Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions

My role on HP:QC was that of a Combat and Systems designer. I was in charge of the game’s core gameplay including characters, camera, and controls as well as class design, RPG progression, matchmaking, game modes, and even some of the cosmetic progression. There were very few facets of the game that I didn’t touch at some point.

Chaser

The Chaser is in charge of scoring goals by throwing the Quaffle through the enemy team’s goal rings. While this role was the most straight forward, it was important to us that we built the role in a way that promoted and facilitated teamwork. In order to achieve this, we made it so that the Quaffle holder would have decreased maximum speed, such that enemy players could always catch up, making it important to pass the ball around. We made passing easier by allowing players to shovel pass in any direction, allowing for omni-directional passing and teamwork.

Seeker

The Seeker is in charge of catching the Golden Snitch, earning 30 points for your team. The challenge with The Seeker was building a game loop that tested multiple different skills rather than allowing a Seeker to only rely on their ability to chase the Snitch. The skills we test for are searching for the snitch, chasing the snitch, dodging bludgers, bumping the enemy Seeker, and avoiding getting bumped. Bumping the enemy Seeker steals progress if you’re behind so it also acts as a catchup mechanic if a Seeker gets behind in the race, meaning no one is ever fully out of the race.

Keeper

The Keeper was far and away the most challenging role to make fun. Simply put the Keeper’s job is to stop goals, but what does the keeper do when their team is playing well and keeping the Quaffle on the other end of the field? Suddenly it becomes boring. This is where I introduced the Keeper’s playcaller ability. It allows the keeper to draw “plays” consisting of a line of rings on the field that gives their teammates a speed and energy boost, allowing them to better perform their job. This allows the keeper to always stay in the action.

Beater

The Seeker gameplay and Chaser gameplay are normally two very separate game loops. The Beater is what ties the game together. The Beater’s job is to target and hit opponents with a metal ball that can knock them off their brooms. If your team’s Seeker is falling behind, target their Seeker with bludgers. Your keeper having a hard time defending? Target the opposing chasers to make them fumble the Quaffle and make space for your chasers. Enemy Keeper blocking too many shots? launch a well-timed bludger to stun him just as the shot is thrown.