CHECK IT OUT!
2022 | Single Player | 2.5D Simulator | USC Open Alpha
Welcome to your first day on the job!
You’re a cashier trying to run the register, prevent robberies, and maintain good relations with your customers. Avoid selling damaged or expired items to shoppers as you deal with the drama of their personal lives, all while dodging the looming threat of getting fired.
PROJECT DETAILS
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
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Check It Out! is a single-player cashier simulator in which the player must diligently bag items while simultaneously uncovering the interconnected (and oftentimes complicated) stories of the shoppers.
The initial concept for Check It Out! was a "Costco receipt-checking simulator." Inspired by Papers, Please, we toyed with the idea of confronting the player with moral dilemmas (e.g. letting a hungry family leave without paying). However, due to the generally comedic ideas we had, as well as the aim of making a light-hearted, relaxing game, we decided to focus on humor and wholesome character relationships instead. Additionally, we moved the player from the store exit to behind the register in order to minimize the amount of 3D modeling we'd need. This was the first time Open Alpha attempted a semester-long project with 3D elements, and the production team was worried about our scope. Due to similar scope concerns, many ideas (e.g. the customers themselves trying to steal goods) had to be scrapped in our initial release. However, we were able to implement several of our major mechanics, such as the randomly-occurring robber and ID checks for alcohol. The design team also experimented with using subtle visual clues to communicate the story and character development (e.g. Chad finally learning he shouldn't open chips before paying for them on the final day).
CONTRIBUTIONS
Programmer, Game Designer, Writer
Developed game mechanics and rules
Implemented the movement of objects across the conveyor belt
Implemented the basic functionality of the "Good to Go", "Expired", and "Tampered" buttons
Implemented the in-game time system (date, clock, time limit)
Added correct customer reactions for each object on each day
Developed character storylines and personalities, particularly for B.A.B.Y., Wilbur, and Harriet
Wrote the dialogue for B.A.B.Y.
Reviewed and edited the dialogue of other writers
TOOLS
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Unity 3D (C#)
Yarn Spinner
GitHub
TEAM MEMBERS
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FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
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The date/time system is poorly defined and confusing, making it difficult to judge whether an item is expired or if a character is old enough to buy alcohol.
The dates are written in MM/DD format, but this is never explicitly stated. We erroneously assumed that everyone would use this format by default.
The "Good to Go" button is located extremely close to the "Panic" button, and misclicking the "Panic" button automatically fails the level.
There are no graphics or screen size options, rendering the game unplayable when buttons or objects scaled improperly.