2D Developer research

This blog is a summary of research of a couple of indie developers who over the years have developed many blockbuster 2D games in either flash or unity, some of these dev’s started their career in a small room with their own computer or as a part of a small team which aim to create a game within a small set time.

Self Portrait

Few lessons into flash and we are getting back into the basics of flash, primitive shapes and the little features which lie inside of tools peppered around the UI.

Firstly we were given 5-10 minutes to complete a full image of whatever came into our minds, I thought of the first scene of Halo 4 where master chief is talking to Cortana on how to escape the wreckage of their ship. Now creating something in that amount of time is basically saying ‘Throw shapes on a canvas on and make something out of it’. So I got a reference image up of that specific scene and tried my best to create an image to show

Master Chief (Adobe Animate)

Actual Image

may be happening and who was their, this was the result.

After practicing with the basic primitive shapes, we then had a discussion about the different tools to refresh memory which to me seems not necessary but I thought that it would be just to make sure I never forgotten anything. Thankfully I still had all of the tools memorized alongside most of the keyboard shortcuts which I had learned in a digital course with Shaw Academy.

Nearing to the end of the lesson, we started to create ‘Self Portraits’ to practice what we already have learned and to add to our portfolio. With the tools and shortcuts learned, I finished the portrait to either add detail or tweak some lines, Lights and maybe add a tiny body to make the whole project seem comical and cool with a final ‘Fallout Touch’.

Final Portrait

 

 

 

2D Maze Game, 3D Ship Model & Presentation

It’s the first week into my course at Next Gen and I have to say that competition between pupils are very high. For this blog, we were told to go into detail about what we had done and achieved during our development on a 2D Maze Game and also to give judgement upon our final product.

First of all, the Maze Game. It was a complicated process to get going due to the two different versions of flash we were using at the time for development which, were ‘Adobe Flash CC professional & Adobe Animate‘. After minor complications had been resolved, we had exported our asset libraries to prevent the need to redo all of that hard work again; a very efficient tool when you know it’s there. For now, I want to make a lot more changes and to also change the game into something which can be interpreted by everyone the same way and which can communicate the same enjoyment which I want to send out. I have a few weeks left and an urge to be the best of my ability like I was Level 2.

 

Moving on to 3D modelling, a very familiar aspect of my work which is currently revolving around creating a spaceship. And a way better one that we initially built for our final 3D assignment in Level 2, I started with a basic Cube polygon; extruded & elongated to expand upon on either face to therefore create the basic shape of the ship. I then proceeded to extrude further and later on create the more detailed shape of the ship. To do this I use the Tri/Quadrangulate tool to therefore add a smoother edge to the wings.

The Lucasfilm presentation was the second project which I put the most time and effort into, I researched many aspects but could only choose a few points due to the presentation only needing to be 2:45 – 3 minutes long. When I finished and was ready to present there wasa a huge problem… Microsoft PowerPoint would not go full screen on the right monitor therefore the music would not give out that nice calming atmosphere which i wanted. When I finally came to reading my results, I followed up on the fact of having to much text on the screen but besides that; I got the overall results alongside the best presentations. so not a bad start at all.

 

Game Project: Victim of Valor (Update)

Easter is here and after a long and stressful time working throughout the college term, I thought it would be a good time to take a small break (Playing battlefield 4 for an hour). Anyway, I have just came back from a long day with my girlfriend and now writing to update you on my current project named Victim of Valor which i have been creating for 2/3 weeks now.

Last time I spoke about this game I included that i had a team brought in to give a hand in the development process which was kinda hard considering there was a debate on names and where the story would progress from where we left off which obviously i cant tell you guys yet due to any spoilers.

On Wednesday during 2D lecture, my tutor told me about something called the Bafta YGD (Young Game Designers) which is basically a competition where you sign up your game project and could possibly win a Bafta in either the Young Game Designers category or The Tutors award or something like that… I’m still taking this into consideration because the game can only be entered if I have a team of 3 or as a singular entrant. Therefor I can either enter myself and take the “Possible award” for my team or wait intil next time and develop the game further.

Back to development of the game, It’s coming along fine. Just tweaking the last mechanics of the UI (User interface) then start creating more harder, longer and even enemy infested level’s. Also asking other peers of friends what they would like to see in the game. I get feedback such as, “Add boost during game-play” or “Have a twist so the player feels more ‘tied into the story line'”. I can find all feedback good even if there is something i come across that is totally irrelevant.

For now I can balance my time with coding my game then create some picture based scenes like in Diablo 3 but obviously not a awesome haha

I have some extracts of the scenes from the games story.

Flash AS3 game: Victim of Valor

Victim of Valor,

Now Logo, New name, new story and with a team that I have hand picked myself has been brought in to work alongside me in the development of this game which I hope can shine a light on what the level 2 Games design course can do.

Alex Heckles – Alex was my first port of call to work on the game after i saw him create a game with his team that went on to be pitched for an assessment, when i saw the game, i was intrigued if what he and a few others can do when the same mindset can be collaborative.

Wesley Bainbridge – ‘Wes’ was in the same team alongside Alex when the pitch was a go, he has a distinct way of reaching out to people when there is either a problem or an idea that pops into mind. I have also chosen Wes because of his skill to code and the fact that me and him can collaborate and give support through the coding process.

Connor Glendenning – Connor was a recommendation from Alex when i asked him if he wanted to join in on the project “You should ask Connor, he is a good story writer”, I asked if he would be interested then gave him the basics of what the story was about. I believed and trusted Alex’s judgment that Connor can come up with something creative and inspiring for this game.

I believe that with the team I have and the enthusiasm that we hold, we can make a better and more exiting game that could inspire other people to follow on from what we are doing. Finally, I would like to see this game be looked at by someone who could take it on and make something out of it, which I can stay optimistic about but overall… I just wanna make something cool that someone could see and say “Wow ! This is a great game”.