Diseño, desarrollo y evaluación de un prototipo de plataformas 2D con mecánica de riesgo-recompensa: Veins to Light.

Abstract

Risk-reward mechanics constitute a game design approach that seeks to balance the benefits obtained by players against the consequences of taking specific risks during gameplay. This type of mechanics encourages strategic decision-making by transforming limited resources into essential elements for progression and the overall gameplay experience. However, in 2D platformer games, the health bar is typically restricted to a survival function, with minimal involvement in the core gameplay mechanics. This paper focuses on the development of a functional prototype of a 2D platformer game titled Veins to Light, developed using the Unity game engine and the C# programming language. The project was carried out following the Scrum agile methodology, organized into iterative development cycles known as sprints, which facilitated the incremental implementation of each system within the prototype. The prototype is structured around four main components: (i) characters, (ii) gameplay mechanics, (iii) 2D art design, and (iv) level design. These components are integrated through a modular architecture that coordinates the movement system, health management, player abilities, enemy behavior, the user interface, and level progression. The prototype was evaluated through a Likert-scale survey administered to 30 participants, achieving excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.933) and an average rating of 4.51 out of 5. The results indicate a positive perception of the core gameplay mechanics, system integration, and overall gameplay experience, supporting the feasibility of the proposed approach.