Author: btiggs251

This is a very useful reading in my opinion. Last year’s game jam I did for the GDPPP class was one of my favorite experiences at CMU in general and solidified my interest in game design, and this article spells out how to capture that sort of creative space again. Looking forward to incorporating these tips into my design process.

Description

Overcooked is a “couch co-op” game in which players must work together to prepare meals as efficiently as possible in a variety of wacky and challenging kitchen environments. Gameplay is easy to understand, but mastering the challenges of the unconventional kitchens and maintaining efficiency is often a daunting task that requires lots of player communication and repeated playthroughs of levels.

This game is actually one of my personal favorites to bring to parties. It’s hectic and elicits a lot of frantic yelling, but it’s always a really fun time and players are usually very keen to give a level another try. Getting a 3-star rating is a very satisfying experience, and it keeps players focused on improving, communicating, and doing their best to become a well-oiled cooperative cooking machine. I highly recommend this game for anyone who is looking for a fun challenge with friends.

Development

Overcooked was developed by Phil Duncan and Oli De-Vine. It was the first title the two developed after forming their own company, Ghost Town Games. The game was initially developed with the idea of cooperative gameplay as a focal point rather than an afterthought, as they felt most games prioritized single-player experiences. The game was taken to many gaming festivals and conventions to gather player feedback, and it gained a lot of attention after Team17 offered to help publish the game and flew the pair out to E3 2016 to show it off. After release, the team worked on DLC that was later included in the retail package.

Reception

Overcooked has received generally positive reviews. Many reviewers have praised it for its dynamic, frantically fun take on couch co-op.

1. Beep Beep: One person says “BEEP BEEP” and pretends to be a car, charging towards their friends who must attempt to get out of the way.

2. Friendspotting: With a group chat of people that live near each other, take a covert picture any time you see a member of the group that hasn’t yet seen you and post it to the group before they realize you’ve spotted them.

3. Limerick Kick: Collaborative limerick writing. The first player starts with a line. The second player says a second line that rhymes and has roughly the same number of syllables. The first person follows with a somewhat longer line that doesn’t rhyme with the first two, and the second person follows with a line fitting the convention of the first two. This can be expanded to three or four players as well.

4. 1%: Someone says “one percent”. The first person to pull out a phone charger after this wins.

5. Rhyme Time: One person says a monosyllabic word, and a second person has 3 seconds to say a monosyllabic word that rhymes. This goes back and forth until someone fails to think of a word within the time limit or repeats a word that has already been said that round, and that person loses.

6. Dungeons and Dares: Everyone has 3 stats (Charisma, Wisdom, Dexterity) that are assigned +1, 0, and -1 in the order of their choice, determined when they start the game. A player gives another player a Dare at any time they wish, at which point the dared party rolls a D20, either physical or on their phone. Rolling a 1 means the dared party must do the dare, while a 20 means the daree must do the dare. Dares are in the Charisma category if they deal with social interaction, Dexterity if they are physically challenging, or Wisdom if the act is generally unwise. The dared party uses the relevant modifier after the category of the dare is agreed upon. 1s and 20s cannot be modified, but a -1 makes a 2 into a 1 and a +1 makes a 19 into a 20.

• Class Names (these aren’t needed to explain the game, but I thought they would be fun)
  • Performer: C+ D0 W-
  • Celebrity: C+ W0 D-
  • Tactician: W+ C0 D-
  • Scientist: W+ D0 C-
  • Athlete: D+ W0 C-
  • Acrobat: D+ C0 W-

7. Game of Throne: Everyone tries to sit in the same chair. If you fall out of the chair you’re “dead”. Last person standing sitting is the ruler of Westeros.

I’m not an art student so I never made a portfolio or uploaded/organized my art in any way that I could post a link to it oops

i’m the one on the left

Bio major with a minor in BME. Game design isn’t part of my major at all, but I’m gonna design some games anyway and ain’t nobody gonna stop me (ง’̀-‘́)ง