Game Concept Mando Pathways (unofficial)

A Work-in-Progress Study in User Experience and User Interface Design for a game in the Star Wars universe
Primary role:
UI/UX Designer
When:
August 2023
Summary:
“Mando Pathways” is an open-world action-adventure game inspired by the creed of the Mandalorians from the Star Wars universe. Players take on the role of a young and skilled Mandalorian warrior, who embarks on a journey across various planets to uphold their creed and build their legacy.
 
This is a work-in-progress, for now, I’m focusing on the UX, mostly wireframes and the overall game concept.

Narrative

The game’s narrative revolves around the journey of our young Mandalorian protagonist, who starts as a lone bounty hunter in the outskirts of the galaxy. However, their destiny takes a turn when they stumble upon a hidden cache of Mandalorian artifacts, which includes a unique set of armor passed down through generations.

As the Mandalorian dons this legendary armor, they catch the attention of the Mandalorian clans and draw the focus of powerful factions within the Star Wars galaxy. The protagonist becomes a symbol of hope, embodying the core values of the Mandalorian creed – honor, loyalty, and resilience.

Throughout the game, the Mandalorian seeks to understand their heritage, the history of the armor, and the secrets it holds. They’ll unravel an ancient prophecy that foretells the return of a true Mandalorian leader, destined to unite the scattered clans and restore Mandalore’s honor.

As the player progresses, they’ll encounter morally complex decisions, each with consequences that shape the Mandalorian’s reputation and the galaxy’s perception of them. Different factions may try to sway the Mandalorian towards their cause, and the player must navigate the grey area between loyalty to the Mandalorian creed and personal motivations.

Along the way, the Mandalorian forms bonds with other characters, both Mandalorians and non-Mandalorians, creating opportunities for emotional and impactful storytelling. Friendships, rivalries, and romances may all develop, influencing the protagonist’s path.

  1. Bounty Hunting and Mercenary Contracts: As a Mandalorian, your character’s main focus is on earning a living through bounty hunting and accepting mercenary contracts from different factions across the galaxy. These contracts will lead you to explore diverse and dangerous worlds, each with its unique challenges and rewards.

  2. Customization and Upgrades: The game offers extensive customization options, allowing players to tailor their Mandalorian’s appearance, armor, weapons, and abilities. As you progress and collect bounties, you can upgrade your armor and gear, enhancing your combat skills and gaining access to new abilities.

  3. Mandalorian Creed and Honor: Staying true to the Mandalorian creed is vital. Players will have to make morally significant choices throughout the game, influencing their reputation and standing in the Mandalorian community. Your decisions will determine how others perceive you, leading to alliances or rivalries with various factions.

  4. Dynamic Combat System: The combat system draws inspiration from God of War’s visceral and satisfying combat style. Engage in intense battles with blasters, melee weapons, and gadgets. Utilize stealth tactics for stealth missions and plan your approach based on the target’s strengths and weaknesses.

  5. Galactic Exploration: The game’s open-world design allows players to explore multiple planets, each offering distinct environments, challenges, and stories. Uncover ancient ruins, discover hidden treasures, and interact with various NPCs, each with their own quests and unique storylines.

  6. Mandalorian Guilds and Duels: Interact with other Mandalorians in their guilds, learn from their experiences, and even challenge them to honorable duels to prove your worth and climb the ranks.

  7. Epic Boss Battles: Encounter formidable adversaries, including iconic Star Wars characters and original villains. Engage in epic boss battles that test your combat skills, wit, and resolve.

  8. Dynamic Weather and Day-Night Cycle: The game features a dynamic weather system and day-night cycle, adding an immersive layer to the gameplay and environments.

  9. Co-op and Multiplayer: Optional co-op and multiplayer modes allow players to team up with friends, form Mandalorian squads, and take on challenging missions or engage in competitive PVP battles.

Gameplay & Inspirations

  1. Seamless Open World: The galaxy is your playground, and you can travel between planets and locations with your ship. Each planet features distinct ecosystems, cultures, and challenges. Engage in space battles during interstellar travel and seamlessly transition from the ship to the planet’s surface.
  2. Dynamic Quests and Bounties: The game offers a mix of main story quests, faction-specific missions, and procedurally generated bounties. Players can accept contracts from various factions, such as the Hutts, the Empire, or the Rebel Alliance, depending on their choices and reputation.
  3. Skill-Based Combat: Combat is skill-based, rewarding players for precise timing, dodging, and counter-attacks. Use a combination of blasters, melee weapons, and gadgets to defeat enemies. The Mandalorian’s armor offers unique abilities, like limited stealth or energy shields, which can be tactically deployed during combat.
  4. Evolving Armor and Gear: As the Mandalorian progresses, they can upgrade their armor and gear using resources collected from bounties and missions. New armor sets, gadgets, and weapons become available, each affecting gameplay and tactics.
  5. Mandalorian Creed System: The Mandalorian Creed System tracks your adherence to the Mandalorian way. Honor the creed by making selfless decisions, protecting allies, and never removing your helmet in front of others (in line with traditional Mandalorian beliefs). Your actions influence your reputation among Mandalorian clans and unlock special abilities or perks.
  6. Mandalorian Guilds and Duels: Interact with Mandalorian guilds scattered across the galaxy. Participate in clan duels, friendly sparring, or prove your worth in tournament-style events. The standing of your clan determines the type of contracts you can access and opens up exclusive storylines.
  7. Space Battles and Ship Customization: Engage in space battles with rival factions, pirates, or bounty hunters. Upgrade and customize your ship’s weapons, defenses, and appearance.
  8. Galactic Exploration and Puzzles: Discover hidden ruins, ancient Mandalorian enclaves, and abandoned Sith temples. Solve environmental puzzles to progress and uncover secrets that aid your quest.
  9. Player Choices and Consequences: The game’s narrative adapts to your choices, affecting relationships with companions, alliances with factions, and even the ultimate outcome of the prophecy. Your choices will define the Mandalorian’s legacy.
  10.  
My inspirations for this project are Jedi Fallen Order, God of War, Metal Gear Solid V, and Death Stranding.

To generate the character and environment, I used Leonardo.Ai then I made a post-processing with Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom.

For the screens, I used Figma and Photoshop.
 

Wireframes

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About me

  • Educational Background: Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture and Urban Planning at PUC Minas and the University of Utah. Associate’s Degree in Computer Science at Cruzeiro do Sul.
  • Design Experience: 10+ years in architecture and design, with a focus on UX/UI for the past 3 years.
  • Rapid Career Growth: Proven track record of success in UX/UI design, with a focus on creating intuitive and engaging digital experiences.
  • Content Creator: Share knowledge and expertise with others through YouTube, Instagram and blog posts.
  • Skills: User Experience (UX), User Interface Design, Interaction Design, Prototyping, User Research, Design Systems, Usability Testing, Product Discovery, Visual Design, Web Design, Cross-functional, Collaboration, Problem-Solving, Project Coordination.