The Tavernkeeper
Unity | Solo
The Tavernkeeper is a history-based simulation game where the player controls a Patriot tavern keeper during the American Revolution. Speak to patrons to determine whether they are patriots or loyalists, then serves them good or bad food, respectively. Will you help the revolution succeed or be caught by the loyalists?
Full game download available at The Tavernkeeper itch.io page
This was an early project that I had a lot of fun making on my own because it combined my interest in games and history. Having a background in history, I wanted to test myself and make a full game that utilized American History as a basis but in a more whimsical yet educating way.
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As a bit of a backstory, tavern keepers and taverns played a massive role during the American Revolution. They served as agents, supply stations, and event fortified encampments for both armies. Many important meetings were held at taverns, including the first Continental Congress. This history inspired this game as players take on the role of a patriotic tavern keeper serving the best and worst food to their allies and enemies.
Character/Conversation Design​
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Patrons and conversations are based on major events from the war
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Uses real names from history and their known allegiances as clues
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Each level starts with a date and a title alluding to a historical event that hints towards patrons' dialogue
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Every patron has branching dialogues that the player can explore for more information
​​​Environment/Systems Design
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​​Separate areas for good and bad food and drinks
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Sizable tavern to seat many NPCs, especially for levels during very important war dates
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Players serve appropriate items or lose points
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Patriots receive good food or drinks. Loyalists receive the opposite
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Programming
Player Character:
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Character controller paired with sprites allowing smooth 8-directional movement and made art in GIMP
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Sprite animations tied together using a state machine and blend tree
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Inventory system to hold up to 3 items when retrieving food and drinks
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NPCs:
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The dialogues were created using the Dialogue Editor asset from the Unity store
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Player can serve either good or bad provisions to the patrons regardless of the patrons' loyalty​
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However, serving the wrong one counted against the player and too many mistakes leads to losing
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After receiving their order, patrons followed a waypoint system to leave the tavern