Lion Dance
Updated: 18 hours ago
Gameplay Programmer · Team of Three
Lion Dance is a 2v2 competitive platformer inspired by the traditional Chinese lion dance. The central idea came from the way a real lion dance requires multiple performers to coordinate inside a single costume. In the game, two players control one lion together: the “Head” player controls the front half, while the “Ass” player controls the rear half. Two teams race through a vertical obstacle course to reach the princess at the top first.
PROJECT INFORMATION
Role: Gameplay Programmer · Network Programmer · Game Designer
Engine: Unity · C# · Photon
Platform: PC
Team: 3 Developers
Genre: 2D Platformer · Local & Network Multiplayer · Physics-Based
TWO PLAYERS, ONE LION
The two halves of each lion can move and jump independently, but they are physically connected by a flexible waist. This creates deliberately chaotic cooperative movement. Players have to coordinate their jumps and positioning while the connection between them allows the lion to stretch and bounce.
The rear player also has a less traditional movement ability: jumping releases “green gas” backward with a sound effect. It was a silly mechanic, but it became part of the game's physical comedy and personality.
COMPETITIVE PHYSICS
The goal is not simply to climb faster. Teams can interfere with each other by blocking routes, bouncing opponents off platforms, or stepping on the opposing lion to reach higher positions.
The level uses three types of platforms to create additional instability:
Static Platforms — stable surfaces for normal traversal.
Temporary Platforms — disappear five seconds after being touched.
Rotating Platforms — rotate aggressively when players stand on one side.
Together with the two-player lion controls, these elements turn traversal into a mix of cooperation, competition, and physics-driven chaos.
LOCAL & NETWORK MULTIPLAYER
The game supports both local multiplayer and network multiplayer. I led the gameplay and network programming, using Photon to connect the two competing teams. In network play, the host controls the pink lion while the client controls the green lion. I also led the character design and contributed to level design and UI design as part of the three-person development team.
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