06.06.2011
Analysis by: Emily Greenquist
Your Doodles Are Bugged!
“Your Doodles are Bugged!” is a puzzle game in which bugs are led to a sweet pot of honey, while traversing an environment of a shared sketch.
Confession: I started playing “Your Doodles Are Bugged!” for selfish reasons – it resembled a game I developed as a student for Microsoft’s “Imagine Cup” contest (“Bio Jam”), and I wanted to check out how the professionals managed the “draw mechanic.” I breathed a sigh of relief when I found that we approached it in different ways (we all want our ideas to be special, right?).
Specifically, the "draw mechanic" is using a pen cursor (or any writing utensil) to draw objects that alter the environment and path of the AIs. To put it into context, here are some examples of different approaches:
Confession: I started playing “Your Doodles Are Bugged!” for selfish reasons – it resembled a game I developed as a student for Microsoft’s “Imagine Cup” contest (“Bio Jam”), and I wanted to check out how the professionals managed the “draw mechanic.” I breathed a sigh of relief when I found that we approached it in different ways (we all want our ideas to be special, right?).
Specifically, the "draw mechanic" is using a pen cursor (or any writing utensil) to draw objects that alter the environment and path of the AIs. To put it into context, here are some examples of different approaches:
In “Crayon Physics,” drawn objects create physics-based “machines” to move a circle from point A to point B, putting an endearing spin on any number of physics games.
Inspired by tower defense games, “Bio Jam,” asks the player to use a pen to contain or attack diseases, preventing them from getting to their desired point B (T-Cells).
In “Your Doodles are Bugged,” drawn lines add platforms and barriers, redirecting bugs to their point B (a pot of honey), an act similar to “Lemmings" game play.
Inspired by tower defense games, “Bio Jam,” asks the player to use a pen to contain or attack diseases, preventing them from getting to their desired point B (T-Cells).
In “Your Doodles are Bugged,” drawn lines add platforms and barriers, redirecting bugs to their point B (a pot of honey), an act similar to “Lemmings" game play.
These games allow the player to alter the game play space in a myriad of ways, creating unique solutions for every experience – no two hand drawn lines are alike. “Scribblenauts” is another game that creates an environment of open solution, but through words, not drawn images. Still, it shows the power of the mighty pen and makes the player feel like they can do anything with their creativity, ala “Harold and the Purple Crayon.”
“Your Doodles are Bugged!,” is a great take on this freeing mechanic by providing well designed parameters – some already established doodles encourage a path, but allow for variations. The levels increase to great difficulty, but how can you stay mad at such cute bugs? (Especially ones that sound like they’ve been crawling in the World of Goo).
I look forward to more “draw mechanic” games to come, ideally ones that connect with the approach of “Scribblenauts” to create anything - from the abstract and absurd to the realistic and practical - that oddly “come to life” as animated solutions of diversely creative minds.
Play Your Doodles Are Bugged!
Special Thanks
To: Tom, Mike, and John for making "Bio Jam" come to life.
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