Gav Cooper's Blog

FORUM FEEDBACK

2009-04-12T18:43:00.000-07:00

I have put the word out on two games related forums that I regularly stalk (acitonscript.org and gamespot.com), about my latest version of “Connect Wars”, asking for thoughts and feedback. I bet it gets "blam-ed" or whatever the phrase is, if any response is generated at all... let’s see...

ARTEFACT FOUR & CLIENT UPDATE

2009-04-12T17:33:00.000-07:00

When talking via email with a tutor the other day he mentioned that by 'streamlining' my PRP and Client projects around the same game (Connect Wars) it might have caused some confusion as to what part of the game has been PRP development (Artefacts) and what is Client work. (just a point: this would have been better mentioned to me when I proposed this project merger, like three months ago!)

Anyways, just to clarify, PRP and the six Artefacts that make up the a major part of that brief are all based around the AI responses, in other words, the ‘solo game’ mode where the human player, plays the computer. The Client project is the game itself and everything included with-in it… hell why not.

Artefact four, which can be viewed HERE, comprises of an advancement with regards to the AI aiming to make a x5 connection of its own suit symbol.
The grid is now evaluated twice each time a move is made, same as before, left to right, top to bottom. This time on the 2nd evaluation the AI looks at its own suit symbol placements and if no threat is detected it aims to extend its own connections to x5 for the win. This AI could possibly be improved upon and made harder to beat by prioritising its own suit placements (attacking moves) over its opponents (defensive moves).

With regards to the rest of the games progress and in other words… Client… I’ve made pleasing head way. SAME LINK AS ABOVE. Apart from ironing out small ‘knock on effect’ bugs that I keep spotting here and there, the audio has been completed, I think (subject to change) and I’ve added a feature that informs the player which side they are playing at the start of a solo game. I also keep tinkering with the visuals here and there, too many small changes to mention, it’s all wasting time really as I should / need to be focusing on the AI and improving it. So much still to do on that front!

Comments? Feedback? Anyone? Tutors, do you actually read my blog? If so prove it… by leaving me some f***in' feedback in the comments link below! Ahg!

4N0TH3R PR0GR3SS UPD4T3

2009-04-09T15:05:00.000-07:00

Today's progress can be viewed HERE.

I've been playing around with sound effects today, just to give my brain a break from AI really. I'm not to sure about the 'bomb placed' FX or the 'defuse' FX, but I think that I'm pretty happy with the rest of them... meh!

Comments / Feedback... anyone?

PR0GR3SS UPD4T3

2009-04-08T18:40:00.000-07:00

Click HERE now… before I cry!

Updated: Rules screen added to, random trump shuffle icon explained. Animated flip and armour pieces. Win game screen changed, small animations added, grid showing win situation is now displayed.

So much still to complete, so little time…

PRP - ARTEFACT THREE

2009-04-07T13:03:00.000-07:00

As predicted, now that I have the game system fully operational the PRP artefacts have started to roll out. Click HERE or on the image below to view and play around with PRP Artefact Three.

The AI in this version of ‘Connect Wars’ starts by checking every grid square, left to right, top to bottom and searches for the opposing players suit symbols. When the grid check function finds an opposing players suit symbol, +1 is added to a counter. This in turn allows for the computer AI to view the whole grid and its current situation, every turn. From the AI looking at the grid in this way it can then work out where is best to place a response piece, based on a points system.

Go to ‘solo play’, try and connect x5 of your suit symbol only, it is impossible to do this without the use of trump pieces as the computer will block you at every turn, guaranteed.

PRP - ARTEFACT TWO

2009-04-07T05:22:00.000-07:00

With artefact one being a questionnaire based around AI in games, the results of which I’m still yet to publish, artefact two is now finally ready and posted, and the rest are now underway. Now I’ve cleared the massive hurdle of producing my own working game system, the AI computer responses for the single player mode of Connect Wars are now being worked upon, to be fair this stage should have been reached three weeks back. I’m a little behind schedule. Click HERE or on the image below to view PRP Artefact Two.

In this artefact (2) the AI responses for the single player mode are very basic. The AI searches the grid from left to right, top to bottom, every turn, and looks for any grid squares that are light grey (grid squares that can are open for play), then the computer is told to place a suit symbol of its own suit in a random light grey square.

No tactics are used in this method; it is all based around math.random. Obviously the downfalls of this approach are clear and it doesn’t make for a challenging game, even if its responses do occasionally throw out a decent play, but this is only by chance if so.

CONNECT WARS - 2P DEMO

2009-03-31T15:36:00.000-07:00

FINALLY! I’ve launched a fully working multiplayer version of Connect Wars on newgrounds.com for player feedback and review slaughter! What I’m hoping to gain mainly with regards to mass player feedback is responses about how clear and quick the game is to pick up, learn and play.

To avoid my ‘how to play’ screen looking like it’s bursting to the brim with too much info, I’ve tried to cut it down to just the basics, but I’m a concerned that players won’t understand the game at first glance and will give up trying, then abandon the game all together.

The fact that I’ve launched a two player only version probably won’t help towards this concern, as it’s fairly unlikely that two people will be around the same computer and will both be willing to focus, learn and play this new game. A single player version might capture new players via the trail and error method of learning a new game. Most gamers take this approach first time with any new title, even if they don’t realise it, like... who reads the manual... hardly anyone.

F'IDDY ¢ - 1$ $H17

2009-03-25T07:35:00.000-07:00

This review is so very funny for a number of reasons, also a good piece of social commentary I think... and yeah, I wouldn't piss on this game if it was on fire! So very lame.

SPP3 ASSIGNMENT 2

2009-03-23T17:48:00.000-07:00

Mostly been working on SPP3 stuff this week. Searching and applying for jobs and post graduate courses, my applications are 'mock' as the jobs out there arn't very realistic when it comes to my situation, bottom line is there aint no work around ere'! Postgrad study sounds intresting though.
Also getting a show reel together (I'm not going to use mine for prospective applictaions) just to fufill the requirments of this brief (don't ask). Along with game screens, a profile shot of me (ewww) plus other end of year show related stuff, it's been an odd breif. Almost completed it though, then I can get back to work on Client and PRP, which is coming along...

I AM STUCK

2009-03-04T12:30:00.000-08:00

I’m at the stage, again, where I need to ask for help from the code Gods...

FRUSTRATION

2009-03-03T13:39:00.000-08:00

Update. HERE is my progress so far with the half way mark just gone. Steady as she goes. Nearly have a two player version working, nearly. The playability of this current version is still nil! I’m about a week behind schedule which is really screwing up my PRP project and knocking that way off course in turn. I’m getting frustrated with it, really frustrated.

I’ve also had a MAJOR financial blow recently due to an expected University grant being cancelled at last min, without notification. So I’ve been busy trying to sort that out and its repercussions, which has been pretty stressful to say the least.

Onwards into the void...

OFF TOPIC - BARCLAYCARD WATER SLIDE

2009-02-26T14:43:00.000-08:00

There's no relating reason for me posting this apart from to say...
"I so WANT a go on this water slide".

END OF YEAR SHOW?

2009-02-26T13:31:00.000-08:00

This was meant to be posted a few days back, an idea for the end of year show, a theme? Better late than never... I couldn’t think of anything really striking, or… good. Best idea that popped into my head was too frame monitors, TVs (whatever) with old style painting frames. Old meets new. Modern mixed with times past. Art Attack did this in their gallery section on their show, I think, and I've also seen done many times over elsewhere.

Bit lame on my part too be honest, like I say... I couldn’t conjure up a decent idea. I’m more focused on working on what’s meant to be on exhibit there, rather than how it should be presented.

0NW4RÐ$!

2009-02-11T16:45:00.000-08:00

You wouldn’t believe how long it’s taken to get THIS far... well, about 3 weeks of focused coding to be fair. A little over 300 lines of code so far and the basic game mechanics are only just being completed. As you can tell from the version linked above I still have a little way to go till playability. I’m also getting closer to the point where I’ll need to program the computer’s response plays, and I’m not much looking forward to it, as I expect it’s going to be a big one to get my head around.

A two player test version should be my first playable checkpoint I think.
The only thing holding back the two player concept from being a major part of the completed game is the fact that each player isn’t allowed to know which modifier cards the other is holding. Currently the opponents modifier cards are covered, and the covers switch between plays (as shown in the above link) this wont be an issue with single player for the obvious reasons
(you wont see the computers cards at all, at any point) maybe this wont cause much of an issue in a two player game, but only play testing will tell.

I am also now using this game system (Connect Wars) for my undergoing Personal Research Project, which requires me to produce 6 artefacts to back up my already submitted theories on game AI (artificial intelligence).
My first artefact was a questionnaire aimed at anyone that plays video / computer games. I’ll post the results soon that I have already collated, once I’ve processed them into something viewable and digestible that is.

My subsequent artefacts 2,3,4,5 and 6 are going to be developments of my computer’s responses and plays for my Connect Wars game. Both of my current 3rd year projects Live Client and PRP are now based around the same game system. Both projects are now inter-woven with each other.
I did check with my personal tutor (DK) that this was OK, apparently it is. This being the case pressure has now been lifted slightly as this helps minimise my work load but at the same time links my two projects together whilst also keeping the origional subjects relevant to their true intentions.

0NW4RÐ$!

SNOW DAY!

2009-02-02T07:04:00.001-08:00

SNOW DAY!

REPEATEDLY RUNNING INTO WALLS!

2009-01-27T16:33:00.000-08:00

I am having issues across all of my projects... I am finding it hard to keep my head together and stay focused... I am finding it difficult to get motivated...
I am also trying, none-the-less… believe me I am… but it feels like I’m running on empty. b00h00!

The dwindling number of posts over recent months here reflects my progress and enthusiasm. I stand before a mountain of work and hurdles that I am to overcome… and I can’t even see the peak!

At the start of this course I was told, if completed, I could basically walk into any job relating to my chosen pathway within the multimedia industry.
Now that I am in the final year and nearing the end, I am now being told not to expect employment in my relevant areas for some considerable amount of time after graduation, or even at all. Maybe it’s the current climate, with what little local games companies dropping like dead flies... but personally I’m starting to feel like it was all a big CON!

ƒµçK 7H¡§ §H¡7 !!!

LIVE CLIENT PROPOSAL

2009-01-25T14:29:00.000-08:00

Connect Wars DOWNLOAD Live Client Proposal

LIVE CLIENT UPDATE

2009-01-19T14:24:00.000-08:00

I like it so far, been working on the art... needs code...

RUBBISH PILE - PLAY & RATE

2008-11-20T15:08:00.000-08:00

Here’s the result of my 6 week mini project for the simulated client brief.
Rubbish Pile! A short game that was produced to be used to support a public information campaign about recycling. It’s an alright play I guess…

Please leave your player feedback in the comments link below…

MIDNIGHT UPDATE

2008-11-16T16:20:00.000-08:00

I was going to post up the final version of my recycle game this evening (minus the menu and game over screens) but the more I work on it, the more I progress and develop. So for now I’m still 'tinkering'… oh and in relation to my last post, I’m going with the double fall areas. Much better!

I’ve just finished my end of week stint at GS so I’ve been pre-occupied for the last three days earning coin, i'm shattered (wuss) seems to always be my excuse for not posting progress updates more often. tut.

On the research front my PRP is coming along... s… l… o… w… l…y… nothing new to report. That’s all for now, I’m going to bed... Zzzzzz…

SINGLE OR DOUBLE?

2008-11-11T16:20:00.000-08:00

I haven’t been posting here as regular as maybe I should have, but I feel that I have some excuses for my absence. My new part-time job for one, is taking up three full days a week, its games related… but I’m working in the retail sector of the industry (and no it’s not at GAME!)

I also have to hold up my hands at this point and say that I’ve been focusing too much of my study time on the six week mini client project (recycling game), which is going strong none-the-less with just over one week till the deadline. EEK!

I’m basically down to two test versions of the game, which I plan to present at this Thursday nights games session, then gather feedback and make a decision on which to go with from there. Then I can spend the last week tweaking the modifiers and mechanics, and also wrap up whatever art there is left to do. No audio by the way, there's no time...

One thing to note, the dumper truck ability that I was raving on about a couple of posts back has been dropped, mainly to save on time, which is 'kind of lame' but also because the rubbish pile is now moved back down when an item is recycled... the simple alternative. The versions posted here are not final...

Click HERE for the single version of the game & click HERE for the double version… please DO leave any player feedback in the comments section.

Single Fall Version (below)

Double Fall Version (below)

In other news I'm trying to pick up speed with my Personal Research Project (PRP) which has kind of been pushed aside due to the work loads mentioned above. I really need to pick up pace and devote more study time to it, end of story! I’ll post more details very soon regarding this project...

V4R 84574RD

2008-11-02T16:09:00.000-08:00

The result of not being able to think up a variable name quick enough... chuckle, chuckle. How sad and GEEK!

GAME ART EXHIBITION

2008-10-23T08:15:00.000-07:00

Here is a snap shot of my last Flash creation (Duck Pond) which is currently on display at NTU’s Game Art Exhibition. W00T!

SIMULATED CLIENT PROJECT UPDATE

2008-10-22T17:10:00.000-07:00

Here is an updated screen shot of my currently un-named recycling game, ready for tomorrow evenings three minuet presentation...

Take note of the addition of the dumper trucks, when used one will drive along the bottom of the screen and remove a layer of built up waste, but first they need to be earnt by levelling up. I’m planning on just showing this screen and then talking about the game and the project plans and schedules, I’ve also written out a list of points that I need to hit, I’ll leave the rest down to holding my nerve.

SIMULATED CLIENT PROJECT

2008-10-15T04:46:00.001-07:00

To kick off the client project side of my final year I have been given a short six week ‘simulated’ client brief - “Produce a piece of Multimedia that can be used to support a public information campaign”. I have been given four subjects to choose between...

1. Climate change, 2. Sexual health, 3. Sustainability, 4. Healthy living

The following are three of my initial concepts. The idea is to keep the games simple and ‘do-able’ due to the short project duration, six weeks! The game also has to carry the intended message in a clear and universal way.

This video (sourced from YouTube) is a mini game from Bully SE Edition.
As you can see from the game-play video it’s a jumped-up version of Operation. With my design twist added I feel this concept could be excellent for conveying the message of healthy living… or even sexual health (Ewww!)

This idea is based around one small section of SimCity, the Monthly Budget screen. You play the City Mayor, making decisions on all the important aspects from tax rates to education and health funding… plus more.
The aim of the game is to balance your funding to sustain a happy population. The game system is basically a giant calculator. Simple.

A Tetris style, click and drag game, based around Nottingham City Council’s recent recycling campaign; see HERE for my original post.

THE LAST GUY

2008-09-25T07:09:00.000-07:00

My blog seems to have turned into a review / preview site over the summer, this is the last of it though due to Uni being just around the corner... back to business!

I think this game looks very FRESH. Think of it as PacMan meets Google Earth... with Zombies! Really makes me want a PS3.

* Apologies for the low-res quality, HD version HERE...

CURRENT STATUS

2008-09-22T12:46:00.000-07:00

I’ve lost all enthusiasm, I need to have a serious word with myself.

WHAT I'M READING AT THE MOMENT

2008-08-14T09:29:00.000-07:00

This writer got me rolling with AS2 last year, so I thought I’d read through his AS3 games update…

DESKTOP TOWER DEFENSE

2008-08-05T15:09:00.000-07:00

Desktop TD is my kind of game. I discovered it when reading a Gamasurta article: The Lone Coder. Which I found to be a motivating read.

Anyway’s… check out the Flash game Desktop Tower Defense, it’s such an addictive play! Below is a screen shot, the background photo is ace, I love the low rent visuals. It’s all in the coding and game design, that’s where the effort has clearly been focused.

Desktop TD designer Paul Preece - handdrawngames.com

DEVELOP EXPO 08

2008-08-04T11:11:00.000-07:00

Here’s an interesting episode of 'Start / Select' from GameSpot UK down at Develop 08 in Brighton last week. I find Little Big Planet’s section more appealing than the latter, the in-game footage looks so innovative and FUN!

FURTHER CLIENT PROJECT THOUGHTS

2008-08-02T12:39:00.000-07:00

I’m still mulling over the different routes that I could go down with my upcoming 3^rd year client project, but I’m still on the fence, so to speak, when it’s comes to making a decision. (Maybe some tutor guidance / advice might be of help… hint, hint!)

No offence to basically ALL past game students on my course, but I don’t fancy going for the Unreal map / level option. This seems to be the only type of project I’ve seen produced in recent years from NTU games students. Some of them where top notch maps, don’t get me wrong, but still… YAWN!

There are also other reasons why I’m less tempted to pursue the UT route, except avoiding the norm, as just pointed out…

My 3D skills are basic; I can navigate my way around 3DSM (version 8+) comfortably, but when it comes to complex modelling and all the other cool animation jazz, I’m not cut out for it, or better put, I’m not that interested in the 3D / Art side of the industry. The standard of games art today is outstanding! You have to be the best of the best to even stand a chance of getting a 3D / Art job interview! It's not my forte, so I don’t feel I should waste time pursing that route.

Most UT projects (even stand alone MODS) seem to always be FPS orientated, maybe because that’s what the Unreal engine is best at, that was it’s initial purpose after all. Around 90% of the Western games market is FPS based. I feel like that’s a genre that already has enough people pushing the boundaries. Also, most of my design ideas and thoughts don’t seem to be FPS related. Don’t get me wrong... again, I love FPS but I’m enthralled with a lot of different game genres and I’m always playing around with diverse concepts for puzzle and strategy systems, these ventures intrigue me a lot more.

Why am I spouting all this self reflective crap I ask myslef?! Because I’m trying to argue reasons for my client project to possibly be Flash based.
I want to develop my coding skills further, which is going to be vital no doubt for my prospective role as a designer (here’s hoping). I had great successes with my Flash game project (Duck Pond) during the 2nd year and I feel it’s the project where I gained the most technical knowledge, programming / coding. Flash also acts as a good blank canvas for me to test out a huge range of design ideas and concepts.

I also have several solid game systems that I’d like to work into the project, only if plausible of course. One of the designs would be a re-worked digital version of my card game Connect Wars. As developed for a brief set last year... further explanation and reasoning HERE.

I guess at the end of the day it’s all down to the client (if I can ever secure one) to set the brief… or is it? Would it be best to locate a client that is already in the industry? Or would it be better to find a client from a different sector, who requires a multimedia / games based product but tailored towards their needs and outputs?

I’m making slow progress over the summer with regards to my ‘pixel monkey skillz’, I really need to start getting some practical work down. Working this s***ty job to keep myself afloat in the absence of student financial support is taking up all of my time, but I’m trying to keep ideas going when I can...

MIRROR'S EDGE

2008-07-26T07:23:00.000-07:00

A friend showed me this trailer just after the games announcement at GDC 2008. I’ve been repeatedly watching it ever since and every single time I find myself in a hypnotic state... staring at my monitor… thinking to myself… WOW, that game looks awsome! It really goes to show how much depth / immersion you can create with GOOD design (not to mention the stunning visuals, HD versions can be viewed HERE, it really is worth it).

Below is a break down of the same trailer, it explains the games mechanics and tells us a little more about the beautiful world that DICE have created for this game. So looking forward to this title, compelling stuff!

CHARACTER DESIGN RIP OFF!

2008-07-18T10:52:00.000-07:00

Am I going a little mad here, or is Disney Pixar's new animation cash cow WALL.E a complete character design RIP OFF of John Badham’s 1986 classic, Short Circuit (aka - Johnny 5) ?! Oh wait, there is a change... they’ve added a box for the body... tut!

RESULTS + RECYCLE WEB GAME CONCEPT

2008-07-13T09:01:00.000-07:00

First things first, the results are in for the 2^nd year and I got a god dam 1^st…
Obviously I’m extremely happy with that result and I think a 1^st honestly reflects the effort and passion I put into my submitted work... GO ME!

__________________________

Moving on... and after pondering the different possibilities for my up coming client project I decided to do a rough concept design for one of my potential clients, Nottingham City Council. NCC has a new recycling initiative coming up, but one of their major issues is that the (idiotic) public don’t understand what recyclable waste goes into what colour bags… so I’ve come up with a very simple Flash game that would educate players on that very subject.

As you can see from the game screen design below, the player has to click and drag the correct waste (which will constantly be falling, ala Tetris) into the correct coloured bins. There are the standard game mechanics of the player versus the clock, and also the speed increases as the player progresses through the levels. If the player is too slow the fallen waste builds up till the screen is full, then it’s game over.

This design is very basic I know, it clearly needs a lot more development… but I just wanted to get the idea out of my system and publish it up here.
If this was my official client project for the 3^rd year I’d defiantly produce a game that didn’t follow such standard games concepts... I’d certainly want to make a game that operated ‘out side of the box’.

QUICK SUMMER UPDATE

2008-07-02T04:28:00.000-07:00

I’m slogging it out at the moment, big time, working a run of the mill summer job, grabbing as many hours as I can get my hands on… money, money, money, the bills have got to be paid, sucks.

I’m still finding time to read the array of game design books that I checked out of the library before the holidays, they don’t have to be back till October, score!

In other news I’m drastically re-thinking my Client and Research projects for next semester after having a very insightful conversation with one of my tutors about how best to ’get the most out of them’… re-planning is currently in progress.

In my last scraps of spare time I’ve been playing a lot of Chess over Xbox Live. I'm very much enjoying the game, win or lose, as always. Here’s a related / un-related Pixar short film that I love (Geri's Game, 1997) because I don’t have anything of my own work worthy of showing yet... all filler no killer huh? Enjoy.

SUCCESSFUL PRACTICE AND PRINCIPALS TWO

2008-06-18T08:11:00.000-07:00

This morning I handed in my finished SPP2 paper, thus marking the conclusion of my second year at NTU on the BA Multimedia course.
My SPP2 development and progression essay can be downloaded and viewed using any PDF reader by clicking the image link below...

OUTPOST - GAMEPLAY VIDEO

2008-06-05T07:19:00.000-07:00

As promised here is a short (silent) video of my Unreal map (Outpost) being played. The map can be downloaded HERE. If you do play please DO leave any comments, thoughts and feedback in the comments link below (no account needed to post comments) ENJOY!

* Apologies for the low-res quality, it appears to have suffered from “YouTube compression syndrome”...

OUTPOST - FINISHED

2008-06-03T10:59:00.001-07:00

You can download and play my Unreal 2004 map (Outpost) HERE. I spent all weekend playing about with the bot pathing to get it exactly how I wanted it, was fun, although it took me ages to get the AI characters to navigate my entire map.

I used a lot Unreal Scripted Sequences to get bots to defend certain areas, such as sniping points and so that AI players attacked from behind cover and well fortified areas. The AI is actually a challenge at some points in the game, but it’s still not that hard to win the round (especially if you’re a lethal FPS player like me, joke).

I managed to have a good time with the texturing also... I went out with my digital camera and basically looked like a mad man taking photos of the ground and walls everywhere I went. I’m pretty happy with the results; it’s basically my translation of the Unreals stock textures that I originally used.

I’ve tested this map on various machines; each had its own take on the lighting. On my PC (the one which I made the level on. CRT monitor) the lighting seems average, the shadows are fairly dark there’s no glare.

I also tested it on a few TFT machines and the map is a much brighter, each system had its own variation. It’s still looks OK, still very playable but there is some loss in the dark shadows. Not a lot I can do about that… try playing about with your monitor brightness and contrast settings.

Here’s a few screen shots, I’m going to record and upload a video of my map (Outpost) being played later this week for the people out there who don’t have Unreal 2004…

STEWART LEE ESCAPISM

2008-05-30T04:26:00.000-07:00

I’m having such a hard time at the moment trying to translate my development and progress into words for the SPP2 paper, so much so that working on my Unreal map seems like pure bliss in comparison! Its almost there, I plan to post the final level up here for download to play, watch this space.

I keep dipping out of trying to advance with my work to watch comedy videos on You Tube, it’s keeping me sane. Recently I’ve been re-discovering the comedy stylings of Stewart Lee (Fist of Fun & Jerry Springer the Opera). This ace video below cheered me right up… I just wanted to share it, enjoy.

JUMP PADS

2008-05-27T13:48:00.000-07:00

I’m almost there I think... today I added some Jump Pads (jump paths illustrated by the purple curved lines in the screen shot below, click image to enlarge). Their locations really add to the maps flow.

I’ve also been playing around with crates as hard cover and positioning them strategically around my map.

I have also started to re-texture the map with my own texture work, but I still have some way to go with that (tomorrows plan is to tackling all the texturing).

My final task is to sort the bot pathing, which I’m currently reading up on. Then all that’s left to do is to play test the arse off it, before the deadline a week today…

VOLUMES (LADDER)

2008-05-26T09:58:00.000-07:00

Check ma’ bad self! I made a ladder! After earning some coin this morning I spent this afternoon getting to grips with volumes in UnrealEd. It might not be much to look at… but it works a charm and serves its purpose...
(I've also planted something tasty at the top).

STILL CHIPPING AWAY

2008-05-25T14:23:00.000-07:00

Here’s a quick update... recently I’ve been working on my end of year paper, reflective practice and development (SPP2) so I’m hard at it with that at the moment. I will post the final draft up here as and when.

In other news I’m still chipping away at my Unreal Tournament map, it’s going strong. As you can see I still have a long way to go on the modelling front but I'm very pleased with it so far. I hope I can master bot pathing before the deadline; I have scheduled time to do so, fingers crossed.

Here are some screen shots of my work thus far…

Above is an overview shot of my map (box). The grey tall block with the red outline is what I’ve just started working on, it’s going to be office block style building.

This (above) is my new guard tower, it’s changed since my previous post. This new version has a bit more BEEF to it!

Above is an interior shot of a disused style building; wooden chip board has been used to board up windows and holes as a form of cover.

This (Fig. 1 & 2) is my bunker design. It's sunk into the ground by 64 Unreal units. If the player crouches and looks out through the narrow concaved windows, he / she will have a great vantage position that sits the crosshair just above ground level (shin height) deadly!

The main entrance to the bunker is a choke point which is overlooked by a narrow window looking out from the main room inside. There is an alternative way into the bunker, head up the stairs on the far side, onto the roof and down through the smashed hole. The barrels are explosive and have pretty devastating splash damage; I also plan to stick in an old crate box or two for some solid, hard cover.

Here are my build stats so far... 1141 polys and counting… my target is anywhere between 10,000 and 100,000 polys. Seems like I have some way to go before I hit 10k, I'm being too economical, I hope I can reach it.

MOTORCYCLE BUG

2008-05-23T13:37:00.000-07:00

I found a blindingly obvious bug in GTA IV last night.
A bug in a Rockstar game, no way, that's a first... I'm being sarcastic.

Allow me to elaborate… I was cruising along on a hog motorbike when Brucie buzzed me over the mobile and suggested a ride in his helicopter would be nice, I agreed. Five minuets later I roll up on my chopper and there’s Brucie waiting for me… but he’s stood with two women who I can only assume want to tag along for the ride (typical).

Here’s the issue… four people won’t all fit on a motorcycle, so normally the game should suggest alternative transport, not this time, we just all stand there like four un-movable chumps… I can pause, go in and out of the XBox menu, traffic even still roles past and people walk by, but the game is now officially Fµ(|{3Ð. No movement what-so-ever!

There’s another for Rockstar’s QA department to add to their long list of missed bugs in releases. Patch?!

* Watch out for that bug Niko! EEK!

GUARD TOWER

2008-05-15T10:18:00.000-07:00

Had another 3DSM tantrum this morning, yet even more hours wasted on useless meshes, this afternoon’s efforts were more productive though.
Below is a short video of my level thus far, I’ve added the guard tower, a very Lego like structure which needs some décor detail adding to it. To give an overall idea about layout I've indicated the GT's position on the 2D map here.

I have also added a small grass mound / hill, which I produced as a mesh… and as you can see the texturing is way off (really need to grasp UVW mapping) I’m very tempted to just use Unreal Ed’s terrain tool instead.

My 3D skills are limited, but improving every time I model. I’m devoting the majority of my time towards good, solid playability rather than wasting it all on bling meshes, thats my excuse!

For some reason the below video capture is much brighter than the game actually is, which is a shame because I'm rather proud of my lighting job.

NEW WALLS

2008-05-14T15:14:00.000-07:00

Tuesday night’s games session was very productive! With Brad’s help we managed to solve a lot of my Unreal problems, as mentioned in previous posts.

Today… apart from getting stressed over various 3D models and meshes, I’ve re-worked the rock / wall faces using 3DSMax, my map now looks a damn sight better in my opinion… even if it is an empty box still. The top of the walls won’t be straight; I plan to change that also, just to add extra detail and effect… but all those small changes are last minute priority. I am also working on my other static mesh designs that will inhabit my level with.

EXPORT IMPORT PROBLEMS

2008-05-10T13:29:00.000-07:00

I worked up the courage this afternoon to try some simple 3D modelling in Max (I’m scared of that program, seriously). Surprisingly… once I got going I rather enjoyed myself… I came up with a very straightforward mesh of a cave entrance and I also accomplished a fairly respectable texture job on it too.

I exported my mesh to an .ASE file, as advised. Then I imported my mesh into the Unreal Editor via the static mesh browser… this is where my problems started… Unreal imported the mesh but it didn’t import the texture I applied to it, as shown below.

I also had a read of the ‘3DSMax to Unreal FAQ’ as posted on my University VLP, it recommend that I download and install the relevant ActorX plug-In for my version of Max (version 9 / 32-bit) so that’s what I did…. but when I booted up 3DSM after installing it I get a nasty error message, please see below…

Ignoring that the ActorX plug-in did nothing what so ever I tried to size up and position my mesh in place with-in the map, I then tried to run it. This is where my final problem comes in, when the game runs the mesh isn’t visible with-in the game, there is just a dark shadow in it's place... as illustrated in the below screen shot…

I’m guessing all three problems are related and that I’m missing something really obvious, like checking a box somewhere located deep inside a hidden menu.

CONSTRUCTION STARTED

2008-05-09T07:04:00.000-07:00

Today’s plan was to head into University and work on some static mesh stuff, but I felt like death when I woke up so I resorted to plan B… setting up my map in the UT Editor. I took what I learnt from the Sky Box tutorial (as mentioned in a previous post) and applied that to a day time setting for my specific map design. It took me ages to get the lighting right but I’m pleased with the results, well worth the time I put in.

Instead of using 3DSM or Maya to add the cliff / rock faces around the walls of my level I used UT’s 2D Shape Editor. I know this is seen as “the long way round” but I have more confidence with this tool set… and the results so far aren’t half bad, the cliff / rock faces clearly need more detail adding so that’s the next step before I start populating my map.

Please don't mention the awful texturing, I haven’t even started to work on them yet so what you see are temporary archived textures used only for illustration purposes.

SKY BOX

2008-05-07T14:01:00.000-07:00

I started this Sky Box tutorial as posted on Chris’ blog before heading off to my PT job today... then finished it when I got home. I had my ideas about how a sky box would work and I wasn’t that far off. I’m really pleased with the results, this cheered me up a bit today.

OUTPOST MKII

2008-05-06T10:22:00.000-07:00

Here is a refined version of my initial map design, this is just the ground level layer, there is an underground section but I’ve not included that in the image below, possibly because I haven’t decided on a good enough layout for the underground slice yet.

I’ve done a polished 2D plan in Flash as I intended to make an interactive piece where the user could click on different sections and it would explain their selection in more detail… but I’ve been pushed for time this week (mostly down to working PT) and I couldn’t get it done by today... enough excuses.

I still think this design is maybe a bit too ambitious, considering my “beginner” level 3D skillz. I’m very tempted to opt for a completely indoor map but that’s bottling it basically… think I should just go for it…

Today has been a very bad day in regards to work and progress, slightly disheartening really. Not all bad I guess I’ve made a little progress, for example the layout design below has changed already, so there’s a nice an out of date image for you…

Planning time over, it’s now time to start building…

WHAT A MUG

2008-05-02T05:35:00.000-07:00

GTA IV DISSECTION

2008-05-01T08:46:00.000-07:00

I was there, Monday night, 12am, queuing up at my local games store, itching to grab a copy of GTA IV. Now, a few days on and I feel I should put the controller down and think about this game on a professional level…

It’s safe to say I’ve joined the masses in bumming GTA IV right into outer space, it is VERY good… but the game has is it's faults (is it really worth IGN’s 10/10?) Below I’ve tried to cover points that I haven’t seen in other reviews and features; I’ve also based this on my virtual experiences thus far in the game.

Upon entering Liberty City I end up at my cousin Romans place, here I discover that you can sit down and watch TV, so that’s what I did for my first half hour of the game, I just chilled out and flicked through the channels. The various stations and TV shows are very funny, loaded with classic GTA humour and satire. I’d heard that various celebrities were to make appearances throughout the game; I was really pleased to see Ricky Gervais in there, shame most of the material was stuff from one of his past live DVDs with only 3 minuets of fresh comedy writings, still very cool none the less.

One of the first missions required me to chase down some scum bag and end his life, a standard GTA activity. After chasing this guy to the third floor of a miscellaneous warehouse we came to a stand off, he pulls a knife on me, I’m unarmed. I noticed that my knife wielding rival is stood with his back to a large glass window, I kicked him through the window and he falls and lands on an exterior balcony. I jump through the now smashed window to where my enemy is slowly picking himself up, I decided to end it here and finish him off, mission complete! With the task accomplished I turn to go back through the smashed window… but… it’s no longer smashed, strange. What’s even worse than an auto repair window is the fact that that exact same window is now un-breakable and I’m now stuck up on a third floor balcony with no safe way down. This design flaw ruined what would have been a great gaming moment… shame.

I found myself out of cash pretty early on into the game, so instead of following the set missions to earn some coin I decided to be a low life and go rob an establishment at gunpoint, something you could do in previous GTA titles… but not in this one so it would seem. Pretty disappointing, guess there is the chance I wasn’t “doing it correctly” – I really hope so.

The addition of the mobile phone has changed the GTA world completely, kind of like it has in reality, everything is now organised through your mobile. The network of interaction that the phone allows is very cool, for example I took this girl (Michele) out on a date; I picked her up on a recently stolen motorbike and took her for a ride. My driving skills aren’t that great and I ended up coming off the bike, along with Michele, she wasn’t happy about this and walked off home in a huff... officially ending the date. I tried calling her the next day but she remembered what happened and told me where to get off. I’m a persistent guy, so I keep calling her over the passing days but I get similar responses. After the fourth call I make to her I get a txt message saying that she appreciates all the attention and she’ll call me soon… great. That’s all I wanted to point out with this one… an example of how much detail there really is in this game, not just graphically but also with regards to character interaction.

Let me tell you about the time I went to the Russian bar on Mohawk Avenue with my cousin Roman, we ended up coming out completely shit face drunk. The controls altered greatly and I found myself stumbling through Liberty City trying to focus on the blurry pavement in front of me. This made me chuckle so much, the fact that I could get virtually drunk. It’s done brilliantly, it really does feel like your character is wasted… word of advice, don’t try and drive whilst pissed, the LCPD will bust you for D.U.I – nice.

There seems to be a lot of new features trying to immerse the player even further into in the GTA world, for example you can watch television, prank call people, surf the web, get a lap dance… blah blah blah… the list goes on.
The one thing that you can’t do (still) is SIT THE FUCK DOWN! I’ve been crying out for this minimal attribute ever since Vice City. It’s a feature I really liked in Assassins Creed, it enables the player sit his/her character down and let them watch the world go by, that’s it, nothing complex, very simple and oddly satisfying. This also acts a sort of pause feature but without the lifeless splash screen, instead the player can ‘people watch’, this would be very interesting with regards to the huge variety of background characters and how they go about their lives. You could even nip off for a slash or make a quick brew… in the real world that is… then come back and return to the game to find your avatar still sat there kicking back. More RPG style games should include this function.

Bouncy cars piss me off! Don’t get me wrong the car physics are great and I do understand that its not meant to be Forza or GT (even though everything else is as ‘realistic’ as can be) but when I hit a curb at 10mph I don’t expect to be flung 30 feet into the air, oh well. I guess you could argue that the bouncy physics allow for such big dramatic action scenes and crashes. A lot of the cars that I have driven about have got stuck on there sides, in past GTA games this would start the car to burn, not in this game though, the car just sits happily on its side blocking the street… rather annoying.

It’s been hard choosing what to talk about when it comes to this game, there is literally so much to take in and digest. I feel most of the new features don’t really affect the central game play (with the exception of the mobile phone). In summary GTA IV is a triumph! It plays like a GTA game should play, if that makes sense? Looking back over what I’ve said above... it all seems a rather negative, don’t get me wrong I have much praise for Rockstar and especially this title; I’ve just tried to look at the game from a design stand point…

Enough with the talk, I have to go play some more GTA!

ANOTHER POST

2008-04-26T11:32:00.000-07:00

Here’s a screen grab from what I’ve been working on today. I’m still playing around with the tool set, experimenting mostly, really getting to grips with the programs UI. Apologies for the texturing… I haven’t got that far yet…

I’m still yet to grasp outdoor terrain and sun lighting…etc, so for now I’ve just created a big room to put everything else in… n00b! As you can see in the screen grab below the lighting is all wrong, I’m currently reading through the Light Concepts chapter...

MEH... UPDATE

2008-04-25T10:09:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday evening I presented my map / level plan to the class (as shown in my previous post - 22/04/08)

Not much of a reaction, maybe because the military out post theme has been done to death, but hey… that’s the kind of maps I digg! I did pick up some constructive feedback though, mainly about the vast scale of my initial plan. I’m now focusing on a re-design one quarter of the size, results… smaller but more polished... still changing and developing the idea…

I’m also currently scouting Ebay, trying to get my hands on a copy of S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Shadow of Chernobyl. A game advised by my tutor for the level design and location themes, very similar to what I described apparently…

I’m getting more engaged with the UT2004 Editor, discovering new abilities each session I use the engine. I’m currently working on a test map for next week’s games gathering, something to play test with the group.

Apart from that I’ve been finding myself scouring every games site under the sun for GTA IV info and updates, just to satisfy my relentless GTA thirst.
I have a copy pre-ordered and I’m pretty close to pissing myself with excitement just waiting for Monday, 12am to appear… just 3 more days!

OUTPOST

2008-04-22T09:04:00.000-07:00

Over the last week I’ve been doodling out map / level layouts and designs. I’ve decided to use Flash to show some of my plans in a presentable form…

The main theme behind this level is an old militia / military out post. This out post is out in the sticks, no other form of settlement or life is located anywhere near by. This out post isn’t very well funded or looked after, the buildings are old and this location has visibly come under attacked in the past and has changed hands a good number of times. Bullet holes can be seen in the structures, crumbling brick walls and buildings, smashed windows, crater holes in the ground from past explosions… etc

This location is surrounded by grass and foliage. The main road into and out of the outpost is tarmac, some regularly used dirt tracks can be seen also...

1. This building is actually 2 towers that are connected by a walk way in the middle. The tower on the left is higher than the one on the right. This building is main HQ of the outpost, offices

2. This building is the sleeping / living quarters. They have long been abandoned and left to ruin.

3. This area is the main entrance to the complex; a stationary gun has been set up here looking down towards the HQ. There are also some sandbags and crates here.

4. This building use to be the mess hall and kitchens for the outpost, yet again due to neglect this building and its contents have long been left to rot.

5. This building is where vehicles use to be maintained, it also use to be host the armoury.

6. This building is a small structure housing several prison cells.

7. Guard tower, this structure is a small hut raised up on stilts, only accessible via a ladder. This gives a good vantage point over much of the map.

As you can see this particular design is still in the very early stages.

I’ve talked more about the aesthetics rather than focusing on the exact details of every location on the map. I try to focus on visual feel more to begin with because I feel it gives me a greater sense of how the map / level will look. Details can always be refined later...

WRESTLING WITH TUTORIALS

2008-04-20T09:24:00.000-07:00

I’ve spent a decent sum of time this afternoon going through the terrain chapters and tutorials for the UT2004 Editor.

Tutorials are a mixed thing with myself, sometimes I get them and all is swell, sometimes I get lost and I abort… this time let’s say that my final file didn’t look like the screen shots in the book, pretty disappointing but it’s obvious that I screwed up somewhere along the lines. I plan to attempt it again tomorrow, with a fresh head.

Even though my tutorial attempt failed I absorbed and understood the rest of the reading in the terrain chapters. I now know and understand the main concepts of how terrain is handled in the UT2004 Editor.

You win some and you loose some….

CRATE

2008-04-14T11:44:00.000-07:00

I’ve started to think about the static meshes that I am going to be creating to populate my Unreal level / map. I’m not so hot at 3DSM, don’t get me wrong, my basic skill set is there, just pulling verts and polys around a screen for hours on end doesn’t enthuse me that much… I’m not much of a graphics whore basically, I’d much rather focus on design.

Today I learnt about Bump Mapping and how it’s subtle use can really add some extra detail to a mesh. Check out my humble crate below…
the old crate is always a classic.

GOALS

2008-04-12T12:11:00.000-07:00

I had a review last Monday to talk over my progression and development as a GAMES practitioner. It went well, made me reflect about the games industry as it is today and how difficult and frustrating it is to “get your foot in door” so to speak. I have set myself some essential goals to achieve next term and over the summer months…

1. Contextualize MORE! Dissect, analyse and discuss what I’m playing, reading or watching, as for purposes of study.

2. Contextualisation leads to Specialisation! Start to narrow down my areas of interest with-in a production team, make a final choice about what role I want to Specialise in.

3. On-line portfolio! At the moment I have THIS blog (the one you’re reading right now) and I feel it suits my needs and outputs… for the time being. Eventually I want to have my own dedicated address and web space, but I feel that’s all irrelevant if I don’t have a decent amount of solid work ready to showcase. I’m working on that by the way…

4. Research Project, final year. As I understand it this assignment requires me to investigate and research an area relating to digital entertainment, games. From there I devise a path of enquiry that spawns five small projects relating to that question; from these projects I will hopefully determine an answer. David Downes (the D man) is going to outline this in an upcoming lecture; perhaps the brief will become clearer then...

5. Live Client Project, final year. This venture is set between me and an actual client who requires some… stuff done... it is down to myself to find a client and secure a brief with them. I understand that the client can also be a competition.

6. Work Experience. Since March I’ve been trying to get ANY work experience possible, but so far I’ve had a no response at all or a polite ‘not interested’ (I won’t mention names). I’m finding this aspect pretty tasking… trying to get myself and how “worth while” I am across to whatever company I'm making contact with. This is something else I’m working on.

* Note to self – plenty to be getting on with…

ASTROPOP

2008-03-31T08:25:00.000-07:00

I’ve maybe been playing one to many games recently but the other day me and my girlfriend (Claire) came across Astropop on Xbox Live Arcade, a game by PopCap Games. Astropop can only be described as the video game equivalent to crack cocaine! I have no ground for comparison... apart from watching Claire get jacked up on the colourful puzzle madness…
“just one more game!” is the phrase I now hear very often.

Arcade puzzle action is the game and it’s a dang good one at that, I’m hooked just watching let alone playing. Grab, group, and blast bricks to clear a path through hyperspace… all I can say is… “I want my Xbox back!”

YAHTZEE REVIEWS

2008-03-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

I’ve been informed to post more contextual material, that isn’t of my making, so contextualise this…

Stumbled across this video whilst browsing Beyond Unreal
(an awesome Unreal community site - www.beyondunreal.com)

There is some strong language in this video, so be warned. But I think the issues raised justify the level of language, it certainly puts across several good points about today’s console FPS market.

Agreed… Turok is a big pile of MEH!

Check out Yahtzee’s blog HERE for more video reviews and ramblings...

The following are a few of my favourite reviews that he has spewed out so far… Guitar Hero III, Halo 3, Assassin's Creed, Burnout Paradise, Devil May Cry 4, Mass Effect, The Orange Box, Call of Duty 4 & Mario Galaxy.

2D SHAPE EDITOR

2008-03-22T16:09:00.001-07:00

Today I discovered the 2D Shape Editor with-in UT2004… AMAZING!

Now I can produce brushes of almost any shape and size... quickly and easily, thus allowing for much more interesting level design through the use of shapes.

Below is a 2D layout for a map that I am currently working on, I produced this level using the 2D shape editor.

Below is the same map layout but in a 3D perspective. I have applied some basic textures to illustrate the different sections of the map and I also did a quick lighting job, just to illuminate things... the 2D shape editor is my new best friend!

AI & BOTS

2008-03-21T15:57:00.001-07:00

Over recent days I have been learning about AI and Bots for UT2004.
Looking into path nodes, multiple paths, attack areas, defence points,
sniper spots, pick up areas… and so on...

Here is a screen shot of me blasting the shit out a Behemoth Brute that I stuck in my test level... I’m still very much experimenting and exploring with the program. I'm really enjoying it and I’m finding map designing with the UT2004 Editor very rewarding.

UT EDITOR 2004

2008-03-16T13:33:00.000-07:00

With the last project finished I've had a few days off relaxing and as always playing games. I have also started to draw my focus back to making games (much more satisfying) this time with the Unreal Editor.

UT isn’t my kind of shooter, It’s a little too sci-fi for my liking, but I’ve been playing them ever since the first in 1998 and I can defiantly see why it has become so popular amongst FPS fans.

I am currently reading through “The Art of Level Design” by the 3D Buzz guys Busby, Parrish and Eenwyk and watching a series of video tutorials by the same people.

Through following their guidance and tutorials I have created my first map with the UT2004 editor. I decided to keep things simple so I can get accustomed with the editor’s user interface, so I just created a single room. Yeah, yeah easy I hear you say, well it is… but there are things you NEED to keep in mind before starting out…

The collision radius and height of your character for example… how tall they are when standing and when crouched and how their measurements in UT relate to real world measurements, the technicalities of scale basically.

There are other aspects and work flows that I needed to familiarise myself with before I started to create my first map, i.e. the UT2004 editor is a subtractive tool, so essentially you are carving out your map from a solid block.

I also learnt about the use of snapping to the grid and that by doing so prevents BSP errors and the nasty HOM effects at the seams.

Below is a screen shot of me running about and firing off a few rounds in my room... it’s a lovely room isn’t it... (click to enlarge to full resolution)

I also came across a really useful Unreal resources website, check it out - http://wiki.beyondunreal.com/wiki

________________________________________________________________

Below are the links to some very interesting videos about the Unreal Engine and the wonder that is Epic Games...

The History of Unreal Tournament

Part One

Part Two

The Making of Unreal Tournament 3

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

DUCK POND - PLAY HERE

2008-03-10T01:58:00.001-07:00

It’s finished, click the image link below to play the game, hosted at newgrounds.com

As well as newgrounds.com I have uploaded the game to various other Flash sites that allow you to submit your work to be played and rated by other gamers. I really like how gamegum.com has projected and framed my game. Click the image link below to play it hosted at Game Gum.

You can also download the game in .EXE and .SWF formats via the image link below. The downloadable versions run a lot faster than the Newgrounds hosted version, not sure why, net lag maybe, they are all the same file.

If you do play please post your feedback, reviews and SCORES in the comments link below (no account required to comment) I’d really appreciate the feedback.

MY NEW KEYBOARD = SH!T

2008-03-09T16:08:00.001-07:00

The other week I bought myself a new keyboard on an impulse buy, it was cheap and I needed a new one. I HATE it and I am completely regretting not looking over the key layout before I purchased... all because of one blinding design flaw, see image below.

Whichever employee at Genius (the company who made this keyboard) gave the green light for this model to be put into production needs a sharp slap to the face! no joke!

Take a look at where the power shortcut button is situated in the below image… it sits right underneath the Delete key, one of the most commonly used keys on the humble keyboard. This is a BAD place to put this pointless, un-needed, un-wanted shortcut button. Especially if it’s a power button, devastating if it is accidentally pressed - FOOLS!

If the powers that be at Genius insist that they need those shortcut keys, power, sleep & wake then this problem could have been easily solved by placing them above the F keys, or even above the num pad.

Granted I didn’t spot it at the time of purchase but didn’t Genius user test this layout?! If they had done properly then they would have come across this design flaw very quickly.

"Genius" my ARSE!
Think I’ll be modding this keyboard, bye bye power button!

THE HOME STRETCH

2008-03-07T08:10:00.000-08:00

It has been a good few weeks since I last posted and yet again a LOT has happened with-in a short period of time. As always I’ve been hard at it, working flat out on my current game… “Duck Pond”.

What has changed and why…?

1 – The player now has a set field of vision which they can throw items into, where as before they could throw items anywhere upon the pond. This field of vision enhances the game play greatly; it is linked directly to the avatar and gives the player a defined reason to move the old lady left and right.

2 – Most noticeably I have added TNT as an extra item, this allows the player to throw in explosives to clear away unwanted ducks for a short period of time. If the player hits the BAD ducks then points are gained, if the player hits the GOOD ducks then points are lost. I have given the user a set amount of x20 TNT, originally I had x10 but after play testing the game with various players I observed that they used x10 very quickly into the game, so I increased it.

3 – I have altered the background and given the ducks more room to swim about, thus allowing a bigger play area; this improves the game play yet again.

4 – I have increased the movement speed of the avatar (old lady) she is now a lot quicker on her heels and easily matches the ducks in speed. This allows the player to chase around a chosen duck and target in on them more easily.

5 – I have changed the way that I have coded the avatars left and right movements. In previous versions of my game the user pressed the left or right arrow keys and the avatar moved once, then paused, then started to move again. In Adobe's attempt to improve every aspect of Actionscript, they deleted some features that arcade game programmers have used for years. Thanks to a helpful explanation from a course mate I now have smooth character movement, cheers Chris!

6 – I have added several water animations to boost the visual feel of the game, a splash animation and a water ripple animation. I have also added an explosion animation for the TNT.

7 – Bonus ducks (little yellow ducklings) are a recent addition, if the player hits certain score targets BONUS ducks are unlocked, if the player feeds these ducks bread they will earn BIG points.

I have also been working on the menu screen and various other screens that appear throughout the game. The looming deadline is just a few short days away and I feel pretty confidant with my progress and what stage I am at.

I’d post the latest version up here but I want to wait till the game is complete, so for now here is a screen shot, click the image to enlarge to full resolution - (800 x 600)

FINAL PRODUCT VISION

2008-02-23T14:55:00.001-08:00

Here is a screen shot of how I envision the final version of my game to look with all the elements and functions added, click the image to enlarge to full resolution - (800 x 600)

CHA-CHA-CHA-CHANGES

2008-02-22T15:08:00.000-08:00

A lot has happened in just a few days so this is going to be a fairly sizable update to go with some big changes to my game...

The other evening in my games session my Duck Pond game took a harsh beating from Brad (my games tutor). Rightly so I have to say, the game at that stage was very simple and there wasn’t much to it. In my defence I must say it has taken me this long (80% of the project time) to get to this far with the coding… and it’s been a one hell of a struggle! (thanks for the continuous help & tutoring with this Adam & others)

Negativities aside myself and Brad set about coming up with changes and additions to improve and add more depth to the game play. The set brief states my submission has to be a platformer; my game seems to be stretching the platform concept a little, so to drop it into that category I have given the avatar some movement. The position and perspective of the avatar has changed, the old lady now faces towards the pond from the bottom of the screen and she can move LEFT and RIGHT only (using the arrow keys). When she disappears off the stage in one direction, she will appear on the opposite side of the stage. This actions isn’t very ‘realistic’ I know but this ability will boost the game play somewhat.

I have also changed the crosshair as show in the previous post; to be honest I implemented the target crosshair on the fly just to test out the mouse over and out function. I didn’t realise until later that it gives off the wrong connotations... SNIPE THE DUCK!

I’ve now dropped the idea of a shop / store menu at the start of the game, only because the requirements to make this happen are way out of my coding league. Don’t get me wrong I don’t want to seem like the wuss who isn’t prepared to challenge himself but believe me when I say that this simple game concept is challenging my coding skills enough! To compensate for this loss of the shop menu I am going to implement a difficulty setting, easy (2 good ducks, 1 bad duck) medium (1 of each) and hard (1 good duck, 2 bad ducks) this I can accomplish easy enough with-in the time given.

My next step is to work out how to create selectable items, very much like an inventory or a weapons selection function. I’m going to have another item or two for the player to choose between other than just bread. This also makes up somewhat for the missing out the shop / store menu again.
IF I can get this function running it opens up a whole variety of different game play modifiers, for example I could have point based rewards if the players scores X amount.

Another bug has developed with-in the game, if a thrown item crosses over a duck before landing the score goes crazy! This happens because the ducks are repeatedly hit testing with the item whilst it’s still on the move, another issue to fix.

Play about with the current version HERE, it is a lot different from previous versions, use the LEFT & RIGHT arrow keys on your keyboard to move the old deer about. If you do play please leave a comment telling me what you think. It’s still very much in development but I can see an end in sight.

TODAYS ADVANCE

2008-02-18T17:06:00.000-08:00

Today I accomplished some small additions to my game…

1. Pointer changes to crosshair on mouse over water area (image above)
2. Water area made click-able, outside of water area none click-able.
3. Enemy duck added (black duck) - that's not a racial slur!

It is starting to take shape, click HERE to play about with the current version.

TWO MAJOR CHANGES

2008-02-17T11:52:00.000-08:00

Adam (one of my course mates) has really helped me out on the coding front. He has looked over and re-worked my script in several ways so now the whole game is looking a lot more… alive!

I’ve just spent the last few hours picking apart what’s been altered so I can fully understand the changes and how they benefit my game engine.

Apart from re-organising the script layout and generally scrapping the un-used code there are 2 major changes…

1. Getting rid of the trajectory of a projectile equation that mapped out the thrown items path. The main issue was that it constantly needed updating (looping code) to continue moving the thrown item along its path. Also this equation relied to heavily on velocity, trajectory and gravity, making the thrown item over hit or under hit the users clicked position 8 out of 10 times.

The thrown item now moves along a defined path using a Bézier curve, the Bezier code lays out four positions… initPos, EndPos, ContPos and perPos. The ContPos & perPos parts of the code can be altered numerically to increase or decrease the curved effect. The EndPos is determined by where the user has clicked the mouse, so this means the item travelling along the Bézier curve will STOP when it reaches the chosen EndPos… thus I can also loose the hidden platforms that I introduced a few posts back.
2 birds, 1 stone.

2. The problem of the duck suddenly taking flight and buggering off out of the game screen, never to be seen again, this has been a frustrating bug in my game since the very start of the project.

Every time the duck hit one of the invisible walls that was boxing him/her in, a new random direction was generated. Because I didn’t declare the numbers as integers (a number that has no decimal places) the game engine couldn’t calculate a random direction from numbers that had so many decimals in them, thus breaking the code and leaving the duck to break free and carry on travelling in its current direction. Now that the numbers generating the new directions are declared as integers, nice simple round, decimal free numbers, easy for the game engine to handle.

Big thanks Adam for helping me out. Your name has valiantly made its way into the game credits along side myself and others.

The following are issues that I am tending to next...

a. There can only be one item upon the water at any one time, so the player has to wait till the duck eats it and then the player can throw again. I’m looking into making it so multiple items can be thrown, say 3 or 4 at the most.

b. At the moment the user can click anywhere on the game screen and the item will be thrown to that mark, I am going to limit the ‘”click-able” area to just the water sector, where the duck swims about.

______________________________________________

Click HERE to play about with the current version.
Its still very minimal & flawed but its alive!

PHUX0R AS3

2008-02-15T18:30:00.000-08:00

I’ve come to a point in the project where I have the code for every main function of the game, in theory I should be able to get the game up and going.

I’ve developed the code for each action separately, each function being produced in its own .fla project file, I did this because it made constructing the code easier, free from conflicts caused by other functions in the script.

Now I’ve come to the stage where I can piece the blocks of code together to make one “working” game engine. After doing so half of the functions cess to work, great. Odd thing is I get no errors spat back at me from Flash… creepy. I’ve spent the last few days working out what could be wrong with it, no joy.

Since it’s the weekend and the coding work isn’t going anywhere I decided to re-work my character designs, please see below…

ABOVE: the hero of my escapade.

ABOVE: good duck & evil duck.

Another function that I can tick off my list is the pre-loader, see screen shot below. I plan to have some audio in my game so that means I MUST have a pre-loader or else it’s doomed in terms of accessibility (slow connections…etc) My pre-loader’s source came from an awesome tutorial that I found at Newgrounds.com here, very easy to understand and customise.

X+Y+Z = 3D

2008-02-10T13:23:00.001-08:00

I’ve come up with a way of making the items that are thrown into the pond stop when they hit the surface of the water. The big problem with this project is that I’m trying to do a 3D physic in a 2D environment… let me TRY to explain…

Clicking the mouse activates the old lady to throw an item across the screen, this involves the X axis (horizontal, length) and the Y axis (vertical, height)… pretty simple… until I came to the stage where I wanted to land that thrown item onto a flat surface, the Z axis… X+Y+Z = 3D… my game is 2D with a side on view - DOH!

I could have gone back and re-designed the whole perspective of the game, maybe make it isometric. Instead I decided to put tiered platforms into the area where the thrown item travels through. I then applied a hitTest variable to these platforms so the thrown item can land on any platform it connects with.

Man I found that hard to explain, hope it made some sense. I’ve printed a screen shot to try and further explain my solution, please see below. Obviously the platforms won’t be visible in the game.

*** Addition *** as feared it seems my explanation wasn’t as crystal as I’d hoped. Adam’s comment prompted me to add the additional image below to expand on my explanation, hopefully it shows what I mean by the action that I was trying to achieve was a 3D one. No worries now though, platforms to the rescue!

PIECING IT TOGETHHER

2008-02-06T16:33:00.000-08:00

OK… update, 3 things to show you…

1. In this version I have the duck swimming about his pond (random direction generated every time) The countdown timer is working, along with the score / points system. Also the avatar throwing animation is working (click anywhere over the pond) The avatar doesn’t have the ability to actually throw any items in this version, but I have placed a piece of bread already on the water just to demonstrate the score system at work, the duck will eat it pretty quickly. Click HERE to view this version.

2. The above image illustrates what I am trying to achieve with this version, for the item to stop on the line of X. The line X is determined on the user clicked position. This whole action is what I’ve been trying to crack for a while now but it still isn’t as I want it. Thanks to Danny’s & DD’s help I’ve managed to get the old dear throwing items based on this equation below, trajectory of a projectile... maths PAH! Click HERE to view this version.

3. To give my mind a short break from baffling maths and AS coding I decided to start working on the animated menu screen. The image below is a sign that I have designed for the game’s title screen. Mouse over each button to trigger a different animation, the buttons don’t lead anywhere… yet.
Click HERE to view this current version of the menu screen.

I’ve also decide to re-design the pixelated ‘old lady’ and ‘duck’ characters due to various comments about how they don’t mix well with the smooth vector background. I seem to agree after taking a 2^nd look.

The plan is to merge these several versions with their different functions to make a finished game. It’s tough going and I’ve done a couple of Flash game projects before. I'm currently devoting 110% of my time at the moment to this… sorry 3DSM, I haven’t forgotten you.

CODING

2008-02-02T14:20:00.000-08:00

Accomplished… countdown timer function added and throwing animation on mouse click added.

The game is slowly starting to build up and take shape. I’m struggling like hell with the Action Script though but I’m gradually picking things up here and there. I’ve had some great help from Mazoonist on actionscript.org, thanks!

Click the image below to play about with the current version, it's still VERY minimal...

CS3/AS3 PROJECTILE PROBLEMS

2008-02-01T15:06:00.000-08:00

I’m having major issues programming the main action of my avatar, throwing items (bread…etc) into the pond. I’ve been doing some research into how I can go about this in CS3, as far as I can understand it involves this AS3 code – angle=Math.asin(g*d/ (v*v) / 2 – this code is based around a trigonometry equation which can be explained… here.

I’ve managed to get a simplified example of what I’m trying to accomplish using good old CS2, click the image below to try it out. This isn’t exactly what I’m intending to do though, I’d like to achieve a realistic looking gravity effect on the final version.

AIRSOFT FPS

2008-02-01T09:34:00.000-08:00

I recently found these photos on an old CDR, there from an awesome day of Airsofting at my then local paintball site in West Yorkshire.

I’m posting these really to go with a conversation I had last week with someone on my course about what a great video game an FPS Airsoft game would make, if it was done right… of course. It would really have to convey the game of Airsoft fully, rather than just be another throw-away FPS.

Rockstar pulled of an awesome table tennis game, Rockstar Table Tennis, that’s how it has to be done, felt more like a simulator staying true to the game rather than a generic sports game thats been taken in the totally wrong direction.

(I’m the 3^rd one in from the left in the group photo below…
...oh boy I got so many kills that day)

This guy below with the scope was lethal!

WATCH THE DUCK

2008-01-29T10:33:00.000-08:00

I’ve started construction on my Flash game, re-designing some of the visuals and implementing the basic action of the ponds primary inhabitant… the DUCK!

To keep the duck moving with-in a boxed off area I have used the HitTest technique as discussed and illustrated in a previous post below.
(Thanks for the help of with this DD)

There is an issue, a small bug which has generated a game of its own… WATCH THE DUCK! It's a riveting game i promise you. The duck in the current version (below) sometimes escapes his invisible boxed off area and just fly’s away, right off the screen, cheeky bastard! Guess its natural for ducks to do that though… even in the virtual world so it would seem. Not a major issue though, nothing an extra wall or two wont fix.

Click the image below…

DECONSTRUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT

2008-01-27T14:22:00.001-08:00

One of the last parts of my duck pond sim thing to analyse and break into building block pieces is the HUD (Head-up Display) This all sits at the top of the game screen in my current design, as shown in the image below.
I’ve added the time count down function, this gives the player a set amount of time to deplete ALL their item stocks and feed the ducks ALL their bread.

Each section that makes up the HUD (items, clock, name, score) will be created using Dynamic Text fields, which are linked to Variables... when the value of one changes so does the other.

The figure below is a flow chart of the various game screens and how they are linked together, pretty useful as a quick reference for when I’m constructing my Flash project.

DRIFTING & COLLISIONS

2008-01-26T15:00:00.000-08:00

The more I try and adapt possible game ideas to fit in with this Phidget sensor Flash game project the more I like my initial duck pond model. I have ‘doodled’ out a good few concepts, most seem to have been done before in one way or another though, yawn!

I’ve used the theory of ‘natural mapping’ for the game play interaction, an obvious link with the hardware control and the visual outcome on the game screen. (e.g.) touch this position on the touch pad and that’s the position you touch in the virtual game world (on screen) This type of mapping is easily learned and always remembered.

I’ve done an illustration (see below) that looks at the natural mapping interaction... click to enlarge.

The figure below shows the possible use of the HitTest actionscript command... click to enlarge.

Breaking down the game into functions and layers like this helps me understand what the essential building blocks are.

TODAYS PROGRESS

2008-01-22T12:47:00.001-08:00

I’m ILL … sucks! Felt guilty about being strung out for the last few days, forced myself to do some ‘poorly’ 3DSM work.
Observe the dazed progress below.

I’m working on the left hand side of the body, then using symmetry to create
a matching right hand side, hence the missing leg.

AND IT CAME TO THIS

2008-01-18T17:38:00.000-08:00

It’s still very rough and early on into the model but you get the theory… ME!
I’ve started adding detail around the upper arms (pit) area but everywhere else is a layout, for now. I'm slowly chipping away at it and improving my skillz all the time... well most times. I’m starting to understand the use of shapes more during every session I model.

(I like my Lego neck there...)

DUCK POND (hero)

2008-01-18T08:54:00.000-08:00

I’ll hold my hands up straight away and state that this is a development on someone else’s notion, SB’s for that fact, check it out here (play the game at the end)

You play an old lady; this particular old lady likes feeding the ducks, but every time she goes to her local pond to feed them, a crazed wild duck bullies the others out of any food (bread).

After the initial menu screens, play, options, input player name…etc you visit the convenience store and stock up on items before you head off to the pond. You only have £10 to spend and 3 item spaces to fill. Bread is essential for gaining points... see concept image below, click to enlarge.

This image below is a design of how the game screen could look, none of it is set it stone but I like the overall look so far. Basically the aim of the game is to feed the nice ducks bread and stop the nasty duck bullying all the food for him-self, via the use of your chosen items. Click to enlarge.

This concept image below shows the hardware interface (controls) and how they relate to what’s happening on screen. It also labels each element just in case anything on the game screen seems a bit vague in the personality dept
... click to enlarge.

PHIDGETS

2008-01-16T11:58:00.001-08:00

Chief project this term is to design and produce a Flash game, a five minute (average) level / stage, based around Phidget sensors used for the player control interface.

“Phidgets are an easy to use set of building blocks for low cost sensing and control from your PC. Using the Universal Serial Bus (USB) as the basis for all Phidgets, the complexity is managed behind an easy to use and robust Application Programming Interface (API). Applications can be developed quickly in .NET, Visual Basic, VBA (Microsoft Access and Excel), LabView, Java, Actionscript, Delphi, C and C++.” - phidgets.com

The game must work with Phidget controllers and entirely with a standard keyboard and mouse input also, doing so permits for a mass accessibility.

As an exercise I have developed my Asteroid Storm game from last year, keeping in mind the player reviews from Newgrounds.com and the Phidget hardware I have tried to add to and improve the design.

Check out my concept design below, click to enlarge image…

ANALOGUE 2 DIGITAL

2008-01-15T08:15:00.000-08:00

After the initial success (a fair working game system & pleasurable to play) of my card game I decided to start work on a digital version of “Connect Wars”. The two main advantages of a digital version is accessibility (more people can access and play) and playability, basically the game system is enhanced by the pros of it being on a computer.

Below is a concept design of how the Connect Wars game screen could look…

TEXTURING AS GAME PLAY?

2008-01-04T13:52:00.000-08:00

Forza Motorsport 2 has a unique facility with-in the game that allows the player to take a photograph from ANY angle at anytime during a single player race. Then if the player is hooked up to Xbox Live they can upload their photos to the web, allowing PCs and other devices to download and view them. (The whole process takes seconds)

What makes taking and uploading in-game photos “worthwhile” is that Forza 2 also has a massively deep paint box tool that allows players to paint and customise their rides layer upon layer, like how Photoshop uses layers. This combined with a vast library of material at the user’s disposal makes for creating very unique looking cars every time… like a Texture Artist would texture a 3D model. (I’m sure there’s much more to the job role than that)

Below (1^st photo) is my Audi TT, its my first car in the game as I’m a n00b!
I’ve spent little time in the paint shop on it, more of a test really.

Bottom (2^nd photo) same Audi... moments later... I’ve just slammed it head on into a brick wall… nice damage effects…

CONNECT WARS!

2008-01-01T11:08:00.000-08:00

As promised… a printable deck and rule sheet... enjoy!
(click the file image below to download)

If by some miracle anyone does decide to download, print, cut-out and play my card game, let me know what you think!

LIP SYNCING

2007-12-13T10:06:00.000-08:00

3D modelling and audio by Andy Love (NTU)
Animated by Gav Cooper (ME)

WARNING: integrated swearing ahead... F&@*!

FINAL DECK PRODUCED

2007-11-30T14:12:00.001-08:00

On Wednesday I produced my final deck of cards. The image below doesn’t do my cutting out skills justice, but it shows you what the final product looks like.

I’m still trying to refine my rules so that they squeeze onto 1 side of A4, so I thought I’d experiment with photographic diagrams… does a picture say what 100 words can’t?

ABOVE: You can play the SPRAY card on top of any of your opponent’s suit cards; this instantly changes it to one of your own symbols.

ABOVE: A BOMB card is played into an empty space, exploding in one turns time. On explosion the BOMB takes out every connecting card.
This card can be DEFUSED.

LIGHTING

2007-11-28T14:24:00.001-08:00

In a seminar this week I was given a dark room to light in 3DSM.
With some guidance from Andy I placed 3 lights in the room, an omni light
(in the bulb), a spot light (above the lamp shade facing down, to reinforce the omni light) and a rectangular spot light coming out of the TV set.

... and then Gav said – “let there be light”... *see below image*

CARD GAME

2007-11-24T15:18:00.000-08:00

My main project at the moment is card game – “To devise, design and refine an original Game System to be used in a non-digital card game.” A brief written by my games tutor Brad Warren of Free Radical Design.

On first impressions I thought this brief would be a walkover, but… on first attempts I fell flat on my arse… so to speak. My initial card game was a weird mutation of Magic mixed with Top Trumps, it was awful. I only played it with a few people and I’m glad I didn’t show it to any more than I did. *shudder*

Defeated, I went back to the drawing board and after weeks of playing many casual games… Solitaire, Hexic, Chess, Go, Tetris Attack… just to name a few, I finally came up with a card game system I was happy with.
I prototyped the game and played it out countless times with various people, changing and adapting the rules to produce an all round fair, enjoyable and tactical game.

Here are the final designs for my cards. I’ll be posting a printable deck along with the final rule sheet around hand in time. I do have to say that I really like the outcome of my efforts on this project, I love playing my card game and it seems the people I play with like it too…

VERTS & POLYS

2007-11-22T20:12:00.000-08:00

Spent the last two days working on my 3DSM skillz. Started back at the beginning learning the basic toolsets and trying to build my confidence with modelling. Below is a park bench I made as a bit of possible level scenery for an FPS or 3D adventure game. Managed to get a stick to a low poly count (122) and still get some good shape in the bench. I didn’t copy the reference image exactly, used it more as a guide, I think it looks pretty cool.

After some research I found out how to set up reference images properly with-in 3DSM. I found some pretty sound head profile images HERE and started an attempt at modelling them. (There is a special box to be used for a human head. This box must have one length and width division, and two height divisions - read that in a tutorial.)

I’ve taken screen shots at regular intervals to illustrate my progression, see below image. I’m find the facial features pretty hard going… best keep at it.

POOP IN MY MOUTH

2007-11-21T06:39:00.000-08:00

As per usual I’m fighting to comprehend 3DS Max.
Andy Love (my animation tutor) has been great, helping me model and rig my first character. Below is a screen shot of said character, he’s some sort of weird slug type thing and yes Andy… he is looking pretty cool.

Recently a friend pointed me in the direction of some great video and walkthrough tutorials by a freelance games artist, Ben Mathis.
(example of his work shown in below image)

I’m finding them a little hard to follow at the moment, but I’m determined that my understanding will increase. Check them out HERE, right up your street if you’re into 3DSM!

DEMO POST - NEWGROUNDS.COM

2007-11-15T16:52:00.000-08:00

I haven’t posted for a little while, I've been busy…
One of the projects due for hand in this December is a Flash game; my creation is called “CLICK”. Its simple really, the user clicks on the correct symbol, as indicated in the upper left corner of the screen.

It’s a game designed to test the player’s reactions and observational skills. I’m still in mid production with it, but I thought I’d push a demo out there to see what people made of the concept. I got some great reactions along with some positive reviews. (even had a few people ask me to e-mail them with the final version of the game, as they liked playing it that much, which is a nice feeling)

Play the DEMO by clicking on the above "PLAY THIS GAME" image, which will take you to newgrounds.com where you can launch the game. If you do play please leave your comments and feedback, this is a work in progress and I’m wide open to hearing your thoughts / suggestions...

INSPIRATION SURROUNDS US

2007-11-01T11:31:00.001-07:00

Inspiration surrounds us in everyday objects. I have chosen two hardware interfaces to look at and examine. These two objects have found their way into my hands on a lot recently… if you know what I mean.

1. Xbox 360 Wireless Control Pad

On first impressions this current game pad from Microsoft looks very similar to the first Xbox pad before it, but with some slight alterations. Most game pads seem to have evolved into this sort of boomerang shape, smoothing out over the years from boxy hard edge devices that kind of hurt your hands over long periods of gaming, to smooth polished devices that are a pleasure to hold in comparison.

This pad is divided up into two main sections, the right hand side and the left hand side. On the right your thumb, index finger and middle finger have the X,Y,A,B buttons, Right Stick, RB Right Trigger and Start button all in range. On the left you have the D-Pad, Left Stick, LB, Left Trigger and Select buttons all with-in scope.

Having owned many different console’s in the past thus using a wide range of diverse game pads it didn’t take me long to get familiar with the 360’s pad layout. I use it on daily basis now and I find it feels very natural to interact with. The wireless feature works great and it’s a first for video games.

2. Nintendo DS Lite

Nintendo’s DS had been out for 12 months or so and had gone un-noticed by myself… that was until Nintendo re-designed the whole system and re-launched it as the ‘DS Lite’… put it this way… I certainly noticed it then!

On first impressions I was amazed at how small and slim it felt in my hands.

The whole system is smoothed off and is very neat. It reminded me more of an I-Pod instead of a next generation Game Boy. Personal I’d prefer the ‘power button’ and the ‘volume controller’ to swap positions on the device.
My reasons are that the volume slider would be in a more ideal position to alter when playing games and that the power button would be tucked out of the way, making it less likely for the user to switch it off accidentally, which has happened a few times with myself.

Also I noticed that there are minimal icons on the system itself, e.g. – One of the DS’s big selling points and major game play factors for most of its titles is the touch screen (bottom screen) that is operated by the stylus pen. If I had been totally oblivious to the DS and had just picked one up for the first time, I’d be clueless about the fact that the bottom screen is different to the top screen… maybe a ‘touch screen’ icon would help?

MY FIRST RENDER

2007-10-30T09:46:00.001-07:00

Since the start of the multimedia course I’ve avoided 3DSM for a number of reasons, but now it seems like it’s now or never… so now it is then.

Here is my first render of a weird blob like character, it’s not much but I am finally getting to know the lay of the land when it comes to 3DSM’s interface. I need to devote more time to the program really, no more running away and hiding from it.

GAME CITY 2007

2007-10-28T16:20:00.000-07:00

Since last Thursday (25^th) until this Sunday evening (28^th) Nottingham has been host to Game City, a four day festival hosting a boat load of different video game related events and displays. Firstly I regret not going to as many as I could have, but I did end up a good number of shows and events including an exhibition put on by our very own Andy Love showcasing some interesting level design for the Unreal FPS game.

I also went along to a talk by Alexey Pajitnov, the creative mastermind behind probably the most played game in the world… Tetris! It was very interesting, talking about the mechanics behind Tetris and other puzzle games alike. I managed to ask him a few questions as well… he’s a big World of Warcraft fan so it seems and a really nice chap.

Nottingham's Market Square hosted a big tent with various consoles running inside, to be honest I wasn’t that impressed with the titles “on play”. The only game running that stood out for me was Guitar Hero, it’s been out for a while but this was my first exposure to the addictive button bashing, rhythmic frenzy that is Guitar Hero, such such fun!

I made some good contacts and swapped MSN addys with some guys from De Montfort University, Leicester, who were stewarding some of the events and are also studying games design, always good to know people in the field.

To round everything off myself and my girlfriend (Claire) managed to get our names on the guest list for a Microsoft party. Free beer, some freebies and I got my arse kicked on Gears of War (after spending 3 rounds out of 5 teaching my n00b opponent how to play, typical, I should have just PoWnEd him from the off) I had an awesome night and Claire won herself an Xbox 360 Elite in a prize draw… WOW!

I’m already looking forward to next years Game City and I really want to get involved, something that I am aiming to achieve.

YU SUZUKI

2007-10-21T11:13:00.000-07:00

Recently I was asked to choose someone in my prospective industry that I admire and value, and then compose a short blog presentation about him / her.

Yu Suzuki works for AM-2 (Sega Amusement Machine Research and Development Department 2) He first worked for Sega as a programmer and then quickly moved onto the role of a producer, working on such classic titles as Space Harrier (1985), Out Run (1986), After Burner II (1987) plus many more… In 1993 Suzuki directed his first game, Virtua Fighter, a 3D computer graphics fighting game, which became enormously popular and spawned a whole series of sequels.

My favourite game series that Suzuki has created is the infamous Shenmue (1999). Original planned to be set over 16 releases (we are currently on number 2 btw) it follows the story of Ryo Hazuki who is on a quest to find his father’s killer. In this frustrating world where “ever game must fit into a category” (FPS, RPG, RTS…etc) Shenmue mostly falls into the RPG genera, but it’s not just an RPG, it’s a world that transcends games. Suzuki describes his own concept denoted as "FREE" (Full Reactive Eyes Entertainment)

The majority of the game play mode is spent moving around the atmospheric, life-like eastern locations in a third-person 'chase cam' mode (talking to people, searching for things, solving puzzles, and so forth), it is interspersed with many 'mini-games', including forklift and motorcycle races, bar fights, chases down crowded alleys, full versions of old Sega arcade games such as 'Space Harrier' and 'Hang On' (both originally programmed by Yu Suzuki himself), dart games, and 'free fighting' sequences. Despite all of these user interactions and the fact that the whole project cost 70 million USD the game has a simple control interface, so even children can pick up and play.

My favourite aspect of the game is something called “QTE” (Quick Time Events). During QTE sequences, a button will flash on screen briefly and the player must press the relevant button or combination of buttons to trigger Ryo's actions. The story (thus also the game) can take on a different direction depending on the players success in QTE events. It made me wonder to myself when playing…“where would I be now if I had succeeded in that last QTE”… not unlike real life maybe?

If I ever accomplish a back catalogue of work like the mighty Yu Suzuki I will be a very happy man indeed.

PLAY TIME

2007-10-13T13:52:00.000-07:00

Second year studies are slowly starting back up again at NTU and I’m yet to have my first ‘Games’ lecture and seminar, which I’m much looking forward too. I’m still working on my text adventure… slowly… but for now I thought I’d post about what I’ve been devoting most of my “play time” too. I use to PC game a lot and still do from time to time, but I’ve recently been playing Microsoft’s 360 console and Nintendo’s DS Lite (mine's black)

Ghost Recon Advanced War Fighter (GRAW) – Ubisoft

Although this game is getting on a bit in terms of shelf life (I picked my copy up for £8) it’s an amazing game and one of the first benchmarks in “next gen” gaming. It’s a 3^rd and 1^st person tactical shooter with some great movement controls that allows the player to move and use cover in a very realistic way. Apparently the soldier’s outfits, communications kit and weaponry are based on actually items in development for the US. (maybe it’s an insight into what we might see being used in Afghanistan and Iraq before all that comes to a close?) The AI is pretty tough, moving for cover when needed, attacking in numbers, flanking… etc. Graphics are outstanding with dazzling dynamic lighting really setting the visuals off. The controls take time to get familiar with, but once I'd mastered the basics I was hooked for about 6 hours in my first sitting. I’m a big fan of army related tactical shooters and this is easily the best I’ve played. Watch the review below…

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass – Nintendo (DS)

I’m just a Zelda fan boy and I wanted to plug this game! Although it isn’t out till this Friday (19^th) I wanted to post a review I’d seen to reinforce the how much I’m looking forward to its release. From what I have seen it looks like it’s taken the DS to a whole new level of interaction with the touchpad and stylus controls. Watch below...

TEXT-BASED ADVENTURE GAME

2007-10-06T11:45:00.000-07:00

To keep myself occupied on the creative front I have been looking into creating my own text-based adventure game. I came across a great program whilst searching the net that constructs your text-based game for you, minimal programming talents are required and it’s simple to use.
Check it out at www.adrift.org.uk

I’ve spent the last few days trying to come up with a suitable narrative to base a text adventure game on, but after coming up with nothing but generic fantasy themed stories I came to the conclusion that conjuring up exciting, gripping narratives isn’t one of my ’skillz’. (also made me realize why 95% of MMORPGs are fantasy based, the narrative writes itself).

Without a narrative, a text-based adventure would simply be a series of puzzles. However, the reverse is true; without at least the odd puzzle, there isn't much to do except wander around, waiting for the story to expose itself. So I decided to put the story telling aside for the moment and focus on the puzzles that would make up my text adventure. This method of writing the game has proven to be much more manageable, focusing on the gameplay first then building a narrative around that. I have posted a quick screen shot of what my text adventure looks like so far, no exciting 3D graphics here...
this is old skool!

My finished game will be posted up here for download as soon as I have completed it, watch this space.

ASTEROID STORM

2007-09-12T08:33:00.001-07:00

* game my take a few seconds to load *
* there is audio *

* also available to play HERE @ “newgrounds.com” *

This game is the result of my spare time over the summer months.
Produced using Flash it’s a side scrolling space game inspired by such titles as ‘Zero Wing’ (Toaplan) and ‘R-Type’ (Irem).

There are 3 stages with-in the game which I have designed to progress in difficulty as the player advances. (stage 3 is my favourite)
I’ve also added a little sub story, mostly to support the game’s object and end goal, but also to attempt to draw the player in a little more and add to the overall feel.

My friend (Edd) produced the music which I think really sets this game going.
I also had some great help from my tutors, which without I’d still be sat here scratching my head.

See what you think… it’s my first game and my first valid project using Actionscript… I do have to say that I’m pretty proud with the end results, it makes me hungry for more! Please DO leave a comment letting me know what you think, you are my public after all...

ZELDA

2007-08-30T08:31:00.000-07:00

A quick update about my game progress and also an excuse to show you a Flash game gem that I stumbled across whilst browsing the net.

My game is coming along nicely, adding the finishing touches and piecing the last parts together. Also a good friend of mine from Leeds has done some great 8-bit music for it, which really gives off the feel of an old 80's Sega game!

Until my game reaches this domain check out this funny take on the Zelda style games, just click the link below to play. I’ve really enjoyed playing through some of the Nintendo Zelda Classics on my DS this summer...
IT WAS RESEARCH!

The Legend of Zelda: The Lampshade of No Real Significance - Get the lamp to the temple...

I'm looking forward to this for the DS...