Unit 2 - Design & Research Skills in Creative Media - Summary

Research - Viking Era

------------------------------------ Vikings used a wide variety of weapons and equipment in battle. The most common weapon was a spear, with a sword used as a backup weapon. Other weapons such as axes and hammers were mostly ceremonial and rarely used in combat, as with horned helmets. Poorer Vikings wore only leather armour while the wealthy wore chainmail armour, which was heavy but allowed for free movement when compared to platemail. Vikings always carried a circular shield. This wooden shield was small but lightweight, meaning it usually provided little protection but could be used more aggressively. Vikings travelled from coast to coast in boats, which were operated with sails and rowing when needed. They landed on many different areas of the world, mostly in Europe, but also in parts of Greenland and North America. This could allow for multiple settings with differing climates (snow etc.). Rich Vikings had their burials in one of their ships, where their body, belongings and weapons were placed in the ship and the ship was lit on fire. Vikings believed that they were sent to Valhalla if they died in battle, where they would feast and fight eternally under watch of Odin and his Valkyries. There were several different types of Viking soldiers, each with their own skills and fighting styles: Berserker soldiers went into battle with little armour, because they believed Odin gave them superhuman powers. They often wore wolf pelts. The often became self-fulfilling prophecy as opponents were often too scared by this fighting style to defend themselves. Huscarls wore much more armour and came equipped with better weaponry, such as spears. These soldiers acted as vanguards for their allies, protecting their own and (hopefully) living to tell the tale. Jarls led and sent troops in battle, and led the Vikings by example rather than title. This meant they often fought alongside their own soldiers, and would challenge enemy leaders themselves. Archers took enemies by surprise by shooting from unexpected angles. They often used other soldiers as cover and distraction to get a better shot at the enemy, as well as taking the high ground. Vikings also used catapults to initiate attacks versus larger structures such as forts, by breaking holes in the walls. A good source for Viking equipment info: https://www.dkfindout.com/uk/history/vikings/viking-warriors/ Game World Summary

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The player takes part in Viking raids across different lands, such as England, mainland Europe, Greenland and parts of North America. This, while being historically accurate, allows for a wide variety of climates for the game to take place in. The below map designs both take place in Europe, where grassy plains and forests are abundant.

Single Player Concepts

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Below is an early design concept for the main protagonist. The game has a "hypermasculine" aesthetic, especially when considering the warrior characters. The below image also highlights some possible motives, flaws and background ideas.

Map Design with Narrative Draft

NARRATIVE DRAFT

You play as an average Viking plunderer, arriving with your crew on the English shore and making your way up a hill to a cathedral

Player must clear the path up the hill to make way for a battering ram, which the VIkings use to break down a fence around the cathedral

Player must then defeat all enemies in the graveyard to allow allies to place a ladder leading to the roof (the front entrance is heavily guarded and cannot be breached)

Once on the roof, defeat all enemies and then allies will blow a hole in the roof, letting the player drop inside

Most of the floor inside is destroyed and in flames, which makes the player endure a platforming segment to reach the front altar

Once at the front altar, player enters a boss fight

Once the boss if defeated, player collects loot from a dropped treasure chest and this ends the level

Multiplayer Concepts

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Above is a level design for my Viking-themed game. The level's aesthetic is planned to be a village that's been plundered by the vikings. The buildings on the outskirts are blacksmiths and taverns, while the central building is a small chapel.

Multiplayer Game Notes: The small player numbers (4 vs 4) is reminiscent of smaller skirmishes involving Vikings The Capture the Hammer game mode is inspired by Norse mythology, specifically Mjolnir (Thor's Hammer) Each of the character classes are inspired by the different types of Viking warriors. The player limits could be increased (to 8 vs 8, for example) to allow for more than one of each class.