Stealth Survival Scope

Stealth Survival Scope

Core Game Definition

Primary Objectives

• Explore levels from start to end without detection or with limited detection
• End locations may feature a boss to defeat, but not always required
• Levels often broken into segments requiring passage through multiple areas before reaching final challenge

Combat Philosophy

• Strategic Selection: Choose and lure enemies to defeat strategically
• Avoid Direct Confrontation: Not about jumping into hordes of monsters and obliterating them with spell casts
• Methodical Approach: Slow, calculated, and precise attacks against unaware enemies

Stealth Attack Rewards

Attacking enemies undetected provides gameplay rewards:

• Extra Damage: Bonus damage for successful stealth attacks
• Stun Effects: Temporary disable of enemy capabilities
• Attack Variations: Assassination moves, backstabs, leap attacks from above, or enhanced powerful attacks

Combat Balance Framework

Player Strength Scaling

• 1 vs 1: Player is strong and should win most encounters
• 1 vs 2: Player is capable but requires skill and strategy
• 1 vs 3: Player is significantly disadvantaged and at risk of defeat

This framework defines how combat encounters should be balanced and helps guide level design decisions.

Enemy Design Patterns

Movement Types

• Stationary Enemies: Guards that don’t move from their positions
• Patrol Enemies: Follow predictable routes that players can learn and exploit

Understanding enemy movement patterns is essential for early level design, as it determines player approach strategies and timing requirements.

Resource Management

Limited Resources Philosophy

Stealth survival games typically punish players who don’t use resources wisely:

• Ammunition Constraints: Missing shots can lead to running out of ammo
• Health Management: Poor use of health potions can leave players vulnerable
• Strategic Decision Making: Players must optimize resource usage as part of core gameplay

This resource limitation creates tension and forces careful consideration of each action.

User Experience Design

Player Objectives

Example scenarios for stealth survival experiences:

• “The player will be required to sneak through the level and steal the great crystal”
• “The player will be required to sneak through the level and defeat the big bad guy”
• “The player will escape from a high security prison”

Movement Requirements

Essential movement types for stealth survival:

• Sneak/Stealth: Primary movement mode for avoiding detection
• Walk: Standard movement (less critical with stealth available)
• Run: For emergency situations or when stealth is broken
• Sprint: Quick escapes when detected
• Jump: Basic navigation requirement
• Air Dash & Double Jump: Typically not present in stealth survival games
• Dodge Roll: Theme-dependent (more common in sword/magic themes, less in gun-based games)

Level Design Framework

Core Structure Requirements

• Player starts at entry point and must reach center or end of guarded complex
• Enemy Placement: Mix of stationary and patrolling guards
• Resource Distribution: Items scattered throughout level, with secret stashes providing significant advantages

Environmental Themes

Potential settings for stealth survival experiences:

• Prison facilities
• Secret bases
• Castle fortifications
• Museum environments

Player Navigation Design

• Provide multiple approach options to avoid combat
• Create puzzles requiring elimination of specific enemies in proper sequence
• Design expected paths while allowing creative player solutions

The stealth survival experience focuses on patience, planning, and precise execution rather than direct confrontation or overwhelming force.