christopher Ellington
Game and Narrative Design
Ninja Kitty
Tapify, Inc.
Mobile Action/Runner
Overview
Ninja Kitty is a side-scrolling action/running game developed in the Unity engine for Tapify, Inc.
My Roles:
System design
Level Design
Narrative Design
Environment Art
Project Managment
VFX Artist
 level modules.png |  platform modules.png |
|---|---|
 enemy modules.png |  tutorial modules.png |
 ending modules.png |
Systems and Level Design
Ninja Kitty uses a modular path-node system to procedurally create new levels every time the game is played.
As systems designer, I formulated the procedural systems with the programmer, and assembled each module prefab. I designed the player award formula and balanced the in-game economy using spreadsheets and in-game controller scripts.
As level designer, I determined the number and type of the modules, obstacles, enemies, and coins in each level. I also created obstacle prefabs and environment assets unique to each of the game's worlds.
 Screenshot_2014-11-10-15-17-22.png |  bamboo 2.png |
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 Screenshot_2014-11-10-15-27-19.png |  dojo 1.png |
 Screenshot_2014-11-10-15-48-43.png |  swamp 2.png |
 Screenshot_2014-11-10-21-26-01.png |  cave 3.png |
 Screenshot_2014-11-10-21-45-13.png |  volcano 1.png |
 Screenshot_2014-11-10-15-09-26.png |  bamboo 1.png |
 Screenshot_2014-11-10-15-29-13.png |  dojo 2.png |
 Screenshot_2014-11-10-15-34-59.png |  swamp 3.png |
 Screenshot_2014-11-10-21-20-29.png |  cave 1.png |
 Screenshot_2014-11-10-21-53-02.png |  volcano 3.png |
 Screenshot_2014-11-10-15-09-06.png |  Screenshot_2014-11-10-15-33-11.png |
 dojo 3.png |  Screenshot_2014-11-10-15-34-17.png |
 swamp 1.png |  Screenshot_2014-11-10-21-13-24.png |
 cave 2.png |  Screenshot_2014-11-10-21-23-09.png |
 Screenshot_2014-11-10-21-38-47.png |  volcano 2.png |
 Screenshot_2014-11-10-21-35-24.png |
Environments
Ninja Kitty contains five worlds, each with a unique environment. In making modules, I had the opportunity to add environment assets in addition to gameplay elements. The result is a lush visual experience that makes each world feel unique.
The environment assets themselves were modeled and textured Remi Storms, Justin Nichols, and myself. We made a small pool of assets which I was able to arrange in each module/boss area as "set designer."
The leap from web to mobile was an extra challenge. With texture atlasing, combining separate meshes together, and simplifying the lighting, we were able to maintain the environments without hurting performance.
 Screenshot_2014-11-10-21-45-50.png |  Screenshot_2014-11-10-21-23-12.png |
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 Screenshot_2014-11-10-15-38-54.png |  Screenshot_2014-11-10-22-16-59.png |
 Screenshot_2014-11-10-15-16-41.png |  Screenshot_2014-11-10-21-52-41.png |
 Screenshot_2014-11-10-21-27-49.png |  Screenshot_2014-11-10-21-58-01.png |
 Screenshot_2014-11-10-21-59-53.png |  Screenshot_2014-11-10-21-39-23.png |
 Screenshot_2014-11-10-15-54-23.png |
Visual Effects
Using Unity's particle systems, I made a number of particle effects for Ninja Kitty. These visual effects add interest and feedback to the player movement, weapon attacks, obstacles, and environments.
Most of Ninja Kitty's particle effects use additive or multiply-type shaders with simple textures I made in Photoshop.
Particles spawn when the player jumps, dives, slides, collects a coin, takes a hit, or dies. Particles also appear when the player attacks or kills an enemy, and each weapon has unique particles for the attack effect. Environmental particle effects play to simulate swamp myst or even volcanic fire!
 Screenshot_2014-11-10-15-21-08.png |  Screenshot_2014-11-10-15-21-25.png |
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 Screenshot_2014-11-10-15-22-00.png |  fox boss 1.png |
 fox boss 2.png |  fox boss 3.png |
 Screenshot_2014-11-10-21-08-32.png |  Screenshot_2014-11-10-21-08-41.png |
 Screenshot_2014-11-10-21-09-58.png |  toad boss 1.png |
 toad boss 3.png |  toad boss 2.png |
 Screenshot_2014-11-10-21-10-41.png |
Boss Fights
Ninja Kitty includes two exciting boss fights. Instead of modules in a line, a boss fight finds the player running along a path loop in a single large arena. I 'set decorated' these arenas much like the modules and did a large amount of tuning and testing.
The first boss is the Bandit Fox. This boss flees in his wagon tries to stop the player by throwing out fireworks and spike traps. The player defeats the Fox by knocking those fireworks right back at him!
The second boss is the Sumo Toad. This boss stays in the center of the swamp arena, and attacks the player with his tongue and sumo-stomp waves. The player tail-whips turtle shells at the Toad to damage and defeat it.
 A+Intro+01.png |  A+Intro+02.png |
|---|---|
 A+Intro+03.png |  A+Intro+04.png |
 Ending+01.png |  Ending+02.png |
 Ending+03.png |
Story Panels
Here are the story panels from Ninja Kitty! Remi Storms rendered these panels in Blender and finished them off in Photoshop. Enjoy!
Trailer - edited by Remi Storms
Remi Storms put this trailer together under the direction of Tapchat, Inc. President, Alexander Julien. Jared Wuerzburger added sound and music.
Ninja Kitty Credits:
Progamming, Design:
Adrian Comisel, Chris Majcher
Modeling, Rigging, Technical Art, Design:
Remi Storms
Concept Art, Animation, Textures, Design:
Justin Nichols,
Level Design, Particles, Set Design, Design:
Christopher Ellington
SFX and Music:
Jared Wuerzburger