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GameCareerGuide Feature: Game Design Challenge - Sidekick
by Staff [PC, Console/PC, Mobile Phone, Mobile Console]
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November 12, 2009
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A sidekick is a time-tested way for creators to enliven a series, and in games, a sidekick can create exciting new gameplay design opportunities -- so GameCareerGuide's latest challenge asks its audience to come up with a new sidekick for an existing series.
From the challenge:
"When a series has been around for any length of time, the creators have to look for ways to keep it fresh and entertaining -- and maybe draw in new players, viewers, or readers. There's one way that has been used for years -- the sidekick.
"Adding a new sidekick to a series can liven it up and add interesting new opportunities. Take Sonic the Hedgehog 2, for example. The addition of Miles "Tails" Prower let the developers add in cooperative and competitive two player gameplay.
"Take an exisiting series and add a sidekick. It doesn't matter what series. However, your sidekick should add something significant and interesting to the gameplay -- describe the new sidekick and the new gameplay in your submission.
"Try and imagine how adding a new character to a series that has an iconic, single lead character would change it.
"And please, don't think of any new friends for Sonic. In 2009, nobody wants that."
To get the full details, visit Gamasutra's education-focused sister site GameCareerGuide and check out the challenge.
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Aside from that, great choice for the example. Great game design. Tails was a little slower then sonic but could hover for a limited time( Like Mario and his bee suit in Galaxy), making platforming a little bit more forgiving when it comes to pit falls.
Sonic Heroes and Sonic 3 on the GBA have really pushed this idea beyond the actual mascot and have implemented a good sense of unique mix and match mechanics. But many aspiring devs I am sure have overlooked such example.