#xb3001

[amybyrnexb3001]

Starting modelling

In my last brief I spent too much time on mechanics and creating blueprints in Unreal, I want to have more time to create 3D models and to texture them so I am getting a head start before going back to Uni after reading week

I started creating assets for the café, I made a mug and a plant. I haven't finished the plant yet as I will need to UV map the leaf before duplicating.

I didn't want to reuse the models I created in my last project as I wanted to improve on them. I am much happier with how these look so far.

[amybyrnexb3001]

Getting mechanics working

For todays work (and also a few hours last night) I wanted to focus on ensuring my mechanics worked properly.

Starting off, I deleted some of my camera angles to make working with everything easier. I also set the walls, ceiling and floor to be a lighter colour - once again, just to see things easier. I then imported all of the models that I had created.

I wanted to make sure that I could only open the door to exit the level after interacting with multiple objects, to do this, I replicated the blueprint from within my Pickup Example to my Mug. I then changed the requirement for the door to open only when both objects are interacted with.

The following is my Mug Blueprint followed by the change I made to the Door Blueprint.

I also remodelled the curtains as they didn't import correctly, but this was a great opportunity to make them look nicer.

I started working on having the plant update as the player interacted with items. I tried multiple different ways and this definitely took up most of my day trying to figure it out.

Eventually I was able to create the blueprint by creating a Switch Actor Blueprint. Allowing me to set a number to switch between each model. I managed to make it so the plant will update to the first plant if one of the items has been interacted with. Then, once both have been interacted with, it will update further.

I used a similar type of blueprint when getting the curtains to be movable, like the plant, I wanted the curtains to gradually open with each object interacted with.

As I had two sides to the curtain, I duplicated the blueprint for one half, just changing the location it needed to move to in the lerp.

And that was everything I got through today and for a few hours last night. Below is a video showing these mechanics functioning as needed.

[amybyrnexb3001]

Design Video for Stay Alive

Following on from the previous post, find attached here the Design Video explaining how Stay Alive works.

That is everything covered! Next work on this module I will be brainstorming for another concept.

[amybyrnexb3001]

Final steps for submission

After receiving the corrected print outs, I checked the cards for any other errors and was happy with how they turned out.

I cut them all, tied the decks in ribbons to keep them better organised and began work on documentation.

I completed the Prototype Document explaining errors I made in the test print out, as well as overall things I would improve or change if I did this project again or revisited in future.

I completed a Game Overview Document which explained my thought process behind the setting, visuals, mechanics, narrative and other elements of the development process for Stay Alive.

I created a box using an old Ikea box and gluing black card to better match the theme of the cards. I then painted the title for the game onto the box using red acrylic paint.

Moving on I had to produce a Design Video which explained how the game works. The Design Video can be viewed here.

Then finally I created a Show Reel to act as a trailer for the game. I used an application called Voicemod to apply a filter to my voice so the narration sounds a bit more interesting. I also used an instrumental by danydory called Dark Ambient Atmosphere 1 to add to make the trailer a bit more eerie.

I took three images of the completed game to also submit.

And that is the end of this project. I will take in the game next time I am in uni and submit everything I have digitally now.

While there is a lot I would change about this project and things I wish I did better, I have managed to complete this project whilst moving home, suffering with mental health difficulties and changing medication frequently. But in spite of the barriers I have managed to complete the work, writing narrative and illustrating around 160 cards.

It may not be the best work, but I am really happy I managed to do it.

[amybyrnexb3001]

Creating the cards

I created a simple black background for the back and the front of the cards.

I then created a symbol to assign to each pathway, this way the player can be directed through the cards with symbols and numbers pointing to the next part of the story.

I added in the narrative I already created, below is an example of what the cards look like before illustrating. In total, the player has an initial 3 pathways they can go down, then following on, depending on their choices there are a further 5 pathways.

The game will not be the entire story as this is only to demonstrate how the final game would play.

Next I will print out all of the cards to test them, and make sure the game functions, I can then also note any errors and fix them before I move on to illustrations for the cards.

In total, there will be approximately 160 cards.

[amybyrnexb3001]

Writing the narrative

Over the past week I have been working on the narrative for the game, and planning out the various pathways the player can go through.

Initially I started planning this using a flowchart, but I found it didn't allow me to link pathways back into each other. So I just have been working through a Google Doc.

I am so far just over 2000 words into the story, so I think I will focus on getting mock up cards prepared ready for next lesson. This way I can better test the pathways and understand how the player will progress through the cards as the story goes on.

I can also plan out the illustrations I will do for each card.

Below are some example pages from the document I have been working on.

[amybyrnexb3001]

Final Renders!

Attached on this post is all of the renders for the 3D models I have created. All 3D models were created and rendered using Maya, textures were painted in Photoshop.

These are renders of multiple props set together.

And the following are renders of each model seperately.

[amybyrnexb3001]

Creating posters, the start screen and music!

Over the past few days I have been continuing work on this project to bring it to a close.

I have managed to get everything done so in this post I will summarise the last steps of the process. My next two post following will contain links to the work for ease of marking, then all the renders of models I made.

First of all I wanted to make some posters/art for the cafe to help set the scene. I did this by just creating some quick paintings of monuments in Ukraine. The Saint Sophia Cathedral, Tarakaniv Fort and a black and white outline of Freedom Square.

I then went on to create a basic start screen for the game, as well as a credits screen. I used a digital painting I created before coming to University as the background image.

I created a rough backing track to give an idea of what the music in the game would sound like. I did this using my ukulele, recording then tweaking in Audacity before moving into Unreal ready for the game to be packaged.

While it is only a quick instrumental and more of a placeholder, I still thought it would be important to add into the game.

After all of this I exported the game and got everything submitted. The following post will contain the links!