Paper Prototype--Team Game

Making the paper prototype helped me to envision the game as it will be played, not just as it I was thinking it would be played. Things that I thought I would like to do in the game I may have to change and things that I never thought about became a possibility when I drew the paper prototype. That's the good thing about actually putting pen to paper. It commits you to doing rather than just thinking.

Plan Game--Team Game

WHO are you designing your game for? (Include the player's age, abilities, and prior knowledge of your topic.) How will you make sure your game is not hurtful to any group of people? My game is designed for people who are in high school or older and have some knowledge of ancient history. The game can build on their knowledge of the Inca culture and history, and it will not be hurtful or offensive to anyone because I am not going to add anything that could be seen as harmful to individuals or groups. WHAT will your game teach the player about your topic? (Be specific!) My game will teach about what the Incas used as wealth. They didn't view silver and gold as items of monetary value but considered them holy items but rather considered items such as large families, herds of animals, and woven tapestries as items of value in their culture. If you are making a social issue game, how will you show multiple perspectives? WHERE does your game happen? My game happens in an ancient time period in an area where the Inca population existed. It doesn't have a specific location within a country. Describe the world you will design for your game. The world is an ancient one where the Inca lived during their reign during the 100 years of their power. How will this setting add to the learning experience? The setting will help the player to grasp the learning concepts a little better I hope by understanding what the world of the Inca was like. HOW does your game world teach the player about your topic? The player is going to be a young Inca man living in a village during that time period, so the player is transported to that time in my game play. What happens in the world that helps the player learn? The player has to make decisions that will affect the outcome of the game and whether he/she wins or loses and this is how the player learns. How does the player use what they learned to make something happen in the game? Every decision either helps or hurts the player, so if the player makes a wrong decision and then loses. Then the next time the game is played, the player should not make the same decision but should learn from that mistake and make the right decision. WHY is a game a better way of understanding your topic than a quiz? A game is much more entertaining than a quiz is and activity keeps the brain active which leads to learning. A quiz is just recall of information. That's not much fun.

Choose Game Genre--Team Game

My team game is a good learning game because the learning content is the major focus of the game. When you start the game with the learning focus, it makes it easier to design the game. Sometimes when we think about making a game we begin with the kind of game we want to make and then we throw in the educational content as an afterthought and that's when we get into trouble. It's easy to turn it into a quiz game when we do that. I didn't want to do that with this game and I really enjoyed researching the materials. I have far too much content to put into the game, but it's like a good research paper, you have the material and then you just pick and choose what needs to go into the paper. You don't put everything in the paper, but the entire body of research helped you to discover your idea and develop your thesis. That's how the game concept develops as well.

Choose Game Topic--Team Game

I chose this topic as a continuation of the hidden object game or a little deviation from it actually. I became so interested in the topic that I wanted to learn more about it. I just kept reading and clicking on links when I went back and did the research that I decided to make the team game about it. I really like ancient history and I really like the mystery that surrounds some of it. This fascinates me and I think it will make a good game. I found too many facts--way too many, but when I narrowed my topic down, I think that game will be manageable. Hopefully the game will be easy to make. Sometimes I get myself in over my head:(

Plan Workflow--Team Game

As a one-person team, there is no choice as to which roles I get to choose on my team. I must select each of them, so I am the producer, artist, programmer, Q/A, game designer, writer, and sound engineer. That sounds like a lot on one person's plate, and it is. But, if you take it one step at a time when you are designing the game, it isn't that overwhelming. The good thing about being the only person on the team is you get to make all of the decisions and you don't have to wait on someone else to do his/her job. You are responsible to yourself and only you can disappoint yourself. So, game on. I'm ready to get this one started. Let's go team!

Play to Learn--Team Game

I especially enjoy the action games and then the adventure games would be my next choice of the game genres. They are fast paced and I enjoy the game ingredients that are in both of those genres. I don't particularly like racing or puzzle games but they have their place and I have played some well developed games of those types. I guess it is just personal preference when it comes down to it. Collision detection is a key ingredient in any game and helps keep the player engaged in the game play. You have to be on your toes and you have to stay away from the enemy so that you can stay alive to make it to the end of the game and win the prize or achieve the goal of the game. In some of the games, the movement and numbers of enemies was so fast that it made it almost impossible to make it through the game and win, and if it is too difficult the player can get discouraged. I don't want to make a game like this. I played an English game that was particularly well made and I really enjoyed it. It was a little hard for me to figure out, but, of course, I didn't read all of the instructions and just started playing. I think that many of us are guilty of that at times. It was a challenging game but not too challenging and I would play it again. That's the kind of games I like to play and the kind of game I'd like to make.

Course Overview--Team Page

I think I'll be able to accomplish quite a bit in a team. Actually, a team will be the same for me as working alone because I am the only one on my team:) But, I am a pretty hard worker, so if I have the time I can get a lot accomplished. I am determined and hate to give up until the job is finished. Sometimes that gets me into trouble. I really hated to have to skip the action game section and may have to go back and try to get that finished if I can. My hidden object game was completed except for the videos of the final game and the paper prototype because of my slow internet connection. Now it's time to move on though and see what I can do with this game as a team of one.

Presentation for Hidden Object Game--VLOG

I am going to address this hidden object game VLOG as a regular blog rather than a video VLOG because my internet connection is so slow at home that it is taking an hour for Viddler to upload my paper prototype video that was just a minute long. So, rather than wait an hour for this upload, I am going to write the answers to the questions. If I have the opportunity to go to school and video this and upload it, I will. The Big Idea: The learning topic for my hidden object game was about Machu Picchu and some of its historical significance. I wanted my players to appreciate the sophistication and the fortitude of the civilization of that time period and the beautiful artwork that they created. Research: I researched several different websites as I tried to find information about Machu Picchu and I found some pretty interesting facts. Some of the information that we have is quite controversial. Hiram Binham, an American found the city and unearthed it in the early 1900's but farmers were actually living and farming in the area and had been for years. The city has been in existence for over 500 years which testifies to the skill of the builders and their engineering expertise. It is very fascinating. I want to learn more about it. Making Decisions: My ideas changed quite soon after I committed them to paper, and I had to change the paper prototype. Then the background changed and my hidden objects and on, and on. My ideas and inspirations changed as I kept reading and researching information, so it was a work in progress the whole time. I wish I had more time to work on it. Mastering Programming: The game ingredients that were most useful to me in the game were score and the hidden object coding. They were written for action script 3.0 and were not difficult to place in the game. I was a little hesitant at first since this was the first hidden object game I had ever made using action script 3.0, but it wasn't that difficult overall. Overcoming Challenges: The most difficult part of the game for me was getting the custom cursor to work. The coding in the game ingredients was written for action script 2.0, so I had to find 3.0 coding. I was able to do that and make some changes to get it to work in my game. I am proud of that effort. It took some time. Next Steps: I plan on showing my game to my students and using it as I teach. I hope to use it as I model coding to new students and help them as they work through the curriculum and as they try to get ideas for their games and complete their own hidden object games. As a new learner in action script 3.0, I hope that others will see that if I am able to overcome challenges and be successful in completing a game that they will able to do the same.

Paper Prototype Hidden Object

I made some changes to the game plan but not the game topic when I drew the paper prototype. I decided after I drew it that it was too difficult to make the objects and the background that I was going to make, and it wouldn't really be suitable for the hidden object game anyway. I think the changes made for a better game and I can save my idea to incorporate into another type of game someday if I like.

Adding Game Ingredients--Hidden Object Game

I had several problems as I added game ingredients to my hidden object games and I gave up a few times as I was working on the game ingredients. I looked at several of the game ingredients to try to decide what I wanted to add to my game. Some of them looked to be a little too much for me to try to deal with but I wanted to have a good game. I added some background music and that made my fla file so large that I had to compress it to get it to upload to the wiki, and it doesn't show that I have 100% completion on my lessons. I don't like that, but there's nothing that I can do about it unless I remove the music or change it. It is only a minute long and it goes well with the game, so I don't think I am going to do that. I really had difficulty trying to complete the custom cursor lesson, and I usually have no problems with this lesson, but the difference was that it was for a game written in 3.0 script rather than the 2.0 script that I am more familiar with. I worked a couple of hours on it. I finally got angry and moved on to another lesson and had no better luck since it was also written for a 2.0 script. It just doesn't work the same for the game and I can't figure out the context to change in my coding. Maybe when I get good enough I will be able to convert it myself, but that will be in the future sometime if ever. After giving it some rest, I decided to tackle it again. I hate to let something get the best of me. I found a tutorial on the internet and made some changes to it in my game, and it works! Woo-hoo!!! Mission Accomplished. I am proud to say I have a custom cursor that is fully functioning in my hidden object game. Hopefully, if you have to add a custom cursor, the code for 3.0 will be on the wiki by that time. If not, don't give up! If I can do it, you can too:)

Win-Lose Screens in Hidden Object Games

Adding the win and lose screens in hidden object and any kind of game helps to make the game complete. It gives the player a sense of accomplishment when he/she wins the game and, on the other hand, makes the player want to try again if he/she wasn't successful in winning the game. It is all about motivation, and we try to motivate our learners as educators and our players as game designers. If at first you don't succeed, try, try, again--is the old adage. I can relate to that, so can the player who keeps attempting to win or keeps re-playing the game if it is enjoyable--mission accomplished!

Add Timer--Hidden Object Game

Adding the timer to a game creates a sense of urgency for the player when he/she is playing. It adds stress to the player as he/she is playing because there is a time limit to get through the game before time runs out. If the time limit is reached, the player loses or has to start all over again. Most people love to try to beat the clock and this is no different in any kind of game.

Add Score and Message Box--Hidden Object Game

Adding the score and message boxes in the hidden object game adds interest to the game. It also adds educational value to the hidden object game. It allows educational facts or data to be placed into the game as the player goes through the game. It doesn't "quiz" the player but allows the information to be introduced as the player finds the objects in game play. Score motivates the player to try to win or get a perfect score if he/she knows what the perfect score is. At this point, there is no win screen, so I think that would be the next item to be added and then also a title screen and some directions for the player as well.

Add Hidden Objects

Adding the hidden object code was pretty easy. I had used hidden object code in action script 2.0 before, but this was the first time I had used it in 3.0. I didn't have any issues though. I would like to add some other things like score and message boxes and I think those will be the included in the next lesson.

Drawing in Flash

I really enjoy drawing in Flash even though it is a challenge for me. I am left-handed and I use the mouse with my right hand. I have always used the mouse with my right hand and have tried to use it with my left and cannot do it. So, I draw with the mouse in my right hand. Yes, it is awkward and my fine motor skills are not very well developed in that hand, and you can tell that when you look at my artwork. But, that is what it is. I've talked to other left-handed people as well and many of them do the same thing that I do with the mouse. I did have one student who used the mouse with his left hand, and he did well, but I guess I have used it with the other hand for so long, that I cannot do it. I have even tried drawing with a pen tool with my right hand and that hasn't been successful so far. The other evening I tried to do it with my left hand and that didn't go well either. So, I think I may stick to the odd way that I have adapted to drawing on the computer. It is after all a right handed world and the left handed people have just had to learn to adapt to it. Maybe I have overdone it. I am just thankful that I can draw things that are recognizable!

TG: Apply to Other Competitions

I think that all of the students should apply to the competitions--as many as are applicable. You can be a good contender by having a good educational game and by having your wiki page complete and by completing all of your blogs and learning logs for the class. If you don't apply then you won't have a chance. It is silly not to take a chance to apply for a competition. You never know what you might win. Sometimes you might think you don't have much of a chance or you might think you are not talented enough to win, but you are just as good and have the same chance as anyone else who applies. Go for it and apply for as many competitions as you can. I hope to see some winners from our class. I know I am proud of you and your accomplishments this semester.

TG: Get Globey Ready

I think that Drayton's game is a good Globey contender as well as all the games that were created by the students in the class. Any game that the students spent time and effort in making should be a contender. There is educational content included in the game and many hours of toil went into putting the games together. Even though we had many snow days and delays this semester, the time we spent in class working on lessons and adding code to the games and working through problems should be rewarded by being placed in a competition. We have some outstanding games and some outstanding students, and you should all receive recognition for your hard work and determination! Make sure that you finish with a flourish. Complete everything that you need to do and do it well. Maybe YOU will win a Globey! I hope so:)

TG: Present Final Game

The Artist's team presented their final game last week. Brady and Sonya did their presentation of the game they made, and it was about helping to save endangered animals. There are a few teams who are working on games along those same lines in the class this semester, but the games will not look alike or be alike in game play I am sure. Brady and Sonya did a good job on their presentation. Sonya is improving in her presentation skills, and I think with more practice she might even get comfortable with making presentations. Their game had an "Indiana Jones" like character in it, and Brady likes to put famous people and characters in his games rather than trying to be original and creating his own characters. That was a challenge for him this semester. The game provides the player with information about endangered animals. This was the first team to present in the class; I am anxious to see what the other teams will have to show in their final games as the next few days will finish our year out for us. I think we will have some good games to see.

TG: Tune Game

Play-testing is important to improving a game because it is always good to get ideas from other people. If we broaden our perspectives we can get ideas that never occurred to us and other people can give us great ideas for things. Sometimes we work so closely with something for so long that we tend to overlook things that are obvious and it is obvious for someone else to see a way to improve your game or your coding or your text. Why not allow someone to help you make a better product? It only makes you produce a better product. And, after all, who benefits in the end anyway? It's you, right! Go ahead and playtest and have someone playtest your game. Perfection is what we should all be working toward and we can't do that without making improvements and taking some constructive criticism.

TG: Playtest

I am taking a little different angle with this blog post since our team has not reached this lesson yet, but it needs to be completed. Playtesting is very important because as the game designer you may overlook things that are problems for other people. Sometimes you assume things that players may not know or that players do not feel comfortable with in your game. It is good to have opinions from other people so that you know if and where the bugs are in your game. And, you might be surprised to find that something that you completely overlooked is a major issue for another individual. You don't want to offend or cause any issues with your players, and you want your game to be error and problems free. So, have as many people test is as you have time to do. Good luck and be open-minded as you receive feedback from others who play your game.

TG: Combining FLA Files

Combining the files for the members of our team is easy because Drayton does the work on Flash and then if he needs assistance, I get a copy of the file and work on it after class or after school. He is the primary worker of our team and I am just the assistant. He does the majority of the work and I am the backup team member assisting him when he doesn't know what to do or if he is getting behind in the work. He assigns me things to do and I do them. It is hard to keep up with a team though when you are the teacher in the class, but I don't want to disappoint my team member and try to do all that I can to help him while assisting all of the students in the class as well.

TG: Build Game

Writing pseudocode helps to develop a game’s functionality by allowing the game designer to read and remember exactly what the programming code is doing. After you read it or look at the pseudocode so many times and you look at the action script, it helps to solidify the code and what it does in your mind. At least this is how it helps me. I add it when I am working with particularly difficult or new code and I find myself not remembering what the code is doing. After I have used it a few times, I don't need the pseudocode anymore, but it really helps when the code it new. It is good to leave it in though because if you are like me, after a while you forget what the code did. Then, if you have the pseudocode, you have it written out for you.

TG: Present Demo

Drayton presented the game demo and did a great job and he also recorded the vlog. You can view it by clicking on the link on the team page. He covered the questions in detail. Nice work, Drayton.

TG: Assemble Demo

Buttons will be used in our game at the end of the game to start the game over and when the player goes to the lose screen, the button will allow the player to re-play the game again if he/she so chooses. Buttons will also be used to go to the instructions screen and to start playing the game. Buttons in games are just likes buttons on your clothes. They hold things together, and they are important.

TG: Keyboard Input

We are using platform coding in our game on some of the levels and to make use of this, the player uses the arrow keys as well as the space bar to move. There is some coding that allows the player to move using keyboard keys like "A" and "D" or using other keys depending on what is coded in instead of the arrow keys. I guess it is the preference of the coder or the player as to which keys are preferred. I would rather use the arrow keys myself and the space bar to jump, but it that is just what I have been used to using so I am comfortable with that. With practice, I suspect a player could get used to using any variety of keys within reason.

TG: Add Buttons

Buttons are an essential part of games, and they seem to cause problems to beginning game designers. I know they caused me lots of grief and I was so joyful when I was able to get my first button to work successfully. I even remember when it was and the game that I was working on. I don't remember why it was causing me so many problems, but I simply did not understand how to make buttons based on what I saw on the wiki, and I had never had any instruction in person. It was a major breakthrough when I figured it out and it took me a long time before I actually felt comfortable with them. That's why I make sure that my students really understand how to make them and I go over them so many times thoroughly so that they don't suffer like I did. If you need to get from frame to frame without having any other kind of coding, a button is the easiest way to do it. Buttons can be simple to complex and colorful to bland, but they serve an important purpose to games. It would be very difficult to make a game without one, I think.

Add Game Pitch

A great game always tells a story. Whether it is a story to give the player background at the beginning so that he/she knows something about the hero in the game and what the goal is or to provide information in order to play or win the game. It's a good way to provide educational information in the game as well without boring the player. In our game, Drayton has created a story-line about the character, and the character has to repair or find pieces of technology that have been damaged or lost in space. It is a good story that can be told in a story. It will be interesting.

Develop Game Scene

Drayton is really in charge of our team and I just help out as needed. He is the boss. He has great ideas and one of the types of coding that he wanted to use was platform coding. We put it in the game and and had some issues getting it to work correctly but finally we were able to get the bugs worked out. Drayton likes the idea of using science and history together in the game, so that's the plan for this team. He has big plans, so I hope we have time to fully implement them. Platform coding will work well with some of the game play in the levels that he is developing so I think that will be the plan that we follow for now. I am sure we will have to make changes as we go however.

Paper Prototype

Making the paper prototype and then drawing in Flash is always a challenge, but it is enjoyable. I wish that I had more artistic ability. I always look forward to drawing in Flash even if I can't do a very good job because I like to do it. It is very time consuming though and I find myself doing things over and over again because I don't like how the it looks when I am finished. When it's all said and done, the challenge of drawing and coding are the two most enjoyable things for me to do in Game Design. If someone will come up with the game idea, I would be glad to try to work on the drawing and coding.