ARKNET: Singularity
A gripping mobile action-adventure that sends you on a thrilling quest to free mankind from the clutches of an evil A.I. Break the shackles, defeat your enemies using insidious skills, strike swiftly and vanish into thin air to succeed on your journey from captivity to freedom.
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Goals & Specifications
When concepting ARKNET: Singularity, stakeholders and developers agreed on the ambitious goal of delivering a console-class action-adventure game for smartphones. This meant striking the right balance between genre-typical complexity and platform-customary simplicity. To achieve this goal, particular attention was paid to an accessible learning curve, explaining mechanics in an entertaining, yet understandable fashion and keeping touchscreen controls as simple as possible.
| Developer | Reija GmbH |
| Funded by | MFG Baden-Württemberg |
| Genre | Action-adventure |
| Platform | Mobile |
| Input | Touch |
| No. of players | Single player |
| Commercial release | Yes (Android and iOS) |
| Team size | 5 developers |
| Development time | 1 year |
| Project type | Commercial project |
| Position | Product owner / Game designer |
My Tasks
Production
Planning: Defining the project scope using Confluence.
Administration: Managing the product backlog using Jira.
Leadership: Setting sprint goals and milestones with the team.
Funding: Ensuring that milestone requirements were met.
Marketing: Managing ASO, website, social media and PR.
Game Design
Conception: Establishing and documenting a gameplay vision and story.
Monetization: Designing and evaluating a F2P business model.
Level design: Building three main story chapters (30+ levels).
UI Design: Sketching, building and testing GUI and user flows.
Cinematography: Directing and building in-engine cutscenes.
Screenshots
Features
A Conspiracy In Cyberspace
The game is set against the backdrop of a dystopian sci-fi scenario, in which humanity has lost control of its own development. Ravaged by technological hyper evolution, cyber wars and espionage, governments felt compelled to place mankinds fate into the hands of ARKNET, an all-encompassing new type of global internet. But what seemed to be a 21st century safe haven quickly turned into our demise, when a shadow client injected a malicious A.I. into the network. Facing an enemy within, humanity depends on you, a virtual security unity, to find and shut down the threat.
Stealth + Action + Adventure
When exploring cyberspace, players experience a unique blend of suspensful stealth segments and action-packed combat mechanics. ARKNET is packed with corrupted security units that scan every corner for anomalies. Thorough observation of enemy patrol patterns and decisive strikes are a necessity to succeed. Luckily, a versatile dash skill in combination with unique booster loadouts unlocks a plethora of custom-tailored playstyles.
Cut A Dash
The dash is the most important skill players have at their disposal. As such, it can be used in a variety of ways. By simply tapping, pulling and releasing, the main character darts into any chosen direction. This not only allows one to defeat foes by striking them, it also enables scurrying through hostile vision cones undetectedly, to stealthily evade ranged attacks on time and even jump across smaller gaps.
Break The System
Besides fighting vicious enemies, traversing the ARKNET system also incorporates manifold types of puzzles. A key ingredient to these are interactive objects such as power and control pads used to switch circuitry and object states, movable slider platforms and jump pads required to cross the void, as well as data cubes containing bits of lore and valuable hints. As the game progresses, different combinations of interactable objects must be used in conjunction, thus challenging the wits of players by demanding a deepened understanding of its mechanics.
Play To Strength
With each new level, players face ever tougher challenges, particularly in the form of boss fights and significant narrative events. To prevail, different types of boosters called SECMODs can be acquired within the world. These unlock new powers such as emitting a strong electric pulse when dashing, increased movement speed, healing damage or temporary invincibility. Using these modifications is crucial to gain a much-needed competitive edge in tight situations.