Abstract

Bee Bulb Plague is a 2D pixel game where players embark on a colorful journey to restore life to a monochromatic village. Armed with a simple combat mechanic, players collect vibrant color drops from unique half-bee-half-lightbulb creatures known as Bee Bulbs. The game features stunning visual assets, immersive audio elements, and engaging gameplay mechanics, making it an enjoyable and cute experience.

Project Description

Game Goal

The goal of Bee Bulb Plague is to bring color back to the village by venturing into the cave and collecting color drops from the various colored Bee Bulbs. Players must master the combat mechanics and strategically freeze and defeat the Bee Bulbs to retrieve the precious color drops and paint the once drab village.

Game Scenes

The game encompasses three distinct scenes.

Visual Assets

Bee Bulb Plague incorporates a high-quality asset pack from https://nirva.itch.io/autumntown by arrtist "Nirva", which enhances the visual appeal of the game. Additionally, we crafted unique UI elements assets for the Bee Bulbs and other in-game features. Players may enjoy the exciting recoloring of houses as they progress in their color restoration quest.

Audio Features

The game utilizes FMOD for an enriching audio experience. Players encounter randomized footstep sounds, acoustic switches for distinct locations (cave and village), and spatial audio to heighten immersion as they approach the imposing Big Bulb Spawners or encounter nearby Bee Bulbs. Lukas Stipar's exceptional music composition and sound effects add depth and emotional connection to the game. A standout audio feature is the background music's sequencing, intensifying as players color more objects, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

Menus

Players are welcomed by an interactive Main Menu, complete with platforms to navigate settings, new game, saved game state, and game exit options. The Escape Menu allows players to customize SFX and music volume. The menus background music feature unique layering, providing distinct vibes for each menu.

Mechanics

Players can interact with the monochromatic village and to bring life and vitality back to the once dull and monochromatic world after collecting enough color drops in the cave. This creative process not only drives gameplay but also symbolizes the transformative journey of restoring hope and beauty to the village, making it a central and rewarding element of the game. Bee Bulb Plague boasts a simple yet engaging combat system. Players spawn a size-increasing ring that freezes Bee Bulbs on collision. Timing is crucial, as players must click again during the freezing period to defeat the Bee Bulb and collect color drops. However, BEEware! (pun intended) If a Bee Bulb gets too close, it snatches away a color drop and returns to the Big Bulb Spawner. Skilled players can earn two color drops by defeating a Bee Bulb during the returning phase.

Bee Bulbs

Endearing yet mischievous, the self-made Bee Bulbs are the game's antagonists, responsible for draining color from the village. Utilizing the AStar pathfinding algorithm, they seek out the player for thrilling confrontations. Their adorable appearance belies their nefarious intent, making them both cute and menacing adversaries.

Development Process

Bee Bulb Plague marked our team's first foray into game development, learning Unity and embracing challenges with determination. The initial pitch evolved significantly, resulting in captivating gameplay and smoother platforming mechanics in the redesigned dungeon. Despite a small team size, we overcame obstacles and integrated FMOD for immersive sound effects. With Lukas's exceptional music, the game's atmosphere flourished. After the Demo Day, we polished Bee Bulb Plague to deliver a rewarding and memorable experience, inspiring us for future projects in the dynamic world of game development.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Bee Bulb Plague is a captivating 2D pixel game that invites players on a journey of restoration and creativity. With its simple combat mechanics, recoloring colorable objects, and immersive audio features, the game offers an enchanting and rewarding experience. As players bring color back to the village and defeat the mischievous Bee Bulbs, they discover the transformative power of imagination, leaving a colorful mark on the once dreary world.

Trailer