Jingjing Sun

Design Idea

The game was inspired by the game Cooking mama, a Japanese cookery simulation-styled video game. In the game, the player uses the touch screen to perform certain kitchen tasks to finish different cuisines. This kind of cooking game design makes me want to make a cooking game. Sushi is a portion of delicious food that is not complicated to make but takes various cooking steps. Thus, I conceived a simple game with different steps of making sushi.

In the touching stage of idea formation, I first tried to understand sushi a little bit more. Through searching online, I found that there are many types of sushi. The common types are Uramaki, Temaki, Maki, Sashimi, and Nigiri. (Image provided by Japanese Academy)

When following the game design, I want to reflect on the different steps of making different types of sushi. However, due to time constraints, I finally decided to only make four types of Nirigi. Because this type of sushi is simple, but it relies on the selection and processing of different seafood. At the same time, I found that the name of sushi is also difficult to remember. In order to help the player learn to cook different nigiri and also related to the seafood type with the sushi name, I made the game allows the player to choose to cook four types of Nigiri. They are Sake (Made with Salmon), Maguro (made with Tuna), Tai (made with Red Snapper), Ebi (made with shrimp). By completing the four types of sushi, the player will be familiar with the steps of how to make sushi and what ingredients will be used.

Design Process

After confirming the game theme and game ideas to be made, I started to design the game modules. In the beginning, I designed the game based on scenes. From the beginning of the game to make different types of sushi and then the different orientation of the ending. The game framework was made in p5 js with annotation (different scenes were commented with the functions they belong to). After that, I began to design and test the game according to the scenes (the order of making the game is: the beginning, the player's choice, and then the design and gameplay according to different sushi types). During the process, in order to not make the player feel boring, I only select one of the sushi-making processes. However, by finishing four sushis, players gain a general concept of how sushi be made.

Relection

There are still some shortcomings in this game. For example, this game can only make sushi one time. Maybe it will be more user-friendly if players can choose to return to the main interface to make sushi again. At the same time, maybe add some music can make the game more fun. Also, if players can have the opportunity to make different kinds of sushi will make the user want to play the game more. Withhold those enhancing ideas, I will redesign the game during winter break.