Think You Know My Avatar?

Alyssa Zelman

March 20, 2014

MDIA 1020

Section 3

Avatar made from http://www.dolldivine.com/sweet-lolita-mega-dress-up.php

Violet Plumsbelle is 15 years old. She has studied for five years so far to become a knight in the guild of the SugarPlum Girls, to which her grandmother belonged before her. She's the quiet type, and not great with words, but is fiercely protective of her companions and won't hesitate when it comes to defending their honor. With her cute character design, awesome fighting skills, and fierce determination, she could appeal to a wide variety of age groups, though her game is recommended for people 12 and up due to cartoon violence and some frightening villains. She would be liked for being a good example of how femininity does not equal weakness, that you can be cute and a badass all at once. As the game progresses, we are treated to Violet and SweetPea's friendship growing stronger with not-so-subtle hints that the two have crushes on one another. The characters would be programmed to hold hands, cling to one another when they are frightened, and kiss one other on the cheek and forehead if the player leaves them idle for long enough. Though these features would not be essential to gameplay, they help draw the reader into the story and empathize with the characters (not to mention help LGBT*+ players feel safe and welcomed by the game). Violet is motivated by her desire to prove herself as a warrior and by her love for SweetPea. She is willing to traverse dangerous landscapes and risk her life fighting enemies in order to achieve this.

One day when she is spending time with her friend, Lady Sweetpea, Sweetpea's baby dragon familiar is snatched up by a group of greedy dark wizards who teleport to the other side of the country. Violet vows to get the dragon back, and so the two undertake a great journey together to recover him. Violet defends her delicate friend against the enemies that come her way while Sweetpea uses her rudimentary magic to guide them across parts of the environment (think powers like generating light in a cave,  unlocking magic doors). Their game would involve fighting stages, puzzle stages in which the girls must help one another to get to difficult areas, and sandbox levels which allow the player to enjoy the environment. The setting would be a sugary sweet adorable landscape, like in Kirby or Adventure Time that the player would quickly discover is much more dangerous than it appears.

 Violet has a few options when it comes to SweetPea. She can command her to Stay Put, in which case SweetPea will stay in one spot until Violet comes back to her or calls her over. Violet can also tell her to Follow or Come With Me in which case Violet and SweetPea will grab hands and walk/run together. If the player forgets where they left SweetPea, Violet can shout Where Are You and Sweet will use her powers to shoot a flare. Violet can also shoot a flair, in which case SweetPea will come to wherever Violet is. Although Sweet Pea can manage on her own, Violet often must clear a path in order for Sweet Pea to be able to reach her. The gameplay is somewhat similiar to ICO but SweetPea is a little more capable than Yorda. She cannot go any farther than Violet.