Galaxy Express “Through the Stars, Past Mars!.” 

 

Gerne  Platform 

Speed Run  Mobile 

 

GDD Template Written by: Jorge Sandoval

Overview

Game Title Setting / Genre Concept Premise Rating/Platform Monetization model (Brief/Document) Features Target Audience

Formal Elements Player Gameplay

Time Trial Career

Damage and Healing Resources Procedural Generation

Game World Level Design

Game Interface Main Menu User Interface

career Mode Time Trial Pause Menu Settings Menu

Dramatic Elements World Artistic Style Characters

Buddy Mr. Lars Space Pirates

Concept Art SS Horizon World

Why This Game Is Fun

Overview Game Title Galaxy Express

Setting / Genre 

The game takes place in the vast cosmos of space, specifically the milky way. This is a time trial game

just like the Simpsons Hit N Run or like GTA’s taxi missions.

Concept Race across the galaxy delivering packages to planets and space stations. The player must avoid

asteroids and space pirates while racing against the clock . The game is meant to be a time killer with a

minimal goofy story.

Premise You are a young student attending Mars University. Trying to make ends meet you are working a

minimum wage job as a space delivery boy. It is up to you to make sure that the customers packages

arrives on time in one piece!

Rating Platform

E for Everyone Mobile

Monetization model This game will be free on the app store however it will be funded by ads. These ads will be optional to

watch. Power ups and currency will be awarded for watching ads.

 

Features Graphics : 3D cartoonish graphics similar to Temple Run.

Gameplay : Similar to GTA’s taxi minigames.

Portability : Take it anywhere you go.

Simplicity : few controls, easy goal.

Target Audience

This game is aimed at players who have a couple of minutes to kill. People of all ages can pick up this

game right away. Casual gamers are the target audience.

Formal Elements Player The player controls the S.S. Horizon, a beat up used space ship. It is up to the player to avoid obstacles

and dangers; meanwhile finding the fastest route to your destination.

Gameplay There are two gameplay modes for this game: Time Trial and Career Mode. Each is designed for a

specific type of player.

Time Trial When the player chooses time trial, they will racing against the clock. The player is given a set amount of

time to deliver packages around the galaxy. After every successful delivery the player will earn more

time. The point of this game mode is to see how many successful deliveries the player can make within

the time limit. After each delivery, more obstacles will appear, thus increasing the difficulty. The main

purpose of this game mode is to cater to the achieving game types. This game mode is for people with

less 2-5 minutes of free time.

Career Mode Career mode is more story driven. This game mode is all about progression. You will be given a set

number of deliveries a day and depending on how fast you deliver them the more currency the player

will receive. With the currency the player can buy upgrades and abilities allowing the player to move

faster, shoot and make deliveries to harder areas. They player will repeat this process until they are the

number one delivery boy in the galaxy!

Damage & Healing Like most games, you lose when the player runs out of health. In this game your health does not

regenerate (unless you buy an upgrade). Your ship's shields are your first line of defence (these do

regenerate) however once they lose their charge your ship's hull will be vulnerable. If you crash into too

many asteroids or get shot enough while your shield’s are down your ship will explode!

Resources The game is functionally focused on time. The player has a limited amount of time to plan and deliver

packages across the galaxy. As players progress through career mode they will earn enough currency to

upgrade their ship, hire crew and buy better maps. In addition to that, a player must also manage their

health, shield level, and fuel.

Evaluation Criteria Time Remaining

Fuel Remaining

Packages Delivered

Pirates Killed Health Remaining

Procedural Generation

Game World The world of the game consists of procedurally generated planets and hazards. No two playthroughs are

the same. The player will be given random destinations to make deliveries to. However obstacles and

enemies will spawn according to the player's skill.

Level Design

After each level the player will be tasked with more deliveries across greater distances. So in other

words the difficulty increases after every level. The point of this to make sure that the game isn't too

easy for the player when they start acquiring upgrades.

Game Interface

Main Menu The game starts with showing options for two different game modes : Career Mode, and Time Trial; and

a button for settings.

User Interface

Career Mode If the button for Career Mode is pressed a rocket will fly across the screen revealing the level selection.

A player may select previous levels however the rewards will be insignificant. Once the player selects the

level the game will begin. There will be two status bars at the top-right one will be blue and one will be

red. The blue bar shows the player's shield while the red one shows health. At the top-center of the

screen a timer is displayed counting up. Yellow arrows will be pointing to the delivery locations on the

side of the screen. To move and navigate your ship the player drags their fingers around the screen. To

pause the game all you have to do is flip your phone.

Time Trial

Time trial has a very similar UI. Every thing is the same however instead of the timer counting up it

counts down. The reason for this is because the player is rewarded time after every successful delivery.

Accessing the pause menu is the same as Career mode.

Pause Menu When the pause menu is activated the player's screen will dim. PAUSE will be displayed on the

top-middle of the screen followed by Resume, Options, and Quit. To select an option the player has to

tap one of the options.

Settings Menu When pressed, options for sound, hand preference and colorblind mode will appear. There will be a little back arrow on the top right. If pressed it will take the player back to the main menu.

Dramatic Elements World The game world is inspired by the Star Wars galaxy. There will be an endless variety of planets, moons

and space stations. Every level is randomly generated so everyone's galaxy will be unique.

Artistic Style Galaxy Express’s art style will be an homage to the retro futurism of the 60’s. The goal is to create a

cartoony stereotypical space theme. The game will be full of color colorful and simple environments that

are pleasing to the eyes. The graphics will be kept to a minimum because of the platform.

Characters Buddy

The protagonist the player plays as. A young college student working a minimum wage part time job. He

is hardworking and will do anything to make ends meet. He loves Galactic Cola!!

Mr. Lars Your overweight semi-balding boss who loves to yell. He loves long romantic walks on the beach.

Space pirates Crooks who want to steal your booty! Although there are many factions of pirates they all have the

same goal.

Concept Art

S.S Horizon

A used space ship your older brother gave you.

World

Why This Game Is Fun Most people ride the bus, wait in lines or get bored. Galaxy Express is a fun way to kill time while you

wait! It is fast short and portable. This game allows people with busy lives to unwind for the few minutes

they have to themselves. It is simple to learn and hard to master, a dream for completionists and

achievers. With its addictive gameplay it is a treat for all gamers alike.