Games GDD

Games GGD by Catherine Emelyanova (aka lilcatattack99✊)

Screenshot from http://www.thegamesjournal.com/articles/DesignConsiderations.shtml

Introduction

For this week's readings, they are based on the topic of  'Design'. One being "Design Considerations" and the other called "The Early Stages of the Design Process". For this assignment, I will be providing my thoughts on the articles. I will also include the link to the articles and links for any images included in this reading.

Design Considerations

Upon reading the first paragraph, I agree with the statement "One of the things I really enjoy about games is their physical presentation. I'm much more likely to enjoy one that has had a lot of thought put into the design of its box, rules, and components." Design visuals are a staple for creating a great, re-playable game. The visuals and artwork are what trigger the player's emotions. Getting them to purchase the game. A game that doesn't come with a well-designed box and components, are the ones people can forget about. I do not mean all people won't find a game with no artwork unappealing. But for the majority of game consumers, the aesthetics are very important. It gives the game style, color, warmth and its more intriguing.

The Box

Screenshot from: https://images.app.goo.gl/jN88YhqMFhxZbnsS9

As I mentioned, the box is really the component to a great game. The reading states that viewing the image at the back of the box is not a good way of learning what the game is about. Personally, I disagree with this statement. 

For this example, I will be referring to the box art and story-line for Square Enix's, Final Fantasy X.

I did write about this game for those who are interested, here is a link to the blog post.

https://lilcatattack.blogspot.com/b/post-preview?token=APq4FmA54Og5tH1Gkzvp3MaEYxLuOJdgsb4_7-Vp_fNZwwKHSDBNuhO76aGXSuGOOzFdyXlHxEWSq62SE7MQbFotj-V5LvUFiHfX5nXtP0QNzTvNzwRfILqAHtlve_cXovRctUxlRi11&postId=5537657111503368570&type=POST

My reasons are as follows:

1. The back of the box usually has some sort of paragraph that gives the player insight into what will be within the game. As you can see at the top left of the Final Fantasy X box.

2. The box also indicates the art-style that is being used in the game. Which as stated previously, attracts players, as they see what sort of visuals will be in the game.

I hope you enjoyed my blog post. Id really appreciate feedback and any comments you may have about my blog or post. Thank you all for taking the time to read my blog. Enjoy the rest of your week. - Catherine

https://images.app.goo.gl/hKdnhBiDLaPK72os6

Tech Tasks

Tech Tasks

Blogger Templates

The task for this evening is using "Blogger Templates".

What this means is redesigning the homepage of your blog, to the style that suits you best. As stated in http://cdmonline.pbworks.com/w/page/128443734/bloggerdesign, "there are a variety of templates you can choose from and then customize by choosing the color scheme, background image, etc."

Designing my Blogger page

As you can see for my blog, I have decided to go for a lilac color in the background. This makes the blog feel calming and welcoming.

One thing people notice about my blog is the design. I get some complements about the blog style.
Personally I like the purple background, I feel it suits my aesthetic. I like quite simple designs and a strong contrast.

However, I do feel as though I may change up my blog style in the near future. I do love to experiment with design. I have an idea to design it to the similar style of my game in Unity.

Unity Tutorial 03

Unity Tutorial

For this weeks Unity Tutorials, we were assigned to create a clock using Unity. The clock had to be set in current time. For this week there was a video uploaded by the channel "Cat Like Coding". From them we watched the video and did the same steps that were required in making the clock.

Following the Unity tutorial made it a lot easier to work with. As I do still have trouble with using Unity. I feel doing these tutorials have been helping me a lot. Now Unity feels like its getting easier.

Difficulties

The tutorial was not so hard, however there were a few things that were difficult. Sometimes when positioning objects they can go off a bit and not be so accurate. Especially when using the arrows to move around your game objects. A way that has been helping me with that is the "transform" tab. For this tutorial this was one of the most important components to making the clock. When placing the hand and times, they had to be very accurately placed on the clock.

The coding was also difficult. It was a bit hard to do, however I feel coding is something that anyone can improve on. So I wouldn't worry too much about not understanding it now. I t is a good idea to practice coding in Unity.

Other than that, it was a fun little exercise. It was difficult, but I think getting the difficult parts done early is important as when you go to do it again, you will find it much easier. So from this weeks tutorial I have learned to practice more Unity in my free time.

Game Elements

Game Elements

https://image.shutterstock.com/image-photo/london-march-22-2018-video-260nw-1052707715.jpg

From my understanding of this weeks readings, games have a lot of elements involved. These elements include art, sound, coding etc. games don´t only look better because of how advanced we have become in game making, but also high resolution screens, make the overall gaming experience more interesting for the user.

https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3357/formal_abstract_design_tools.php

After reading the "Formal Abstract Design Tools", I have learned that the machines that we currently use such as PC's, phones, gaming systems are far more powerful than it has ever been. However due to the expansion of different hardware to play games on, there has been an increase of software problems. But years ago these software problems were not really a thing.

There is not a whole load of vocabulary to use when discussing video game development. When game developers are discussing about ideas, concept, execution etc. The only main vocabulary designers and developers use is simply "fun" or not "fun". Personally I don't see this as an issue as it can in fact make it easier to judge if the game needs more improvements.

Players

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwil1sy-xI3lAhWtQUEAHUOZBQAQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Funsplash.com%2Fs%2Fphotos%2Fgaming&psig=AOvVaw3yAtCpVctW57JS3Y1tntan&ust=1570654059319114

The topic of game players was another interest of mine. I liked this topic as it went in detail to how games with players work. I learned from this is that games can have many participants. Multiplayer games can include up to four players. There are different types of players in games such as "Head to Head", Solitaire, Five-pointed Star and many more. Learning about the meanings of these games types really makes you think of where the names came from and other games that are associated with these game types.

Objectives/Goals

https://images.app.goo.gl/h36WxhRTn6sgDs1V7

Goals are an essential to games. This is what gives the player motivation to continue playing the game. The goals from the readings were pretty straight forward. Some of the words were new to me, however after reading the description of each goal, I understood what it was for. New words for myself are "Spatial alignment" and "Negation of another goal".

Unity Tutorials 01

Unity Tutorials

https://images.app.goo.gl/dVPBEzpjmU6qr4Aj7

Today I will be writing about 3 Unity Game Engine tutorials. The tutorials I will be talking about what I have enjoyed from trying Unity, What I am looking forward to and if I feel something should be explained more in depth.

HOW TO MAKE A GAME FOR FREE #001 - INTRODUCTION - UNITY TUTORIAL

The first video was a very basic guideline to what you will be doing in Unity. This video is an introduction to the tools available in Unity and how to use them.

An issue I have ran into whilst using the program is how to use the camera while creating scenes. This does change as I am working and it does get quite confusing as I am trying to follow the video step by step.

But after re-watching the video, I have been able to follow the instructions better. I did have to redo my Unity project twice. But I feel I have an okay understanding of how to use Unity 3-D.

I do still feel quiet intimidated by Unity, especially when I am following the tutorials and what I am doing does not match or I am having issues with using the camera.

Game Elements

Game Elements

source: https://wallpapersafari.com/w/X1BMG6

Notes

From my reading of game elements, my understanding is that games have themes that are commonly used.
These games include decision-making, conflict, there are goals to be achieved and there is some form of outcome.
Games are defined as activities that take on various styles of simulation, whether its fiction or realistic.

Game Atoms

source: https://images.app.goo.gl/BiwLbHDaz9e8Vrnv8

Game atoms are the elements to what make-up a game. The various types of game elements include, players, interaction, rules, information and the game system.

Critical Analysis

source: https://www.bitcointradingsites.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Bitcoinchartwatch.png

Critical analysis refers to judging the game for its faults. I found this interesting as most people would assume that it would mean expressing if you did in fact like/disliked the game. What is also interesting is what are the key elements to criticizing a game. These include, acknowledging the obstacles the players may run into, are some aspects of the game fair, is the game good enough to play again and who is the game developers target audience.