Introduction
2012 is a social game based around the idea that people
believe the world is either good or bad and they have a chance to voice their
opinion through the UI mechanics of choosing a side and the associated gameplay
that comes with that decision.
The game itself can be considered sort of a glorified,
realtime, online poll that runs continuously. There only real depth to the game
beyond voting, would be some light social sharing aspects and the strategy
involved in diplomacy. The mechanic of the game to inspire users to play is one
of the core social components of the game play (e.g. wanting to be on the winning team) not necessarily the mechanics
of the game itself.
Another metaphor for the game would be a tug of war. Users
choose a side when the first sign up and ‘cast their votes’ to determine
whether or not the world is bad or good.
At 12:00am on January 1, 2012 the game will cease to function and play
an animated Unity scene to reveal which side has won. The scene will play
continuously looping for a week until the application is removed or blocked
from being accessed.
The game can also be thought of in terms of seeing a movie
and the emotional arc that is commonly associated with many Hollywood plots. A
key aspect of the overall design will be to entertain the user base for a year
using such tried and true methods. As such, events and the availability of
certain graphics and 'trophies' will be carefully considered and revealed to
the user base at specific times according to an 'event schedule'.
A segment of users are expected to be heavily engaged, while
another segment is expected to be passive. Some users may leave the application
open in a window to watch it or ‘check in’ from time to time. (As they would
with a pet rock or a Chia pet) Some segment of passive users will be come more
engaged and increasingly active as the ShutDown date approaches. We expect the
cinematic nature of the meta game will keep the passive user engaged and
interested.
2012 can also be considered a social experiment in an
entertainment wrapper.
Where 2012 stands alone is that is a truly social game in
that the end result of this gaming experience is a communal effort- and the
fact that there is a definitive end. It is not a game where users build their
own kingdoms and then engage each other on the social level of the application.
The application is the social level of this game.
“2012 is upon us.
Many have predicted that this will be the end for our planet. But still
others believe we hold our fate in our hands. Will our world be redeemed or
will it be destroyed.
You Decide…
Welcome.
2012 is the most profound social experiment in the history of Mankind.
Do you believe the world is filled with more evil than good or more
good than evil? Cast your vote below by choosing which side you will join in
this epic struggle of darkness versus light. Or just pick a side to have fun!
At 12:00 a.m. GMT on January 1, 2012 this application will cease to
function. At this time the ‘final votes’ will be in place and we, as a people,
will decide if the planet will either be saved or damned. Cast your vote today,
stay strong and battle vigilantly for those convictions in which you believe.
For when this game and our ultimate battle concludes we will have the finally
have the answers we have searched for so long...what do we think of ourselves?
Choose your side with conviction, fight for what you believe in and
stay strong.
