#platform development

This is my first time developing a game or even a prototype as a beginner game developer. Even going through the workshop and tutorials, i have struggled a little due to my lack of experience. However, in Tracy Fullerton's Games Design Workshop, it gave me tips to engage players through objectives. She mentioned in chapter 3 that objectives are important by giving the "player something to strive for". This helped me create my game idea and realise the importance of having a goal while playing games.

While creating my prototype, i had a lot of troubles with variables as i am very new to this. Even though i follow tutorials, it somehow doesn't go right and I'm not sure why so I'll show the best i can do and ask for help in my workshops. Other than that, i have managed to create a prototype that represents my idea well.

Beginning:

I attempted to make the candy cane as a checkpoint/ re-spawn point, however, this was one of the variables that i struggled to figure out so unfortunately my character will not re-spawn if she dies so far.

End:

Unfortunately i could not find a pig character to use to represent Evie's pig plush and the sprite i intended to replace it with also didn't work for some reason. So while i figure it out, i have put a temporary heart to represent Snuggles.

references: Fullerton, T. (2019) Game design workshop: a playcentric approach to creating innovative games. AK Peters/CRC Press/Taylor&Francis Group, LLC. (pg.68)

https://kenney.nl/assets

Week 3

Developing a basic platform game really puts into perspective the limitations and the amount of details required just to create the most simplest ideas.

All these events and my platform is still very limited.

When using the software do I think my elevator pitch may be too ambitious? With time and further exploration of the workings within GDevelop I think I can achieve my idea. Except for the character design - I am not an artist.

Mechanics of the Player

Jumping, player can jump over obstacles and onto other platforms

Jumping, player can jump onto enemies and destroy them

Turning, player can turn and go in another direction to choose where to go.

Running, player can move through the area

Falling, player can fall from platforms

Reflections from the Readings

Game Design Workshop : A Play-centric Approach to Creating Innovative Games, Fourth Edition by Tracy Fullerton offers some insights into designing a digital prototype.

First Fullerton suggests looking at designing a control scheme as any digital game requires good, intuitive controls. By looking at the mechanics of my player I can see from there exactly what kind of designs I will need to implement for my game controls.

Next Fullerton suggests selecting a viewpoint. This is essentially the camera staging and how it may change with the player. For this game the camera is focused on the player, so the player is always centred in the screen.

Fullerton also wants designers to think about the interface of the prototype, what information will be displayed on the screen for the player to see? For this game the player will see the score.

Week 2

Roots

Roots is a platform game where players take the role a little plant ready to flower. Dismayed at the lack of bees in its garden this little plant has picked itself up by its roots and is off on an adventure in search of pollination. Players help the plant find bees while navigating the dangerous and unexpected landscape outside of its peaceful garden bed.

What is an Elevator Pitch

An elevator pitch is a crystallised message that allows developers to share the essentials of their idea to get people interested . The idea is to avoid going into depths of game mechanics that could confuse the pitch, making people lose interest.

Put simply a pitch should entice as clearly and quickly as possible.

Reflections from the Readings

Game Design Workshop : A Play-centric Approach to Creating Innovative Games, Fourth Edition by Tracy Fullerton last week we used the book analysis what elements make the mechanics of a game. This week we look at formal elements. These are elements that when removed from the game play either makes the game unplayable or changes the game completely.

The formal elements of a game are

The player/s - who the experience was designed for

The objectives - something to strive for

The procedures - methods of play and actions to achieve objectives

The rules - define allowable actions from the player

The resources - assets that help players achieve their goal

The conflict - trying to accomplish the goal of the game within the rules and boundaries (obstacles, opponents and dilemmas)

The boundaries - separates what is the game from what isn't the game

The outcome - a situation that is uncertain.

When all of these formal elements are set into motion designers have created a game. Therefore these elements should always be considered when designing a game.

Designers can also look at dramatic elements. Fullerton tells us that dramatic elements give context to gameplay, overlaying and integrating formal elements of the system into a meaningful experience. Adding dramatic elements to a game can give a emotional connection between players and gameplay.

The dramatic elements are

Challenge - tasks that are satisfying to complete

Play - more freedom and movement

Premise - establishes the game within a setting or in the context of a metaphor

Character - an agent through whose actions a drama is told

Story - often limited to backstory, however players should be given the opportunity to advance the story with their actions

World building - a deep and intricate design of a fictional world

The dramatic arc - exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution. Usually advanced with the conflict found within the gameplay