GA3312 ASSIGNMENT 04 My Game Blocked Out in UDK

2- You should have  a particular theme for your environment. Bring in as much reference images ie photos, drawings as you can. I want to see a definite time period, architectural style, cultural influence etc. Choose an actual real place, buildings etc not other people's concept art.

Remember you are required to submit/post all your reference images & concept work with your on going level screenshots.

5- Post at least 6 different screenshots from different angles showing off your environment.

Use printscreen on the keyboard & you can paste using ms paint . Make the images at least 640x480.

6- You should have the story or scenario  for your game level worked out by now.

Use Fraps to make  video capture(s) showing us the layout of your game .
So you will be posting not only your screenshots  and videocaptures from UDK but also your reference images/concept art etc.   

GA3312 ASSIGNMENT 03 Level Narrative, Game Map, Level Blocked out in UDK & Environment Concept Art

1- Use this to make your level narrative where you actually tell the story of the game(play) and what you 

must do step by step from beginning to end for the game level.

- The game play is a free flowing sidescroller in which Paco is traversing left to right coming across two 

different types of computer bugs at first.  Paco must jump from one computer chip to another which may be 

stationary or moving.  Computer chips will have sparks on them, will be very hot, or will blow Paco to 

another computer chip.  As Paco proceeds through the level he will come across falling computer parts that 

fall downwards towards him.  As he gets deeper into the level he will come across different powerups such 

as a Screwdriver which will give him an energy boost, Mega jump which will allow him to jump higher, and a 

Bug Swatter which he will use to kill Mama Bug.  Eventually Paco will reach the boss who he must defeat to 

win the game.

besides describing what function each location has also explain its function in the game itself and the game 

play (what the player actually needs to do) at each stage  as well.

-Each location is driven by triggered events.  So when Paco makes contact with a computer chip the 

environment and enemies will interact with him.  Paco must time his jumps with the stationary and moving 

computer chips.  The sparks and hot computer chips will take away from Paco’s health.  The computer fan 

will blow him to a higher computer chip which he must land on to continue.  The falling computer chips will 

also take away from Paco’s health.  Paco’s only way to increase health is via the computer screwdrivers

which are laid out throughout the level in different areas.  Powerups such as Mega Jump and Bug Swatter 

are needed for specific parts of the level.  The Mega Jump is needed to make two long jumps, while the Bug 

Swatter is necessary to kill the boss. 

4- Start designing the concept art for all of the achitectural and natural elements you will need to model in 3D 

for you level.

The concept images must be clear and detailed enough that if handed to anyone else they will be able to 

understand and create whatever models are needed.

You must have at least 20 very different and detailed items for your level. These are not moveable props but 

mostly stationary items that cannot be moved around. So things like doors, archways, support, columns, 

stairs, railings, street lights, trees,

   

GA3312 ASSIGNMENT 02 MY GAME CONCEPT -Level & Objectives

i-where/when- location?

The game takes place in year 2050 at PC Paradise.  PC Paradise is inside of a computer.

ii-Objective- what do you have to do?

Paco (player) will navigate through PC Paradise in order to save it from the dreaded computer bugs.

iii-Items-  what new items or skills can you gain?

Powerups -- There are special boxes that Paco can hit which may drop the following items: Computer Screwdrivers, Mega Jump, Bug Spray or a Bug Swatter.  Computer Screwdrivers increase his health by one.  Mega Jump allows Paco to jump higher for certain parts of the level.

Weapons --Paco can use the Bug Spray or the Bug Swatter to kill the bugs.  The Bug Spray is a projectile weapon and the Bug Swatter is a melee type weapon.

iv-Obstacles- can be actual characters or even elements of the environment itself

Mama Bug--Mama Bug is the main antagonist.   She is a host bug that has infected PC Paradise and is using her army of bugs that she hatches to help in her evil goal.  She has already destroyed numerous computer cities and PC Paradise is the next city to be destroyed unless Paco can save it. Mama Bug is a large hairy bug with spots and she uses a stinger to shoot out mini stingers.  There are sparks that come out from the ground through various parts of the world which protrude from the background and cause harm to Paco.  Falling objects will fall from the sky that Paco must get past.  He will also come across parts of the computers such as the computer fan which will blow him in a certain direction. 

v-Actions- What do you actually get to do in this level?

Player Movement --The player moves from the left side of the screen to the right side in order to get to Mama Bug at the end of the level.  He has to jump from one piece of land (computer chip) to another.   He also has to move up stairs/ladders.  He will be able to jump varying amounts.  Paco can shoot at and evade the enemies en route to the boss which he must cause damage to and kill.

vi- End Goal- What is the end goal of each level? what do you have to do to reach the end of the level and  move on to the next one?

To maneuver through PC Paradise you must first get past many enemies and time your jumps correctly before reaching the boss for that level.  After beating that boss you will have beaten that level and won the game. 

2- Start organizing all the skills and obstacles based on difficultly level and deciding where to place them in your level.

Obstacles

Enemies- Smaller enemies which require fewer hits to kill will be introduced earlier into the game.  The further into the game the bigger the enemies will become and will also require more hits to kill.  Enemies will also attack Paco at different angles.    

Background environmental obstacles- Electrical sparks will be introduced in the beginning to middle part of the level.  Sparks will be somewhat easy to deal with because they will have a warning sign ahead of the sparks.  They will only take one energy hit. 

A computer fan which blows Paco into the air will be introduced towards the end of the level.  

Falling computer pieces will fall towards Paco during different parts of the level starting at the middle part of the level to the end.

Some of the computer chips will get very hot and burn Paco if he stands on them for too long.  It is his job to plan his jumps in conjunction with the enemies coming at him.  Burning computer chips will be placed in different parts of the level.

Skills and Boosts

Weapons- Weapons and boosts are introduced throughout the game as they become necessary to defeat certain enemies.  The Bug Swatter will be necessary to defeat the boss.  The bug swatter will be available towards the end of the level.  The Bug Spray will be a default weapon available from the beginning of the game that Paco uses to defeat enemies. 

Boosts- The Mega Jump boost will be an option towards the latter part of the level so that Paco can jump longer distances.

2a-Also make a list of different possible scenarios a player can take and how you can keep them on task.

Paco is kept on task by having to move horizontally throughout the level towards the enemies that are attacking him.  Anyone who has played sidescroller games will know that they have to continue going towards the enemies to reach the end of the level.  The enemies attacking Paco are what keep him on task.  He must kill the enemies in order to save PC Paradise.

GA3312 ASSIGNMENT 01: Favorite Game Level Presentation & My Game Level: Initial Concept

GA3312 ASSIGNMENT 01: Favorite Game Level Presentation & My Game Level: Initial Concept 

1- Prepare a short presentation about a level from your favorite game. Draw an overhead diagram and explain the game play and list the items asked for below. Use Download Helper to save and bring in the video clips of the game play. Be sure to put links to these video clips with your blog post as well.

What is the level? At what point are you in the game?

Samus, the player controlled character is spawned after you press the start button.  From there you will start off on a raised area.

Level 1 Walkthrough http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KDEWJyQEdk

Boss    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=iZdv9FPrV9g&NR=1

i-where/when- location? 

This game takes place at the caverns of the planet Zebes.  Metroid takes place at 20X5 of the history of the cosmos.

ii-Objective- what do you have to do?  Samus travels through the caverns of the planet Zebes to stop the Space Pirates from exploiting the Metroid species for galactic domination. She confronts the cybernetic lifeform Mother Brain, as well as its guardians, Kraid and Ridley.  Samus’s mission is to destroy the Mother Brain in the planet’s central base.

ii-Items-  what new items or skills can you gain?

Samus gains energy from gathering energy balls that she gets from killing enemies.  Boosting Samus’s power gives her new ways to attack.  Some of the skills she can include are the long beam, ice beam, wave beam, screw attack, high jump, varia, maru mari, bomb, energy tank, missile rocket.  There are 10 power items in total. 

iv-Obstacles- can be actual characters or even elements of the environment itself.

The interior of the planet Zebes is a winding, complicated maze.  Three kinds of gates will block your way from moving into separate rooms.  The enemies early in the game are easier to defeat and either move on the ground or fly.  Also, if you fall into the water you will lose energy.  Once you’ve gotten rid of two of the Mini-Bosses (Kraid and Ridley, you must hit the Mini-Boss statues.  Also Zeebetite is the energy source vital to keep the final boss alive. 

v-Actions- What do you actually get to do in this level?

Besides attacking enemies, Samus must attack the walls with beams and bombs while searching for the secret passageway through which she can advance.  Within the rooms you must blast blue and red gates open.  The blue gates require the standard weapon, while the red gate requires missile blasts.  You must roam from room to room until you find the boss.

vi- End Goal- What is the end goal of the level? what do you have to do to reach the end of the level and move on to the next?

The three zones inside the fortress are called, Brinstar (rocky zone), Norfair (fire zone) and Tourian (central base).  You have to clear the first two zones before you can reach Tourian.  The minibosses have their hideouts in Brinstar and Norfair.  Zap them to clear the area and build a bridge from the corridor that leads into Tourian and get to the Central base containing Mother Brain.  When they are both down, you can make a bridge that will take you to the Tourian.  The only way you can kill the Metroid is to freeze it with your ice-beam and attack it with missiles. 

2- Start designing your own concept for a game level you would like to create in this class. Come up with 3 different ideas to pitch to the class. If I've already approved your idea you may focus on the one you intend to create.

TITLE: Paco the Programmer

Players:  2 player

Platform:  2D Unity

Genre:  Sidescrolling Platformer

What is the level? At what point are you in the game?

The character will spawn in a standing position on a level platform (Computer Chip).

When does the game take place?

The game takes place in year 2050.

Gameplay:   Main character – Paco (player) will navigate through PC Paradise in order to save it from the dreaded computer bugs. 

vi- End Goal- What is the end goal of the level? what do you have to do to reach the end of the level and move on to the next?

Main Objective -- To maneuver through PC Paradise you must first get past many enemies and time your jumps correctly before reaching the boss for that level.  After beating that boss you will go to the next level and pass additional enemies which are more difficult to defeat.  At the end of the 2^nd level you must survive the main enemy (Mama Bug), and save PC Paradise from doom. PC Paradise is inside of a computer.

Actions- What do you actually get to do in this level?

Player Movement --The player moves from the left side of the screen to the right side in order to get to Mama Bug at the end of the level.  He has to jump from one piece of land (computer chip) to another.  Paco can shoot at and evade the enemies en route to the boss which he must cause damage to and kill.

Items- what new items or skills can you gain?

Powerups --The game world has Computer Screwdrivers placed throughout the world for Paco to get.  After Paco collects 50 Screwdrivers, he will receive an extra life.  Also there are special boxes that Paco can hit which may drop the following items: Computer Screwdrivers, Bug Spray or a Bug Swatter.

Weapons --Paco can use the Bug Spray or the Bug Swatter to kill the bugs.  The Bug Spray is a projectile weapon and the Bug Swatter is a melee type weapon.

Player Lives --Paco will start the game with three lives and loses energy each time a bug touches him.  He will also lose energy if he touches a Computer Short and getting shocked.  After being touched 3 times, Paco will die and have to restart the level.  Paco will die instantly if he falls into a hole or if time runs out.

Level Layout --The game consists of one level in which Paco must defeat the bugs until he reaches Mama Bug. Mama Bug (Big Boss Fight) is hatching bugs that Paco must fight as he attempts to defeat her. Mama bug uses a long stinger to attack Paco with.  After Paco kills Mama Bug, PC Paradise is saved.

Input Mechanic: Keyboard/mouse

Obstacles- can be actual characters or even elements of the environment itself

Mama Bug--Mama Bug is the main antagonist.   She is a host bug that has infected PC Paradise and is using her army of bugs that she hatches to help in her evil goal.  She has already destroyed numerous computer cities and PC Paradise is the next city to be destroyed unless Paco can save it. Mama Bug is a large hairy bug with spots and she uses a stinger to shoot out mini stingers.

Animation--The animation will be 2D.

Bug types--The bugs come in different colors and sizes. Each kind of bug flies around at different speeds.  Some bugs mirror the activity of Paco.

Background effects--There are sparks that come out from the ground through various parts of the world which protrude from the background and cause harm to Paco.

Paco Energy Gauge:  Keeps track of Paco’s energy levels. If time runs out he will die.

Mama Bug Energy Gauge: Keeps track of the amount of energy that Mama Bug has remaining.

The programmer will have to create a timer which will keep track of the amount of time that Paco has to get through the game.

Player controls include moving Paco left and right; pushing a separate button to engage the Bug Spray or Bug Swatter; pause, restart, play, and end game.

Optional:  Another button might be created as a turbo button to make Paco run faster when it’s pressed.