Beatopia is a single-player musical videogame. It combines a drum-machine with basic city-management mechanics. Players attempt to build a prosperous city on a 4×4 grid and keep crime and pollution in check, while the city produces a drumbeat based on the placement of buildings. The game is an attempt to make a game where players’ musical creations have a mechanical impact on gameplay, compared to most musical games which are more about players submitting to a pre-determined rhythm or melody. The visuals draw heavily upon 80s and 90s cyberpunk art.

devblog 1: the first few prototypes

devblog 2: settling on a prototype, designing for noon-friendliness