Games Design
Week 1: Our first week of Games Design has ended with us forming teams, being given a list of tasks to complete, starting a blog and leaving the class room with heads buzzing with ideas.
Our job list for next week is :
. Agree on a way to communicate
. Discuss the module tasks and what needs to be done for the assessment
. Delegate jobs on the project
. Discuss and record a plan
. Set up our own blog and add entries
So far I am really liking the sound of this module, the design aspect of Games Development sounds quite interesting and also the fact that we are getting taught how to pitch a game will be of immeasurable value once we get into the industry. How you pitch your game will be the making or breaking of it so learning how to do this will help in prospering as a games student.
Without a doubt this module will be fun and challenging because it is easy to say "I want a game with cowboys and superpowers and X and X ...." But reigning that in and creating something that will be a good game will be challenging because everyone has their own idea of what their dream game will be. I even have dreams of an MMO game that will be fueled by the players completely, meaning that the economy, shops, cities and landscape are all shaped by how people act in the in game world.
For me a game should, most importantly, focus on how the game plays and if it will be enjoyable. You can have a game that will have spectacular graphics, amazing sounds and a good plot but if the gameplay is lacking and doesn't engage the player then really you haven't achieved what you set out to do. For me sound is a massive part of games as it is pivotal to making or breaking a game. In a horror game you will want to hear creaking of wood or dripping of pipes whilst a subtle orchestral soundtrack plays in the background. You won't want to be listening to a great fantasy score when running from a demon or ghost. Since I love the soundtracks to films, games and TV shows I feel that having a good soundtrack will give a game a better atmosphere.
Graphics aren't necessarily everything in a game. Look at the most recent example of Minecraft. That has very simple graphics but they are meant to be in that design and the game works well with them being in that fashion. As long as a game will look the way it has been designed to and it will have a good synergy with the look and gameplay people will enjoy it (hopefully). An example of a game that has stunning visuals is any of the Crysis games. They look pretty and are vibrant and colourful making them, in my opinion, memorable.
I hope that by doing this group work that I will be able to 1. find my own strengths and faults 2. forge a good solid understanding of the strengths and faults of my group so that in years down the line perhaps we can work together and do this sort of project for real and create a game as a small company or just a group. Either way I look forward to using the skills that I will get from this module.
So far I am really liking the sound of this module, the design aspect of Games Development sounds quite interesting and also the fact that we are getting taught how to pitch a game will be of immeasurable value once we get into the industry. How you pitch your game will be the making or breaking of it so learning how to do this will help in prospering as a games student.
Without a doubt this module will be fun and challenging because it is easy to say "I want a game with cowboys and superpowers and X and X ...." But reigning that in and creating something that will be a good game will be challenging because everyone has their own idea of what their dream game will be. I even have dreams of an MMO game that will be fueled by the players completely, meaning that the economy, shops, cities and landscape are all shaped by how people act in the in game world.
For me a game should, most importantly, focus on how the game plays and if it will be enjoyable. You can have a game that will have spectacular graphics, amazing sounds and a good plot but if the gameplay is lacking and doesn't engage the player then really you haven't achieved what you set out to do. For me sound is a massive part of games as it is pivotal to making or breaking a game. In a horror game you will want to hear creaking of wood or dripping of pipes whilst a subtle orchestral soundtrack plays in the background. You won't want to be listening to a great fantasy score when running from a demon or ghost. Since I love the soundtracks to films, games and TV shows I feel that having a good soundtrack will give a game a better atmosphere.
Graphics aren't necessarily everything in a game. Look at the most recent example of Minecraft. That has very simple graphics but they are meant to be in that design and the game works well with them being in that fashion. As long as a game will look the way it has been designed to and it will have a good synergy with the look and gameplay people will enjoy it (hopefully). An example of a game that has stunning visuals is any of the Crysis games. They look pretty and are vibrant and colourful making them, in my opinion, memorable.
I hope that by doing this group work that I will be able to 1. find my own strengths and faults 2. forge a good solid understanding of the strengths and faults of my group so that in years down the line perhaps we can work together and do this sort of project for real and create a game as a small company or just a group. Either way I look forward to using the skills that I will get from this module.
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