🎨 Chromatiles

A colourful spin on a classic puzzle.

Chromatiles is a puzzle game which re-imagines the classic tangram challenge. Players arrange coloured tiles to fit within an outline, but unlike the traditional style, the pieces are translucent and can overlap. Overlapping shapes blend their colours, creating new shades that must match the target regions inside the outline. This mechanic transforms a simple shape-fitting exercise into a visually stimulating and mentally engaging puzzle experience.

📄 Documentation

• Game Design Document [File submission on CloudDeakin SIT254] - Complete design specification (uploader: Daniel Soutar)

• Worksheet 1 [File submission on CloudDeakin SIT254] - Game Theory And Strategy Worksheet & Checklist

• Worksheet 2 [File submission on CloudDeakin SIT254] - Feedback and Balance Worksheet & Checklist

• AGILE Documentation [Discussion Forum on CloudDeakin SIT254] - Weekly submissions showing progress (Assessment 2 Group 3)

• Chromatiles.exe [Game submission on CloudDeakin SIT254] - Executable game build packaged in .zip

  • Extract the .zip file, then run the Chromatiles.exe program
  • You will likely get a Windows Defender pop-up:
    
  • Select "More info" > "Run anyway"

• Unity Project [Game submission on CloudDeakin SIT254] - Chromatiles project (only Assets and ProjectSettings files uploaded to CloudDeakin due to filesize limits)

• Video Demo [Panopto] - Video showing gameplay and solutions to each puzzle

  Uploader for all CloudDeakin items: Daniel Soutar, s223387609

🔎 References

• Outfit font used for all in-game text
  • Licensed under SIL Open Font License, Version 1.1. (Assets/Fonts/LICENSE.txt)
• Interface Sounds by Kenney, used for all in-game audio (Victory, Place Tile and Reset sound effects)
  • Licensed under Creative Commons Zero (CC0) (Assets/Audio/kenney_interface-sounds/License.txt)

📞 Prototype Team

• s223387609 (Daniel Soutar)
• LordofSpirals (Darren Copley)
• sekibayashi00 (Diing Jok)
• (Mati Ur Rehman)

🖼️ Game Screenshots

These are only some of the levels! Play the game to see everything there is to offer :)

🎮 Game Overview

Core Innovation

• Traditional Tangram Base: Classic 7-piece tangram puzzles as foundation
• Color Mixing Mechanics: Translucent tiles overlap using additive color mixing (like colored lights)
• Dual Challenge System: Match both the target outline AND the target colors
• Progressive Complexity: From simple shapes to complex multi-color patterns

Key Features beyond Prototype (for extended Initial Release)

• 25+ Handcrafted Levels: Carefully designed progressive difficulty curve
• Daily Puzzle Mode: New challenge every day (Wordle-style engagement)
• Flexible Tile System: Not limited to traditional 7-piece sets
• Multiple Difficulty Layers: Extra tiles, color complexity, time challenges

🚀 Prototype Timeline

Foundation (Weeks 1)

• Game design document completed
• Select game engine (Unity/Godot evaluation)
• Set up development environment

Core Prototype 1/2 (Week 2)

• Implement tangram tile system
• Shape drag and rotate system

Core Prototype 2/2 (Week 3)

• Build color blending mechanics
• Create outline detection system
• Design initial 5 levels

Enhancement and Polish (Week 4-5)

• Basic tutorial instructions / introduction
• Level progression
• Audio integration (SFX)
• UI/UX implementation
• Bugfixes and internal playtesting
• External playtesting
• Further polish and optimization

🛠️ Technical Specifications

Platforms

• Prototype: PC
• Future:
  • Main platforms: iOS and Android.
  • Future ports: PC and console, though they would need different control schemes.

Core Systems

• Puzzle Engine: Shape detection and validation
• Color Mixer: Additive RGB color blending
• Level Manager: Progression system
• Audio Manager: Dynamic SFX

Development Tools

• Game Engine: Unity v6000.0.40f1
• Level Editor: In-engine tools
• Version Control: Git + GitHub
• Playtesting: Both internal and external (managed by lead playtester - Daniel Soutar)

🎨 Art & Design Philosophy

Visual Style

• Inspiration: Mini Metro's bold, flat color design
• Color Palette: Primary (RGB) + Secondary (CMY) colors
• UI Design: Clean, minimalist, touch-friendly
• Feedback: Clear visual/audio success indicators

Psychological Design

• Operant Conditioning: Rewarding puzzle completion
• Flow Theory: Balanced challenge progression
• Bartle Types: Appeals to Achievers and Explorers
• Daily Engagement: Wordle-inspired return mechanics

📱 Monetization Strategy (extending beyond Prototype)

• Free-to-Play: Easy entry for viral growth
• Ad-Supported: Interstitial and reward videos
• IAP Options: Extra attempts, cosmetic themes, level packs
• No Pay-to-Win: All levels solvable without payment

📊 Market Research

Genre Performance

• Casual Games: Largest gaming genre globally
• Target Demo: 70% female audience for puzzle games
• Success Examples: Merge Mansion (60M+ downloads, $600M+ revenue)
• Daily Puzzles: Proven engagement model (Wordle, NYT Games)

Competitive Analysis

• Traditional Tangrams: Limited color mechanics
• Color Puzzles: Lack tangram's spatial challenge
• Opportunity: First to combine both mechanics effectively

🎯 Target Audience

Audience	Demographics	Platform	Motivation
Primary	Female 45-55+ (70/30 split)	Mobile/Tablet at home	Brain training, casual entertainment
Secondary	25-35 commuters (60/40 split)	Mobile during commute	Quick daily routine, achievement
Tertiary	20-30 social players (50/50 split)	Mobile/social sharing	Trending games, social media sharing

🖼️ Game Moodboard / Concept Art

Concept: Traditional tangram meets additive color mixing