Roberto's Bloggerino

B00089106 Robert Byrne Brimage I read about stories in video games.  "Level 8 games and art" questioned "Can games be art?" Fun is not detrimental in having a purpose within a game. A game can be successful without being fun. Other objectives can come before fun. i.e Strategy or story-telling. Many games are simple and small in scope, which gives designers an opportunity to flaunt their skills and establish themselves in the game development world. --------------------- "What every game developer needs to know about story" Talks about how important story is to a game. Story is conflict and intrigues and interests the audience. *Side note* Story is in my opinion becoming less important as gaming is now more accessible due to mobile devices being a gaming platform of their own. Companies are just developing them without story, but more of an addictive high score subject area. Classic Story structures include: Introducing the hero.  Th

Robert Byrne Brimage B00089106 Week 7 was about "game fun" Game Fun is a nice way of saying "Learning". The aim of Game fun is to out the player in a Flow state ... known as fun. My reading was "Level 7: Kinds of Fun". Different kinds of fun and how they're thought about in video game development in order to make a game fun. In order to make a game fun, it would be wise in development to incorporate the following: Sensation  - A game that takes into thought the potential visual and audible side. an example of this would be the game ABZU. Fantasy - Games are a great medium for make - belief games. These can be more interesting to than the real world alternative. E.G. Skyrim Narrative - A game can have an interesting story that makes the game fun if it is done right. E.G. Red Dead Redemption, John Marston, the protagonist's goal is to return to his wife and son and meets amazing characters along the way. Challenge - A challenging game

Robert Byrne Brimage Just completed my GDD. Excited to start development. Below is the link to my GDD. https://www.dundoc.com/project/4835/pzn5hu7jx

Robert Byrne Brimage B00089106 In this weeks Unity Tutorial we covered a good variety of pieces and finally learned about houses. Not the interiors. But the exteriors. I needed this for my game as I plan on making a 1916 Easter Rising set educational game. Image Info Anyway what was covered in Video 1 was: Sky-boxes, lighting and wind-zones. All are important to a game and not as hard as it may seem to make and use. Sky-boxes can be found ready to alter in the asset store. You download them and manipulate them when you add them. Finding one that suits your games style and setting is important. E.G. I would look for a skybox that is more murky and gritty. Lighting can be used VIA the sliders that are available and the color wheel. The color wheel is a handy addition. You can also include the #F0000 numbers to accurately find the color you're going for. Wind affects all trees, grass, shrubs and all that green kinda stuff, the way you use the wind is by giving the assets tha

Robert Byrne Brimage B00089106 This weeks reading consisted of learning about the relationship between player and system. This sets video games apart from traditional media. You deal with flow theory and decision making as a systems designer. A games coziness translates as how strong a game can evoke the feeling of safety, softness and abundance. A game that comes to mind for me when I think of these feelings is: Nintendogs for the Nintendo DS. A game about caring for dogs. There is no losing in this game. When considering safety, there will be no danger or risk. No losing is implemented in the game. Abundance means there is quality in the content that is present. Softness refers to the game using a strong aesthetic environment and letting players know they are in a stress free game. There are bad decisions that can be made in a game. These are: Meaningless decisions, they have no effect on game play... therefore meaningless. Obvious decisions: where the decision should at least

Robert Byrne Brimage B00089106 How are we doing folks? Good progress in this weeks tutorial. Was a bit of a confusing one took some extra time to look at the changing the scales for the animations and such ANYWAY this is what my studying consisted of. Finding a new cross-hair for the game, Using letters such as E as the interaction to pick up the collectible. I'll need his for my game for sure. I'd call it the "ACTION" button. Making the cross hair wasn't too difficult to follow on through, Johnny Vegas does a good job for beginners. Coding the sound pickup was difficult but I believe it's a step that needs understanding, in modern games it's important to go the extra mile for the basics of modern games with collectibles. Working on the environment is something I'm comfortable with, landscaping it quite enjoyable to do. Reminds me of when I used to play the SIMS and make extravagant houses with hills and mountains... but a bit more difficult.

Robert Byrne Brimage B00089106 This weeks reading material consisted of a brief description with information mostly on board games, This will of course benefit my digital game as both need to function as a game. Board games came first therefore there is a lot to learn from them to make your digital games better. Use colors to distinguish items, However choose wisely... picking red and orange in a video game could be detrimental to the user experience. Both colors are similar and different screens show colors differently. Using Red or green however would be more successful. Also, if it isn't broke don't fix it. Make different components distinct from one another. Use a legible and distinguishable font. Photo Info Avoid Clutter, keep the game neat as possible. From reading about the box , I take that the NAME and the BOX art similar with video game cover art both need to be appealing. I will use examples for this. DOOM has a very cool name, but the box art is also eye

Robert Byrne Brimage B00089106 Let's get straight into this, the game I am aiming for is an "Informative Learning Action Adventure Game" a tongue twister, I know however is it accomplish-able? YES. The informative learning comes from my ambitions to make the game about the 1916 Irish Easter Rising. The game will follow the story of the Irish Rebels fighting for freedom. It will include IMPORTANT Landmarks and Influential iconic names. pic info Originally I had planned to go through the entire 19th century of Irish History however after the class meeting in which we discussed our ideas I thought upon the potential high detail levels I could achieve if I focus my work on one period in Irish history. The reasoning behind choosing the Easter Rising is due to family history and I also have a lot of interest in it. The other side of my reasoning is because I can make the user experience it and walk through the landmarks such as the GPO, O'Connell street, Cross the

Robert Byrne Brimage B00089106 The MDA Framework consists of Mechanics, Dynamics & Aesthetics . They are casually linked. MDA is a taxonomy for models, There must be knowledge of the interactions between the MDA framework. Properties of good models include: Formal wee defined. Abstract Widely applicable. Proven Known to work. There is more to "fun" What type of fun in particular is present. Different games pursue multiple aesthetics of fun. For Example... Quake and Final Fantasy are both FUN games. However Quake gives: Challenge, Sensation, Competition, Fantasy Whilst FF gives Fantasy, Narrative, Expression, Discovery, Challenge, Masochism. Fun has different mediums. Mechanic Dynamic and Aesthetic compliment each other. You need to have all three to keep the user happy. There is more than meets the eye once again. An excellent read that I was not aware of.

Robert Byrne Brimage B00089106 Unity tutorials part 2 consisted of C#, a healthy amount of coding, balancing mechanics with textures. Picking up Gems is an important part for me as I'm focusing on an adventure game set within a period of Irish History that is yet to be decided. Working with water looks quite fun too! Mario 64 "Collectible" screen. (What I would LOVE to have) http://uk.businessinsider.com/nintendo-64-van-2017-4?r=US&IR=T

Robert Byrne Brimage B00089106 Good article explaining all elements needed to make a game, a good game. Mario 64 was an excellent example to showcase all elements within a game. Every user plays Mario 64 differently, this game allows the user to do this. It has consistency yet always keeps us entertained due to abstract level design and characters and level goals. But if Mario eats a STAR then he will always get the same power-up and become invincible. The user can predict this and choose to play this way or to not play this way. A quote I'm going to hold onto is: STORY:  The narrative thread, whether designer-driven or player-driven, that binds events together and drives the player forward toward completion of the game. I love this quote, it's simple and so obvious but brought a light towards in my opinion the most important part of game that is mainly about adventure. Which is possibly what I am going to try to do this year. Another message I have taken from the

Robert Byrne Brimage B00089106 I enjoy a wide variety of games so my interest is not in a particular genre, During the first lecture I found out that we will be making a game and the first thought that came to me was a: 1: A retro plat former game.  The visuals in this game would be made in a way they seem 8bit or 16bit, I'd like for the game to not only be fun but also LOOK fun. I'd have the user platform upwards in the level instead of moving forwards or sideways. Enemies would be located here and there however the main obstacle would be for the player to successfully jump from one plat form to another without falling and dying from fall-damage. Playing as an alien each goal of each level would be for the alien to return to his spaceship. When successful you get a different voice line each time congratulating the user and the alien does a cool pose to celebrate the win. 2. A First-Person shooting game.  The player must blast his way though thugs and villains and

Robert Byrne Brimage B00089106 The tutorials are great. Very Informative and easy to follow and understand. I'll mention again, I do have some previous experience which probably does help with the layout and navigation of unity. Understanding the basics is definitely the most valuable reason to watch and use the tutorials. Changing the color and blending the textures was something I did not know how to do, very easy to do after watching the tutorials so I am pleased with that. Working along with the videos is good. I had the tutorials playing on my smart TV whilst using my ASUS K501U Gaming Laptop for unity. It's a nice way to get work done I feel as if I am learning whilst I do this, I felt positive after it and it only took an hour to complete. Over all I'm happy with the lessons and tutorials! Pretty excited now to see the brief for our first assignment! I was surprised to see that a very popular game developed by Blizzard Entertainment use Unity to make Hearth

Robert Byrne Brimage B00089106 What is a game? In my own words I believe a game to be an enjoyable experience that one or more users can entertain themselves with. There are many types of games, in the modern day a game is referred to a digital video game in which the user can play via a joystick/controller. This type of game has become the 2nd most popular form of media behind music. However a game can also be a physical form of entertainment e.g playing chasing, playing football or a different sport. A type of game that is now at it's least popular is a board game e.g Monopoly. What I am trying to get at here is that a game, can entertain the user no matter the form of media. Video games are now made to simulate the physical "real life" game or the board game, most normally found on a modern smart phone. A modern successful game found on your phones app store would be a euro-style game. A euro-style game is a pacific game, the user does not have frustration and is

Robert Byrne Brimage B00089106 I'm confident with both MAC and Windows, I know how to use a computer efficiently. Adobe suite programs come easy to me as I have studied them previously. Blogging is a new tool to me, It will take some time to become efficient at and to add to my routine. Bookmarking I have been doing for a while, It;s a great way to keep all your frequent web pages one click away. Folders should always be used for bookmarks, keeps things tidy and easier to use. I'm proficient with image editing software. I've been using image editing, altering and cropping to change the aspect ratio for a good while now. Making graphics is what I specialized on in my work experience, I found it enjoyable, experimenting with sketches and producing mock pieces is a nice job to have. Working with clients is the hard part. I am yet to use a padlet, But I'm aware of the greater quality of work that can be achieved with a padlet. In my former course, I used Unity3D,

Robert Byrne Brimage B00089106 The Flexibility provided for the students to earn additional credit and to make up for poor performances is a good way to run the course. Some students have other matters to look after whilst studying full time, this is just a great way to relief stress and a way to portray the students full potential ability. It makes a lot of sense for us to be able to make up for points lost. I'm happy we have the ability to do this. LINKS https://www.pinterest.ie/pin/488218415836132497/?lp=true

Robert Byrne Brimage B00089106 I was not expecting to read upon and study Growth Mindset coming into Second Year. This is an excellent subject to read up on. Very Regularly we become content when we succeed at a certain level this isn't good enough in this growing industry, I am an individual who never settles for a certain skill level. I like to become better at what I choose to put my mind and time and effort into. I chose this image due to the quote. Going through challenges is important in growing as a person and as a student. I think of playing the guitar with this quote. It looks so easy but it's an extremely patient experience full of hurdles where consistency is key in the success. Being adamant for growth is a vital skill to have. 

Robert Byrne Brimage B00089106 CDM Y2 I am am enthusiastic student who wants to achieve the best possible outcome from finishing this course. I am motivated to produce excellent work in all my subjects. Coming to College is always good for me, I enjoy putting the work in. I have a few hobbies, my main hobby is music, I like to relax and relieve stress by playing my guitar for a few hours every day. I do some acting as well as college and work part time to earn some money. I get good enjoyment from my hobbies, when stress builds up they help me out a lot. During college I live in my second home, my Nan and Granddads, On the holidays I return home to Dunleer in Co. Louth, I moved out there a year a go. Big change moving from Dublin to the country side but it is certainly for the better. I'm lucky I have my second home so close to college. What I enjoyed last year the most was making videos, I find I'm very good at editing and directing.  I have a daily morning ritual of

Week01 Robert Byrne Brimage B00089106 Very happy with the introduction to the course. I was excited when I discovered we will be developing a game, as I have previous experience with UNITY due to a course I did in the past. During that course I found the game making and engine very easy to use and grasp, and as an extra it was fun!   In my previous course we were not in groups whilst making the game so I did as I pleased, I would be skeptical over working in groups to make a game simply because I am unaware of how two or more people could work on the same game at the same time on different computers, with different game design philosophies. Wouldn't there need to be similarities in the game to make it more professional? Nevertheless I am very excited to develop this game whether I will be working in a group or doing it by myself. I am happy with the independence giving to me during this course. The trust you put on us to do the work independently is good, I think the i

This summer I played through a game that held my attention from beginning to end. The last time this was the case was 2010 with Red Dead Redemption. I'm very picky when it comes to gaming. This game was not my normal kind of game as I usually play FPS action games. However, I am so happy I chose to give this game a shot! Ghost of a Tale is a fantastic adventure in which you play as a mouse in a world of rats who are out to get you! The story revolves around doing many quests in order to one day find your wife. Ghost of a Tale is a visually appealing game. Made by SeithCG, made using Unity Engine. This is an action role-playing game suitable for all ages. The Level design is genius. There are no loading screens. The Entire game playable area is cleverly all one area with intricate leveling and transport from one area to another. The game story was fun as I had to fulfill quests for other characters in order to receive valuable information to progress in the story.

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