Drive-thru Tycoon
A conceptual game design by
Ching Chun Kao (Kevin)
Student #: 200122176
Project Goal: To let the players have a sense of accomplishment
by running his/her drive-thru restaurant.
Drive-Thru Tycoon
Persuasive Purpose
- to engage the player to become a manager of a drive-thru
restaurant
- to let the player have an basic understanding of running a fictional
restaurant
- to let the player understand the basic structure of supply and
demand
- … and most importantly, to let the players have fun!
Drive-Thru Tycoon
User Description
Casual gamers who have time to play a game that requires no more
than ten minutes per play on each level.
They are likely…
- age 13-40
- love simulation/tycoon genre
- comfortable at using the computer
Storyboard: Making money
Storyboard: Making money
Drive-Thru Tycoon
Features / Functionality
- players will have an initial budget (amount depend on the game level), where he/she
must decide what kind of kitchen appliances that is in need of an upgrade at every
game level
- the more upscale the appliances are, the faster the food are being produced by the
chefs
-
the number of drive-thru customers will depend on the game level (high level will
have more customers)
- players will need to set salary level of the restaurant employees. This includes the chefs
and the drive-thru staff
- the higher their salary level, the faster the food are delivered to the customers
-
players will need to constantly direct the drive-thru staff to pick up food in the
kitchen and drop off food at the respective drive-thru stand
- as the game progresses, a number of variables will appear:
- the number drive-thru stands will increase for the player to micro-manage
- randomly generated “events” (e. g. a ton of customers will arrive at the player’s
restaurant due to rush hour, fire in the kitchen that will destroy an appliance)
- the player must satisfy an specific amount of budget in order to continue the game
Drive-Thru Tycoon
Technical Requirements
The game will be developed through Flash.
Reasons are:
- flash is multi-platform (PC and Mac)
- flash player is free for download
- can be played immediately though the web (no
installation)
- file size is small
- an old computer can run the game as long as the
computer supports the latest version of Flash
- 2D artwork can be produced through flash
- …and most importantly, the game requires no game
engine extensions
Drive-Thru Tycoon
Justifications for Design
Persuasive Strategies
- should be able to complete the game given our short course
timeframe and number of members per team
- should easily be programmable and develop
- simple game mechanic, yet effective game play (basically a series of
point of click repetition)
- 2D artwork can be completed and revised in a number of days,
instead of weeks (3D models)
- the game’s time and money management aspect appeal to casual
gamers (both sexes)
- wide audience, as this game is playable on all computers that
supports Flash player
- most importantly, this game is fun through player’s choices in order to
run a successful, drive-thru restaurant
Drive-Thru Tycoon
User Testing
Tina, 20
-the game seems confusing at first for the participant
- may need to include a short tutorial to get the player up to speed
- liked how each level only requires a short time to finish
- big fan of simulation genre games
Drive-Thru Tycoon
Shortcomings
- may be too complicated for the average user to
play
- might get boring after two to three plays due to
repetition
- does not reflect real-life restaurant management
- Flash games have a tendency to slow down
computers, resulting the game unplayable
- too much variables and syncing on the
programming side given the course timetable
and amount of team members
Drive-Thru Tycoon
Expansion – What else is possible?
- mini-game: food ingredient maker
- each restaurant employee has his/her own
specialized skills
- hiring new employees (chef and drive-thru
attendants) given their skill levels
- each food ingredient used is deducted
from the player’s budget
- able to own several drive-thru restaurant
stores, making it a popular franchise
Drive-Thru Tycoon
The Next Steps in the Design
Process
- build paper prototype of Drive-Thru Tycoon
- usability studies
- get the team’s programmer inputs on the
game mechanics (is it realistic or not)
Drive-Thru Tycoon
The Summary
- Drive-Thru Tycoon is
based on the player
running his/her own
drive-thru restaurants
by directing the staff,
and by managing the
cost of cooking
appliances