top of page

High-Concept

Take control of Fredrick the mole and explore through expansive caverns filled if perilous environments and dangerous enemies. Dig your way through obstacles and redirect the flow of fluids in order to solve challenging puzzles.

Screenshots

Features

  • Destructible grid-based terrain

  • Three types of uniquely interactive liquids

  • Classic platform mechanics and a twist

  • Three types of enemies

  • Hidden collectibles

  • Throw-able items for more explosions!

About

Frederick and the Pick of Fate was developed over two semesters in my sophomore year. This was the first time we had two semesters to work on a game and also the first time we were allowed to use C++. Right from the get-go we knew we wanted to make a game that featured "digging" as a mechanic, and the rest of the game came together around this concept.

 

Digging on its own quickly became boring. Players needed a reason to dig, but were not finding it. We decided that we would try and get the players involved by having them solve puzzles . These puzzles took the form of redirecting the flow of liquids in the game in order to defeat enemies and open up new pathways.

 

After implementing one type of liquid, we decided why not have others? Lava and gas soon followed water. This created the interesting dynamic of how each liquid interacted with the others. Lava ignites gas, water hardens lava, and water cleans away gas.

 

The dynamic liquids soon became one of the more interesting aspects of Frederick and the Pick of Fate.

Team

  • Alex Fricke - Lead Designer

  • Reese Jones - Tech Lead

  • Taylor Saunders - Producer

  • Kirthi Velukumar - Gameplay Programmer

  • Ryan Scott - Sound Designer

Contributions To The Game

  • Engineered data driven component based engine in C++ using visual studio allowing for easy creation of game mechanics.

  • Developed XML file parser to utilize levels created with Tiled level editor providing an easy content creation pipeline for levels and objects.

  • Incorporated DirectX 10 sprite batching into our game allowing the use of animated, transformed and colored sprites.

  • Programmed tile map system allowing for interactive, destructible terrain with simulated water, lava, and gas physics.

  • Designed multi-threaded engine allowing for level loading in background and smoother transitions.

  • Implemented data-driven particles allowing designers to bring cave environments to life.

  • Animated and drew the main character

  • Created tile sets and backgrounds

Download

Fredrick and the Pick of Fate can be downloaded here off the DigiPen website.

bottom of page