Open Access

Katharina Jung

• This project describes the ongoing development of a 2D jump'n'run computer game whose concept aligns with the criteria of the German Culture Test (CT) for games. The CT evaluates games based on dimensions such as narrative, design, and technology. The game's narrative is rooted in the regional history of the Nuremberg Reichswald, Germany's oldest planted forest, and embeds educational content about local ecology through optional in-game information signs and references. In terms of design, all graphical assets are created in a pixel art style using the software Aseprite to support a retro aesthetic. Regarding technology, the project uses the Godot Engine, a comparatively young, open-source game engine with its integrated scripting language GDScript, building on a community-driven platform rather than established commercial engines. In the game, players control the main character, the so-called "Moosling", through a level-based forest environment. The goal is to collect water droplets and plant a tree seed at the end of each level. AThis project describes the ongoing development of a 2D jump'n'run computer game whose concept aligns with the criteria of the German Culture Test (CT) for games. The CT evaluates games based on dimensions such as narrative, design, and technology. The game's narrative is rooted in the regional history of the Nuremberg Reichswald, Germany's oldest planted forest, and embeds educational content about local ecology through optional in-game information signs and references. In terms of design, all graphical assets are created in a pixel art style using the software Aseprite to support a retro aesthetic. Regarding technology, the project uses the Godot Engine, a comparatively young, open-source game engine with its integrated scripting language GDScript, building on a community-driven platform rather than established commercial engines. In the game, players control the main character, the so-called "Moosling", through a level-based forest environment. The goal is to collect water droplets and plant a tree seed at the end of each level. A preceding bachelor's thesis produced a functional prototype, but it still has weaknesses: controls and collisions show issues in edge cases, the project structure is not fully designed for extensibility, and elements such as the background and user interface remain preliminary. Building on this, the current study project, the first of three modules within the research master's programme, addresses the question: How can the existing prototype be transformed into a stable, maintainable base version that can be extended later on? The primary focus is a smooth game feel. Controls and collisions are being refined to handle typical edge cases cleanly. The project structure in Godot is being reorganised so that scenes, states, and configuration values support future extensions. A baseline of background, UI elements, and initial sounds forms the working framework. The art style is being developed further, tiles and sprites are expanded and reviewed for readability and consistency. The first level will include a short introductory section that teaches controls and the world concept, serving as a reference for further development. The literature review follows an approach informed by the PRISMA method and covers three areas: design patterns for clean code in game development, the design of introductory levels as a means of teaching players, and principles for user interface design and game flow.…