Game Mechanics

This week, I started thinking more about the game mechanics of Garden Mania. I know that I want players to be able to move around in different parts of the United States to restore gardens, but I'm not exactly sure about all the mechanics. I thought I could maybe have some sort of resource management aspect to the game. Resource management would involve the players establishing values for various resources i.e. plants, but I don't know if that would take away from the goal of the game. I do think it is important for players to learn about budgeting when planting a new garden, but I think I want the focus to be more on learning about which plants will grow where, instead of how much it is going to cost to grow those plants. I still have not completely decided about that yet though. 

I know I want players to have an inventory of different plants maybe with info sheets about which hardiness zone they will grow in, how much sun and water they need, how much fertilizer, etc. This will help players learn about plants before planting them. There will be objectives for each restoration job such as planting fruit trees or pet friendly plants. The player will have to work these into their design. After the player places each plant, they will have to return to the job site to maintain the plants by trimming trees, fertilizing flowers, shaping shrubs, etc. If they meet goals and keep plants blooming over time, they will earn rewards. These rewards can be used to unlock more unique plants or other objects such as fountains and benches that can be placed in the garden. The more successful the player is, the more challenging restoration jobs will become. This way the player will not become bored as they learn more. 


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