Simon & G in the cut - chillin’ hard, barkin’ louder!
One of the things I appreciate about being an indie gamedev is the ability to create everyday devices that aren't limited by production requirements or manufacturing costs. Each such device can be any size, consist of an absurd number of parts, and just has to make sense within the created world.
One example of such devices is the Grab Pack from the Poppy Playtime, series which I really like. Interestingly in this case, the dynamic worked in the opposite direction, because after seeing them in the game, players actually started creating their own Grab Packs. And they say games don't influence reality. No duh!
(Some examples of YouTubers showing-off their Grab Packs - I don’t own copyright to Grab Pack nor the YouTubers)
Now back to Bad Cheese. When I was creating a level set in a basement where Keymick has to do laundry before his dad gets home, the idea of sorting socks immediately came to mind. An invention should be a necessity as we all know the hassle of checking which socks are clean and which are smelly, especially when someone mixes them. If there's no dirt visible, the sorting process can be very unpleasant for the sorter, particularly if the sock turns out to be stinky.
(SockNose early concept art)
Thus came the hero. SockNose Systems Limited, a fictional household appliance company. Their flagship invention is the SockNose, a patented sock sorter that separates clean socks from dirty ones. To effectively use the SockNose system, you need to purchase a complete set of machines, listed below:
SockNose™ - a flagship, ingenious device that automatically shuts off if, for example, a stray dirty item appears in the basket of clean socks. Furthermore, the device allows the device to be sucked into a tube that uses air to push the laundry further into the machine park.
SockCannon™ - why carry a heavy laundry basket when you can sit comfortably in the rotating turret and shoot socks into the washing machine or onto a drying line? It's also great for combating voracious Sockmoths.
SockMachine™ - a washing machine with a very large capacity and washing speed. A well-marked large button allows you to fire a sock to start the washing. Why walk when you can shoot?
SockNose Control Box™ - not sure if you can start washing? One glance at the control panel is enough!
SockVent™ - a sealed tube system that lets you to toss dirty laundry without having to walk around the house - it will fall directly into the laundry room. It also perfectly isolates odor-prone air.
SockNose Panel™ - an intuitive control panel for controlling the SockNose. A lever switches the nose between clean and dirty socks, and the "Sniff" button activates the (you guessed it) sniffing function.
(In the attached example, we see that the SockLock has been activated. The door remains closed, and a synthesizer voice announces the contamination)
SockLock™ - a system that allows you to tightly close the door if the sensors detect an unpleasant odor in the room. In the case of unforeseen events, this keeps the air in the rest of the house clean until the unpleasant smell is resolved.
🐽🐽🐽 REMEMBER TO PURCHASE ALL DEVICES FROM AN AUTHORIZED SOCKNOSE SYSTEM LTD. DEALER - OTHERWISE, YOU WILL VOID THE WARRANTY 🐽🐽🐽
(In the attached example, we can see that the container for smelly socks is full, while the container for clean socks is empty. The device remains in the neutral position)
You can encounter all of these devices in the third stage of the game - the basement. I hope at least one of the inventions piqued your interest and you'd like to have one in your home.
(SockNose Sytems operation diagrams - early concepts)
That's probably all for today, but I have a feeling I'll think of something else soon and share it with you! Hopefully, after the game's release someone will dare to construct a SockNose in real life…
Off the grid, still the realest - peace out,
Simon & White G.