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Cluckshot
A non-traditional 3D platformer in which the player controls a chicken with a shotgun.
PC
Spring 2021
Cluckshot is a game in which the player uses the knockback from their shotgun to jump and fly rather than having traditional jump mechanics.
I worked on Cluckshot for about six months as systems designer and level designer. Early in the development process, we were simply focused on laying out the rules of our movement mechanics and giving them the right feel.
This was the first time I had worked on a 3D platformer. I would bring a build to QA for feedback twice a week. This always led to an increase in positive test results over time.
Week 2 Test Results
Week 6 Test Results
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Once our movement system was solidified, I moved onto level design. Early on, we decided that we wanted our levels to be exploratory in nature, so I focused on making a sandbox level in which the player can use the shotgun mechanic to fly to any point on the map.
The biggest challenge in designing this level was making sure that it meshed with the movement mechanics. The first level I worked on was originally for QA testers to experiment with movement mechanics. Their feedback informed me what kinds of challenges made it fun for the player to use our movement mechanics. Players enjoyed my test level so much that we decided to incorporate the level into the game.
Week 3 Test Results
Week 6 Test Results
Once the level was built, I wanted to make certain each challenge had a satisfying endpoint. I was confident that players would be satisfied at each endpoint where they would rescue other chickens.
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Cluckshot was the project in which I solidified my specialization as a level designer.
Team members:
Daniel Waleik: Lead Designer
Ian Urban: Designer
Mac Soulsby: Sound Designer
John Seymour: Lead Producer
Paul Criscione: Producer
Harris Slesar: Lead Programmer
Daniel Schoenfeld: Programmer
Samuel Ray: 3D Artist
Laeticcia Le: UI Artist
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