In Deep Ship - Rare & XBOX Game Studios D&AD Submission 2020
In Deep Ship is a group submission for the D&AD New Blood Awards 2020: Rare and Microsoft Studios brief. Together, we created a framework and concept for the game, which we brought to life through our different specialisms. The challenge was to create a new co-operative experience, new ways for players to interact on a personal and global level for memorable / shareable moments. Inspired by Elite, PlanetSide, Star Trek and others; we designed a crew adventure/mmo set in a future where mankind has moved underwater.
Peter Jago - Production of UI/UX, motion graphics, 3D modelling and video editing
Andrew Grech - Concept Art - visualising environments, characters, vehicles, props and gameplay
Ali Mshasha - Brand development, production of graphical elements and 3D asset design
What is the game?
The game is centred around a player-driven global economy; faction warfare; upgrading your crew’s ship and gear for exploration; with global live events around the ocean.
We produced system-maps incorporating the different levels of interaction – before user-testing the game in a tabletop RPG format. From iterating the presentation of the video, we produced an infographic trailer around the corporate theme in which our game is set.
The entire game takes place under the ocean. Three major factions - Vega Finical, Harland Corporation and Johnson & Payne Incorporated - have claimed ownership of land around the ocean, fighting over the varying resources and processing plants. In the centre of the world there is a neutral zone, where no land can be claimed. However, getting there requires you to cross the Abyss, a no-mans-land, a bottom-less deep.
You and a crew man a ship in this vast world, making your own adventures. Free to explore and discover what the world has to offer while carrying out the multitude of missions. Accumulate wealth to better your experience - upgrade your armour, gear and ship, the neccessary equipment to adventure deeper.
Players on a local level benifit from co-operative gameplay - being strategic and effecient is key to your crew overcoming challenges. Globally every player's actions affect the game's economy, indirectly affecting every player's experience through the mapping of territories, availability of resources, their prices and more.
World map, designed by Peter Jago
World map close-up, designed by Peter Jago
Navigation console, VFX by Peter Jago; 3D model by Ali Mshasha; Concept Art by Andrew Grech
Faction logo designs by Ali Mshasha
Logo thumbnails by Andrew Grech
Leviathan Concept Art by Andrew Grech
Kelp Forest Concept Art by Andrew Grech | Processing Plant Concept Art by Andrew Grech
Character Art by Andrew Grech
Character Art by Andrew Grech; class icons by Andrew Grech and Peter Jago; UI and 3D banner by Peter Jago
Ship 3D modelled and rendered by Ali Mshasha: designed by Andrew Grech
Concept Art rendered by Ali Mshasha
Ship sketches by Andrew Grech
Ship designed by Andrew Grech; 3D modelled and rendered by Ali Mshasha; UI screen by Peter Jago
Ship UI screen by Peter Jago