You've been officially invited
to the GUMBO team.

We have a project that we think you can help us with! About two hours of your time over the next two weeks.

Super Gumbo team of 5 members

what's gumbo?

We are a full-service creative agency, with a mission to give creatives and entrepreneurs, the means to bring their ideas to the world. We build custom teams (hopefully including you) based on the project; Like a pot of GUMBO, it’s a little different every time, but always tasty.

why me?

What makes our projects unique, and why we believe they will succeed, is that we bring a diverse group of experts to each project.

At the intersection of those areas of expertise, are unique ideas that would go otherwise undiscovered. If you’ve received this link, you’re either an expert, someone with a highly unique perspective, or both.

from you,

we need

1. familiarize

Get to know the current project. What it is, the scope, our objectives, and what ideas we already have.

2. brainstorm

We find a time to for the team to meet and discuss how we can bring a full. and diverse expression to the project.

3. report

Take two days to muse on it, and report back with all the ideas you have: written, video, or a voice memo.

But wait, there's more...

here's

the project

Punch-Fu!!

Medium

Video Game

target

Males 18-45

stage

Pre-production/early development

This project is in need of particular direction with regard to story and fundraising. A kickstarter campaign is planned, as well as a developer’s vlog to develop an audience and promote the game.

Nintendo Switch
Xbox
PlayStation
Steam

Punch-Fu!! is an all-out, full-throttle, white-knuckle, pedal-to-the-metal brawler video game with an art style all its own.

"In a world full of nails, your fist is a hammer"

setting

Punch-Fu!! takes place across the world and throughout time. Each retired former master of the protagonist has retired to some corner of the world. We see them both in their prime, then in their retirement. Each level takes us to the location of one master. After a brief conversation we flash back to the past when the protagonist received his belt/certification. After passing the test: beating the other students, he challenges the master. After ‘beating’ the master, the master ‘handles’ the protagonist. We flash back to the present, where the protagonist can now challenge the master with his new skills.

about

With all the hurricane kicks, flying armbars and Osoti-Gari’s, most fights simply end with a punch to the face. Koa, a middle-aged man on a mission, has spent his life creating and mastering the art of Punch-Fu. He seeks to develop a punch so strong it can warp spacetime, so he can travel back in time and right the biggest failure of his life. In this beat-em-up brawler, punch your way across the world and defeat the five masters. The uniquely hand-crafted art style, and original music help make Punch-Fu!! a creative and engaging gaming punch in the face.

Story

Over the course of many years, the protagonist had created and mastered the art of Punch-fu. He has traveled the world, studying various punching arts like punch chun, punch-jitsu, punchambe, etc. from masters in different countries. Each level ends in a boss fight with a former master of his. Each master has one technique that they have saved, that they then teach to him after being defeated. They also try to impart to him some version of the life lesson that he can’t punch away all of his problems and pain. The main character even sleeps with a muscle stimulant (think Dr. Ho) attached to his main punching arm.

Core Gameplay

  • A number/skill-based combo system similar to the Devil May Cry series;
  • At any point in the combo, you can ‘bank’ your meter for use in a charge punch.
  • You also gain meter by blocking, dodging, and parrying; you gain more meter the more difficult the defensive technique: to block you need only hold the block button, to dodge/slip you need a button press with generous timing, to parry, precise Street Fighter III: Third Strike timing is required;
  • If you are hit you lose your meter, but not your banked meter.
  • When you unleash your charged punch, you can keep your meter if the punch connects.
  • Different types of punches include ‘consecutive normal punches’, ‘corkscrew blow’, ‘black hole punch’, ‘Next week punch’ etc.
  • Punch-Fu!! gives you that satisfying feeling of landing a falcon punch
  • A launcher attack ala the Marvel series.
  • You can air combo/juggle enemies.
  • Dramatic punches like ‘Dramatic finishes’ in Dragonball Fighterz

platforms

  • Steam: PC/Mac/Linux
  • PS4 (Download)
  • Xbox One (Download)
  • Nintendo Switch (Download)

$19.86

influences

The Amazing World of Gumball – Television Show

  • I absolutely love the art style of this show. The integration of different styles into one frame is also intriguing with regards to an action/platformer, as different enemies could be animated and rendered in different styles. Cartoon character on live action backgrounds.

Super Smash Bros. Melee – Video Game

    • Particularly the game feel of the Falcon Punch and the Super Jump Punch (Luigi Up+B).
    • Stronger punches will launch enemies farther and faster, and lead to more devastating ‘dramatic finishes’.

One Punch Man – Television Show

  • Particularly the effects animation: The power of the main character Saitama’s punches is felt through the excellent timing & spacing of the action, and the effects i.e. smoke, fire, wind, etc.

I am the Hero – Video Game

  • The slight ‘pan’ angle of the camera is an interesting touch. Generally the cameras in Beat ‘em Ups look exactly the same.
  • Pixel art backgrounds with ‘real’ perspective.

Spiderman Enter the Spiderverse – Film

  • The biggest inspiration here is the approach the filmmakers took to the project. they pioneered and created new workflows that allowed for the look of the film to come to life.
  • The backgrounds will be 3d/photographic, along with ‘squetchy’ 2d animation for the characters.
  • Strong and wild effects animation brings the strikes to life along with the terrific sound design.

My Hero Academia – Television Show

  • Similar to the influence of One Punch Man, the drawn out and over-the-top timing and spacing of the big punches.

 

Lethal League – Video Game

  • The influence here is from the game feel and the animations.
  • HITSTOP!

Street Fighter III: Third Strike – Video Game

  • 2D sprite animations;
  • Hitstop;

What sets this project apart?

  • Art and animation style;
  • The ability to charge a punch for the entirety of a level and KO a boss in one hit;
  • ‘Variable’ frame rates: Character is at 12/24, while boss and/or other elements are at 60; this could also serve as a surprise reveal at a certain point in the game or even play into the story or strength/abilities of a certain character/boss.

next steps

Use the link below to share your availability to meet next week. We’ll get back to you with a time when most or all of the team can meet together. Below that is a short form with some information we need.

additional info

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