Initial Pitch

Overview

Shipwrecked is a top-down sandbox survival game for the Xbox 360 Indie Arcade.

Gameplay

In Shipwrecked the player takes control of a man who has just been marooned all alone on a tropical island. The player is presented with a number of short-term goals related to keeping his character alive, such as procuring food, fresh water, and shelter from both the elements and from wild animals.

Once these goals are temporarily met the player will then move on to goals of a less immediate nature, such as the construction of tools and sturdier forms of shelter, which will help him continue to meet the first set of goals. For example, building a spear gives the player both a means of defending himself and opens up a whole new food source. The player’s eventual goal is to escape the island by either attracting a passing ship or by constructing a boat of his own.

The player’s primary method of interacting with the environment is through gathering resources. Resources are limited, so he will be forced to explore his surroundings in search of them. Some resources (food, water, etc.) fulfill some of the character’s needs. Other resources (sticks, stones, etc.) are used in crafting to create various tools or structures. The player’s ability to carry things is limited, so he will need to return to his camp on occasion.