rough draft for final project - n.miller
TRANSCRIPT
Nathaniel Miller Digital Medium Final Project Proposal, Timeline, Survey, and Rough Draft
Proposal
My final project will be a multilevel problem solving game. The story behind the game
is a unique characternamed Cythe user controls and must use the object given in each level to
reach the final platform in order to advance to the next level. The end goal is to complete the
final level to unlock the gold. In order to accomplish this I must design a character in photoshop
with pixels, as well as a background, platforms, objects, and obstacles. After designing these in
photoshop I will bring them into Construct 2 and design the levels, each increasing in difficulty. I
will use various color schemes for each level as well as varying obstacles to create a unique
experience with each level.
Timeline
Week 1 (March 30April 3) Design by hand the levels, character, platforms, objects, and
obstacles. Homework: Make sure sketches are completed and ready to be transitioned into
photoshop for next week.
Week 2 ( April 6April 10) Design the levels, character, platforms, objects, and obstacles in
photoshop. Beginning bringing each into Construct 2. Homework: Research games with problem
solving aspect, how does their gameplay compare.
Week 3 (April 13April 17) Character, platforms, object, and obstacles all brought into
Construct 2 and level design complete. Homework: Watch videos how to use event sheet in order
to have end game screens and next level screens so I am ready to go next week.
Week 4 (April 20April 24) Create end game screens and next level screens, test how smoothly
the game plays. Revise any bumps in gameplay. Homework: Make sure rough draft ready for
turn in, with pictures and questions answered. Have link to final project available as well as 3
question survey ready.
Week 5 (April 27May 1) Video 30 seconds of gameplay, place into premiere pro and add
music. Upload game to Kongregate and make sure playable.
Week 6 (May 4May 6) Make sure everything is completed and ready to present.
The Rough Draft
1) The unifying theme of my game is the idea that the main character, Cy, has to chase down the
Leprechaun, Lorcan, who has stolen the gold from Cy and his people. Each level is based on the
location in which Lorcan has left a clue as to where he may be.
2) The art in my game is all 2D based. The characters have been created using pixels in
photoshop and the painting/pencil tools available in Construct. The style is based slightly off of a
mariotype game however the characters are based off of my imagination and prior visuals of
Leprechauns.
3) The game begins with an opening scene explaining that Lorcan has stolen the gold from the
Decipherites and your character, Cy, must track down Lorcan by following the clues he leaves
behind. From there, each level requires problem solving skills to decipher how to reach the final
platform.
4) The programs I used were Photoshop for character creation, and a few other objects such as
the pot of gold on the final level. I used Construct to create the levels for the game as well as
background art. I also used Illustrator for text on the opening scene, the final scene, as well as
screens describing the clues found.
5) I began by creating all characters and objects needed. I then began designing the opening scene in
Construct, creating a storyline as to why the player must solve each level. I then began sketching
various possible level designs and then transferring them into Construct. I have also spent quite a few
hours outside of class creating and designing levels.
6) The current issue I am having is figuring out how to implement lives into the game for the
main character. I also have to decide on how many lives the character should have for each level
before having to restart.
Decipher Game Survey
1. Does each level seem reasonably challenging, as well as increasingly
challenging?
2. Do the clues provide enough incentive for a player to continue each level or
should the motive in the game be enhanced/more incentivized?
3. Would the game be better with or without lives for each level before having to
restart the game? If better with lives, how many per each level?
Progress
Designed the main characters and gold in photoshop using pixels. First step done.
Opening scene and backgrounds for levels designed in
Construct. Ready for level creation.
Level 1 designed and event sheet created for play. Clue
screen created as well. Level 2 ready to begin.
Discovered how to make objects easier to move as well
as resized in order for character to never need to
disappear from screen when jumping.
Level 2 created and event sheet completed, still need
clue 2 screen. Otherwise ready for level 3. Learned
how to make platforms destroy upon impact, as well
as how to add in a sprite to send to a screen saying
the player lost if they fall off of the platforms onto
the bottom of the screen.
Level 3 created along with event sheet and ready to
finalize screen setting up final challenge before
completing. Really made this level challenging with
platforms destroying upon impact.
Opening screen for final challenge as well as
final challenge created, just need to create a
screen when the player wins the game.
Learned how to make Lorcan rotate in a way
that challenges the user to leap over him.
Utilized the friction of objects to make
certain movable objects slow in order to
benefit the player on the final level.
Successful game completion screen completed,
thoroughly understand how to use the mirror
effect in construct. All that remains is running
through the game to check for fixes or possibly
consider adding to the game.
LINK: http://www.kongregate.com/games/natemiller/thedecipher