Introduction

I watched this deep dive video on YouTube about a game someone wanted to make called "Dragons' Blood Online". It would have been an MMO where you could play as a dragon, explore the world, dig for fossils, breed dragons, etc. Its creator only ever got to the ideas and concept art phase, which makes sense since this was one person trying to take on a massive and complicated project with a huge scope. It's a really cool idea for a game and I would play the hell out of it if it existed. The concept models for the dragons are sick, too.

I could not make a game. Code is baffling and scary to me. I don't know how computers work. I once opened up Blender and spent an hour trying to figure it out - all I managed to do was move a cube to the right. I also certainly don't have millions of dollars to pay someone else to make a game for me. Still, this video got me inspired to sit down and think about what my "dream game" would be, just for fun.

It would have the following mechanics:

• Animal genetics/breeding

• Animal rescue

• Collecting

• Exploring

• House decorating

• Life simulation

• Platforming

• Progression/upgrades

• Puzzle solving

Here is what I came up with, complete with concept art done in MS Paint! This game does not exist and most likely never will. However, you can still play it using the incredible portable console that's always within reach...your mind! Also, I only spent a few hours on this and it might not completely mesh together/make total sense.

DOGTOPIA

In this game, dogs across the land have been captured by a bad guy for some interesting and compelling reason. You, a dog chosen by Dog God, must rescue them and help them build a wonderful city in which they can live freely.

Dungeons

To rescue dogs, you must go into dungeons, solve puzzles, and overcome platforming challenges. You can eventually bring more dogs on expeditions with you, and their skills and personality traits will allow them to help in unique ways. There may be text-based events where there are options you can pick that lead to different outcomes. Trapped dogs are not all you can find in dungeons - you can also find blueprints for new buildings and items for your city. You can also find upgrades that will help you explore dungeons in the future. (And maybe there's some combat with monsters or something?)

I think dungeons in the main game will be intricately designed by hand (though the dogs and items you find within will still mostly be random), but post-game you can go to other dimensions or something and go through procedurally-generated dungeons. This way, you never run out of dogs to rescue! Just keep on expanding your city until your computer explodes.

(But I also think the game should also have a satisfying ending where you defeat the bad guy and all that...I don't know.)

City Building

The more dogs you rescue, the bigger you can make your city! Dogs will have their own houses/rooms and they will also build all sorts of things, like stores, libraries, playgrounds, and restaurants. You can either build things by finding blueprints for them in dungeons, or dogs can occasionally come up with their own ideas. Dogs can either decorate by themselves, or you can step in and customize things to your liking!

Dog Life

Each dog has its own personality traits, skills, and likes and dislikes. Dogs will form relationships with one another and become friends, rivals, partners, etc. You can watch your dogs interact from a top-down perspective, or walk around the city and interact with other dogs yourself. Dogs will also go about their daily lives and do things like work, shop, eat, and play. They may attend gatherings, like book clubs or parties. They will also equip accessories like hats, collars, and bracelets.

This is not a colony sim, and you don't need to worry about meeting the needs of your dogs or collecting resources - it's all just for fun. Dogs cannot die or get sick.

Genetics

Each dog has its own unique set of genetics that affect its appearance. Most dogs you find will look like dogs that could exist in real life, but later in the game, you can also find dogs with fantasy traits, such as wings, horns, and unrealistic fur colors. (Winged dogs can't fly in dungeons, though, because of evil magic or something. No cheesing the platforming sections!)

Puppies

When two dogs fall in love and become partners, they may have a puppy together! Puppies will inherit physical traits and some personality traits and skills from their parents. They will also develop some personality traits and skills on their own. Puppies will eventually grow up into adults.

Any two dogs can have puppies as long as they aren't related. They don't have biological sexes - think of Minecraft. (Side note - either dogs will not be referred to in the third person at all, or they will be referred to with they/them pronouns.)

Dogs will most often only have one puppy at a time, but there is a rare chance they will have twins or triplets!

Customization

To avoid spoiling all of the physical traits you can discover in the game, you cannot customize your player character's appearance in the beginning. You can "roll" some randomly generated dogs with traits you could find in the beginning of the game, and pick from them. You can, however, pick your dog's personality traits and skills.

Throughout the game, you can take on the appearance of any dog you have rescued or that has been born into your city. You can also equip cosmetic accessories. As a post-game reward, you will be able fully customize your dog's appearance with any traits in the game.

Dogtopia is inspired by...

• Animal Crossing

• Dwarf Fortress

• Lioden

• Minecraft

• Niche

• Petz

• The Sims

• Tomodachi Life

• Wobbledogs

• My autistic obsession with dogs and genetics

I think it would be really cool if a game like this existed, and I hope you think it's a cool idea too!