Abstract

I attended the Global Game Jam 2022 with a unique concept in mind for the theme of duality. I wanted to create a game that would challenge players' moral values and allow them to make consequential choices.

With limited time to form a team, I decided to focus on creating a UI/UX-based game that would let players choose between two options. I settled on a court simulation, where the player acts as a judge and must determine the guilt or innocence of the accused.

In this game, players are faced with tough decisions and must weigh the evidence presented to make a verdict. The duality theme is explored through the player's choices and their impact on the outcome of the trial.

My goal was to create a thought-provoking experience that would encourage players to think beyond the typical black and white, hot and cold, light and dark dualities. I wanted to offer a unique perspective on the theme and push players to consider the consequences of their choices.

Breakdown

With the concept in mind, I set out to create a basic game loop for the game. The game begins with a photo-cinematic intro accompanied by a short subtitle text to provide context. The player then examines the evidence in a case, makes a verdict, and experiences an alternative cutscene depending on their choices. The game continues in this manner until certain criteria are met and the game ends.

The game loop flowchart for the Your Honor!

Intro: The photo-cinematic with a short text introduction sets the stage and gives the player an idea of what they're getting into.

Case: The player is presented with a case file containing evidence, which they must carefully inspect to make a decision.

Decision: The player must determine the guilt or innocence of the accused based on the evidence provided.

Ending: The game ends when specific criteria have been met. The player's choices throughout the game impact the outcome and determine the ending they experience.