Concept

As a 3D runner game, Lovel reflects the confusion and anxiety of love with a unique level design. The main character, Bulb Globe, is in a tower, running up and up to escape the rising sea. He also has a loved one, someone who wants to go with him. So his choices are not easy and full of hesitation. During the journey to the finish line, he needs to choose one of the following: to proceed with their significant other, give up their partner, or find another way around when encountering a door that only allows one person to pass.

I designed this game because there are plenty of people who are afraid of accompanying others and commitment nowadays, keeping them away from the happiness led by love. I hope those metaphors I created in the game will help the players realize their anxiety and make the rights choices during their real lives.

Core Gameplay

1. Main Goal

• The goal is to control the Bulb Globe to escape from the rising sea level.

• The player wins when Bulb Globe reaches the top platform and loses if the sea submerges bulb Globe.

2. Run with the beloved

• Besides the main character, Bulb Globe, there will be another character, Bulb Candle, the Bulb Globe‘s lover.

• Bulb Globe can hold hands with Bulb Candle to run together while also letting the hand go anytime.

• Bulb Candle won’t affect the victory or loss. But will you abandon your beloved in the sea?

3. Different paths to succeed

• The player will have different paths to reach the top platform depending on whether to go with Bulb Candle.

• For example, there is a hole that only one bulb can enter, which represents a chance to become successful, but the one has to leave his beloved.

• If Bulb Globe doesn’t leave Bulb Candle, they can only take the longer path and face more stresses such as falling balls.

• There are also silk ribbons that stand for the risk of choices, which are relatively easy for a single bulb to stand on. However, they are much more challenging for two bulbs.

• Players may try multiple times to find the right way to run with Bulb Candle, representing the challenges of maintaining a relationship. They have to give up easy paths to success and take more responsibilities.

Game Mechanics

1. Control

• Bulb Globe moves with WASD keys and jumps with the Space key.

• It can hold hands with Bulb Candle by pressing E when it is near the Bulb Candle.

• It can let go at any time by pressing E again.

• The player can move the camera in the game. Holding the right key of the mouse to rotate and scrolling to zoom.

• Bulb Globe’s direction will keep the same as the camera rotation.

• The player has to rotate or zoom the camera to find an appropriate viewport to control bulbs, which provides more challenges.

2. Other Mechanics

• Moving platforms: Move between two positions and help bulbs to reach a higher platform.

• Unstable platforms: Drop once bulb is standing on them.

• Falling balls: The shooters will begin to shoot balls when bulbs reach a certain place. Bulbs’ speed will be slow down when collide with balls.

• Oil: Slows down speed when bulbs walk on it.