As a dual-wielder myself (of both Design and Production), I carried out a collaboration with WRKS Games, a Singapore studio with the mission of creating and developing IPs centered on science-fantasy worlds.

Feel free to request access to the Alpha version's Game Design Document, and its Commercial Deck / High Design Document.

My Role

• A 2-month collaboration with WRKS Games, a Singapore studio with the mission of creating and developing IPs centered on science-fantasy worlds.
• In the capacity of a lead game designer and producer, I led and coordinated three teams of engineers, level designers and 3D artists working on Unity and Unreal projects, reporting progress directly to the CEO and Founder.
• I produced, planned, and designed combat, upgrade and buff systems, as well as narrative and storytelling of Birger’s Tale, a roguelite endless runner set in the norse world of Jordenheim, where the protagonist relentlessly hunts down his foes across battlefields and claims materials and runes for enhancements.
• I evaluated performance and weighed priorities to create roadmaps for the three projects, tracking tasks completion and performing playtesting and Quality Assurance.

The Story

His wife cheated on him. He is getting old, and nobody remembers his name. He was a hero once, now he is just a has-been.

Lead Birger through the battlefield as he chases his long-sworn enemies to regain his lost glory and redeem his path to Valhalla!

The Gameplay

Runner games often feature the MC escaping or repelling a threat. Birger never retreats. He charges across the battlefield in pursuit of the enemy, jumping and sliding through the enemy's fortifications.

True to his berserker nature, Birger dons no armor, relying instead on his unbridled strength and dexterity. As he sprints ever-forward, he hacks away at who or whatever stands in his way.

First Time User Experience

After a short intro, the player is launched into their first taste of the power fantasy, from has-been to godhood, with a fitting bounty of rewards to learn the maintenance loops with.

Time is slowed as the tutorial presents each type of challenge and how they are overcome. When the tutorial boss is defeated, the story rewinds, and the maintenance loops are taught.

Chase the boss (Roguelite)

Bosses show up periodically as a run progresses. Only when Birger defeats them can he claim the spoils of battle that he has obtained until then. Should he fall before, his rewards will be diminished.

Rest and grow stronger

The Tavern of Fólkvangr is the place for Birger to dress his wounds, quench his thirst, and fill his belly before departing. Here is where upgrades and temporary boosts may be purchased, and the story may move forward.

Input

Dodge

Tap the left half of the screen to hack left, and the right half of the screen to hack right. Birger can destroy obstacles and strike down enemies, but must take care not to harm innocents who might be of help.

Hack

Swipe down to slide under obstacles and shield formations. Swipe up to jump over palisades and enemy lines. Swipe left and right to switch lanes and avoid attacks.

Collectibles

Currencies

Birger is free to pick up any gold that he finds while traversing the battleground, though of course, at his own risk.

• Gold: Obtained during runs, it rewards navigating the battle for as long as possible.
• Runes: Defeated enemies yield runes, as feeble or mighty as they are. They reward defeating enemies.
• Ores: Reward for smashing breakables.
• Experience: Reward for defeating bosses.

Powerups

A Berserker's challenge is telling friend from foe. Allies offer temporary boosts, like bursts of invincibility and even the ability to draw in other collectibles.

Progression

As Birger completes runs, his level, and that of his enemies, will increase. Should he fail to upgrade his skills and axes, he will find that his blows deal little damage.

Whether or not enemies go down in one hit depends on Birger's stats, the quality of his axes, and the enemy's own strengths and weaknesses. The mightier the enemy, and the truer the blow that fells them, the greater the rewards.

Upgrades

Smithy

When Birger defeats bosses, he is free to claim the spoils of battle. The Smithy, a long-time frenemy, can smelt rare ores into new axes for Birger to wield.

Runecraft

Runes are the very essence of the world of Jordenheim. The Runecaster can carve them onto both weaponry and skin.

Merriment

No tale of vikings is complete without food and drink. Birger can spend his hard-earned gold on temporary boosts as he prepares for a new battle.

Engagement

Energy (Willpower)

Old as he is, Birger must will himself to leave for battle. Willpower is spent when starting a run and slowly regenerated throughout the day. A day's rest (or perhaps some merriment at the Tavern) will see Willpower restored.

Daily log-in rewards (Offerings)

The commonfolk cheer on Birger as he returns each day, with Offerings to aid him in battle. Logging in daily provides greater rewards the longer the streak, incentivizing short bursts of rewarding gameplay sessions.

Game Settings

Run settings

• Tomb: More obstacles, fewer enemies.
• Camp: More enemies, fewer obstacles.
• Fortress: As many enemies as obstacles.

Biomes

• Tundra: A freezing desert.
• Taiga: A boreal forest.
• Fjord: A cliff-ridden coast.
• Muspelheim: The realm of fire.
• Jotunheim: The icy realm of giants.
• Asgard: The plane of gods.
• Vanaheim: The plane of demons.
• Svartalfheim: A world of shadows.

Weapon damage types

• Pierce: Pickaxes, strong against stone.
• Cut: Axes, strong against wood.
• Slash: Blades, strong against flesh.
• Blunt: Hammers, strong aganinst metal.
• Scythe: Strong against flesh and wood, but not great.
• Serrated: Strong against wood and flesh, but not great.
• Spiked: Clubs and morningstars, strong against stone and metal, but not great.

Magic damage types

• Fire: Strong against Ice.
• Ice: Strong against Thunder.
• Thunder: Strong against Fire.
• Holy: Strong against Dark.
• Dark: Strong against Holy.

Stats

• STR: Governs damage.
• DEX: Controls movement and attack rate.
• HP: How much damage you can take.
• SPD: Augments over time.
• AttackRange: The reach of your blade.
• DamageTypeRes: Resistance for each damage type.

Runes

• On weapons: Increases damage.
• On Birger's arms: Increases stats.