Pitch - Cloud Run

Abstract

Cloud Run is a 3D platformer with a strong focus on two-player cooperation. Essentially, each player has their own role in completing a level. While one player maneuvers through the level, the other player is responsible for building platforms to make the level possible.

This game is targeted towards casual gamers who enjoy playing with others rather than playing against. The target ESRB rating would most likely be E or possibly E10+. Also, Cloud Run is intended to be played on a PC.

Although Cloud Run is mostly a unique idea, it does share a feature with Super Mario Galaxy 2. In SMG2, there is an item called the Cloud Suit, which allows the player to create clouds under their feet. The major difference between Cloud Run and Super Mario Galaxy 2 is that Cloud Run requires a second player to create the clouds.

Background

Leonard Gammel, in life, was an architect. One night on his way home, he got into a serious car accident and lost conscious. When he eventually woke up, Leonard found himself lying on a cloud in the sky. Judging from the surreal scenery, he came to the realization that he was dead, and that he was in some sort of afterlife.

Off in the distance, just above the horizon, Leonard can see an extraordinarily bright light. Based on many of the stories he heard about the afterlife, he decided that he must make it to the light. The problem, however, is that the path before him is impossible to travel on. There are enormous gaps, treacherous heights, flying demons, and various other obstacles. Luckily, Leonard has some help.

While Leonard had been sleeping, Gabriel had been waiting. Gabriel is Leonard’s guardian who was given the task to assist him to the bright side of the afterlife. To Leonard, Gabriel is just a blur that is floating nearby. Although Gabriel has no true physical form in this world, he is still able to help Leonard with his ability to form various types of clouds that can make Leonard’s journey feasible.

Rules

Each of the two players takes on the role of either Leonard or Gabriel. The goal for each level is to safely get Leonard to the bright light at the end, within a time limit. When Leonard reaches the bright light, he warps to the next level.

Along the way, there are flying demons that will chase Leonard when he passes them. If Leonard gets hit by a demon, he falls off the clouds, or the time limit runs out, then he restarts the level.

In order for a level to be possible, Gabriel must place new clouds for Leonard to travel upon. There are however, predetermined locations where he is allowed to do so, and new clouds only last for a short time after being released.

Because the demons can outrun Leonard, Gabriel must also place traps that will defeat them before catching up.

Throughout a level, there are power-ups that Leonard can collect. The majority of these help Gabriel for his tasks, such as increasing the lifetime of his clouds.

Features

• Strong focus for two-player coop

• Awards for completing levels within certain time limits

• Various types of clouds that are needed for certain challenges

• Power-ups that make levels easier

• Subtle storyline about a man reminiscing on his life and accepting his death

Concept Art

A few gameplay elements are illustrated and described below.

Spring Cloud

The above image displays an example of what an in-game screenshot may look like. The green stick figure is Leonard, the gray regions are clouds, the purple region marks where new clouds can be formed, and the crosshair is where Gabriel is aiming.

In order for Leonard to make it from the left cloud to the right cloud, Gabriel will need to help. Gabriel would move his crosshair to the purple region and place a new cloud; however, a Normal Cloud would not allow Leonard to make the jump. A Spring Cloud is a special cloud that will allow Leonard to bounce, which is exactly what he needs to do in this situation.

Booster Cloud

In the situation in the above image, Leonard must again make it to the cloud on the right. The problem is that, at normal speed, the jump is too far. If Gabriel places a Booster Cloud in the purple region, then Gabriel could run faster and jump farther.

Energy Beam

Throughout each level, there are cases when Leonard is being chased by enemies, such as the flying demon shown above. Because the flying demon is too fast to outrun, Gabriel must defeat it quickly. There are various defense measures for this situation, one of which is the Energy Beam. After Gabriel creates one of these, any enemy that crosses its path will be incinerated.