I want to tell you a story (part 2)

I want to tell you a story....

So this week we are working on a story, which can be as part of a group or individually.

This week I need a story written, the technical term is a story script.

I need the actual story developing with has to be :

1 Person in team 500-1000 Words (1 to 2 pages approx)

2 People 1000 to 2000 Words (2 to 4 Pages )

3 People 2000 to 3000 Words  (4 to 6 Pages Approx)

Remember I will be using a word counter so I am NOT counting pages.

In addition I need a plot written (Approx 250 Words half a page)

Some artwork (3 to 4 images, not your own if you don't feel talented enough to do it)
Also a list of who is doing what in team (if your on your own say so pls)

Remember I DON'T want this story (at this moment) to link with a computer game. I just want a story.

Have fun use your imagination (but keep it clean) and get writing!

I want to tell you a story

I want to tell you a story..

Now we are working towards our last major assignment

Its on Game story development.

First however I want you to work on a story together (in small group max 3 students)

I want a Intro / Middle / End.

Present a 'Pitch' for this story first, do a power-point and this is the actual start of the assignment.

Now once this initial pitch is complete then work on story.

Don't initially worry about making this story for a game, that comes much later. Just work on a story.

What Characters do we have?
What is their background?
Where does the story start and end (location)?
What's the plot?
Do some artwork to support this story?
Who does what in your team?

I want a team leader, into writer, artist, plot developer, character developer, lead writer.

Consider this list and write who does what in your team.

This will lead into assignment later....

video Blog

Video One of making game

one

Video two of making game

two

Video three of making game

three

Video four of making game

four

Video Five / Six / Seven

 five / six / seven

Last Three Videos

eight
Nine
Last Video showing all code

Code I show is setup, StringtoSprite and randomizecarddeck

Week 21 : New Game

BlackJack / 21 / Pontoon

The next gaming assignment is a to make a well know card game into a computer game.

Blackjack/pontoon/21 are all card games involving the concept of players trying to get as close to 21 points in a given set of cards.

Blackjack, also known as twenty-one, is the most widely played casino banking game in the world.^[1] Blackjack is a comparing card game between a player and dealer, meaning that players compete against the dealer but not against any other players. It is played with one or more decks of 52 cards. The object of the game is to beat the dealer, which can be done in a number of ways:

• Get 21 points on the player's first two cards (called a blackjack), without a dealer blackjack;
• Reach a final score higher than the dealer without exceeding 21; or
• Let the dealer draw additional cards until his or her hand exceeds 21.

The player or players are dealt an initial two-card hand and add together the value of their cards. Face cards (kings, queens, and jacks) are counted as ten points. A player and the dealer can count his or her own ace as 1 point or 11 points. All other cards are counted as the numeric value shown on the card. After receiving their initial two cards, players have the option of getting a "hit", or taking an additional card. In a given round, the player or the dealer wins by having a score of 21 or by having the highest score that is less than 21. Scoring higher than 21 (called "busting" or "going bust") results in a loss. A player may win by having any final score equal to or less than 21 if the dealer busts. If a player holds an ace valued as 11, the hand is called "soft", meaning that the player cannot go bust by taking an additional card; 11 plus the value of any other card will always be less than or equal to 21. Otherwise, the hand is "hard". (taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackjack)

Each card is given a value, which is its face value. The picture cards Jack / Queen / King are all 10 points each and the ace is 1 or 11  (depending on variant of game rules you choose).

The game is to look something like the image given below.

There is a dealer and 4 other players. 

You control one player and the computer controls the other 3 players

This is not about amazing graphics, its also not about GAMBLING. The goal of the game is is to win a round, you can have a system where its best of 7 games or something like that. You will need to study first of all the rules for playing blackjack/pontoon/21 and pick a rule set. Then you need to study probability (ie the mathematical study of chance).

When would you choose to twist or stick and why?

When would an AI player choose to stick or twist and why? You will need to understand and embed this into the game. Creating this game is a lot harder than it looks.

Stage one is:

Study the rules and understand the card games

Study probability (rules or chance).

Blog your development process and blog how you get the AI to choose to twist or stick and how probability links with this.

Week 19 : Best Game Review

Human Computer Interface (HCI)

Human–computer interaction (HCI) involves the study, planning, design and uses of the interfaces between people (users) and computers. 

That's the technical definition of HCI.

But what does HCI mean in games design?

Well when we play a game we interact with that game very differently when we are using a XBox/PS or a PC or a Smartphone.

What's the difference?

The interface is different. 

Does that make the game experience different?

On a PC we use (mainly) a mouse and keyboard. On a XBox/PS its via the controller. On a smartphone its different again.

How many different ways can we interact with a game? Is their a limit?

Task 1) Create a 'blog' of all the different ways a player can engage with games.

Does the same game exist on different consoles/platforms? 

What's the difference for the gamer?

Task 2) Create a 'Blog' on this. Show games that exists on multiple consoles/platforms and describe the differences? Is the gaming experience very different ?

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Week 16/17 : Narrative content

Unstoppable Film

Game narrative content, using the film "unstoppable" 

• Who are the main characters? 
• Who are the sub characters?
• What is the emotional theme of the film?
• What is the relationship between the main characters? How does it start / develop / end?

• When does the intro/start of film end?
• When does the middle/main part of film start?
• When is the conclusion/end of film start?
• What's the plot of the film?

When watching the film answer these questions.

• Next how could we gamify this film?
• What genre world you choose and why?

What differences would their be between the film and its game cousin?

Story Telling

Games design

Story Telling in Games

A story adds depth to a game, it's what makes the player come back again and again to play the same bit hoping to gets through a difficult section so they can see what happens next.

In marketing terms its called a 'hook'.

The better the story (or narrative) the better or bigger the 'hook' is.

Look at these articles :

http://www.gamestudies.org/0101/juul-gts/

http://www.gamesradar.com/real-problems-video-game-storytelling-and-real-solutions/

http://uk.ign.com/articles/2014/01/13/the-future-of-video-game-storytelling
http://www.techtimes.com/articles/84016/20150914/how-video-games-have-become-the-perfect-storytelling-medium.htm
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/oct/13/video-games-digital-storytelling-naomi-alderman

Task One:

Create a list of your top ten games, of these top ten which have really good storylines? Write this in your blog and publish this list.

Task Two:
Give some examples of games that do not have stories. Is there such a thing?
Who plays them and why? Blog this.

Task Three:
What is the difference between a story that is used in a game versus a story used for a book or film?
Blog your thoughts.

Task Four:
Linear and Non-Linear Game line? What does this  mean and how can it impact on storytelling in games?

Just something funny I found researching this work.

'gameradars' review found that back in 2002, Greece enacted law 3037 to undercut illegal gambling, establishing a blanket ban on all devices that contain "electronic mechanisms and software". That applied to both citizens and foreigners, so bringing your Gameboy on your Athens vacation could land you in jail for a year. The EU promptly slapped the government of Greece with an injunction for being dumb, and the ban was allowed to quietly lapse three years later.

Week 15 : Overview

Games design week 15

Overview 

Welcome to Week 15

We are now halfway through the course.

By now you should have:-

• Created graphics for 2 games 
• Created 2 games
• Understood the importance of research

Well, now we zoom out and look at gaming.

Ask yourself what makes a good game?

Is it the game play?

Is it the story in the game?

Is it the characters in the game?

Next is :-

• Story Telling
• Human Computer Interaction with Games.
• Sound production
• Communication studies
• Pre Game production

Games design week 13

Games design week 13

Games Development

Now its time for to complete both games, if you were working on Platform game then choose that else choose the maze game. 

Update Blog with your documentation.

Also please answer the following 10 questions and reply to this blog with answers.

1) Which game would you play and why ? As in Maze or Platform game.
2) Which did you enjoy making most Platform or Maze game (and why)?
3) Which was hardest Platform or Maze game (and why)?
4) Which had largest mathematics element ?
5) Do you like Mathematics? (don't just say NO or YES)
6) What grade GCSE (or FS) do you have in Maths?
7) How would you create an educational game with a Maths element?
8) Do you Think you learned any maths in creating either game and if so what did you learn?

Games design week 12

Games design week 12

Games Development

Part 2:

Right Lets do a re-test of your maths ability part way through

Why? I hear you ask.

Well games development involves a massive amount of maths. I want to measure your mathematics skill level at the beginning and the end of this process.

So go onto this site and choose Application of numbers level 2 then test B

http://keyskills4u.excellencegateway.org.uk/tests/2004/index.html

It takes about 45 mins then reply to this post with your results!

Good luck and take your time pls.

Don't worry what score you have.

Why?

Well you're not in a competition with everyone, the score you got is for you and I to know what level you are at. 

Games design week 11 : group A

Games design week 11

Games Development

We now swap, you have worked on Maze game  now your doing the Platform game.

Now its time for creating a game.

So now plan out our game.
Create a Blog (do a Word doc first) and answer the about critical questions.

But Wayne what game are we creating...

Create a Platform game for the students to play.

The main character of this game ‘Max’ has to move from level to level solving fighting (and/or dodging) monsters which either chase Max or block his way. Max progresses from level to level collecting weapons to fight the monster and/or avoiding the monsters.

Max gets score from collecting diamonds and from killing monsters. He has to collect certain items to unlock doors to progress to the next level. This is a platform game so I would expect Max to be able to jump over obstacles / monsters.

Create a draft of the game show a word document of each level showing the sprites you are proposing to have and how it would look.

Create 5 levels, each getting harder, with progressively harder monsters to fight.

Here is a simple tutorial on how to create a platform game.

Here is some code for simple physics of jumping..
http://gmc.yoyogames.com/index.php?showtopic=564662

Games design week 11 : group B

Games design week 11

Games Development

We now swap, you have worked on Platform game now your doing the Maze game.

So now plan out our game.
Create a Blog (do a Word doc first) and answer the about critical questions.

Client Brief :

Create a Maze game for the students to play that also helps them develop their mathematics skills.

The main character of this game ‘Brainbox’ has to move from level to level solving increasing difficult maths based problems. Each level should show a different maths problem and the level of the maths problem should be GCSE grade C Mathematics.

This game is for 14-15 year olds (school children), it is also for girls and boys and from different ethic and cultural backgrounds. So make the game as open as possible so they are included and feel able to play and learn from this game. Game test with girls and boys and students from different ethnic backgrounds to check this! Document what you find.

You can use any maths revision you have or the BBC bite size website for example materials

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/maths/

Here is a youtube clip of how to create a simple maze game using gamemaker.

Games design week 10

Games design week 10

Games Development

Group A : Maze game
Group B : Platform

This is the last week to create the Maze / Platform game, 

You should have done by now :-
The Sprites
Put the sprites in the game,
Now work on the objects and room and get the game working.
(do a video walk-through playing the game)

Don't forget I need this all Blogged!

Customer
What does the customer want?
What does the design brief say?
Who is the target audience?

All this available from previous blogs:-
week 6 / group B or week 6 / group A


Development
What Sprites do we need?
Sprites should now be complete and now in game maker engine ready for use.
What sounds do we need?
Sounds chosen and added
How many levels do we want?
You need 5 levels and you should be adding elements in final levels.
What are the other elements?
GCSE Maths for Maze game and Physics coding for platform game

Management
What do we want to do by the end of this session?
( I need 4 weeks of this blogged)
How long do we have to make entire game?
Finishing this week pls
How can we break down this game ?
What do you think / answer this question in a blog!

Games design week 9 : Group B Platform Gamers

Games design week 9

Games Development

Group B : Platform gamers

We are creating the Mazegame, get those Maths elements and develop them !

Last week you "should have" been getting all the sprite worked on and finalised and some of you would have been putting in the game and a few would have been working on the game mechanics.

So This Week :-
We are working on putting the physics in the game. (getting them to jump!)
Also working on game mechanics and coding.

Just to recap you will have done :-

Customer
What does the customer want?
What does the design brief say?
Create a Platform game for the students to play.
Who is the target audience?

Development
What Sprites do we need?
What sounds do we need?
How many levels do we want?
What are the other elements?

This is what you are doing now :-

Management
What do we want to do by the end of this session?
How long do we have to make entire game?
How can we break down this game ?

Games design week : Group A : Maze gamers

Games design week 9

Games Development

Group A : Maze gamers

We are creating the Mazegame, get those Maths elements and develop them !

Last week you "should have" been getting all the sprite worked on and finalised and some of you would have been putting in the game and a few would have been working on the game mechanics.

So This Week :-
We are working on putting the 'maths puzzles' in the game. (see http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/z6pfb9q for examples )
Also working on game mechanics and coding.

Just to recap you will have done :-

Customer
What does the customer want?
What does the design brief say?
Create a Platform game for the students to play.
Who is the target audience?

Development
What Sprites do we need?
What sounds do we need?
How many levels do we want?
What are the other elements?

This is what you are doing now :-

Management
What do we want to do by the end of this session?
How long do we have to make entire game?
How can we break down this game ?

Games design week 8 : Group A Maze gamers

Games design week 8

Games Development

Group A : Maze gamers

We are creating the Mazegame, get those Maths elements and develop them !

Last week we created a Blog (do a Word doc first) and answer the about critical questions about the games design. It should have these clear elements.

This should be done now :-

Customer
What does the customer want?
What does the design brief say?
Create a Platform game for the students to play.
Who is the target audience?

Development
What Sprites do we need?
What sounds do we need?
How many levels do we want?
What are the other elements?

This is what you are doing now :-

Management
What do we want to do by the end of this session?
How long do we have to make entire game?
How can we break down this game ?

This week should be about gamemaker and how to develop the game.

This week focus on one task to do by end of session such as :-
- Putting sprites into gamemaker
- developing maths elements for game,
- developing game in gameker

Games design week 8 : Group B Platform Games

Games design week 8

Games Development

Group B : Platform gamers

We are creating the Plaform game

Last week we created a Blog (do a Word doc first) and answer the about critical questions about the games design. It should have these clear elements.

This should be done now :-

Customer
What does the customer want?
What does the design brief say?
Create a Platform game for the students to play.
Who is the target audience?

Development
What Sprites do we need?
What sounds do we need?
How many levels do we want?
What are the other elements?

This is what you are doing now :-

Management
What do we want to do by the end of this session?
How long do we have to make entire game?
How can we break down this game ?

This week should be about gamemaker and how to develop the game.

This week focus on one task to do by end of session such as :-
- Putting sprites into gamemaker
- developing game in gameker

Games design week 7 : Group b

Games design week 7

Games Development

Group B : Platform gamers

We are creating the Plaform game

Last week we created a Blog (do a Word doc first) and answer the about critical questions about the games design. It should have these clear elements.

Customer
What does the customer want?
What does the design brief say?
Create a Platform game for the students to play.
Who is the target audience?

Development
What Sprites do we need?
What sounds do we need?
How many levels do we want?
What are the other elements?

Management
What do we want to do by the end of this session?
How long do we have to make entire game?
How can we break down this game ?

This week focus on one task to do by end of session such as :-
- such as working on sprites needed for game
- putting elements into gamemaker

Games design week 7 - group a

Games design week 7

Games Development

Group A : Maze Gamers

We are creating the maze game

Last week we created a Blog (do a Word doc first) and answer the about critical questions about the games design. It should have these clear elements.

Customer
What does the customer want?
What does the design brief say?
Create a Maze game for the students to play that also helps them develop their mathematics skills.
Who is the target audience?

Development
What Sprites do we need?
What sounds do we need?
How many levels do we want?
What are the other elements?

Management
What do we want to do by the end of this session?
How long do we have to make entire game?
How can we break down this game ?

This week focus on one task to do by end of session such as :-
- such as working on sprites needed for game
- putting elements into gamemaker

Games design week 6 - part 2 Group B

Games design week 6

Games Development

Part 2 Group B

Now its time for creating a game.

So now plan out our game.
Create a Blog (do a Word doc first) and answer the about critical questions.

But Wayne what game are we creating...

Create a Platform game for the students to play.

The main character of this game ‘Max’ has to move from level to level solving fighting (and/or dodging) monsters which either chase Max or block his way. Max progresses from level to level collecting weapons to fight the monster and/or avoiding the monsters.

Max gets score from collecting diamonds and from killing monsters. He has to collect certain items to unlock doors to progress to the next level. This is a platform game so I would expect Max to be able to jump over obstacles / monsters.

Create a draft of the game show a word document of each level showing the sprites you are proposing to have and how it would look.

Create 5 levels, each getting harder, with progressively harder monsters to fight.

Here is a simple tutorial on how to create a platform game.