IGB220

Ereef Hardi n10745114

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Hot Potato Post-Mortem

After many fixes with our game, we have finally finished with our final product of the game. Doing this project was especially when I was surrounded by brilliant  and helpful team mates. 

Through out this whole project, I have learned that keeping logs of the activities you did with your game is important or else you might get yourself stuck in a loop of codes. Other than that, I also learned how to conduct a proper playtest session as well as provide the playtesters with the correct information. 

Finished game version looks like this:

Group Contributions

As for the four of us, I think that everyone contributed well and fair throughout the whole progress. Everyone has their tasks and everyone executed them elegantly. 

Travis did a lot of work with the codings of the game in Gdevelop. He would get notices and fix bugs as well as increasing the playability and smoothness of the game.

Vik did all of the art work after sharing each other’s ideas on the scrum meetings. Vik did a really nice job with the interpretation of everyone’s idea of the looks of the game. She even helped us out with some playtesting when we were in short of hands.

Mihir came into the group a bit late but he contributed just as much as everyone else did in the group. Without his support, I would never be able to do the playtesting sessions alone. Mihir and I also worked on the playtest findings report together and it made things a lot easier as we could share each other’s thoughts and knowledge. 

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Assignment 3 - playtesting

Week 11 arrives and it is time to conduct some playtests with our prototype of Hot Potato: Don’t Get Mashed. After lots of work had been done on the game by Travis and Vik, I prepared a playtest script, survey and questionnaire. Our main search in playtests are to find ways to improve the game by fixing bugs, concentrating on flow for player and smoothness of play. 

During the playtest sessions, the playtesters were firstly required to answer a questionnaire regarding their demographic information. As I manage through the playtest while taking notes, Mihir would take the time stamps of the player’s actions and interactions while the playtesters walk us through their train of thoughts. Each of the sessions were recorded after getting permission from the playtesters for us to further our development with the game. 

Playtest Script

Playtest Demographic Questionnaire

Playtest Game Survey

Example playtest session:

https://youtu.be/caCggNb37A4

Results

The results of the feedbacks were used in the improvement of our game. Such improvements like:

1. adding more animations

2. adding background sound/music

3. making the main character look more enjoyable to look at

4. make the obstacles visually clear and recognisable

5. changed the sound of the bounce.

Game Survey

The results of the game surveys are:

The results above conducted that most of the players had fun with our game and that it needed a few enhancements to provide better flow. 

Demographics

The demographics questionnaire provided us with the background of each playtesters so that we could separate each comments for a wider perspective on the different ranges of audience. The Questionnaire findings are as follows:

Conclusion

in conclusion, I learned that playtesting can be fun when you are prepared. Having a one way mind towards the game you already had in mind could end up costing the development process a lot of time and effort. Playtesting provides us with early info on what the players want from the game. Therefore, being open and prepared for new comments that could even be hurtful for the improvement of the game are important skills that game developers need to have.

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Assignment 3 Development Progress

It just passed week 9 and we are now required to form groups in order to complete assignment 3. I was in class when David had everyone introduce their game ideas to match each other’s interest. At first I heard Vik’s overview of her frog game and I fell in love with the cute story narration of the game. I was so sure that I wanted to work with her game as it was the only one that made a spark in me. Then when it was Travis’s turn to talk about his running in flames potato game, I thought that was really funny and very well nicely thought. I was confused in choosing between Vik and Travis. Lucky me, the three of us decided to become a team. Mihir who I have worked with prior to the assignment, joined later in the assignment. 

Our first challenge was to sort out each other’s role in doing the assignment.

As Travis came up with the idea, he volunteered himself to do the codings of the game and as Vik is studying animations, she decided to do the animations of the game. while Mihir and I focus on the playtesting. 

At the early stages of the development, there was not much for Mihir and I to do. We pretty much helped here and there while we wait for the prototype to be ready and playtested. 

During playtest sessions, I would guide the playtesters and record their comments while Mihir does the timestamps. The playtesters were also asked to answer a questionnaire to get familiarized with the playtester’s demographics and later on, a survey with questions about the game. The questions helped us gather more information about player’s interests. Later, we would gather our information and analyze the data for further improvements for the game.

Everyone kept in contact using Discord and the group journals were shared through google drive. By having weekly scrums, the team has a hold of each others ideas and are able to communicate our ways throughout solving problems. 

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Racing Game Development Post

At the start of the development of ‘Run Fast!’, I wasn’t quite sure what racing games were supposed to be. Were they just races from points A to B against players or time? Then I knew, it was more than that. A good racing game should contain obstacles and challenges that make the players feel excitement. 

Run Fast! is a game where you need to cross rows of roads while avoiding get hit. From playtesting, i discovered a bug with the cars as they move towards a different angle after crossing 2 rows of roads. The game was later fixed and added additional features such as: 1. restart page

2. point counter

3. menu button

4. sound effects

5. player life counter  

What I’ve learned:

How to create a restart screen

how to direct players in achieving their goals

how to provide players with sense of progress

add background music and sound effects to the game

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ASSIGNMENT 2 PROGRESS

Based on the information that I have learned, a one page document is to present the game’s main features in a simple, informational and enlightening manner with the idea to sell it to development teams. In the document, the designer needs to include important aspects of the game such as basic game description, unique selling points, game mechanics and concept, and contact details. This is done as an efficient way to communicate with the development team on the basics of the game. 

While creating a one-page and a one-sheet document, the designer should also think of the aesthetics of the document. In order to sell the idea, the presentation of the idea should be visually aesthetic in a manner that it has easy navigation, good colour coordination, and easily understood. 

The designs of each document also depends on the way we are going to present the idea. A one page could be even more simplified if we present the idea on a face to face manner. While sending the idea through email would then require more simple explanations for the game. 

The pictures posted are the examples of the one-page and one-sheet document that I created based on the platformer prototype that I had made earlier in the unit.

references:

Osorio, D (2016, December 12). How to design your One Page. Site gamasutra. https://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/DavidOsorio/20161220/287965/How_to_design_your_One_Page.php

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Asteroids First Playtest feedback

After giving the playtesters a playable game, I conducted my first playtest.

The playtesters gave me very good feedback that I could use for the improvement of my game.

The feedbacks are as follows:

Josh Trotta’s Feedback:

1. Bullets are hard to see, larger projectiles would be nice.

2. If movement isn’t an option - make asteroids spawn from the map edge? More time for the player to react. Didn’t feel fair when they spawned really close.

3. Colour is kinda boring

4. Some type of score tracker would be nice. No idea how well I’m doing

5. Variable speeds on different boulder types?

Lauren Howlett’s Feedback:

1. I couldn’t tell where the mechanics differed from the traditional asteroids

2. The Game Over screen was a bit hard to read, but the ability to press a key to start over was good

3. Some kind of score system might have helped to make it more exciting and engaging

4. Wasn’t very difficult; perhaps could use some other elements to make the game more interesting

Mark Auman’s Feedback:

1. Game functions as expected. Ship points towards the mouse, bullets shoot in the direction of the mouse and asteroids behave as expected.

2. Small asteroid hit box is off. When they hit the ship no lives are taken

3. Contrast of elements is good, makes players and asteroids stand out

4. No real progress is made so a score counter or some levels could be added to facilitate that.

Jamie Renfrey’s Feedback:

1. I wasn't sure if I was shooting because I couldn't see the bullets, maybe change the colour to a more contrasting one or even the background colour.

2. Functions like normal asteroid game.

3. A scoreboard would have helped for points

Based on these feedbacks, I improved my game for the players to enjoy them better by adding new features such as:

1. Changing the background and bullet colour for better visiblity.

2. Set up a scoring board.

3. Change the speed of the asteroids to more variety of speeds to make the player experience more challenge.

4. Change the game mechanics to make it different from the original asteriods game. 

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Week 5 - Racing Game Pitch

Title of game: Chase

Description: Chase is a game where you are being chased by the police and you are trying to evade through the obstacles that are not normally found on the road.

Genre: Arcade

Selling points:

Fast cars

Weird obstacles

No time limit / beat the highscore!

Controls:

Arrows to switch lanes

Mechanics:

Score bar (based on how far you get)

Health bar

Pause screen/menu

Random spawns of obstacles

fun music

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Asteroid Elevator Pitch

Name of game: Agent 14

Description:

The player will play as agent 14, who runs away from the government facility carrying a briefcase full of the government’s secrets. He then uses a gun to evade and kill all the government security that surrounds him to stop him. Shoot and kill all the people charging towards you with your laser gun!

Genre:

Asteroids style arcade game

Target Market

Everyone above the age of 10

Unique Selling Points

Features a rogue agent fighting against his own government and the rest of the planet. 

Gun shoots out lasers instead of bullets

Increasing firepower / power ups throughout levels

Controls

Use mouse to aim

left click to shoot

Mechanics

Life bar

Score/points bar

Level indicator

Pause screen

Random enemy spawns

Setting

Running around through the city

Picture: https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.pinimg.com%2Foriginals%2F58%2F53%2F25%2F585325e28b25015cb12f1a4ffddc975c.gif&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fusul64%2F&tbnid=AsvWn56pkcPaPM&vet=12ahUKEwicp_SghaPrAhXBFnIKHc2PD3AQMygAegQIARAY..i&docid=ym4TbVMMFfye8M&w=506&h=400&itg=1&q=agent%20pixel%20art&hl=en_GB&ved=2ahUKEwicp_SghaPrAhXBFnIKHc2PD3AQMygAegQIARAY 

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Here is a preview of what has been updated after the first playtesting.

things that are added:

More slimes with various sizes to make it more challenging.

More interesting level design

A way to end the level.

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Platformer’s First playtesting

This is the first prototype of my platformer game. Although the game was not complete, I playtested to get more information from the players.

The testers commented that the game was not challenging enough for them as they were not many enemies to go against. Another comment stated that the level was fun to play with and had a scary start as the enemy charges to the player straight away. 

With this feedback, I will try to improve my game by making it more challenging( adding more slime/enemies ) and maintaining the unexpected attacks from the enemies. Other than that, I also intend to make the level even more fun by making the map bigger and with more variations of ways to challenge the player.

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Reflection on Chapter 2

Games can be recognized by these elements:

1. Players

Every game requires active participation by the players and the players need to fully commit to the set of rules and boundaries in the game. With that, players get to experience the game in a meaningful way and engage with the game pas designed.

2. Objectives

Objectives are used as the measurement of success used in games. Objectives in games is key as it makes the players experience the feeling of success or failure according to what the player does in order to achieve the objective.

3. Procedures.

Procedures are the actions of methods of play that are allowed by the rules and constraints of the game.  Procedures play an important role in games as they guide the player behavior and create interaction that are needed in order for the players to achieve the main objective. 

4. Rules

Rules are what makes the game work. Participants need to willingly agree to the set of rules given in the game in order to experience the game fully or as intended by the designers. Rules are also used to limit behavior of participants within the game. They are used to drive the players to make certain actions at certain points in the game while also keeping the game fair.

5. Resources

Resources are objects that are valuable and are utilized throughout the game. Resources also help the players achieve their goal, but these objects are made scarce in the system by the designer to make sure the players also feel the challenge.

6. Conflict

Conflict is used in games to give the players a challenge in achieving their goals/objectives in the game. Conflict is used to make the player resolve the problem faced in the game on their own. Such problems could be puzzle solving, going against enemies or even losing a almost complete set of cards in go fish.

7. Boundaries

Boundaries in games are places where there are rules that do not apply to the real world. This space is created to enhance the experience of play as there are certain things that could only be done in the game.  This creates another world where the players  can follow another set of rules that does not apply to the real world. As an example, players can kill each other in games but it is wrong to do so in the real world.

8. Outcome

Outcomes in games are different from the objectives. Outcomes in games are usually measurable as one can win/lose the game even when they have completed the objective. Outcomes in games need to be measurable but uncertain as it keeps the outcome a mystery to the players while also making sure the players stay to win the game. When players are certain of an outcome of a game, they might lose interest in playing the game as the outcome is no longer a surprise. 

REFERENCES

Fullerton, T. (2018). Game design workshop : A playcentric approach to creating innovative games, fourth edition. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral.proquest.com

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Platformer Elevator-Pitch

Name of game: Agent 13

Description: Agent 13 breaks into an office to steal a briefcase that contains secrets of the government and runs. The player will run continuously through the city while avoiding bullets and rockets fired from the government and try to achieve the highest score.

Primary Mechanics: Tap spacebar to jump, hold spacebar to hover, use arrow keys to aim and shoot powerups collected. 

Demographics: People between the age of 9+

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Reflection on Chapter 1

In chapter 1, I have learned that game designers must use a playcentric approach through the design of the game. A playcentric approach is an approach where the player is at the center of attention. This approach also relies on inviting feedback from players early on as it is the key to designing games that delight and engage the audience. This is because the game mechanics are developed from the ground up with the player experience at the center of the process. That being said, playtesters play an important role in the designing process as they provide designers with some fresh insights from a fresh perspective through observation.

Other than that, passion and skills are also important in every game designer.  Designers need to remain dedicated to envisioning their ideas even after testing their games for the ten-thousandth time while under the pressure of time constraints. In order for that to work out, designers need the correct set of skills such as:

Communication:  It is important that game designers know how to communicate clearly and effectively in order to sell their games with a hooking, well-conceived presentation to secure the support needed to move forward. It is also important to learn how to compromise with the team so that you are able to adapt to an alternative idea and still execute the idea elegantly.

Teamwork: In game production, collaborative processes become intense as you work with multiple people with different personalities and expertise, in the team. Being a team-player will keep the rhythm flowing to make the game come to life.

Focus: Designers are often working under high pressure while making hard decisions. Designers often get too close to their work trying to solve a problem but unexpectedly creates a list of new problems. When this happens, the designer is stuck in a loop of problems where the problems are chained into one another until the game loses its magic it once had. That being said, staying focus is significant not only for the designers but also for the team for the game to further into its development.

REFERENCES

Fullerton, T. (2018). Game design workshop : A playcentric approach to creating innovative games, fourth edition. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral.proquest.com

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Ereef Hardi

so here is a short post about ME

I am a first year student(2020) who is currently studying Games and Interactive Environments ( Games Design ) in QUT. 

This blog will act as a reflective of my IGB220 unit and also a place where I could follow-up with the interesting events in games development industry. 

I have always had a thing when it comes to video games. Learning games design really made games more interesting as I get to learn the effects of gameplay on humans instead of just playing them for fun. 

 I hope that one day, I will generate fascinating ideas and make games that brings not only joy but also education to the world.