Ciara Meegan's Blog

 Unity Tutorial 04 (Source from Tutorial in Unity) The Tutorials this week in unity was in my opinion the most stressful one yet as the first one was okay it was just to continue on what we did last week as for 

 Growth and learning mindset (https://www.edweek.org/leadership/growth-mindset-linked-to-higher-test-scores-student-well-being-in-global-study/2021/04)

 Project Feedback

 Game Vision Statement (https://www.feedough.com/vision-statement/) Game Genre: The game genre I had in mind would be a classic Jumping game in a way like Mario Brothers. Where the game is focused on the main character which will be a dog and there wont be any blood or some gruel stuff but there will be some obstacles and the cats will try and stop the dog. Another word for this would be a platformer game. As these games mainly focus on the obstacle inftont of you and how to get from the ground to the platform. (https://inthelobby.medium.com/it-is-super-marios-3d-world-and-we-re-just-living-in-it-151e099a1122)  An idea of what I would like to do and to replace the characters with dogs and cats instead Gameplay : The gameplay depends on the graphics and how the game goes out as well as the sound effects I am planning on using my own sound effects to make the game more original.  My game centres around the main character named Gordo who is a husky dog trying to get home, bu...

 Unity Tutorial 03 (Screenshot from my laptop)  Unity this week was the most stressful one I had to do yet as I had a huge issue with the file saving. To the point where I had to restart all over again which I really was annoyed and frustrated at this point because I didn't want to do it any longer. Even with the struggles I did it again and flew through the first few steps and finally was happy with the result I got in the end. This way of the game has given me more ideas of what I want to do for my game is so helpful as I know what mechanics to use and what style I am going to use for my game now.  I also learned that it is very important to go over the tutorials again and again until you can see your mistake and fix it as I would watch the video once thinking I got this and then having errors pop up.

 Game Research https://www.filamentgames.com/blog/research-roundup-video-gaming-for-older-adults/ From reading this week I found out it's important to not only know what the game is going to be about but more on how it's going to turn out the emotional response, the narrative of the game, the overall sense and style of the game. From watching the video provided to us and seeing that's no game doesn't start without MDA (Mechanics, Dynamic and Aesthetics. The mechanics of the game are the basic controls or movements even down to the way your player could stand on someone plot from monopoly. The dynamic of the game is the way it is coming across and how to convey it by easily walking, jumping or running. The aesthetics of the game are what you want the player to feel or what type of vision or vibe you want to go out. For example, the game outlast when running away the screen is dark and makes the player weary and always wondering what's around the corner. To the scene ...

 Game Research (https://www.eamalgame.com/excel-at-game-development/) The picture is what the process of game design would start out like in the creative form The idea I have chosen to use would be the jetpack joyride type style of game as I have been very into 2D games lately and think my game will come out clean and precise. I've been playing jetpack joyride again and see it has one goal to not die, as this is like every game I intend to make a distance meter to reach and to have Tetris type blocks to jump on. Sticking with the idea of making it dogs vs cats I have made some sketches at the home of what would the main character look like. Watching youtube videos on how the game came from a concept design to the final version is quite remarkable and gives me that push that I can get to do this as well.  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iotBgfRX88) The link is the youtube video from where you can see the start to end product of the jetpack joyride, the way they wanted to keep...

 Unity Tutorial 02 (screenshot from my computer doing the turn control) From doing the tutorial this week I learn how annoying and hard it can be to get the controls to work. It took me a while to fix it but after a while, I got the hang of things. I learned that it's important to go over and make sure my code is correct and to take my time. I think since I had a lot done I wasn't as stressed as last week. The tutorials do help a lot as once you show me I do get it. I did have trouble also saving my file as it kept saying corrupted and my laptop is always organized so I hoped it was just a system error, but that didn't stop me from nearly having a heart attack thinking the whole project was gone. Thankfully I had it previously saved on my hard drive so I just started from the last step again which I didn't mind at least it wasn't the beginning.    

Reading Week 3 https://acagamic.com/courses/intro-to-game-design/the-formal-systems-of-games-and-game-design-atoms/ Reading the articles this week and diving deeper into what makes a game made me wonder how much work and thought out planning goes into making a game. How do I have to think about how to make the game more engaging for the player or audience. How important it is to make sure to have my research done and to make a prototype to get started. As I start to break down my ideas I understand how important it is to not only set out a basic layout and start the game but a strong enough foundation where I can just pick and choose and tidy up along the way. 

 Game Brainstorm After much thought and consideration, I have chosen some of the top four games I would like to base my game from and got my ideas from. My first Initial idea was to make a game running away from a villain or object while trying to avoid obstacles along the way. I would change the level as most games make you go forever as I would make a goal for each level and it would get harder and harder each time. The game is an endless runner game that is quite popular but everyone loves these types of games as they get very addicting, as the person playing the game is determined to win and see if there is an end. I would base my game on running away from some type of person or animal or running away and instead of not having an end, there would be a goal to reach that brings you to the next level until you reach the final boss and win the grand prize. If I am being realistic now I would probably only make the one level and hope that works out and see what I can do from there....

 Unity Tutorials Screenshot from My experience with Unity From installing Unity and following the tutorials I was very concerned at first asking myself " will I be able to do this, it will get more confusing for me along the way" but after watching the videos and going over them again and again, I'm slowly but surely getting the hang of it.  I did enjoy creating the scripts and finding out how to add mass to objects so they won't go flying everywhere. I found it very confusing at first to position the main camera as it was not cooperating with me, the pedal to the medal took the longest for me to do as my script kept deleting itself from the inspector section so I rebooted my whole laptop and opened it up again and it was fixed. I do look forward to making my own game and going through all the steps knowing I know a bit of the basic's and have my setup and layout set to the way I like it now even changing the colour setting when I go into play mode. I do wish I wo...

 Reading(Week 3) Source: http://gamedevelopertips.com/what-is-a-game-made-of-definition-of-a-game/  From Reading this paper I thought I knew what makes a game already but to know that there are many elements to what makes a game is kinda mind blowing as a person who enjoys games myself I dont think there should be neccesery an end to a game or follow a certain criteria as  David Parlett once said "A game has "ends amd means" : an objective, and outcome, and a set of rues to get there. Which i disagree as a game should be played to have fun and to play with friends and get invested into a whole new world of imagination.  A game can be made out of the simplest ideas and thoughts ever and that you dont have to have a creative mind to make a game. I personally agree with this as a game should have , yes goals and obstacles to overcome but make it enjoyable and a fun experience aswell. The many things that games often have are GAMES HAVE RULES GAMES ARE AN ACTIVITY G...

Week 2  Time Management  {Image sourced from Kyle Wright who was kind enough to make group 1 readable timetable}  Initially, I was in group 3 and the timetable was not compatible for me as well as going to work, so I moved to group 1 and was able to finish labs or lectures and not worry about being late. This is why I think my time management this year has to be more important than ever as I was so used to waking up last year and having the lecture there for me recorded and I knew I could catch up as this year I have to be there and see the lectures and labs to make sure I have the correct work and notes.  The Important Habit of Just Starting Reading this article really made me think that Procrastinating is the biggest time killer there is and that we tend to ignore the main task on hand. This makes me realise that I need to stop saying "Oh ill do it later or at this time" no I need to get off my ass and do it then and now or it will start to stress me out and I won'...

 Class Tools https://unity.com{image is unity3D pro and what they are using to make this game and showing how they are using it.}   The technology tools we will be using this year are quite interesting as I have heard of only two which are Canva and Unity3D. I have heard of Unity3D from my favourite video games example PUBG, Rainbow Six Siege and Rust. Other than that I would not have a clue how to use it which is what I'm excited about this year to do. Canva is what I have been using for years for making my collages for my backgrounds for my phone and laptop, so when I saw we will be using it this year I was more than thrilled to use it again and expand my skills. For the other tools, I have not heard of and I am looking forward to using them this year.          

 Assignments  3D game Environment The class assignments this semester are personally my favourite thing to have happen since coming back to campus. These assignments allow us to work for the final grade we want and even allow us to finish early as well. The extra credit options I think are very good and it gives the option for people to catch up on the points or finish early the tech texts peak my interest. I am most intrigued this semester to be creating my own video game even if it's the most simple mechanics in the world the thought of me just making my own game makes me so happy and excited. I have heard of the tool unity 3D from my cousin who is on an animation and computer science course in grangegorman and have heard such great things and cant wait to get started. I am a huge video game fanatic and can't wait to make my own game throughout this semester.