it a more pleasant
place for fish and other creatures to live in.
An artistic gorilla who requests Swift and Horus to prevent the subject of his
latest painting a heap of bananas - from being moved and disturbed. To achieve
this they must shoo off hungry chimps by shooting them with water guns (as
chimps have an inexplicable fear of water) [perhaps too savage?!]. Essentially a
defend the target type game.
A mysterious, untrustworthy chameleon who resides in the Amazon. Horus and
Swift fall victim to several of his traps in the game, and must escape using their
cunning and knowledge of wildlife. One such trap may see the duo being caught
in a net above a lake of hungry crocodiles. To escape, the player must cut parts of
the net objectively in a way which will not see them escape unscathed.
Set in the Serengeti. Avoid being trampled by a stampede of elephants on their
way to the watering hole. Move left and right with the directional buttons. The
mini-game is timed and ranked according to how long the player succeeds in
avoiding the oncoming elephants. Depending on their time, the player receives
either a bronze, silver or gold trophy.
Top down view of the player controlling a lion running through the plains,
avoiding hunters to catch a gazelle. Gets increasingly difficult with distance.
A puzzle, matching game, where the player matches the animal to what they eatwould be learned from what Horus says about the animals.
A puzzle game where the player places a series of images in order of their
position in the food chain- again learned from what Horus talks about.
Matching the animals to where they live on the planet.
Andrew Lindsay
[AL]
AL
AL
AL
Jamie Purcell
[JP]
JP
JP
JP
26
Protect that
Duckling, man!
Monkey Up a
Monkey Puzzle
Dangling food over water to feed a shark: the player has to tap the screen to pull
Swift's hand back when it jumps! Try to get him to jump as high as possible!
Horus is making Swift a cup of tea and has to get it right! e.g. the right strength,
the right amount of milk and sugar... (just for comedic value).
The duo have to stop a flood: there is a pile of sand bags and the player has to
drag them into a pile to form a wall. When this is done the flood comes and as the
bags split the player has to replace them quickly!
Rare frogs have been swept up in a hurricane: Swift has to catch them as they fall
so they don't get hurt. But be careful to catch the poisonous ones in a net, only!
They find an injured animal and have to feed it the right food (this can be
repeated throughout with different animals and situations e.g. Lion, Bat or koala).
Thomas Clark
[TC]
TC
An endangered animal has escaped its protective enclosure: the duo have to chase
it - this can also be repeated with different animals and locations.
Tile game - the duo find a clue but its all ripped up: they have to piece the note
back together in the correct order.
"Cut the rope" style physics game: a sloth is stuck in a tall tree and Swift has to
poke its limbs with a long stick in order to make it fall down branch by branch
Footprint game: matching a footprint they find with the correct animal
TC
An oil leak means seals are injured: the duo must clean them but avoid their cuts
and bruises - this is hard as they wriggle and move around a lot!
Horus gives hints as to what type of food is appropriate for whichever animal
presents itself to eat. There is a choice of 10 different foods displayed on the
touch screen, which the player can select, when they feel they have enough
information to go on.
Swift and Horus encounter a duck who asks them to defend their ducklings from
attacking predators. The player must splash the pond by tapping the screen to
make waves to move away predators and other dangers.
Players must also avoid ducklings getting too close to features such as miniwaterfalls and branches.
The player must be a lost moles eyes, as they direct it through tunnels, avoiding
obstacles like rocks, and collecting gems and bugs. The game is scored
depending on the players speed, getting the mole from A to B, and with as many
gems and bugs as possible. The player must speak into the DSs microphone,
issuing voice commands whenever appropriate.
The player may place a wager in a race- whichever turtle comes last wins! The
player can bet coins found and earned previously in the game, raising the stakes
as they feel inclined; the higher their wager, the higher the win!
The player takes control of a frog that appears on the top screen of the DS, and
must use their quick reflexes to tap flies that appear on the touch screen as fast as
they can, before they disappear. Tapping the flies successfully results in the
frogs tongue quickly shooting out and grabbing the fly, resulting in points being
gained. The player must grab as many flies as they can, in as short an amount of
time as possible. There are some faster, trickier flies to catch (such as gold ones),
which earn more points, as well as bees, which if caught, result in the frogs
tongue being stung, and the loss of points!
The player takes command of a small chimp in a 2D view. The chimps aim is to
get to the top of the tree in as quick a time as possible, by jumping on the
platforms- tree branches- and avoiding enemies and hazards, like spiky branches.
If the player falls off screen, it is game over! Bananas can be collected along the
way for extra points. The quicker the player gets to the top of the tree, the better
they are rewarded for their performance.
TC
TC
TC
TC
TC
TC
TC
AL
AL
AL
AL
AL
AL
27