Kyute Racer

About

Kyute Racer is a hybrid Capturing, Breeding, and Racing game. Inspired heavily by Final Fantasy VII's Chocobo Racing and Sonic Adventure 2's Chao Gardens, Kyute Racer is a full experience based on the idea of capturing wild creatures (Kyutes), breeding them to isolate and enhance desired traits, and then racing them in competitions to recieve wealth, prizes, and renown.

My Contributions

Extensive Genetics

The breeding system in Kyute Racer was built to simulate mostly-real genetic recombination. Certain aspects of the genetics were simplified or altered for the sake of gameplay, such as mostly each trait belonging to its own chromosome, or the fact that ranking higher in races will improve the odds of the kyute passing on more desirable traits.


Modular Genetic Expression

To compliment the Genetics System, kyutes have a fully modular composition. With specific phenotypes mapped from the kyute's genotypes, there is an effectively infinite number of possible unique kyute appearences. Modular components include colors, skin types, skin patterns, horns, and wings, with a few additional effects and special visual types that can be discovered.


Riding and Racing Mechanics

Kyutes have a fully developed control scheme and mechanics, which are shared both when exploring the world and when racing in competitions. Certain breeds of kyutes have additional capabilities that are accounted for and implemented.


Exploration, Persistence, and Capturing

There are several systems in place to facilitate interesting world exploration. In addition to using kyutes with unique abilities to reach new areas, there are also systems in place to support persistence of collectables, captured kyutes, released kyutes which can be recaptured, and trial-like challenges. Kyutes in the wild are aware of their surroundings and run away if they detect you, can be destracted with bait, and have a quick-button press minigame to facilitate capturing.


Kyute Management

In addition to being able to capture and ride kyutes, they can be managed in a number of ways, including stabling, breeding, selling, and releasing. Stabled kyutes can be transfered between stables, or taken out for riding. Any two male and female kyutes can be bred to obtain new kyutes through the genetics system. Kyutes you no longer want or don't have space for can be sold for money, in which case you'll never see them again, or released back into the wild, where they may show back up occasionally and can be recaptured.


Avatar Customization

In addition to modular kyutes, the player's Avatar is also modular, and can be customized at will, with unlockable outfits and accessories as the player progresses.


Please contact me if you wish to examine the game's code, or to play the latest build.