SCRIBBLENAUT S By Ben Barriage

Scribblenauts was first released on September 15, 2009 on the Nintendo DS. It is a puzzle game containing multiple solutions, with the simple tagline “Write Anything, Solve Everything”. Typically, a game session involves the user taking on the role of Maxwell, who has the ability to make anything he writes in his notebook, come to life. The user approaches different NPCs who have various missions for Maxwell to complete. He does this by creating an object or organism which would fulfill the need of the quest. An example of this can be seen in the latest franchise installment, Scribblenauts: Unmasked where you can call help from a superhero like Batman or shrink your enemy, the Joker.

THEME/AESTHETICS The overarching theme of the game is to explore the world you are thrown into to solve the problems of the non playable characters in order to progress into the next level or world. Beginning in Unlimited and continuing on in Unmasked, Scribblenauts introduced Maxwell’s sister, Lily, who aids him in his adventures across multiple cities and worlds with the help of her magic globe. The art style of Scribblenauts is overall very cartoony and child-like with objects and characters which seem to be drawn together. The themes of individual levels also vary in order to contribute to the overarching theme. An example of this being the multiple stages in Scribblenauts: Unlimited, which include Batman’s Gotham City, Superman’s Fortress of Solitude, Flash’s Central City, and Joker’s Funhouse. While all of these are all part of the same universe, and to a greater extent the game’s universe, they all have a unique art style and tone.

GOTHAM CITY VS. FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE

TWO SEPARATE WORLDS IN SCRIBBLENAUTS: UNLIMITED

MECHANICS Before the release of Unlimited, players had to choose individual quests to earn starites, rare collectible objects, instead of exploring like in later titles. The basic mechanic of the game, starting with Scribblenauts: Unlimited, is to explore the world you enter by moving left, right, up, and down across a 2D plane. Characters can also jump and climb up ladders in order to reach higher positions. The implementation of the notebook is where it gets more interesting. The player then uses a stylus, or their fingers, to enter words on the touchscreen keyboard of the 3DS or the Wii U. If the player is using a PC, they would use the regular keyboard. Once an object or organism is created, it can be used to satisfy a quest element or just be used for the player’s enjoyment. Examples of this can be to ride a tiger, fly using a jetpack, swing a sword, shoot a laser, pet a dog, or all of these at once. Objects can also be chained together to create other objects. An example of this would be creating a tiger with wings to ride into battle with against the likes of Lex Luthor, a plain robber, or… a turtle.

EXAMPLES OF MECHANICS

MORE EXAMPLES OF MECHANICS In Scribblenauts: Unlimited, developers added the ability for users to create their own objects an save them for later use.

HOW IS IT RELATED TO WORDS? Scribblenauts is related to words because the game itself has a lexicon of words that are available for the user to employ. Each problem the user encounters can be solved through the use of various words. Not only does this mimic how we use various words of similar meaning when we converse with others, but it also adds replay ability to the user’s experience if they wish to restart their game. In addition, the game allows users to combine words to fit the exact situation they are in. For example, they could say they wanted a small, large, winged, or saber-toothed tiger based on all your large feline needs. In Scribblenauts: Unmasked, the development team added challenges to the game by having an NPC called Mxyzptlk request certain challenges of the user. This might require the user to not use certain words or aim to get higher points by using a certain set of words.