tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84657746254789992092024-03-12T23:23:33.851-07:00Games Artisanhttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.artisan.reddotUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465774625478999209.post-85007590483580191882015-05-31T03:48:00.001-07:002015-05-31T03:48:15.732-07:00TimeThe second part of chapter 1 is taking a lot longer than anticipated, mainly because I have to redo most of the graphics. Perhaps, I should just extend the first part rather than finish the second? This means that I will have to create more rooms and that may take even more time!<br />
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In other news, I have finished polishing the menu and also created a new splashscreen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465774625478999209.post-21106379756760193942015-05-29T07:47:00.003-07:002015-05-31T05:34:31.435-07:00Project 4I present 'Project 4', a game I have been developing for the past week for the BAFTA YGM competition (which I juggled with exam revision), as well as a reintroduction to game production from a year long break. This game will be released in chapters, with the first chapter being primed for the competition and will feature the player as a reticent agent of a extremely secretive society.<br />
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<b>-Plot Development-
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The first chapter introduces the player to the basic concepts in the game such as stealth, hacking and problem solving by tasking the player to retrieve a ominous 'Project Enzine'. Upon retrieval of this secret project, he is swiftly betrayed and wakes up in a home and discovers that he is suffering from amnesia. The agent performs tedious tasks for the family who have taken him into their care, but returns to see their house in chaos and their absence. This is where things take a sharp turn as he regains some his memories and reveals to the player glances of his life - which only add to the mystery of the game. This is where chapter one ends.<br />
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The reasons behind why I decided to choose such a dark plot, is because I wanted to create a game that was not just about the mundane aspects of gameplay, but also about the story behind the setting and character that the player plays as, as well as the characters the player meets. I concluded after brain storming that the most intriguing stories were ones that were dark and those that introduced elements of thriller. But if I wanted to keep the player's interest, I needed to plots mysterious at first, because revealing very little at first means that the player will have to return to find out how the plot develops. This impacted the way I presented the main character as well as hope I developed the plot. For example, the main character wears a scarf-mask which hides his identity from the player and the characters in game, the antagonists of the game are also hidden in the first chapter and the name of the secret organisation is never revealed.<br />
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<b>-Game Development- </b><br />
Having brainstormed and collated ideas for the game, I settled that I should design the game as a 2D sidescroller (it is also a interesting way to present such a game) as I was short of time (1 week) and so I began by creating a system for the player's movements, as well as creating sprites for the main character. This was done by using Photoshop and creating a rig for the character (each limb was created separately); thus allowing me to create different stances for the character easily. I then proceeded to create the first map of the game, which utilised simple graphics in order to work more efficiently. Next, I thought about adding puzzle of some-kind in order to open doors - which developed into the keypad hacking concept. This also allowed the game to be somewhat educational by introducing concepts of programming, more specifically C++, to the player. As ideas for the plot also developed, I implemented a crouching system for stealth, and also implemented other characters that should be avoided (acting as the enemies). The last mechanics to be added to the game were the tutorial, messages and cutscenes which actually conveyed the story to the player. With the basic mechanics and the first part of chapter 1 finished, it will be easier to finish the game in the last 3 days I have left.<br />
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<b>To Do: </b><br />
Chapter 1:<br />
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<ul>
<li><strike>add a settings menu</strike></li>
<li>add a chapter menu</li>
<li>add a save mechanic and load menu</li>
<li>add a introduction cutscene</li>
<li><strike>add an invisible border</strike></li>
<li><strike>add a hint to the second keypad</strike></li>
<li><strike>add a message when alarm starts: 'Damn, the alarms went off, #they've sealed the main exits, find an alternative route out and quick!'</strike></li>
<li><strike>add a message when exiting project enzine and in C1_P5: 'Is that a gangway up ahead? I think it leads to an air vent, it might just be our escape route! Now, all we need to do it find the door that leads there.'</strike></li>
<li><strike>add a message when in C1_P2 without keycard and clicking on maintenance door: 'I've found it!, but it looks like the door requires a maintenance access card, and there isn't a keypad to hack.'</strike></li>
<li><strike>add a message when picking up maintenance keycard: 'Aha, this is a maintenance level key card, without people being so careless, you would be in bigger trouble.'</strike></li>
<li>fix vertices glitch</li>
<li><strike>fix 'acces' typo on second tutorial</strike></li>
<li><strike>change '[shift]' to '[ctrl]' in third tutorial</strike></li>
<li><strike>fix last door so it doesn't open</strike></li>
<li><strike>fix timer on objective completed</strike></li>
<li>finish part 2 of chapter 1</li>
</ul>
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Well, wish me luck!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465774625478999209.post-90825329343129113872014-05-26T10:53:00.002-07:002014-05-26T10:53:36.439-07:00Optimising for Phones!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6BpY14QzCvzxSLK8QMLLESVlvslzxiL6onadZqKS525a5ZV1lwWDvxefbMG8FloUo5AanJF7laWGTFLW749agEJ5VAVaMwr94Z6nFJidCZHA7mr15TmIv_ghwpmnX5VHDmzwmxDNmGya/s1600/Screenshot+6.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6BpY14QzCvzxSLK8QMLLESVlvslzxiL6onadZqKS525a5ZV1lwWDvxefbMG8FloUo5AanJF7laWGTFLW749agEJ5VAVaMwr94Z6nFJidCZHA7mr15TmIv_ghwpmnX5VHDmzwmxDNmGya/s1600/Screenshot+6.PNG" height="149" width="320" /></a></div>
This is a first look at the blue paint and the mechanics which I have implemented in order to better optimise the game for phones. This screenshot had been taken on a computer-executed test. It can be seen that the entire game may not be able to be tested on computers towards the foreseeable future, as it will be less compatible, evident from the skewering of the virtual controls.<br />
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The blue paint's jump enhancing properties can also be seen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465774625478999209.post-87897990780168332782014-05-26T09:01:00.001-07:002014-05-26T09:01:57.672-07:00Teaser<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz3aiU-_w5e37I3rhaVOEhsEnqv-lHuoWq4UebSqejX-5Azq2bVV1oTjaQkmG4Owjz1jCiynU-mda9oaB-K0A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
This video is a little different from the one I submitted for the contest.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465774625478999209.post-6126584391717543132014-05-26T03:18:00.002-07:002014-05-26T03:18:50.566-07:001 Day after submission and changesI have little faith in winning as my submission was no-where near finishing, I only had two levels, all because I had decided to redo the game about 3 times as my ideas changed and my focus changed.<br />
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But anyway, I have just added virtual controls for mobiles into the game, with buttons for colour selection. This should fix the 'Q' and 'E' issue that was used for colour changing previously. I will be uploading screenshots and a video teaser.<br />
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I will also be working on Red Dot over the next week, but I'm returning into exam week after this week has finished.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465774625478999209.post-4154515580421647432014-05-25T16:46:00.000-07:002014-05-25T16:46:55.164-07:00Entry Submitted!Sorry for the two months absence, I have just submitted my entry and will still be continuing development. My absence has been due to a tight schedule from the multitudes of tests which I have had to do.<br />
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Lets get up to speed:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnbhzp5QrO9GjyglyQFQwFazSklGgEO91PxPSrzFzqlhrglWijrjBtibOTJN5zqliDwfIOsh-0HyEynnwB2GXUl2MtbZuAk86mdXY29J4Rq1cNTAfRjX8XXCKXbgUZGsHIiDohZ1woO0q/s1600/Screenshot+1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnbhzp5QrO9GjyglyQFQwFazSklGgEO91PxPSrzFzqlhrglWijrjBtibOTJN5zqliDwfIOsh-0HyEynnwB2GXUl2MtbZuAk86mdXY29J4Rq1cNTAfRjX8XXCKXbgUZGsHIiDohZ1woO0q/s1600/Screenshot+1.PNG" height="149" width="320" /></a></div>
This is the current menu, I've probably spent 6-12 hours working on this. In fact, this is the 3rd version. There currently a single chapter which contains only 2 parts. I will also be working on developing a saving system as the game currently stores no data.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qluXtLABKcJXvwSZbTZ3wIwZCq8wfEhUAdVqU-OuASoDsYHQzkVag29qK1qUEB_RtrMpiYqlRSo5NtdoUTZkQRUCh2lGgJwRrh0zMP9-ZtwO3U4Ax9Out5ihJqf44by7W21Wim-c1olC/s1600/Screenshot+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qluXtLABKcJXvwSZbTZ3wIwZCq8wfEhUAdVqU-OuASoDsYHQzkVag29qK1qUEB_RtrMpiYqlRSo5NtdoUTZkQRUCh2lGgJwRrh0zMP9-ZtwO3U4Ax9Out5ihJqf44by7W21Wim-c1olC/s1600/Screenshot+2.PNG" height="150" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is from the first level and shows the controls for the game, the current iteration of the game has been designed specifically for computers as only computer games can be entered into the competition.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEbNjR3vi98h_ah-4BsyjpY7dK9SyxwFP0QPt9gHl3BlvOzX2lCO9aVaIYlGdH7rabS1lti8MKrlgJFSdsQ7_V-EJWC-gFJpWzwUnPm705LC6OV3X5Qpm75_OO4M_8jK5gkGk62bpEoGe/s1600/Screenshot+3.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEbNjR3vi98h_ah-4BsyjpY7dK9SyxwFP0QPt9gHl3BlvOzX2lCO9aVaIYlGdH7rabS1lti8MKrlgJFSdsQ7_V-EJWC-gFJpWzwUnPm705LC6OV3X5Qpm75_OO4M_8jK5gkGk62bpEoGe/s1600/Screenshot+3.PNG" height="150" width="320" /></a></div>
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There are two features shown in the above, the first being the actual drawing mechanic for the game, and the second being the bucket of paint. The bucket of red paint gives the player the ability of drawing in red, which in turn grants the player the ability to remove parts of the map.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCn1y3u_BM_P3aIyEQxVyRSEIMDd1EoaFqu_WEnVRt1jYM7IYjTvEXYukoAvSTUaVDEU08m-65BpUZfs0qIyx5I3e25yGAND_MfyGjDDSIY0odNFNoBWdFNCGfttLif6dHq4PFG784WiEp/s1600/Screenshot+5.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCn1y3u_BM_P3aIyEQxVyRSEIMDd1EoaFqu_WEnVRt1jYM7IYjTvEXYukoAvSTUaVDEU08m-65BpUZfs0qIyx5I3e25yGAND_MfyGjDDSIY0odNFNoBWdFNCGfttLif6dHq4PFG784WiEp/s1600/Screenshot+5.PNG" height="150" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is from the second level and depicts the red paint at work. There is also a blue paint in the game, but I haven't actually implemented a level to gain it. All the blue paint does is that it allows the player to jump higher by acting as a spring.</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465774625478999209.post-13747585131278433952014-04-05T11:09:00.002-07:002014-04-05T11:09:23.740-07:00More Pencil Hero Concept Art and PlotOver the last few weeks I have be designed a simple story to the game as a spine, this will help develop a better structure towards the future. The plot is simple and involves two major characters, the main player and their nemesis, Dr Grey.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCM-cAhjimcAahmgvt_-MFWln6XxSJIF5-S9EFsxaxbAeD1pVqm5cfYKv0tBzv5dpF7rwlEpQwFyZzIZ8w629mF1ncKYsF2lqfp_iYMMnJ2DyUPbBZLpQHEezPzB-QW85HBane5mKvPv02/s1600/Dr+Grey+3+Big.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCM-cAhjimcAahmgvt_-MFWln6XxSJIF5-S9EFsxaxbAeD1pVqm5cfYKv0tBzv5dpF7rwlEpQwFyZzIZ8w629mF1ncKYsF2lqfp_iYMMnJ2DyUPbBZLpQHEezPzB-QW85HBane5mKvPv02/s1600/Dr+Grey+3+Big.png" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
The game begin with Dr Grey takes over the main setting of the game as he removes colour from the world. This adds a greater objective to the game in which the main character is tasked to recover their world from a dark age created Dr Grey and ultimately end his reign of terror.<br />
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The main character has been redesigned and is currently in a provisional state:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5Xfvw-zf-67UrKPDWlH83k_5yF7umuEw_08Pg19rLz31EiChV0BFU3eBKg5gzvG9-1qunwam4pPXftKMrP0yRWf0Lp62OC_7rbItXdp8rmF8pH5UT4bEzn00bGbP7cSdhzGBNeyNwpg2/s1600/Hero.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5Xfvw-zf-67UrKPDWlH83k_5yF7umuEw_08Pg19rLz31EiChV0BFU3eBKg5gzvG9-1qunwam4pPXftKMrP0yRWf0Lp62OC_7rbItXdp8rmF8pH5UT4bEzn00bGbP7cSdhzGBNeyNwpg2/s1600/Hero.png" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465774625478999209.post-43346363085463817142014-03-30T11:28:00.000-07:002014-03-30T11:28:12.221-07:00Concept Art for Pencil HeroI have been working around the clock to develop some concept art to give myself a kind of idea for I would like to aim for. I have finalised a concept title art; although this is bound to change due to the clash in theme (further explained below).<br />
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<a href="http://i.imgur.com/w9xVo7E.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.imgur.com/w9xVo7E.png" height="98" width="320" /></a></div>
This concept title art is currently extremely basic and does not exactly cohere with the specific theme which I am aiming for; thus either my desired them will change or this artwork will be re-done. The font used for 'PENCIL' looks more like it was scratched on with a fine-liner rather than a pencil.<br />
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The clash is extremely apparant in comparison between the concept title art and the concept art for the main player:<br />
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<a href="http://i.imgur.com/5eRvvoE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.imgur.com/5eRvvoE.png" height="320" width="232" /></a></div>
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After hours of drawing, this was left as a combination of trials to create an original cartoon character. The title art contains a more medieval theme, whilst that artwork for the player relates to a more modern and post-world war theme.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465774625478999209.post-71249105235774203692014-03-30T04:37:00.001-07:002014-03-30T04:37:20.413-07:00Working on a New Game!I have begun working with a new game which is currently named Pencil Hero. The basic concept of the game will involve a main controllable character and the ability to draw on-screen. The game will be targeted for Smart Phones and will be built from the ground up, by scratch. This game may also be entered into the BAFTA Young Game Designers Award 2014!<br />
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I've started by working on the basic drawing system:<br />
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<a href="http://i.imgur.com/ZLZQrTB.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.imgur.com/ZLZQrTB.png" height="176" width="320" /></a></div>
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You can already see that there are a multitude of bugs which need to be fixed before I can even begin working on the other game mechanics.<br />
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These bugs include the application being unable to keep up with the movement of the finger, forcing it to be not as smooth as I would personally like it to be. The second bug also relates to the processing speed as the script is unable to keep up causing the breaks when drawing.<br />
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The only way I've found that has addressed this issue is to have multiple scripts work on this mechanic; although it causes the application to demand more processing power from the phone.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465774625478999209.post-53321406012837276542014-03-28T16:34:00.002-07:002014-03-28T16:37:01.340-07:00Graphics Update Part 2The release of update 2.1.4 is underway and will bring the second part to the graphics overhaul. This update contains graphical and bug fixes, whilst introducing some minor graphical changes. Making the graphics more even is the next big part to the game, to come.<br />
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Again, please post any comments, suggestions and bug reports on the blog or on the Play store!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465774625478999209.post-41829751886335904572014-03-13T13:46:00.001-07:002014-03-13T13:46:30.982-07:00Graphics Update Part 1<b><u>2.1.2 - Graphics update part 1</u></b><br />
Instead of releasing the graphics overhaul in a single update, I've decided to release it in segments. This is the first of four updates which have updated the textures on menu features; although more changes are to come. Some bug fixes have been made, please report more suggestions and bug, thanks!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465774625478999209.post-22492617494248843972014-03-11T13:05:00.002-07:002014-03-11T13:06:52.423-07:00Update 2.1 and 2.2 News<b><u>2.1 - Haptic Feedback</u></b><br />
This is the first large update which integrates the use of vibrations as feedback from the phone. This adds a kind of sense a feel to the game, you will feel the press of the buttons, you will feel the failures and you will rejoice in your successes.<br />
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<b><u>2.2 - Graphics Re-roll</u></b><br />
I have begun redesigning the graphics for the game; although the overall theme will remain the same, the simple solid colours and pixel text.<br />
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A few bug fixes may be released before this update and will fix the bug present from the previous "Haptic Feedback" update.<br />
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Your feedback is greatly appreciated, whether as reviews or on here (currently none).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465774625478999209.post-44554122510818839232014-03-08T14:15:00.000-08:002014-03-08T14:15:03.332-08:00Red Dot - Public Release!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.artisan.reddot"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_Tw_JczDGqZGUO30fCSmc-DtzZTA1PnOseDy9KSMqyaRVb_jlnlozISAWDSzNvkS9CHOBT-tI8Xn_s3vCb8PxIBNdvR2QV-2H3h4P3Uzx9VCrIpBWlyjqBdplP_CMXzrtU0iM65E3_mD/s1600/Feature+Graphic.png" height="195" width="400" /></a></div>
Release on 08/03/14 at 22:08 GMT! Click the image above to see it in the Play Store. More updates to come, please report and bugs!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0