Preproduction - Game Design

Overview:

• Enter the world of Arcana, an ethereal realm full of mysterious beauty.
• Take control of Felicity, a girl searching for the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of her mother and the secrets Arcana holds.

Story:

• The story begins with an inheritance.
• Felicity’s mother has gone missing: Must she learn life's tough lessons without her?
• Her only clue to the disappearance is an intricate necklace and a cryptic letter. The necklace is in fact a magical artifact which transports Felicity to the world of Arcana.
• The necklace is a portal back to the normal world so if it is destroyed, so is her way home. Felicity must keep this from falling into the wrong hands.
• Here maybe we have an “enemy” or a shade of herself, which wants the artifact destroyed. Maybe someone who never wants to grow up?

Theme Synopsis:

• This is a quest tale with an undercurrent about making one’s own destiny, focus on maturation.
• Overcoming inner demons
• Quest-transformation story

The World of Arcana:

• The major locations of the game/”levels” map to the four suites of Tarot: The Wands, Coins, Cups/Chalices, and Swords.
• The Tower – in which the Moon resides – is the centerpiece and final goal
• Before you can reach the top of the Moon's tower, you must solve environmental puzzles to collect the talismans of the 4 suites and harness their powers to gain your entry.

Gameplay:

• Gaining different powers through collection of talismans.
• The Wands, Coins, Cups/Chalices, and Swords.

Levels:

• WANDS: Fire, Creativity
• Burns inside of you, you need to act on it
• Magic
• COINS: Earth, Physical
• Sensation
• CHALICES: Water, Emotions
• Feeling
• SWORDS: Air, Words, Thoughts
• Science, Analysis
• THE TOWER - FINAL LEVEL
• All 4 types of puzzle solving are put to the test
• Must reach the top of the tower

CHARACTER BIOS




Name: Felicity (fell·i·si·tee), or “Ellie”
Age: 9
Height: 4'1” Weight: 58 lbs.
Hair: towhead blonde, shoulder-length, thick waves/curls, tied back in two braids held with a star clip
Eyes: starlight blue
Distinguishing Marks: star shaped birthmark on inner left wrist
Clothing: microfiber, star-patterned pj-set & oversized linen top belted at waist with silk-sash
Jewelry: shining mirror charm strung on a sparkling silver chain, sent to her from her mother in
another world, it acts as a gateway between Arcana and the Real World.
Personality: curious, courageous, creative, observant, thoughtful, careful/cautious, sweet natured,
determined, and optimistic
Likes: flowers, butterflies, sparkles (no, really??), and puzzles
Dislikes: thorns, bees, violence, and big scary monsters
Phobias: fear of heights, falling, and flying
Favorite Color: light blue
Hobbies: skipping stones, ponies, baking, and reading & writing
Talents: infectious smile and lively, optimistic cheerfulness
Family: lives with “grand parents” in the countryside – Felicity has never met her birth parents
Background: Felicity was adopted by an elderly couple who found her wandering under a full moon when she was 3. They took her in and raised her like their own daughter, and she brought more joy into their lives than they had ever known. Felicity never knew her real parents, and although she loved her grandparents dearly, as she began to grow up she sensed something missing from her life. As these feelings grew in her subconscious, she began to withdraw more and more into her own world of fabricated fantasies and imagination.
Gender: female
Race: human (moonchild?)
Figure: light - “stringbean”
Skin: fair
Favorite Food: Blue Moon icecream


Lunette

Felicity’s Mother AKA "The Moon"

Hair: Blonde in "normal" world, silvery white in Arcana
Eyes: Indigo
Personality: Warm and kind-hearted, wanting to believe the best of people. Fiercely protective over those she loves, generous and dependable. Has a strong sense of responsibility and duty to bring up her daughter to be a wonderful young lady. Intuitive, a writer. Susceptible to writing cryptically.