Zippy Zap Tower Defense

Game Design Document

Version 1.0 - Game Jam Edition

Core Concept

A top-down tower defense game where players must manage power resources to defend against waves of bugs. The game uniquely combines resource management with traditional tower defense mechanics through a day/night cycle system.

Game Loop

1. Day/Night Cycle
   • Each "day" consists of two phases:
     • Prep Phase (Day): Players build/upgrade defenses while solar panels generate power
     • Combat Phase (Night): Bugs attack while players defend using stored power
   • Surviving a night advances to the next day
   • Real-time gameplay allows for dynamic strategy adjustments

Core Systems

Power Management

• Solar Panels

  • Generate power during daylight hours
  • Base generation rate: 10 power units per minute
  • Can be upgraded to improve efficiency
  • Affected by placement (optimization opportunity)

• Batteries

  • Store power generated by solar panels
  • Base capacity: 100 power units
  • Can be upgraded to increase storage capacity
  • Act as power distribution nodes

• Power Grid

  • Towers must be within range of powered batteries
  • Visual indicator shows power connections
  • Power distribution radius: 5 tiles

Tower Types

1. Basic Turret

   • Cost: 100 credits
   • Power Usage: 5 units per shot
   • Range: 4 tiles
   • Damage: 10
   • Fire Rate: 1 shot/second

2. Rapid Turret

   • Cost: 200 credits
   • Power Usage: 3 units per shot
   • Range: 3 tiles
   • Damage: 5
   • Fire Rate: 3 shots/second

3. Heavy Turret

   • Cost: 300 credits
   • Power Usage: 15 units per shot
   • Range: 5 tiles
   • Damage: 30
   • Fire Rate: 0.5 shots/second

Infrastructure

1. Solar Panel

   • Cost: 150 credits
   • Generation: 10 power units/minute
   • Durability: 100 HP

2. Battery

   • Cost: 200 credits
   • Storage: 100 power units
   • Durability: 150 HP

Enemy Types

1. Worker Bug

   • Health: 50 HP (increases by 5% each day)
   • Speed: Normal
   • Reward: 25 credits
   • Special: None

2. Soldier Bug

   • Health: 100 HP (increases by 5% each day)
   • Speed: Slow
   • Reward: 50 credits
   • Special: Armored (takes 25% less damage)

3. Scout Bug

   • Health: 30 HP (increases by 5% each day)
   • Speed: Fast
   • Reward: 35 credits
   • Special: Dodge chance (20%)

Wave Progression

• Day 1

  • Wave 1: 10 Worker Bugs
  • Wave 2: 15 Worker Bugs
  • Wave 3: 10 Worker Bugs + 5 Scout Bugs

• Day 2

  • All bugs gain 5% more health
  • Wave 1: 15 Worker Bugs + 5 Scout Bugs
  • Wave 2: 20 Worker Bugs + 8 Scout Bugs
  • Wave 3: 15 Worker Bugs + 10 Scout Bugs + 2 Soldier Bugs

• Subsequent Days

  • Health increases by 5% each day
  • Number of bugs increases by 20% each day
  • New bug combinations introduced
  • Additional waves added every 3 days

Economy

• Starting Resources

  • Credits: 500
  • Basic loadout: 1 Solar Panel, 1 Battery, 1 Basic Turret

• Income Sources

  • Killing bugs: 25-50 credits per bug
  • Completion bonus: 200 credits per day survived
  • Perfect defense bonus: 100 additional credits

UI Elements

1. Resource Display

   • Current credits
   • Current power stored
   • Power generation rate
   • Time until next phase

2. Build Menu

   • Tower selection
   • Infrastructure options
   • Upgrade options
   • Cost display

3. Wave Information

   • Current day/wave
   • Enemy count
   • Enemy types incoming
   • Time until next wave

Win/Lose Conditions

• Win Condition

  • Survive predetermined number of days (e.g., 7 days)
  • Optional: Endless mode for high score

• Lose Condition

  • Base health reaches 0
  • All power infrastructure destroyed

Technical Considerations

• Grid-based placement system
• Pathfinding for enemies
• Power distribution calculation
• Wave spawning system
• Day/night cycle timer

Polish Features (Time Permitting)

• Weather effects affecting solar generation
• Dynamic music based on game phase
• Power surge events
• Special waves
• Achievement system
• Tutorial system

Minimum Viable Product

1. Functional day/night cycle
2. Basic tower placement and power system
3. Three enemy types
4. Three tower types
5. Basic UI for resources and building
6. Wave spawning system
7. Win/lose conditions