Intense Session

Hey all,

This morning I arrived to the centre early therefore I continued my U22A1T2. I explained the technology and platforms considered for different types of games and proof read the document file. This then led to me updating my U1A3T2 PDP (personal development plan) where I can proudly say that I have met all the targets set last week. I took this opportunity to create a second table for this week and left it blank for later on.

The lesson then began, in U22A2 we will need a lot of evidence and planning for our games we will be designing such as design specification, pseudocode, datatypes, variables and constants, storyboard, and more! So "Zoetic Zoe" spent time with us refreshing our minds with IF statements and WHILE loop statements. After a few minute, I remembered and quickly got the hang of it as pseudocode is less-complex readable English formatted code for humans to interpret easily.

As we all continued with our own work at different paces, I submitted the first assignment of unit 22 to "Zoetic Zoe". I then went back to U1A3T2 PDP and added new targets. My new targets were to get the written work done first and then create all the assets and code needed to make the game. The deadline was also pushed back and the deadline for the game is due in January. I decided to work hard everyday and get as much done even throughout Christmas holidays as I believe learning Game Maker will be beneficial and easy when it clicks in eventually.

Afterwards, I improved the design specification and added more content within each subheading, explaining the ideas and theories behind my design and choices. I also then moved on and added my pseudocodes (random events in my game that are important). Furthermore, I created an action list (it is similar to a to-do list but it is needed to see what is needed), this helped me visualise that I require other small things such as title screens, game over screens, and more...

During the end of the day, I messed around with GameMaker and managed to get my game progressed just by one percent.. I used the self-study time to make the window-camera to follow my character, this let me create a larger room and zoom into a particular area. I have also started to look at animating my characters but I found out that this will require me to re-create my characters and enemies as it would be super beneficial when each part is separate into different layers.

At home, I plan to get the assets created and designed to prepare for the platform game. There are quite a lot of assets and a lot of time will be consumed into the detail of it. I will then leave the last part of the written content-related work until tomorrow as "Zoetic Zoe" recommended.

Have a good day. For me, it's going to be a nightmare. :)