"The Key Tax" is a first-person puzzle-platformer game in which players desperately attempt to file their boss' taxes, navigating through challenges of endless bureaucracy.
Trailer created by Tristan Volk.
Genre: First-Person Puzzle-Platformer
Engine: Unreal Engine 4
Team Size: 16
Duration: 8 weeks
Platform: PC
Website: http://www.thekeytax.com/
Awards & Recognition: Voted "Best Game Design" by Year 2 students at NHTV Breda (2016-2017)
Engine: Unreal Engine 4
Team Size: 16
Duration: 8 weeks
Platform: PC
Website: http://www.thekeytax.com/
Awards & Recognition: Voted "Best Game Design" by Year 2 students at NHTV Breda (2016-2017)
Role(s) and responsibilities:
Narrative Design
Narrative Design
- Wrote the overarching narrative and objective focused dialogue (e.g., quest updates, player directions).
- Implemented environmental storytelling (e.g., set dressing, notice boards).
- Concepted key gameplay moments.
- Concepted puzzle-based gameplay.
The full list of gags, gameplay moments, dialogue, and puzzle designs I have concepted can be shown on request.
Narrative Design
Environmental Storytelling
The following scene depicts some good old office rivalry. A confrontation between supporters of unions versus those of privatization has occured, and the employees cope with this tension in their own way. While some defend their fort made out of office props and bear traps, others show clear signs of being fatigued and surviving through binge coffee drinking.
The Sassy Boss
In The Key Tax, you are an unimportant employee, a true slave to the system--- I mean, your boss' Chosen One. It is up to you to save her from financial despair, which she let you know through this little note. Players can interact with the notes on screen by clicking on them, after which they are presented with an image pop-up.
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Dear employee,
A notice in my mail mentioned the State Treasury will keep my "donation" if the tax filing deadline is missed. I'm too busy and too important to be leaving the office for such petty errands. Would you be a dear and deliver my tax form for me? Love, Boss |
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However, as you attempt to turn in the tax form at the tax office, you are continuously challenged by misinformation, unhelpful employees, and various other attacks on your sanity. While your quest continues, your boss grows more and more frustrated and impatient, and faxes you questionable updates on the situation back at the work place.
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Dear employee,
Some supposed "tax auditors" are giving me this spiel about how the longer you stall, the happier the Treasury gets... They're giving me a headache already. Wish I could kiss them off but it seems they've grown quite attached to me. Need I remind you tax returns don't deliver themselves? Don't tell me this is too difficult a task for such a capable employee as yourself? Hm? Love, Boss |
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Dear, dear, employee...
I am still being bothered by those pesky auditors. I'm trying to tune them out, but they're proving to be an unmistakable, terrible eyesore. What’s keeping you so long? I want these bozos off of my carpet. Boss |
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Dear employee,
They just had the audacity to give me "one final warning". Apparently chronic non-filers will be subject to additional penalties, possibly even criminal prosecution. Do you WANT to see me behind bars? Has it been your lifelong dream to see me locked away? (In which case, SHAME on your deviant desires.) What will your friends think? Your family? Heck, what will poor future-you think when you lie withering away at the side of a highway exit because your beloved Boss couldn't pay your salary anymore? Only because YOU chose to be a lackadaisical bum today? How hard can it be? It's not like you have to go desk-to-desk anymore, stuck in an endless loop of bureaucracy. That excuse is SO last year. Boss PS I decided to indulge in some poetry writing to keep my mind sane. Well? What do you think? Roses are red, violets are blue, Where is my tax return? I'm not happy with you. |
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Objective Updates
As the player is directed from one reception desk to the other, they get updates from the employees manning those stations about where to go to next. The reception desks are also home to various notice boards. These contain some additional flavor text if the player wishes to get up-to-date on recent events.
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You wanted to deliver this tax form? I'm sorry, but this one is out of date. We've recently revised it.
I'm sure you will find what you need at the next reception desk. Please go through the hallway to your right and take the elevator upstairs. |
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They said you needed the new revision, eh? Hah! Nowadays, the reception desk seems to be all show and no go.
Here you go, daddy-o. Deliver this form at the next reception desk. What are you still doing here? Better split, yeah? |
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This reception desk has been closed due to renovations.
For all tax related business, please go to the next reception desk. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. |
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Actually, this wing has not been used for tax filings in months.
We've recently built a new department dedicated fully to tax services, and which now contains our core tax team. You'll probably figure out where to find it. It's easy, really. |
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What are you still doing here?
This section is for employees only. (end of the demo) |
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Play the Game!
The game can be downloaded at http://www.thekeytax.com/.