Pyramid Scheming

Game Description

Pyramid Scheming is a stunning 3D parkour/adventure-based educational game on ancient Egypt: the game aims to educate students about ancient Egyptian history at a history museum in an interesting, unique, engaging, and fun way!

Pyramid Scheming is a 3D parkour-based game where, at each level, a player is placed into an engaging and ominous section of a pyramid, illuminated with scattered torches and lava and encased with particles and obstacles. To balance the mechanics and to create a new level of complexity, we decided to implement a currency-like stamina system where players are limited in their actions when depleted and are encouraged to be wise and intentional in their decisions.

When creating Pyramid Scheming, our team decided to stray away from the overdone landscape of linear, dialogue-based 2D games and instead challenged ourselves with a vibrant 3D game enhanced with state-of-the-art post-processing and audio techniques that aims to entertain and educate, a perfect combination not commonly seen in video game design.

At each level, a player is gradually introduced to a variety of different mechanics to enhance their experience, introduce a new dimension of complexity, and provide a much more rewarding challenge. At the end of such levels, the player is encouraged to interact with a unique artifact from the British Museum where they are given detailed descriptions, information, and visual models of such important pieces of history. Ultimately, we hope that by incorporating such an educational element into an otherwise mechanical and adventure-based game, Pyramid Scheming will be able to provide the player with a unique, immersive, and beneficial experience.

Overall, each level requires coordination, skill, and adaptation to new mechanics and environments to complete. Pyramid Scheming truly gives the player limitless opportunities to engage with our intentionally crafted environments in a way that leaves them craving more.

Controls

Basic Movement

• [W] Forwards - Allows the player to move forward in a straight line.
• [A] Strafe Left - Allows the player to strafe left in a straight line.
• [S] Backwards - Allows the player to move backward in a straight line.
• [D] Strafe Right - Allows the player to strafe right in a straight line.
• [SPACE] Jump - Allows the player to jump straight up (can be combined with other movements to jump in different directions).
• [TAB] Crouch - Allows the player to fit through smaller spaces and gaps.
• [LEFT SHIFT] Sprint - When held the player runs to attain faster level completion times and attempt longer jumps. Sprinting is limited to a stamina bar (currency-like system) so be careful and use stamina wisely. Stamina takes time to regenerate, but performing actions that require sprinting or jumping will deplete stamina quickly. The player is encouraged to be intentional and careful!

Menu Controls

• [E] Interact - Allows the player to interact with artifacts and signs during levels and in the lobby when in proximity to such game objects. The user will be prompted to interact when in proximity.
• [ESCAPE/BACKSPACE] - Allows the player to close an open menu.
• MOUSE - Allows the player to look around in a 360-degree vision in the 3D game world. It can also be used to change settings (sliders, toggle, buttons, etc) and select menu items.

Advanced Controls, Combinations, and Mechanics

Additional mechanics can be performed by combining controls and mechanics. The player is encouraged to complete the tutorial and explore the environment to get comfortable with these harder mechanics.

• [LEFT SHIFT] + [W] + [A or D] Wall Running - Allows the user to run on walls.
• [LEFT SHIFT] + [W] + [TAB] Sliding - Allows the user to rapidly slide through smaller gaps for a short duration.
• When running into a wall [SPACE] + [SPACE] Vaulting - When running into a wall and double jumping, the player can vault over a wall.
• When near a ladder [W] Enter Ladder - Walking into a ladder will place a player on the ladder.
• When on a ladder [A/D] Ladder Strafing - Allows the player to move left or right respectively when on a ladder.
• When on a ladder [SPACE] Ladder Exit - Allows the player to boost/push themselves quickly off of the ladder with some momentum.

Additional Assistive Controls

When a player has failed 5 times on a level [R] Quick Skip - If the user is detected to be struggling on a level by having failed at least 5 times or they are taking a few minutes, a prompt to skip to the end of the level is given. When R is clicked, the player will be teleported to the ending artifact where they will be allowed to learn and continue without jeopardizing their progress or enjoyment.