What I did on Pi'Ropes

Pitched the concept with 1st thoughts about the alternate controller using ropes
Collaborated on designing and communicating about the core mechanic and main challenges
Balancing
Helped to the alternate controller’s conception ( a lot of DIY )
Collaborated on designing procedurally generated obstacle patterns to create interesting and challenging situations with a coherent difficulty curve ( Used Excel tabs to create/synthesize level design )

Pi’Ropes was a game made during a one week workshop called INCLUS & CONNECTÉS.
It consisted in developing a game, alternate controller or device for people having cognitive problems, reduced mobility and/or ways of interactions.

This workshop was an unique opportunity for me to design a fun game with a very strong need for accessibility and inclusion. An exercice that made me see the game designing process from another angle considering the challenges it’s coupled with !

What is Pi'Ropes ?

Pi’Ropes is a 3D endless boat navigation experience playable in solo but designed for 2 player coop play.

In Pi’Ropes you need to make your boat avoid endless ‘waves’ of procedurally generated obstacles, like rocks and lighthouses !

To steer the boat, each player will be given a rope that would be connected to a side of the sail. (Left & Right sides)

They will need to cooperate to not hit something on their way !

Here’s a video showing how Pi’Ropes works !

Intentions / Others

Creating a simple-One-action mechanic

When I did pitch the idea of Pi’Ropes, I was really looking to make a game based on a simple interaction with an unique alternate controller, that would be fun and pleasing to do.

A simple action that needs to be combined with some communication and challenges, slightly, both physical, mental and social skills of the 2 players.

Accessibility and fun... with 2 players !

As another challenge we also wanted to make a multiplayer cooperation game accessible to disabled peoples, where they would be able to control a boat with a friend, very easily !

This was possible by taking the 2 heights inputs that our infrared captors did capture to make an average value.

Exemple : If the 1st player pulls the left rope of the sail and the other does not pull his, the boat goes left !