User Stories

Now that we know our users - Amy, Rick, and Gene - we can start doing impressions of them, making fun of them behind their back. Hey look at me I'm Amy/Rick/or Gene and this is what I want in a video game.

Also: As a [persona] I want [feature] so I can [result]. 

Good users stories follow the principles of I.N.V.E.S.T.

Independent - user stories cannot rely on other user stories.
Negotiable - user stories are not set in stone.
Valuable - user stories are aimed at creating value for the user.
Estimatable - user stories size are understood.
Scalable - user stories can be scaled.
Testable - user stories must provide conditions for completion.


These are UserStories focusing on Fifth Sun's SuperEpic of Combat.

As: Amy
I want: Varied weapons and abilities
So I can: Use different strategies

• Each weapon and ability has a unique area of effect
• Weapons have specific effects on certain enemies

As: Gene
I want: Varied weapon and ability animations
So I can: Enjoy the differences of each attack

• All 6 weapons have unique animations
• All 20 abilities have unique animations

As: Gene
I want: Special animations for ultimate abilities
So I can: Sense I'm at the height of my power

• All 4 ultimate abilities have unique animations
• All 6 weapons at max level have different animations

As: Rick
I want: Simple Controls
So I can: Complete the game with ease.

• Game controls are explained at the start/whenever the player needs them
• Game requires only a few keys to fight/move

As: Amy
I want: A save game function
So I can: Take breaks

• develop checkpoints
• UI for saving
• create save file
• Able to load save

As: Amy
I want: Varied attack ranges and types
So I can: Use weapons in particular circumstances, against different enemies

• Each area of effect is different
• Some weapons and abilities do things

As: Amy
I want: Non-regenerating health
So I can: Have a challenge staying alive

• Spare health pickups
• Health does not regenerate

As: Amy
I want: Access to abilities, but without making the challenge of the game meaningless
So I can: Use my abilities wisely

• Mana regenerates at a slow, but fair pace

As: Gene
I want: Varied enemies
So I can: Get excited to see new opponents

• All 8 enemy types are visually distinct
• All 8 enemy types have different attacks/ranges/weapons

As: Amy
I want: Varied enemy AI
So I can: Be challenged

• All 8 enemy types have different attack styles

As: Amy
I want: Hard Difficulty Curve
So I can: Be challenged throughout the game, especially late game.

• Enemy AI Scales appropriately as the game progresses

As: Gene
I want: Accurate weapon depictions
So I can: Enjoy the historical references

• Art follows historical designs: weapon skins, character design, Tenochtitlan map, enemy design

As: Amy
I want: Non linear progression around island
So I can: Play through the game numerous times

• Open skill tree
• Scaling unlocks

As: Rick
I want: A lot of blood
So I can: Enjoy the brutality of war

• All death animations use excessive amounts of gore
• All fighting animations include excessive amounts of gore

As: Amy
I want: Hidden Content
So I can: Explore the game and have an incentive to replay it

• New Game+
• Exploration tokens are collected after key events

As: Gene
I want: Pre-boss cutscenes
So I can: Get excited to face bosses

• Cutscenes before every boss

As: Gene
I want: Interesting story with cutscenes
So I can: Immerse myself in the lore of the game

• Cutscenes with deep story elements

As: Amy
I want: To use multiple weapons on enemies
So I can: Use different strategies on enemies

• When multiple weapons are used to kill an enemy, the weapon which did the most damage is awarded the kill

As: Amy
I want: Understand my relative strength
So I can: So I can know which weapons are strongest

• Weapon levels are shown in the GUI

As: Amy
I want: A GUI
So I can: Know my health and mana

• Mana and health is conveyed in the GUI