I’ve been looking for good design practices for unrealistic weapons in a cartoon/minimalistic (multiplayer) FPS I’m making, but I can’t seem to find anything that isn’t “realistic, modern weapons”. Are there any good ideas/workarounds for making a coherent “thing” that shoots lasers in three different modes (normal, fast, and three-at-once) without using a typical “gun”?
How about an umbrella?
A jack in the box that fires increasingly powerful grenades the longer you crank it without letting go.
Looking to different cultures could give you good inspiration. Been playing a game called Gunfire Reborn - a little character based, looter-shooter rogue-lite - and a lot of the weapons are quite creative and based in Chinese culture. The flamethrower is a dragon that wraps around your hand. Not to mention a scorpion themed crossbow, an eldritch abomination shotgun with eyes looking at you, and a variety of iron-man style gloves.
Ideally you pick an interesting overarching theme and come up with as many ideas based in it, or in its periphery.
It is a videogame. ANYTHING can shoot lasers. Honestly the first thing that comes to mind is cymbal monkey toy.
Why would you? You need realistic weapons to be like real weapons so you need a reference. For non-realistic weapons you just need to make stuff up.
John Riccitiello holding a trust me card that monetizes the enemy giving you more credits for ammo.
Check out Splatoon, and Foamstars when it officially releases. But moreso check out Splatoon, for lots of non realistic weapons ideas.