This was a writing exercise completed during The Narrative Department’s Game Writing Masterclass. I was assigned five random gameplay actions from a pool of twenty-five and then tasked with building a game pitch based on at least 3 of the actions. I opted to go a step further and use all five of the actions. Those five actions were Building, Conquering, Herding, Powering, and Voting. Canine Conquest was the result.

Game Pitch: Canine Conquest

Genre: RTS-Lite / Strategy-Adventure

Story Pitch

In Canine Conquest, players take on the role of Sir Barkington, the first-ever mutt king in a world long divided by pedigree, who inherits a fractured realm after his parents cross the Rainbow Bridge. The world is a vast patchwork of canine nations, each ruled by a different breed with its own culture, terrain, and temperament. Golden Retrievers value harmony, Huskies command the frozen north, and Poodles rule glittering metropolises. These purebred kingdoms have grown isolated and distrustful of one another, each convinced their lineage makes them superior. But when the world begins to crumble under the weight of pride and separation, Sir Barkington sees a chance to bring harmony through empathy and cooperation.

As Sir Barkington, your goal is to unite the scattered dog kingdoms under one banner before the looming threat of a Great Bone War destroys them all. Players build inclusive villages, herd lost packs to safety, and conquer rival territories through charm, strategy, and might. Political challenges arise through voting at the Grand Kennel Council, where alliances shift like fur in the wind. Each victory powers your realm with “Bark Energy”, a mystical force drawn from the loyalty and love of your subjects.

To ensure Canine Conquest thrives as a sustainable mobile experience, “Bark Energy” serves as both a progression system and a soft currency. Players naturally generate Bark Energy through gameplay: completing quests, uniting packs, and fostering loyalty within their realm. However, players can accelerate their progress through optional microtransactions. Daily login bonuses and achievement milestones grant free Bark Energy refills, while premium “Pup Packs” allow players to instantly boost their reserves or unlock time-limited relics that enhance production speed and troop morale.

A regen system ensures Bark Energy refills gradually over time, promoting steady engagement without punishing free-to-play users. For players seeking convenience, “Royal Treat Bundles” containing Bark Energy and exclusive cosmetic items (like jeweled collars or custom throne rooms) can be purchased via the in-game store. Cosmetic upgrades never affect gameplay balance but offer players a way to show off their kingdom’s unique flair. This balanced approach maintains fairness while providing optional monetization avenues through progression boosts, cosmetics, and special events like “Pawliday Festivals,” where limited-time items and relics become available for both earned and purchased Bark Energy.