OverMath - Game Overview

Movement and Controls

• Movement: Use the WASD keys to move the character.
• Sprint: Hold Shift and direction

Game Description

Idea and Key Elements

OverMath is inspired by the popular game Overcooked but with a mathematical twist. Players gather points by creating mathematical equations to fulfill customer orders. Instead of cooking food, players use numbers and mathematical operators to form equations that match customer requests. This fast-paced gameplay tests and hones quick-thinking mathematical skills.

Key elements include:

• Order Fulfillment: Customers present a number as their "order," and players must create an equation to match that number using available ingredients (numbers and operators) in the kitchen.
• Adversarial AI: An animal (a goat or duck) chases and disrupts the player, adding a challenging and humorous obstacle.
• Level Progression: Players advance to the next level by achieving a specified number of points.

Educational Components

OverMath encourages reverse thinking in math problem-solving. Traditional problems provide an equation to solve, but OverMath requires players to build an equation that yields a given result. This unique approach stimulates mental calculations and creative problem-solving under constraints.

Target Audience

OverMath is designed for players who enjoy math challenges or want to practice basic mathematical skills in a fun, engaging environment. The game's combination of humor and fast-paced action appeals to people of all ages seeking to sharpen their mental arithmetic.

Game Engine

OverMath will be developed using the Unity engine.

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Game Components

Teaching Focus

The game aims to teach math by encouraging players to think in reverse, building equations to match given answers. This approach helps develop quick calculation skills and deeper mathematical understanding.

3D World and Characters

• Environment: The game takes place in a closed restaurant environment with a dining area (tables and chairs) and a kitchen.
• Characters:
  • Player: Navigates the environment, creates equations, and fulfills customer orders.
  • Adversarial Animal: A goat or duck that chases the player in the kitchen using AI behaviors such as kinematic pursuit, arrival, and wandering.
  • Customer NPCs: Move using path-finding AI to find and occupy empty seats.

Game Mechanics

• Players can move, sprint, jump, and dash to evade the animal.
• Players interact with ingredients (numbers) and tools (operators) to create equations.
• Orders are timed; customers leave if not served in time, resulting in lost points.
• Points are awarded for each successfully completed order. Players must meet a point threshold to progress to the next level.

Physic/Animation

• Using colliders to detect the interaction range between the main characters and objects such as numbers, operators, and customers, while enhancing the interaction through object highlighting and blinking effects by adding customized "interaction" layer.
• Characters will use keyframe animations.
• A rag-doll, physics-based animation will be used when the player is head-butted by the animal, adding a humorous and dynamic gameplay element.

User Interface and Sound

• Input: The game will use keyboard input and be available on desktop platforms.
• UI Elements:
  • Pause Menu: Allows players to pause the game.
  • Welcome Screen: Appears at the start of the game.
  • Failure UI: Displays when a player fails a level, offering options to quit or retry.
  • In-Game UI: Shows active customer orders and the player's current equation.