Recent Developments

I realize that I have neglected this blog somewhat, not due to a lack or work but quite the opposite: Poor management of time has left me concentrating on other modules. My final year project has not been completely left alone, developments have been made.

Design

I have been reading through a book on Game Design; The Rules of Play by Katie Salen and Eric Zimmerman. It is one of the first attempts to study Game Design from a purely academic perspective and formalize a lot of the theory.

An early chapter links the study of Game Design to the creation of logical systems, which game design is, and applies the same standards and processes to both. One of these exercises is the outlining of Games as open or closed systems and states that all Games can be described as open or closed systems (or both) depending on whether the game is framed as a Formal, Experiential or Cultural system. It goes on to advise all designers to think of their game using these three keywords: Rules, Play, Culture.

Taking this idea and applying it in the concept stage as opposed to applying it post-creation I wanted to see what kind of creative applications it could have. Thanks to this approach I have solidified my art style, setting, framing device, other mechanics and implications are made on Level Design as well.

Prototyping

I have a working platforming game in Game Maker which features two characters. Getting used to a completely new engine, language and programming structure has been awkward but there has been a lot of informal help.

Problems at the prototyping stage include a weird bug whereby making my two characters collide renders both of them incapable of jumping. Planned mechanics require that both characters be capable of collision with each other so I am attempting to solve this issue. If I cannot find a solution for next week I will have to abandon such an idea and move on to possible alternatives.

Controlling two characters at once using my planned method (Character one is controlled with W, A and D whilst character two is controlled with Left, Right and Up Arrow Keys) is proving slightly awkward. The ability for characters to 'carry' the other may prove to remedy this situation somewhat however I will not know until the prototype is complete and I can test it.

Other methods of control, both automated and manual should be considered. Maybe a system of distance whereby one character will automatically move to keep up with the other, unless the player controls him otherwise.

This is about all I have to report at the moment. Whilst proving frustrating I am enjoying the challenge of creating a full game.