Hello there inmates,
Here comes our eighth devblog that will focus on the turn-based mechanics you can find in your journey, or rather, the rules of the prison regarding fight among inmates, contraband and other illegal activities. We are keeping an eye on you, inmate!
At the beginning
Did you know Space Prison initially had real-time combat? The fighting style was brawler-based and focused on dexterity. However, during several playtests, we received clear feedback from players stating that this type of combat didn’t fit well with the rest of the game’s mechanics. The players themselves told us that they would much prefer turn-based battles in the prison setting, and so we did!
We sat down and started by creating a paper prototype of the combat system. From the beginning, we wanted it to have a few core principles – it needed to be simple at its core, enjoyable to execute, and offer the potential for deep development. So the first four things we locked in were:
- Small spaces
- Fast brawls
- Skills coming mainly from Gear
- Party based
We added a few principles to better reflect the setting. We wanted to capture the claustrophobia of the prison, with its tight corridors and rooms on the space station, so we limited the arena to a grid of a maximum size of 6x3. Some players would prefer a larger combat field, but that’s not the point of short, intense skirmishes in the prison.
Hand-Crafted Gear
We wanted the combat system to be as well-integrated with the other systems of the game as possible. After all, it’s the element that tests the player’s challenge, and other gameplay elements feed into it. Naturally, one of the most important limitations in prison is the ban on possessions, which is why crafting contraband plays such a crucial role. The primary items crafted by prisoners are weapons. Among them, there are various types of weapons in four basic categories: knuckles, shivs, whips, and blunts. Each category has its advantages. For example, whips can pull enemies closer, shivs are faster, allowing for quicker attacks and applying bleed effects, and blunt weapons can deal damage to multiple enemies at once.
Besides weapons, there’s an entire arsenal of armor and other protective gear, as well as countless utility items, ranging from simple tools like ropes or throwing knives, to grenades, pills that enhance prisoners' abilities, and even combat drones.
Team-Based Brawls
Speaking of drones, I have to mention our party members. Among the prisoners (and players!) we have supporters of more natural companions, like rats, but also drones crafted by prisoners at their illegal crafting benches. Both types can be upgraded and equipped with various gear (eg. rat capes or tiny claws for your furry friends). Speaking of upgrade and crafting, spoiler alert : You can also get a Mech Rat !
However, the most important members of the party are the other prisoners. They can make the biggest difference in a fight. Every prisoner has their own set of special strengths and weaknesses. You can discover these to determine which prisoners suit you best depending on the combat.
Of course, none of them will join our side just because we want them to. First, we need to earn their trust and respect. And to do that, it's best to get closer to them and help with their personal issues. Everyone here has a goal, something they want to accomplish.
Bosses
Combat is also a key challenge in the player’s progression. To advance in the gang, the player must not only earn the respect of other members at their level but also defeat a gang member who ranks above them in the hierarchy. It's a test of strength, survival of the fittest. This is where discovering the strengths and weaknesses of other prisoners comes in handy for the second time. Learning these helps us prepare for the fight against a mini-boss, such as prisoners from higher tiers. The enemy doesn’t like being pushed around? Then I’ll take knuckles with Push to the fight. Does the enemy use shivs? I’ll bring extra bandages to prevent bleeding from their knives. Weak lungs? I’ll bring an extra toxic grenade.
Combining all these systems and making the combat simple and fast while still maintaining depth was not an easy task. A key element was the introduction of preparation—discovering the strengths and weaknesses of the enemy, assembling the right party, and finally equipping them with the appropriate gear crafted on illegal workbenches.
The prisoners themselves, umm... I mean the players, played a crucial role in shaping how our combat system ultimately turned out. They provided incredibly valuable feedback, helping us refine the elements that mattered most to them and for that, we are super grateful!
Hope you enjoyed this reminder of the prison safety rules regarding engaging with other inmates and illegal activities such as contraband and fighting among prisoners.
Stay tuned for the upcoming news about the game!
See you behind bars!
Wooden Alien Team