Design and Mechanical Challenges of Adapting the Tower Defense Genre Into 3d – A Case Study of the “Orcs Must Die!” Video Game Franchise

Abstract

Orcs Must Die! (Robot Entertainment, 2011–2025) Franchise presents interesting solutions to design challenges in combining the Tower Defense game genre, which traditionally uses a top-down perspective and long and short-term management of resources and defenses, with a 3rd person control scheme and a focus on individual interactions with enemies. This paper outlines mechanics and design principles core to the Tower Defense genre, and examines their modified and unaltered forms that exist in the Orcs Must Die! Games. These mechanics will be then compared to other similar games, as well as more traditional Tower Defense games. Critical examination of these design decisions is crucial in empowering game developers with useful insides into mixing genres, especially when making similar games.