Homework 5

Homework 5
Assigned: Oct. 1, 2015
Due: Oct. 8, 2015

In this homework, we ask each of you to create a blueprint that will does something useful for your game. In your blog, please include snapshots of the blueprint, of the constructor (if used), of your object within the game, and an explanation of its planned use.

The blueprint should contain at a minimum the following components:

1) a static mesh  [20 pts]
2) one or more arithmetic operators [20 pts}
3) the blueprint must transform the object in some way (scale, translate, rotate) [20 pts]

We will assign 20 pts for the writeup and 20 pts for the images you include.

Team Homework 1

Team homework: video
Assigned: Thur. Sept. 24, 2015
Due: Thur. Oct. 1, 2015

 This is the first video team assignment. In this assignment, the team will create a narrated video the presents the status of their game. This might include a description of the game, showing some assets, describing what you have done, any demo of mechanics, artwork? You might state problems you are encountering. The video must be at least 5 min long, but no longer than 10 min. Describe the four elements of the tetrad as it applies to your game. Please state in your blog, specific contributions of each team member, and expected contributions in the following week.

Class Participation 3

Create a landscape plan (on paper)
Assigned: Tue. Sept. 22, 2015
Due: Tue. Sept. 29, 2015

 It is time to create a landscape. Layout a plan on paper, with mountain, pathways, rivers/lakes, or whatever you see as consistent with our class game. Add approximate dimensions if you can. Take a picture of your layout and put it on your blog, AND send it to Danial and I.

Class Participation 2: asset generation

Class Participation: asset generation
Assignment due: Tue. Sept. 15, 2015

 We will need props and assets for the game. Using Blender, or any other modeling software, or search the web for assets. You will need to provide the asset in FBX format. The asset must be compatible with the class game. State its intended use, and provide a description of the asset in your blog. Include a picture. Include how it was generated, or the source (URL). Make sure there are no copyrights if you download an asset from the web. Assets should be relatively simple, and have less than 1000 polygons or triangles.

Homework 3: The Tetrad

Homework 3: The Tetrad
Due: Thursday Sept. 17, 2015

Now that you have an initial storyline, follow what we have done in class and apply it to your own game. Discuss each element of the Tetrad (Story, Technology, Art, and Mechanics) and how each element relates to the other elements. Suggest a minimal prototype for your game that if implemented would convey the essential elements of your game. Chapters of use in the book (2nd edition) are 4 (Venue), 5 (Tetrad), 12 (Mechanics), 17 (Story), 20 (Characters), 21 (Spaces).

Class Participation Opportunity 1

Class Participation Opportunity 1

Provide a backdrop storyline for the 3D platforming game we will develop.
Assume this storyline would be on the back of a CD. Put the story on the blog and email Danial Smith and myself that you have done so.

For each story accepted, you get one point towards your final grade. Remember that you can accumulate 20 points maximum (maximum of two points per week).

Homework 2 (Flesh out your game)

Homework 2: Flesh out your team game
Assigned: Tue. Sept. 1, 2015
Due: Tue. Sept. 8, 2015

In the following week, find the time to meet with your team, in person, or via some other means, and discuss the game you'd like to make during this class. Follow a process similar to what we did for the class game.

Answer the following questions:

1. What type of game will you be creating?  [25 pts]
2. What is the quintessential experience you'd like the users to feel? [25 pts]
3. What is the theme of your game? [25 pts]
4. Provide an initial storyline [25 pts]

(Please write at least one paragraph for each question. The homework is a team effort, to be answered in your game document.)

Feel free to include hand-drawn images, or images downloaded from the web for inspiration (in which case, you must provide your source to avoid loss of points.)

To learn more about experience and theme, read the following chapters from the Book of Lenses:

Chapter 2: The Designer Creates an Experience
Chapter 6: The Elements Support a Theme.

Homework 1: first blog entry and software installation

Homework 1: First Blog Entry

Assigned: Tue. Aug. 25, 2015

Due: Tue. Sept. 1, 2015

Your first assignment is:

• Create a Blog at http://www.blogspot.com
• email the name of the blog to the gerlebacher@fsu.edu and das10c@my.fsu.edu
• Put gd2015 in the subject of the email so that I may easily find it
• create a video with voiceover (your own voice) describing the content of the video (using for example Open Broadcaster Software)
• upload this video to YouTube and copy the link into your blog
• alternatively, embed the video directly into the blog.
• Provide a description of this video in writing in the blog. 
• Create a second blog entry that contains one or more images created by you. Include descriptions of each image in the blog entry. 
• Find two games that you particularly like, provide links to them in the blog and state what you like about them.
• Install the following software onto your computer: 
• Unreal version 4.8
• Gimp (or another software to manipulate images. Might be used for format conversion and texture manipulation)
• Audacity (for sound editing and format conversions. Alternatives are also accepted.)
• Blender version 4.75 (in case modeling is required)
• You can use information at the following two links to help you out: 
• http://fsugd.blogspot.com/p/useful-links.html
• http://fsugd.blogspot.com/p/blender-resources.html

Grading: 

• Blog entry 1, maximum grade: 40
• Blog entry 2, maximum grade: 40
• Description of the two games: maximum grade: 20
• Software installation: no grade. 

Bring your computer to class so you that we can work on Blender together.