Exercise #10 - "Us versus It"

US vs. It

Summary: La Boulange Jeffrey and I took a day together to balance a game of US vs. It. Because we were not able to make it on the original day (due to GDC), we scheduled a day together to finally make a balanced game. At first, we assigned the tanks certain properties, but the Robot would seem to either destroy them too easily or in turn be defeated to easily. It was actually a monotonous experience at times because we had to keep implementing theories over and over and over. Eventually, we finally came up with a formula in which the Robot does reach victory but barely manages to survive in the process. We know that this formula works because both Jeffrey and I have taken our own respective playthroughs and have achieved different but similar results. Both playthroughs of ours had different routes but both ultimately ended with a lifepoint of 1 for the robot. 

Included we also have a simulation of a player who is inexperienced and did not read the directions. They will just barely lose because they did not read or know about the ability to use the special bomb.

Technical

Game Rules:

10 Turns

Laser Eye

Special Bomb (Lose a Turn)

Properties:

Orange:

Green:

Purple:

Tests:

Move Forward                                                                                                                                    10

Move Forward                                                                                                                                    10

Laser Eye                                                                                                                                           8 (-2)

Move Forward                                                                                                                                      8

Move Forward                                                                                                                                   6 (-2)

Special Bomb                                                                                                                                     5 (-1)

Lost Turn                                                                                                                                           4 (-1)

Move Forward                                                                                                                                   2 (-2)

Move Forward                                                                                                                                   1 (-1)

Move Forward                                                                                                                                       1

WIN                                                                                                                                                      1

Move Forward                                                                                                                                    10

Move Forward                                                                                                                                   8 (-2)

Laser Eye                                                                                                                                           8 (-2)

Move Forward                                                                                                                                   7 (-1)

Move Forward                                                                                                                                   5 (-2)

Special Bomb                                                                                                                                     4 (-1)

Lost Turn                                                                                                                                           4 (-1)

Move Forward                                                                                                                                   2 (-2)

Move Forward                                                                                                                                   1 (-1)

Move Forward                                                                                                                                       1

WIN                                                                                                                                                      1

Move Forward                                                                                                                                    10

Move Forward                                                                                                                                    10

Laser Eye                                                                                                                                           8 (-2)

Move Forward                                                                                                                                      8

Move Forward                                                                                                                                  6 (-2) 

Move Forward                                                                                                                                   3 (-3)

Move Forward                                                                                                                                   1 (-2)

Move Forward                                                                                                                                       0

LOSS                                                                                                                                                    0

List #3

Work due by 25th of March, 2014

Assigned
- Review Chapters 1-8 for Exam
- Mid-Term Exam Due Online
- All Mid Season Work Completed

Personal
- Exercise #3b: High Concept ALPHA (Alternate Game)
  - Program Type
  - Game Development Document

Exercise #9: Far Cry Map*

March 24th, 2014

This is where I would have placed my image of my team's far cry map. That is, if the console we were working on didn't crash and lose our save data...

I couldn't help but think how heartbreaking this must feel in the actual video game industry.

I feel that this was going to happen sooner or later. But, in a way I think it may be a blessing in disguise. Because I've learned early on that, in the future, if I ever work on anything at all, I need to back it up. Maybe even in several different places.

Technical Description:

Prototype Specs:
Map for a 1st Person Shooter
2 Opposing Strips of Buildings
Middle Obstacle (Ship)
(Spawn Point) Forest before Town Entrance

Visual Description:

If the Map we made were still in existence, it would have looked as followed. The map was simple. Our team thought of creating a map with two opposing towns. Kind of like a western movie with saloons and bars. In the middle of the two strips of buildings was an empty plane of sand. It was quite funny actually, as the map started of as really simple. What made the experience very memorable was what our team did with the mistakes we made. Because our team was unfamiliar with the controls, we at times would indent parts of the map on accident. In this case, one of us accidentally indented the middle between the buildings. So now, this area meant to be a barren center for shoot outs to occur was now in conflict with this bulge in the ground. As we tried to fix it, we found it much more interesting to work around it. What we did was actually add things to the hole. We first added water. Then added a boat. Then removed that boat and added a ship. So we had a ship in a small pond next to the sand. It made no sense at all. We definitely let our imaginations get ahead of ourselves. But we decided to keep it. I think this event was the catalyst that set off the rest of the map. After that we got more impulsive and ambitious. We put a Huge tree in the middle of an apartment project. We added machine guns to the ship in the pond in the middle of the sand. We added dirt bikes. We added a forest next to the town. At this point our imagination had no bounds.

This map we made no longer was grounded in reality. And it was all a product of that one mistake. Though in the future, we must give ourselves limits, I feel that this was a very therapeutic event because it allowed us to let go of our mental limitations and let our imaginations flow. This was an important event for me because in the last few years, I feel as if I have been holding back my creativity with my overly-critical views on reality and fantasy. It made me learn that in order to be creative and create new ideas, one must grasp the fact that if the program in which you are using is not bound by limits, then neither should you be.

Exercise #3 (Alternate) - High Concept Statement B

March 23rd, 2014:

Information:

After much thinking and consideration, I have decided to postpone/substitute my original idea for a video game. As mentioned in a previous post, I was set on making my own personal fighting game called PFE (Prototype Fighting Engine). Though still a high possibility in the future, I believe that there is another project idea calling for my attention right now. There are many reasons why I am changing direction but to pinpoint the reason is mainly because of my experience with Flowlab. Originally, When I was working with Flowlab, I didn't see myself going in the direction of a 2d Platformer. However, I found myself spending more and more time in Flowlab than originally planned. I fell in love with the fact that I was creating more and more with what started out as nothing. As I continued working on the project, more and more ideas came about to what my first video game would be. Not to say I couldn't have also gained some ideas through MUGEN or another program, I felt that Flowlab gave me a feel for the limits of my abilities and the kind of direction I would like for my first game. I'm on the fence in terms of which program to use, whether it be Flowlab or GameMaker, but I am absolutely positive that I want to make a 2d NES Style Platformer Game.

My Final High Concept:

This is the final phases of my decision making process. There is very little time; thus less opportunities to make changes. This is what will ultimately come... or not come by the end of May.

My idea is to have a classic video game. Something that I can make now with my lack of programming knowledge and artistic ability. The game will hopefully be smooth and easy to play. I'm making sure the game has a very simple story line in order to coincide with these deficiencies I have as a designer.

G-Robot will have many basic elements common to NES games. Of course shooting and jumping will be an available option. The game will have basic enemies and personally made backgrounds.  This game will take influences from NES games like Megaman and Mario. I'm aiming for a visual style resembling that of Megaman specifically. Character designs will be influenced by a variety of different areas, one of them definitely being Gundam.

If I can achieve the goals I've set for myself, I can at least provide a GDD or an unfinished demo by the end of May. I am looking to make this game with either Flowlab or GameMaker.

Provided Graphics:

So far this is what I have done towards the game.

From Flowlab, I have some designs of what the main character will look like and a heavily unfinished first stage.

(Also provided is the original Powerpoint pitch)

G-Robot Original Powerpoint

Exercise #8: Basic Sketchup Design

February 21st, 2014*

1st Sketchup Using Models From Warehouse

Custom Basic Sketchup - Top Side View

Side View

Right Side View

Perspective View

Perspective View #2

Details:

On my first day with Sketchup I exclusively used models from the 3d Warehouse. It was a great way for me to get used to the system and learn how to implement models into a free 3d space. I actually found it difficult, however, to create the setting I wanted with the models in the 3d Warehouse. Originally, I wanted to create a city with a broken highway and ruined buildings. This was difficult to make as there were limited amounts of models that matched this description. Though results were fast at first, I soon came to a plateau in which most of the models didn’t help with the synergetic theme I was looking for. Eventually, I decided to stop working on my original design.

Later, I opted for a more simple approach. I decided to create my own environment. I watched a few Sketchup tutorials on youtube and learned the very basics of creating models. Eventually, I ended making my very own basic models. Ultimately, I made a model of a warehouse. To simulate some physical models I’ve seen in real life, I decided to give it a “half-open” look where you could clearly see the inside of an otherwise blocked off building. Inside it has a default character model, barrels, boxes, and cargo. I also created a small room in the far left corner and added a ventilation shaft in the upper region of the model. Outside the building itself is a car and some pavement road. The car was actually the most difficult model to create because of its various lines and curves.

The overall purpose of the model is to be a location for a 3d Shooter Game. In terms of setting, I can imagine this area as a place where the main character would be engaged in a shootout. The cargo boxes would serve as a form of coverage from gunfire. The ventilation shafts could be crawled into to escape by finding a way on top of the cargo boxes. I can also see the barrels being used as a device to eliminate multiple enemies at once. Finally, the car would be the goal. 

Exercise #6 - Flowlab IO

January 30th, 2014

Make a simple game with a background, surface and player character based on the startup tutorials in 'flow lab'

General Information:
In class, we got our first taste at game creation on a simple and accessible platform. We used an online web tool called Flowlab. It's a new and very helpful tool for anyone who wants to design a simple and playable online game. It doesn't require any knowledge of programming and is highly customizable. There are some default sprites and objects to start your game from. Each piece you build with is in the shape of a small square.

With Flowlab, users are allowed to create and customize sprites, add and link behaviors, as well as design the background and gameworld. Learning all of this can be done in a short period of time.

Personal Reaction:
I had a great time experimenting with Flowlab. I was happy to find out that there is a program basic enough to be used by a newcomer like me.

It was quite surprising how much time I allowed myself to spend on such a program. Using Flowlab gave me a great deal of inspiration into making games of this kind. It made me feel as if I could make anything as long as I dedicated the proper amount of time and effort into it. 

Through lots of trail and error, I'm very happy that I made something playable out of literally nothing but small pieces.

I don't think this is the last I'll see of Flowlab. I can see myself doing more than just the introductory lesson I've done today. With a little more time and creativity, I feel I can customize the basic sprites given to me and make something that more represents my style and views.

The Game:
Up There

I created a very simple sidescrolling game in Flowlab. I used the default sprites and objects to create a stage. I kept the game world very basic. I didn't design any aspects of the user interface; This is because the UI is for more advanced users. I decided to focus on the basics in the background and gameworld.

The objective of the game is to simply gain the coin at the end of the stage. To get there, the player must be able to jump without falling into the crevices.

Link to My Flowlab Game

List #2

Work due by 7th of February, 2014

Assigned
- Read Ch. 4-5
- Exercise #3: High Concept
- Exercise #4a: Game Appraisal 
- Exercise #4b: Video Game Excellence

- Exercise #5: Cartoon Network Game Creator

- Exercise #6: Flowlab IO

- Exercise #7: Emotional Tone Powerpoint

Personal
- Prototype Fighting Engine: PFE - Preparation
  - Program Type
  - Game Development Document