So as I previously mentioned in my entry, This blog is mainly focused on my learning experience with game development. Since we got the introducing stuff out of the way, it is time to reveal what my first project will be.
This project is not assigned by a university, company. This is project is purely to improve and polish up my game development skills that will be used as part of a portfolio piece to pursue a career in games.
The Project Specification:
Since this is going to be my first time on even attempting to create a game it's not going to contain anything impressive like creating a massive space shoot-out battle in unlimited game world. This project will only be small and simple. Ideally this is really just to help me find, gain and understand my workflow when creating a game. Basically getting it nailed down to a T.
For the project, I am only going to create a simple prototype based on a game that is easy to play and should be easy to execute. Most people out there that are getting into game development would usally either programme a "Hello World" message box or even an Arkanoid type game. I'm going to make an attempt on creating a air hockey style game that will use basic physics, keep a score count and include a basic AI function that can move left & right, basically stop the puck from being scored! The game will be controlled with mouse movement and possibly a click function that will allow to nudge the paddle to give that puck extra speed and give the game an authentic feeling of playing a game of air hockey
The game will be using 3D graphics so a 3D games engine will be required for this project, The game engine of my choice that I will be learning will be the "Unity" engine. I hear loads of positive comments about the engine from newcomers to professional users of the software it self. It has often been praised by many others because of how easy it is to learn, use the interface and a strong community support for the engine itself. I've had previous experience with the Unity Engine so I am feeling confident enough to work with it. Speaking of 3D graphics, I will be required to make some assets for the game such as the paddle, puck and the air hockey table itself. The software to create those will be in 3D Studio Max (3DS Max) 2016. I've had 3 years of experience with creating 3D models so this shall be a walk in the park.
Lastly, A game is not just going to function the moment I import the models in, I will also need to wrtie plenty of code for the game to work, Honestly coding is not one of my strong skills as of now but I do a good idea on how to write various instructions and trouble shoot code if something ever went wrong with it. I am not 100% sure what language I will write the game in. I'll most likely use JavaScript since I personally find it more easier to understand what is going on than C# but if need be, I'll have to learn C# myself. I think the most tricky part of the project is attempting to implement simple phyics on to the puck for it to bounce of the side and affect the speed depending on how hard you the puck with the paddle.
Coming To An End:
So we are coming to an end of this entry, I'll be sure to get 3DS Max installed and post some screenshots of the models that I will be making and will get them into the Unity Engine once they are fully ready to do so!
If you have any tips that you would like to share regards on 3D modelling or programming, By all means feel free to post in the comment below!
Also just before you go, My cousin Jack Britain has also wrote his own game engine in C++ for his project and has created a video guide so go check that out! Very impressed with the time slow down and the portal effects. I know I'd be banging my head on the keyboard if it was me so good work Jack! :)
As always, Thank you for reading my entry, Comment below and have a good day everyone! :)
Alex
Lastly, A game is not just going to function the moment I import the models in, I will also need to wrtie plenty of code for the game to work, Honestly coding is not one of my strong skills as of now but I do a good idea on how to write various instructions and trouble shoot code if something ever went wrong with it. I am not 100% sure what language I will write the game in. I'll most likely use JavaScript since I personally find it more easier to understand what is going on than C# but if need be, I'll have to learn C# myself. I think the most tricky part of the project is attempting to implement simple phyics on to the puck for it to bounce of the side and affect the speed depending on how hard you the puck with the paddle.
Coming To An End:
So we are coming to an end of this entry, I'll be sure to get 3DS Max installed and post some screenshots of the models that I will be making and will get them into the Unity Engine once they are fully ready to do so!
If you have any tips that you would like to share regards on 3D modelling or programming, By all means feel free to post in the comment below!
Also just before you go, My cousin Jack Britain has also wrote his own game engine in C++ for his project and has created a video guide so go check that out! Very impressed with the time slow down and the portal effects. I know I'd be banging my head on the keyboard if it was me so good work Jack! :)
As always, Thank you for reading my entry, Comment below and have a good day everyone! :)
Alex
