How's it going?

Hello everyone,

Sorry but I won't be able to make the lab today (I'm actually at the Burnaby Hospital right now), my brother got food poisoned :(

Anyways, how is everyone? What's the progress so far? Please write me an e-mail or simply reply to this thread on your progress. Let's make this happen guys!

Breakdown

Breakdown of the next few week's tasks (for graphics):

Menu
Menu background
Menu option - Journey
Menu option - Option
Menu option - Quit
Menu option - Stage Select (unlockable)
Menu option - Concept Arts, Musics (unlockable)

World Map
National flag - China
National flag - Japan
National flag - Korea
National flag - Italy
National flag - Canada
Clickable Markers beside each flag
Briefing Box that pops up when the mouse hovers over the national flags

1st Game - Fly Killing
GUI for the score, accuracy, and time elapsed

2nd Game - Ninja Hunt
GUI for the score

3rd Game: Octopus
GUI for the tentacle count
Character - Chung's hand with chopstick (stationary)
Character - Chung's hand with chopstick (tentacle wrapped around)
Character - Chung's hand with chopstick (tentacle wrapped and pulled)
Character - Kim's hand with chopstick (stationary)
Character - Kim's hand with chopstick (tentacle wrapped around)
Character - Kim's hand with chopstick (tentacle wrapped around and pulled)
Background
Object - Optopus (in one piece)
Object - Optopus (one tentacle dragged up)
Object - Optopus (another dragged up, one already missing)
Object - Optopus (another dragged up, two already missing)
Object - Optopus (another dragged up, three already missing)
Object - Optopus (another dragged up, four already missing)
Object - Optopus (another dragged up, five already missing)
Object - Optopus (another dragged up, six already missing)
Object - Optopus (another dragged up, seven already missing)
Object - Optopus (all missing, only the body remains)

4th Game: Spaghetti Eating Contest
Graphic for maximum threshold (eating too fast results in choking, we need to show this graphically)
Character - Chung (sitting)
Character - Chung (getting ready)
Character - Chung (noodle picked up)
Character - Chung (eats noodle) [mouse click instance]
Character - Chung (choke)
Character - Don Corleone(sitting)
Character - Don Corleone(getting ready)
Character - Don Corleone (noodle picked up)
Character - Don Corleone (eats noodle) [mouse click instance]
Character - Don Corleone (choke)
Background
Objects - Table
Objects - Noodle Plate (Full)
Objects - Noodle Plate (Half)
Objects - Noodle Plate (Leftover)
Objects - Noodle Plate (Clean)

5th Game:

Game Prototype Critique #1

Game #1- Ant Colony:

Balance: The testers are varied in terms of gamer experience and therefore a compliment on subject selection since that is the best way to test out one's game. To my understanding from their presentation there will be two opposing ant colonies in one game and each side has equal opportunities and resources. I'd like to suggest presets that differentiates the two colonies yet still maintain the balance of the two (e.g. one colony is stronger than the other one, but the other one is better at gathering resources)

Model (prototype): Paper prototype. However from the way they presented the prototype, I hardly saw any strategy involved except for simple maneuvers.

Art: Since the game is focused on strategy, the team needn't focus on character modeling in detail. However an attractive storyline or appealing characters are always keys to a successful game. The team needs to work on their art work.

Originality: Original in the sense that it's an ant themed game played strategically, whereas other ant themed games out there often focuses more on action/adventure of an ant.

Game #2- Fins of Fury:

Balance: Again credit for them for finding subjects with different skill levels and experience. As for balance inside the game it seems the team has a pretty good idea how the player can grow their character stronger and better without having to become more skillful, this is interesting.

Model (prototype): Paper prototype with dice and movable figures. Credit for successfully portray what the game will look like and most importantly, feel like.

Art: Nicely modeled 3D characters and they seem to be comfortable with 3D modeling. We didn't get to see the art for backgrounds and interactive items/objects though.

Mechanics: Eat what's smaller than you, avoid what's bigger than you! This is an already established game play mechanic that has proven to be successful. No problem here.

Originality: The story is not original and the game play is not original either. The team needs to come up with some other features that'll make the competitive edge for their game.

How well the physical prototype mimics the game: The paper prototype is a good representation of what the game will be like. Although the rules might be a little hard to understand.

Game #3-Mizu:

Balance: the target users are said to be 6+ but it's real hard to find subjects with that much variety. The team will have to do more user testing further on.

Model (prototype): Paper prototype with human "AI". Interesting way to test the game, the team will have to implement the human "AI" behaviour into the electronic version to expect similar testing results.

Art: This is definitely the team's strong side and they clearly understand that and utilized that into the prototype. Big credit to them for this.

Mechanics: Earth, Fire, Water, Wind... proven solid mechanics, I'm expecting the team to balance these mechanics well.

Originality: Not very original. It's a side scrolling adventure game with 4 elements theme.

Game #4- Untitled (Previously named "School'd"):

Balance: Credit to them for using subjects with different skills. As mentioned from their presentation their prototype lacks pick-ups that will essentially help balance the game more.

Model (prototype): Board prototype in which new mechanics and rules can be applied. This is a versatile way of fully engage the subjects in the game. Big credits here.

Art: There was a rendered polygon character. Other than that we didn't get to see much, maybe they should have showed their concept arts which are quite nice.

Mechanics: Proven action/adventure mechanics with medieval theme.

Originality: Not original. I have a feeling of seeing Age of empires, Diablo, and Dungeon Seige in the making.

Week 8

Hey guys,

So far we have completed the first mini game (workable) and started on the graphics of the 2nd mini game. This week we'll devote our time into polishing up the graphics of the 1st and 2nd mini game, add in combo features for both games, and make sure that the sound effects are in.

As you all know we only have 4 weeks left now to finish the game, the original idea of having 7 mini games seems quite distant as far as time constraint concerns. I'm thinking to have 3 games and the world map finished before the deadline instead. Please give me your input on that.

This week I'll be working on:
1. Any additional sprites we need for the 1st and 2nd mini game
2. World map sprites (location indicators, Chung on map, maybe some animated sprites that roams around on the world map)

I'd like to get together with you guys at this week's lab time, as there are bonus materials we can work on but we can also use that time to work on our game.

For next week I'd like to start on the 3rd game, we will decide which game to be our 3rd game during lab, and then we'll start on it right away.

Characters for 2nd mini game

1st Game Test Feedback

Game 2 !

Hello guys!

It's time to work on our 2nd game - Deadly Ninja Beat! Basically it's a rhythm based game where Chung will be in the center of the screen and he'll engage enemy ninjas that are coming at him at the background music's beat. The ninjas will come from either left, right, and sometimes both sides at the same time. Here's what we'll work on this week:

I'll be responsible for Chung's character (left attack, right attack, stand still, both side attack), ninja characters (walking, attack)

Kyle: Please find out if the ninjas coming at Chung can follow the beat of the music (this needs syncing, might want to talk to Phil about this) and start working on the coding for this game.

Phil: Please come up with sound effects for Chung's attack (left and right are the same sound, both side attack another sound), Chung being hit (game over), and if at all possible maybe a composition of your own for the background music. I know that'll probably take a lot of time and inspiration, so if you can't do it this week you can try to look for royalty-free tracks or ask for permission for user-submitted tracks.

Frida: Please finish Chung's skeleton for Mike to use for CG. After that if you can provide the score+accuracy+level graphic display for the fly killing level and start thinking about the graphic display for the rhythm game.

Mike: Please provide Kyle with a background image for the rhythm game (Japanese themed, a platform at the bottom of the image for Chung and ninjas to stand on). Again please provide Kyle with an animated graphic intro and game over screen with the 2nd game as well.

Thank you so much guys for all the hard work so far, don't forget to check the feedbacks on my blog! Also don't forget to post your jobs this week into your own blog for this week's individual assignment!

Have a wonderful weekend,

David

Schedule for Demo Testing

Booking hours:
Monday (Oct. 8th): 2:00-6:00pm
Tuesday(Oct. 9th): 1:00-4:00pm
Wednesday(Oct. 10th): 11:00am-12:30pm, 2:30-6:00pm
Thursday(Oct. 11th): 1:00-5:30pm

Kyle's hours:
MWF: 1:30 - whenever
Tue: 10:00 - 12:00; 1:30 - IAT410
Thu: All day

Frida's hours:
Wednesday 10~4pm
Tursday 12~2pm

Phil's hours:
Tuesday before 1:30 pm

Possible times (I'm sending these to Ai):
Tuesday 3~4pm
Thursday 4:30~5:30pm
Wednesday 3:30~4:30pm

Character Model

Here goes Chung's front view:

Prototyping

(Below is the e-mail I sent to the whole team replying back to Frida's e-mail)

Hello Frida,

Thanks for your spontaneous e-mail. I've just looked at the e-mail Ai sent us about booking a time for game testing, so I was wondering what time is good for you? I've also cc this e-mail to Mike, Kyle and Phil so if everybody can post up their available time (either by e-mail or onto my blog) we can decide on a good time that'll work for everybody.

As for the lecture I have to apologize to everyone too since I missed the lecture as well (IAT334:P). Can Kyle or someone e-mail or post in my blog what we're suppose to do for the paper prototyping? We can work on the prototype on the coming Monday when we meet up. Again my blog address is http://davidsyao.blogspot.com

For graphics, I'd like Frida and Mike to know that I'm leaving you guys in charge in that department. That is to say, upon completion of our game you guys can truly say that you've came up with the concept art and stood by it. I'll provide any assistance that you guys might need but I want to leave it to you guys on deciding on how the character should look and what kind of the background setting will fit for the game. I'll be drawing a 2D Chung with his whole body view for Mike to create the 3D model, however if you guys would like to change any detail please let me know and I'll make the changes. Chung's coolness is up to you now :P

For sound, Phil I'd like you to come up with a background music (MIDI) for the fly killing level, as I'd like to put that in for our game demo. On top of that I'd like a sound for closing the chopsticks together, as well as a sound/sounds for the fly. Please let me know if you need help creating the midi or acquiring sound samples.

For programming, Kyle can we start this game with a PC version? For the game demo I was thinking we can at least include the completed fly killing level. Please let me know if you need any resource or man power, as you are the only one in charge of this department so far.

Sorry for the long e-mail spam, I'll also post this up on my blog, please feel free to reply this e-mail (please cc everyone) or simply comment in my blog, thanks!

David

Chung Concepts

Hello guys^^

Freida has finished a sketch of Chung already! *applause*

I've came up with an art style and mimicked Freida's sketch for a concept, let's hear some feedback!^^


David

Team Meeting 1

Hi Team!

Our next meeting will be on Monday (Oct.1st) at 2 pm, we will be discussing the following:

1. Game Mechanic - specifically how many different types of mini games (fishing, jedi-sword fighting, etc.), or focus on one main type.

2. Level Design - how many levels? what do they look like? which level comes first, why?

3. Sound Design - what are the ambiance sounds for these levels? what are the sound effects? what kind of background music should be there?

4. Art Style - 2D or 3D? GUI? Character concepts? Opening Sequence

5. Story - character development and narrative flow

IAT410 - Team Contact List

Hey guys this is the "you know how to call me if I'm skipping~" section^^:

Team Leader:
David Yao
davidyao@hotmail.com
778-898-3133

Programing:
Kyle Sakai
ksakai@sfu.ca
604-309-5185

Visual/Sprite:
Frida Lu
frida1_1@hotmail.com
778-883-5211

Mike Feng
mikewin302@hotmail.com
604-773-2205

Audio/Foley:
Phil Kim
kimpilmo@hotmail.com
604-290-8546

This is the task distribution system I have so far, then again I don't really know your strengths (most of you have multiple), so let me know if you'd like to work on specific tasks for the game. I'd like everybody to have fun working on this game and therefore if you're strong in programing but would like to try out audio sampling, by all means let everybody know and we can sort it out.

As we discussed at the end of week 3's lab, our weekly meeting will be held at Monday 2 p.m., location is TBA.

If you have any questions, more importantly if you have any suggestions/concerns about our project, feel free to contact me through e-mail or cellphone (if I don't answer please text :P)

That's it! Let's have fun!


David

IAT403 - Mxiew Discussion

This content has been moved to the MXIEW blog

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to my official blog for IAT410 - Advanced Game Design. I have a special interest in first person shooters and simulation games, so I'll periodically put up video links (from YouTube) of related games. Thanks for dropping by!