ALWAYS ACADEMY
INTENDED AUDIENCE
Always Academy is targeted towards design students or people that are in the creative industry.
THE PROBLEM
People in the creative industry face many daily struggles that can impact their mental health and diminish the joy of designing and creating.
Challenges like software crashes, creative blocks, and lost files can be frustrating and demotivating, making it harder to stay inspired and productive.
THE BRIEF
The goal is to create a game that transforms these everyday frustrations into a fun and engaging way for creatives to overcome obstacles. It should turn common creative challenges into playful, interactive experiences that help players feel empowered rather than defeated.
THE SOLUTION
The adventure-driven platform game casts the player as Deon, the beloved security officer making his final rounds after lock-up. Players navigate a world filled with missing gigaBYTES of files, software crashes, creative blocks, and overwhelming challenges.
By overcoming these obstacles, the game turns the frustrations of creative work into a playful adventure, giving players a sense of accomplishment while addressing familiar struggles in a lighthearted way.
Planning Site Map
HERO CHARACTER
Meet Deon, the beloved security officer who becomes our unlikely hero and the friendliest man you’ll ever meet. He is Mr Always Good! He is the head of security at the Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography and is iconic enough to deserve his own video game. His journey through the digital landscape transforms him from a simple guard into a champion against creative chaos.
Idling
Walking
Running
Jumping
Attacking
Falling
Sprite Sheet
ENEMY
The digital realm is filled with personified versions of every creative's worst nightmare. These are the gigaBYTES. (If you’re wondering where you files have gone, they have probably eaten them.) Kill them by throwing a Walkie Talkie at them.
Sprite Sheet
OBSTACLES
Navigate through a world where everyday creative frustrations become interactive challenges. Each obstacle represents a real-world problem that designers face, transformed into engaging gameplay mechanics.
Stairs of Unease
Creative Blocks
Software Crashes
ENVIRONMENT
Explore diverse digital landscapes that mirror the creative workspace. From the familiar halls of Always Academy to abstract digital dimensions, each environment tells part of the creative journey.
Finished Game Map and Environment
Environment Tile Sheet
Environment Sprites
HUD AND USER INTERFACE
Home Menu
HUD
Pause Menu
BRANDING
Always Academy's visual identity combines academic tradition with digital innovation. The brand reflects the institution's commitment to nurturing creative minds while embracing technological advancement.
Logo
Color Palette
Typography
Walkthrough Video
Watch an in-depth walkthrough of the prototype of Always Academy, detailing all the onbstacles and environments.
