The Circuit: How an ideas has become Reality

My name is Warren and I’m an indie game designer. Well actually I develop online web-based training courses for a living, but game design is a dream job of mine. I’ve been a fan of the fighting game genre since my introduction to the original Street Fighter II back in the day. That love grew and evolved along with the games as they began allowing players more freedom of expression with each game’s identifying mechanics and how they allow players to use the roster’s characters. My most recent favorites have been the Killer Instinct (2013 reboot), Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3, and Mortal Kombat 11.

Now it’s quite normal to play a fighting game where there may be drastic approaches in how different players use the same character, and this has always fascinated me – or outright enraged me (depending on the outcome). This is also a part of my motivation to build a fighting game with an emphasis on allowing players to make their fighter truly unique.

The Circuit is my attempt at building a fighting game with one of the twists on the formula being that each player has direct control of the character(s) that they make. There is no predefined roster of characters for players to choose from. Everything is set by the player as they modify their character’s look, attire, attributes, offensive & defensive moves, and assign unique perks for their character’s progression.

Another twist to The Circuit is that the games fighting mechanics are card based. This means that players don’t need to learn or rely on complex joystick and button combinations to be effective. Even general knowledge of the ‘sweet science’ is a great foundation going into the game – and results will be based on how well you prepare your character’s repertoire, or deck, in conjunction with the attributes and perks that you choose.

The card game mechanic also gives a unique layer of depth to how fights play out. With 7 different attributes based on the S.T.A.P.L.E.S. of fighting (Strength, Technique, Agility, Physique, Luck, Endurance, and Stamina), and each attribute with its own skill tree of perks to choose from – players are able to build the fighter of their choice.

The final twist with The Circuit is allowing each player to tell and develop the story and inspiration behind why their character fights. Most fighting games center their narrative around the various characters gathering to participate in a tournament. The Circuit, is looking to break that tradition in a sense by allowing players to dictate the motivation(s) of their characters. While the game takes place in a fictional setting, the way that players respond and react to their scenarios builds a personality that the rest of the characters in game will identify and recognize.

Bringing this project to life is one of several passion projects that I have in mind to develop. I hope you all join me on this journey and I hope to see you all in the ring, in The Circuit!