Ready set Game Jam

THIS IS A BRIEF OF THE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED BEFORE THE GAME JAM

 The Start of this year Game Jam was suddent as none of us were actually prepared, to be honest it wasn't planned but I really wanted to to work in a team and make a game, or at least something playable.

I though to create my own Game Jam at first in Uni with a few of my class mates, but the idea would involve lot of work and I wanted to compete with other people.

My dear friend Jordan, raccomended me to partecipate to a public Game Jam, and hafter visiting the Website, I decided to partecipate to the upcoming monthly Jam.


In about a few days there will be an interesting Jam on Metroidvania, I myself haven't played much of Metroidvenia games, but i'm bit familiar with the genre. 

These games usually feature a large interconnected world map the player can explore, although parts of the world will be inaccessible to the player until they acquire special items, tools, weapons, abilities, or knowledge within the game. Acquiring such improvements can also aid the player in defeating more difficult enemies and locating shortcuts and secret areas, and often includes retracing one's steps across the map. Through this, Metroidvania games include tighter integration of story and level design, careful design of levels and character controls to encourage exploration and experimentation, and a means for the player to become more invested in their player character through role-playing game elements. 

There was only one problem now, finding People for the Jam. I mentioneted it on the Discord Server that i made for the Game Design Course students, looking for students, artists and, desperately looking people who knew how to blueprint.

I spoken to Joshua, one of the recently graduated student and old mine friend, regarding the upcoming event. He was happy to partecipate and contribute towards the Game Jam.


Soon a few of my old friends from uni caught up with me and agreed on working for the upcoming Game Jam.

I talked and chatter over discord and agreed on going back to University the very next day to get more people from my class, Game Design Master, involved in the upcoming project.

I literally spoke to everyone from my Masters, and i was  a bit disappointed on the lack of motivation, yet a few people were interested in experiencing the Game Jam.

I made a list of people that wants to be involved.

There just a few people, including myself. 

In class I spoken to Tim Shaw, he was clearly interested for the Game Jam, me and Tim spent some time brainstorming some ideas:

Later that day, I add everyone on the new sub-channel in the discord server with all the people that wanted to partecipate, for now, i got a small, but determinated squad ready to work and experience an amazing agem jam.

The people were alredy getting along really well, and i'm very happy of managing and leading this team of Game Desiners.

Tim managed to write a reaserch log with important informations.


And Tim also created this


Brainstorm of the ideas

Key elements for the game

  • 3D Graphic in a 2D Perspective
  • Upgrades, Powerups and Gears
  • Platforms, Level Traversal and Exploration
  • Difficulty scaling with the character upgrades


Examples of Games:


Themes and Gameplay

  • Empty Space: Space ship where you can be sucked out into the emptyness of space
  • Corruption: War of the Worlds
  • Alchemy:  Curie themed game, upgrades that also hinder.
  • Time Manipulation: Time travel where each section of the level are different time periods
  • Underground: Dungeon Keeper, Minions beware
  • You are the monster: The thing-themed game
  • Paradox: Tims idea
  • Lush/You are the monster/ between worlds: Jordans Idea
  • Monster: Kill Certain enemies to evolve a specific ability. Killing other enemies reduce progress.
  • Culinary Arts: Kung Fu French Chef

People who Showed Up in the First Meeting 


Team Split up work for first week

Moin: 3D creating main set pieces, parts and components

Josh: Level Design, Blocking out blueprints, testing

Seth: Texturing, concept art, character, Uv , menu, icons, 

Tim: Design, puzzles, layout of environments, reaserch games, make maps, paper plan

Jordan: Blueprints, Rigging, animation, testing


3D Models

Mandragora - game

For the 3d assets i need to create key parts of the levels such as:

  • Character
  • Enemies
  • Platforms
  • Items
  • Collectables
  • Breakables
  • Interactables
  • Levels parts


The Background

Ori and The Will of Wisp


In Ori the background is a stylized art that acts as environment, the character moves across the 2D platforms highlighted with more intesive details.

The background of the game can be 2D or 3D depending on the game style and theme, and also the level of details we can work and put togetehr in this project.

Having a static textured picture as a background would save us a lot of time.


Making various 3D assets would look bit repetitive but give a sense of density for the level.




Creating the assets for the level can be a bit tricky, each one of them has to give the player a "sense of progression and exploration". The level must not be just linear. The player has to traverse in all directions, (with the 2D limitations).


The Character

For the character we need a solid 3D model and good animation

Here an example of a simple effective character for the Metroidvenia.

The character must have upgrades, and make the player feel in control of all the movements across the 2D environment.



Mechanics


Movement

  • dash (simple, multiple) with/out dmg
  • jump (simple, double, high) with/out dmg
  • reset jump on obstacles (like Celeste or lantern jump)
  • wall climbing (walking and/or jump from one wall to another)
  • sliding / gliding
  • speed booster / shinespark (Metroid)
  • boost dash (like Hollow Knight crystal heart)
  • platform grip / whip grip / magnet grip (Ori)
  • flying


Active

  • Invert upside/down
  • Phase transitioning (like in Outland with blue and red obstacles)
  • Time freeze (Touhou Luna Nights)
  • Creating blocs or platforms
  • Body detachment for reaching purposes (Dead Cells)
  • Healing/regeneration (Ori/HK)
  • Transformation (Guacamelee)
  • Weapons
  • Placing down objects
  • Placing interactable platforms


Passive

  • Skill three
  • Ability that regenerates health
  • Passive to restore over time energy or other resources
  • Unlock other abilities (climbing, grabbing, )





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Coral Cove

Image
Me and my friends from 10th Percent Studios were discussing about working on a new game, we haven't made anything since last spring, so we discussed ideas and mechanics for a brand new game, set on a tropical island. 10th Percent Studios presents Coral Cove Set foot on the shores of Coral Cove, a once-thriving paradise now shrouded in an ominous mist that conceals the island's tragic past. As the lone adventurer, your quest is to uncover the truth behind the ancient curse that has befallen this land. The island's beauty is juxtaposed with eerie landscapes, abandoned settlements, and treacherous dungeons that echo with the whispers of the forgotten. Coral Cove is a 3rd person RPG that combines the atmospheric exploration of Zelda: Ocarina of Time with the unforgiving challenge of Dark Souls. Embark on an journey where every step unveils secrets, every challenge tests your mettle, and every discovery pushes you deeper into the heart of darkness. Solve intricate puzzles and de
Read more

3D Weapon Workflow

Image
This is my guide, using my workflow to create a 3D Model for a weapon by starting from a concept idea. We will require the use of these specific software's: Autodesk Maya  (low Poly mesh),  ZBrush  (high poly mesh), and  Substance 3D Painter  (baking and textures). Then importing the final product into a game engine, in this case Unreal Engine 5 . Autodesk Maya I usually work with Autodesk Maya to build my base model from scratch, this software can be challenging for beginners, it will require knowledge and skills to be used efficiently. ZBrush This is probably the most challenging software to use, it took me sometime to get use to the interface, in my advice is best to use a drawing tablet and a pen for ZBrush. ZBrush can also be an optional step, because you can actually create the High Poly version in Maya.  ZBrush allows us to add details and sculpt our models, it is great for more complex meshes. Substance 3D Painter Once both versions of the model are completed we can move on
Read more

The Laboratory Game Mechanics

 Mechanics Combat system Mixed Melee and Ranged weapons Switch between melee and ranged weapon, unused weapon shows on the character's back Weapon switching (animation)  Aim offsets for ranged weapons Bullet/melee impact sounds and VFX Health system for player and enemies Enemy AI Enemy Death, New Enemy Spawn Interface, Main Menu, UI, Icons, Bullet Counters, Health Bar The Game Must Be Playable with Xbox Controller Player Stats These are visible on the interface, The player can see the Health Bar (Red) and Stamina Bar (Green). The player will be able to see the Ammunition of Rifle Pick up (white number). These are presented very simplistically by two different Bars parallel to each other. Health Player has a health bar showed displayed in Red. The player can pick Up Health Pack, these will fully heal the player. Player will take Damage when falling from heights. Falling into Jump Pads will not cause any Damage to the Player. Player will take increased damage when the Stamina Bar is
Read more