Platitude combines two of the most popular genres in video games - platforming and tower defense. Up to five players must navigate their world and reach the goal while avoiding fatal obstacles laid down by the builder. The builder can slow down the platformers by placing objects, towers and monsters in the path of the platformer. If the platformer does not reach the goal before time runs out or runs out of lives then the builder is successful and wins. Otherwise the platformers win and play continues on a different stage with a new builder.
Platitude was collaboratively designed and prototyped by the 23 students enrolled in the Fall 2010 session of CS121 - Software Development at Harvey Mudd College.
The final prototype, demonstrated on 7 December 2010 in the Sprague Learning Studio, features:
The platformers aim to traverse a level within a set amount of time. The platformer character has a limited number of abilities (jump, move left, move right, etc.) which it can use to explore the map.
The builder uses currency to buy obstacles that it places on the map to prevent the platformer from getting to the end of the level. To buy and place an obstavle, he player clicks on the corresponding button in the bar at the bottom of the screen, and then cliks in the map at the obstacles desired location. The map display interface provides a full view of the level, with the ability to zoom in on any part. The builder can see the platformers' progress in real-time. The interactive minimap shows the relationship between the current map display and the whole level area. The player can click in the minimap to move the map display widow in the level.
Spectators have a big-picture view of the level to follow the players' progress in real-time. They can zoom in on any part of the map.
Philip Aelion-Moss, Christopher Beavers, David Cook, Sarah Ferraro, Aaron Gable, Leif Gaebler, Jacob Heller, My Ho, Sean Laguna, Kathryn Lingel, Camille Marvin, Stephanos Matsumoto, Beatrice Metitiri, Emily Myers-Stanhope, Oliver Ortlieb, Thea Osinski, Richard Porczak, Kevin Riley, Max Strater, Rahul Swaminathan, Russel Transue, Heather Williams, Lilian de Greef, Alexandre François (pm).