A happy ending.

So, tomorrow is the last day of Futureworks until the Christmas holidays start, and with that, marks the end of the design aspects of the course.

From the introductory lecture to yesterdays it's been great fun, I've met some cool people and learnt a lot about design, the industry, modelling and various other things. So I'd just like to say thanks to everybody involved for making it a great first 14 weeks and I'm already looking forward to getting back into class to start programming (oh god...)

So Benjamin Hill, guess i'll catch you on the flipside homie, cheers for everything! :)

Colour my life.

Ok, so I didn't stop playing around with the "set" for my level, I added some really dark colours to the insides of rooms, for simplicity when doing the walk through, and on the outside went for some dark grays, as running through an engine, I'd want the game dark, so the lampposts and the torch would make for eerie game play!

The central fountain using gray marble with some buildings in the background.

Edit: I'm aware the angels are a little wonky on this screen shot, It's been fixed, thanks!

3D Model "Finished"

Quick update! The actual modelling for my map is done, however I still need to add textures, and ideally a window or two, oh, and raise the walls!

After that's done I can finally crack on with my walk through of the level, and a few other bits and bobs, after nearly 3 full days of sketch-up I'm just about ready to murder it, but perseverance is key and I made it in the end, I'll probably post one more picture of the model as a whole when the textures have been added.

Well, that's everything, so hope the model looks good to everybody who's checking it out, otherwise I'll need a rope and a stool :)

Just a few quick touches remain and it's finito! 

 

2D Done!

After a late night session in uni (as I have no photoshop at home!) I've finally finished my final version of my level in 2D.

2D Completed!

Well here it is, done and dusted, It didn't take nearly as long as I'd anticipated, which gives me all weekend to crack on with the 3D modelling. Seeing as the hardest part was trying to think of some puzzles to slow down all the shooting and then inputting it, I feel like the project has taken a great leap forward.

I suppose I won't be posting again until I've got some modelling down, I have the first room more or less done, however, that is on my PC at home so therefore I won't be unloading that anytime soon!

It feels rather odd seeing my final 2D design looking so different to my original, just goes to show that having input from others and "winging it" can allow your creative juices to flow as you go (yeah...)

Step two.

Had some time messing around on Photoshop today, started to update the map with some new puzzles and player progress, no legend up yet so it looks rather confusing, however here's a little glimpse, it kind of looks like the pencil idea, I suppose!

I'll post some more screen shots when the updated 2D design is finished, and also of the 3D version when it's modelled! Oh sketch-up, how I hate you so!

Step one.

Just a quick post of a sketch I did while bored, I thought of making the level be in Venice square, with unique architecture and broken walkways it could make for a great design!

Although it's a really rough draft here's the first look at it...!

(Special thanks to Rikki Gumbs for a brilliant water wade mechanic, much love!)

Paper Mario?!

First thing first! I would suggest to anybody checking out: www.worldofleveldesign.com if you're interested in game development, it's a great website with loads and loads of helpful advice and articles by other designers, favourite it!

Now. The next step in the LDD project is getting a 2d paper based design down of the level, annotated and explained. I've already done one very basic level design for an oldschool platformer, with just 1 key mechanic, the use of a lasso! I'll upload the image of it shortly.

After the paper based level design, I'm going to be using Google Sketchup to model it in 3D, I've been using Sketchup for about 2 weeks now, I've been making a few little rooms just practising and so I won't be unloading anything, I'm starting to model the level for the LDD over the next weekend, I'll be uploading pictures  of my progress as I'm working.

Assignment 2 - LDD (Level Design Document)

Getting back into the habit of blogging, time to talk some more about my next project, creating a LDD.

First things first, I have to come up with a game idea, different in genre and type to the first assignment, the GPD. Secondly the idea has to inspired from a piece of text from any chosen book. I decided to choose Max Brooks - World War Z, and here was my chosen passage:

"Hamburg was heavily infested. They were in the streets, in the buildings, pouring out of the Neuer Elbtunnel. We'd tried to blockade it with civilian vehicles, but they were squirming through any open space like bloated, bloody worms. Refugees were also all over. They;d come from as far away as Saxony, thinking they could escape by sea. The ships were long gone, the port was a mess. We had over a thousand trapped at the Reynolds Aluminiumwerk and at least triple that at the Eurokai terminal  No food, no clean water, just waiting to be rescued with the dead swarming outside, and I don't know how many infected are inside."

I thought that this passage really created a good atmosphere for a horror survival game. Out numbered by the undead horde, with little to no ammunition, a small group, and a torch! More later...

Two months later...

So, as I had never indulged in blogging before starting this course, it was a little too easy for me to forget about doing so!

Catching up to speed; The first assignment (GDP) has been finished and handed in, at the end, I was happy with the final result, and now awaiting on the result!

We've started a new assignment, it will be the last part of the design aspect of this year, I'm going to write a new post with more information on the new assignment.

Gears of Awesome

So, Gears of war 3 is finished and multiplayer is being abused!
I started thinking about the game from a designers point of view, the combat mechanics and the epic storytelling, the clue was in the name "Epic Games" but it truly was epic.

If anybody hasn't played gears1/2/3 through, I suggest you crawl out from the rock you're under and do so.

Weekend assignment.

We have to make a new MMO about toothless geezers vs cabbage. What more is there to say? Creative genius.

Panic Prevention.

Well, Let's just say a holiday did not inspire me with great ideas as much as it did distract me completely and losing access to the internet after several hours didn't help one bit!

I'm finally home and an overview is due tomorrow, let's just say I'm a little worried although I have a rough idea of what I want to write about, although thinking of a USP is proving to be very difficult..

Sunny inspiration.

So, here I am in scorching hot Mallorca for the weekend trying to balance work with play and get inspired by the beautiful landscape here, not slept for 26 hours due to an early flight. Maybe more ideas will come to me tomorrow after a good sleep because at the moment my ideas are pretty boring and damn right creepy, going to change to vibe and think of a brightly illustrated happy-go-lucky platformer!

Introduction into Year 1.

So, year one of my game development course is underway, exciting stuff, I know!

Assignment one: GAME PROPOSAL DOCUMENT.

I've been told that this is going to be the first assignment that's going to be given, and starting as of tomorrow. It's kind of worrying after looking the GPD for "Bioshock" and how awesome it was, and how much different it was to how I expected.

With that said I've been told what the GPD has to consist of:
- Game overview
-Game mechanics
-Unique selling points
-Environment ideas

I think the whole thing is going to be really fun and exciting, but rather irritating trying to come up with a USP that's original and new, as so much has already been done, roll on second lecture tomorrow!

Ye olde England

After watching Sherlock Holmes I think England in the early 20th century would make for an awesome creepy setting in a game, top hats and monocles all round!

Film, Game, Song!

After thinking some more about this little exercise I've come up with a million ideas, Starship Troopers for one, though the whole human vs bugs idea is a little bit SC2, not so original..

That aside, after the first lecture I'm excited to get started, now that drawing inspiration from our favorite films, songs and games has been spoken about, I think I'll have a different thought process when watching, listening and playing, trying to incorporate anything I like into my games!

3DS

Just seen an advert for the 3DS, another useless addition to Nintendo's arsenal? I've just seen ocarina of time, star fox and a new Mario title, that's pretty awesome! Now there's inspiration! N64 love.

Already Failing.

Seconds after posting my first blog, I came to the realisation that I can't spell "first".

...

My firsr step into the wonderful world of blogging.