Don't Touch The Sharks is a fast-paced action game where players navigate through underwater environments while avoiding various types of sharks. The goal is to survive as long as possible while collecting items and completing challenges.

Don't Game Design

Don't Genre

• Don't Action/Arcade

Target Audience

• Casual gamers, ages 8 and up, fans of survival and arcade-style games.

Gameplay Don't Mechanics

Core Mechanics

1. Movement:
   • Players control a character (e.g., a scuba diver) using WASD or arrow keys for movement.
   • Swimming mechanics with inertia and momentum for realistic movement.
2. Shark Encounters:
   • Various shark types with different behaviors (e.g., fast, slow, aggressive, stealthy).
   • Sharks may patrol set paths or roam freely, increasing unpredictability.
3. Collectibles:
   • Items like coins, pearls, or oxygen tanks that grant points or power-ups.
   • Temporary boosts (e.g., speed boost, invincibility) can be collected to aid survival.
4. Obstacles:
   • Coral reefs, underwater mines, and other environmental hazards.
   • Environmental effects like currents that affect movement.
5. Game Over Conditions:
   • Contact with a shark results in immediate failure.
   • Timed levels where players must reach certain checkpoints without getting caught.

Level Design

Environment

• Visual Style:
  • Bright, colorful underwater landscapes with detailed coral reefs, shipwrecks, and schools of fish.
• Levels:
  • Multiple levels with increasing difficulty, each introducing new shark types and environmental challenges.
  • Each level can have unique themes (e.g., tropical reefs, deep-sea caves, polluted waters).

Boss Encounters

• Introduce a massive shark boss at the end of certain levels, requiring players to use strategy to avoid attacks while completing objectives.

Art and Animation

Visuals

• Character Design: Cute, cartoonish diver character with customizable skins.
• Shark Design: Stylized sharks with exaggerated features for a less scary appearance.

Animation

• Smooth animations for swimming, idle states, and shark movements.
• Effects for collecting items, hitting obstacles, or getting caught by sharks.

Sound Design

Audio

• Soundtrack: Upbeat, catchy music that enhances the underwater adventure theme.
• Sound Effects:
  • Splash sounds, item collection sounds, and unique sounds for each shark type.
  • Environmental sounds like bubbles, currents, and ambient sea life.

User Interface

HUD

• Display player health (if applicable), score, and time left for each level.
• Simple, intuitive menu systems for starting the game, selecting levels, and viewing options.

Development Steps

1. Prototyping:
   • Create a basic version to test movement and shark AI.
2. Asset Creation:
   • Design characters, environments, and animations using tools like Blender or Photoshop.
3. Programming:
   • Use C# in Unity for character control, AI behaviors, and game mechanics.
4. Level Design:
   • Build levels using Unity’s tilemap system or custom meshes.
   • Implement triggers for collectibles and shark behavior.
5. Testing:
   • Playtest to identify bugs, balance gameplay, and gather feedback.
6. Polishing:
   • Add final touches, such as UI elements and sound effects.

Marketing Strategy

1. Social Media:
   • Share development progress and art on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
2. Community Engagement:
   • Create a Discord server or Reddit community for feedback and discussion.
3. Demos and Beta Testing:
   • Release a demo version to gather player feedback before the official launch.

Publishing

1. Platforms:
   • Decide on platforms (PC, mobile, consoles) and prepare for submission.
2. Post-Launch Support:
   • Plan for updates, bug fixes, and possible expansions based on player feedback.

Conclusion

Don't Touch The Sharks can offer a fun and engaging experience through simple yet challenging gameplay mechanics. With vibrant visuals, exciting sound design, and addictive mechanics, it can appeal to a broad audience and keep players coming back for more. If you have specific areas you want to dive deeper into, let me know!