01. Brainstorming

2024.08.18, 4:18pm

All my devlogs will include movie spoilers.

So, I got the idea of starting a game jam, and since jams are supposed to be fun, doing a jam around Nicolas cage filmography came to mind. So far there is only a DLC with Nic Dead By Daylight.

Too bad, the jams are not visible on itch and my attempts to spread the word failed so far. Nonetheless, I’m going to make a game based on Face/Off movie, one of my all-time favorites. There are some rumors about upcoming remake with Nic coming back, I wonder if any of it is true. Gender-bent version would be interesting.

I do not have a clear idea of the visuals and the genre, I’m going to try to stick with the original as close as possible and make as much as possible into playable parts.

Currently I’m going through the plot summaries to figure out how it could be translated from movie script to a game script.

Because I worked on interactive fiction projects, it is easy to see where there could be branching or “bad ending” or “you die” scenes. But it does pose a question how much plot can change overall, if there were choices possible. Like, some characters not dying in some scenes or the opposite.

After I’m done going over plot, I’ll make a Twine prototype, similar to games on my page.

I like VR, so I tend to think “how can it be done in the 1pov?” But i also have mostly experience playing various 3pov genres, and classic platformers also come to mind. There’s a lot of ways to make a game inspired on movies, it is a fun brainstorming exercise for me, even in it won’t pan out or something. I’m also thinking of buying Quest 3 soon, so maybe my plans on everything will change.

Also, i have a massive original project that has been developing by itself over a decade+. I struggle to figure out how to translate it into any medium (comics, novel, game, movie) without losing the mystery aspects etc. the plot isn’t complete partially because i cannot figure out the medium, therefore a test project of making a movie into a game would be helpful here. I grew up watching movies, reading books and comics, and the closest creative medium to me is “movie-style” visuals in my head. Webtoon is something that incorporates everything, but since i tested what unreal engine is capable of in hands of a solo dev, i can’t help but think of a game project.

I think fan game project is a good exercise to help me out here, so i do not exactly know how far I’ll honestly stick with the fan project (since my jam is invisible, there’s no competitive spirit to get focus from).

Also, while watching recaps i read on modern face transplant successes (Including Minority Report style eye transplant), as well as stress and identity issues around wearing a face of a person you hate… There’s a lot to think about for fun/inspiration and learn from.

P.S. I know Face/Off is regarded as a trashy movie with ridiculous plot etc. Idc, i still find it a perfect cult classic.