What could be more fun than rhythm platforming on DNA strands? That’s the main premise behind my latest game concept, Double Helix.
Double Helix is a run-forever rhythm platform game for iOS devices that combines the principles of real world DNA replication with the challenges of quick decision-making. In Double Helix, you play as Junior, a nanobot moving at a certain pace along an unwinding DNA double helix and replicating sequences of DNA to a certain beat. As the double helix unwinds, targets appear indicating missing nucleotides. Using clues in the sequence, you must find the correct nucleotide for each missing spot while staying on the beat.
As it turns out, it takes a lot of minute details and tuning to create a game. Even for this deceptively simple game, the breakdown of individual game mechanics within my detailed design document has grown to well over half a dozen pages. Throw in descriptions of characters, enemies, features, controls, camera, and screen mockups, and you’ve got quite a large document on your hands.
Here are some initial menu screen mockups for Double Helix:
