Final Concept: Media Molecule: The Oodles
Written with Jacob Thursfield, logo design by Jacob Thursfield
Concept
The Oodles is a puzzle construction game, in which players direct a group, or oodle, of Oodles to ensure the future of the Oodleverse.
Use the Oodle Goo to build structures, to help The Oodles overcome hazards
Issue simple commands to your oodle of Oodles, tell them to stop or go
Ensure as many of your Oodles as possible reach safety
Playlink Compatibility
PlayLink felt a good fit for Media Molecule and The Oodles, considering Media Molecule’s focus on community based games and the potential The Oodles has to work as a community centred game. PlayLink’s community focused ethos offers power to the players to decide their game.
PlayLink Features:
Everyone has a controller, everyone can play
Simple controls, tap to go, tap to stop, swipe to build
Fast paced party play
Controls
Two elements of play, control and build. Each has one control to keep it simple and accessible to all users and on mobile.
Tap - Players would tap on a button on screen to make their crowd of Oodles start moving and stop moving. Simple controls allow for accessible play to all age ranges.
Swipe - Players swipe lines on the screen to draw structures using the Oodle Goo. Repeatedly drawing over the lines will make them thicker and sturdier and less elastic.
Game Modes
Classic Mode - The default gameplay mode. Single player, build structures using Oodle Goo by swiping on the screen, command Oodles using tap controls and guide as many Oodles as possible to safety.
Competitive Mode - Multiplayer mode in which players compete to solve the same problem with the most creative solution. Players are then randomly assigned another player’s level to see if they can complete it.
1 VS 3 Mode - Round based mode, ‘builder’ is selected and creates a solution to a problem. The remaining 3 race to complete the level. Builder is rewarded points based on using as little resources as possible. Players earn points based on skill, time and position finishing.
Puzzle Mode - Players are given a limited amount of resources - just enough to complete the solution in a timed race.
Endless Mode - Players challenge themselves to see how many solutions they can complete using as little resources as possible until they run out.
Rush Mode - Similar to Endless Mode except instead of balancing resources, the Oodles are constantly moving and the player must quickly build solutions and lose as little amount of Oodles as possible. Ends when no Oodles are left.
Adventure Mode - Similar to Rush Mode, players start with 30 Oodles, and aim to complete the solutions whilst losing as little Oodles as possible. End when all Oodles are lost.
Solo App Mode - None PlayLink version. App based version for on-the-go play. Explored further in The Mobile App.
The Mobile App
Test Mode - Test different structure types and combinations and play around with unlimited oodles to your hearts content.
Mobile Mode - Classic Mode on the PlayLink but with smaller levels to encourage on-the-go play for times like commuting or during lunch breaks.
Budget
Budget - £3.5 Million
Timescale - 18 Months (6 months contingent)
Target Initial Sales: 750,000
Looked at employee count 50+, took as 50. Looked at average wage for a Game Designer in the UK as bulk of workforce (26 employees estimate) which was £19,000 to £25,000 and £35,000 to £50,000 for senior level. Took £25,000 as middle ground and times by 50. Came to £1.25 million. Based on 24 month total timescale comes out at £2.5 million. An extra £1 million for Marketing, Unforeseen Costs etc. Based on the game selling at estimate £15, and selling 1,000,000 in initial period this would bring a Net Amount at £15 million. With 20-30% going to publishers it would leave a nice Gross Profit of around 5 to 6 million to be reinvested in another PlayLink title for Media Molecule.
