All About Mimi

Games MDA Games MDA This week we are talking about Game Mechanics, Dynamics and Aesthetics framework. It is the most accepted game design. It was designed by Robin Et Al. MDA framework helps designers consider the players perspective as well as their own. This encourages experience-driven design. Aesthetic - "describes the desirable emotional responses evoked in the player, when she interacts with the game system". Aesthetics focus on what makes a game enjoyable in great detail. Through direct vocabulary eg. discovery, challenge, expression, a designer can understand what about their game is "fun". Dynamics - "describes the run-time behaviour of the mechanics acting on player inputs and each othersí outputs over time".Dynamics work to create an aesthetic experience eg. adding time pressure to a game creates the aesthetic experience 'Challenge'. Mechanics - describes the particular components of the game, at the level of data representation and algo

  Game Idea Research For my game, I have chosen to focus on my firefly idea. As a recap, the firefly idea is a game where the aim of the game is to fill a map by exploring a dark location with only a fireflies light to illuminate your surroundings. Upon thinking on it further I have thought up some more ideas to develop on the game. The aim of the game is, as we know, to fill a map. I needed to know if that was possible for a beginner programmer. I have already found a mini-map to watch my motion. I found a video showing how to make a  map showing the location  here . I then researched how to make a firefly. Unfortunatly I could only find a video tutorial on  how to make multiple fireflies  not just one. I did however find  this video  onhow to make an immersive light which I hope will do the trick. video game spider With the game objective made all that was needed was an antagonist or some way to lose the game. since the area will be dark I was hoping to add some spiders because they

 Unity Tutorial 2 With week two's tutorial, I can finally see the skills needed for me to create my very own game. I've made quite the improvement with last week's sample game. This week I learned how to move my vehicle left to right and forward and backwards. I enjoyed seeing the game come together nicely and had fun  playing with the car during the previews.   Keyboard arrow I had some issues with the code. I had misspelt forward and it took me some time to realise my error.  Other than that my tutorial went smooth. The last thing I had to do was organise my work, that was an easy enough task. During the task, I noticed how handy having notes in my code would be. I appreciate that feature a lot!  The tutorials are becoming easier to understand and follow. I use my phone to read the tutorial instead of switching from window to window. I find it easier to stay focused when I don't have to close and reopen my tab. I am feeling more confident with Unity the more I practic

 Game elements L earning about game elements made me realise how complex a simple game can be .  Game elements are the components  that make up a game.  I learned that there is no set in stone description of what a game is. They came up with common themes when describing a game.  Some  of the themes would be, a set of rules, a goal, conflicts and decisions that lead to  an uncertain outcome.  Next, the blogger writes about 'atomic elements', a term I first heard today. They are named as such because when isolated they are the smallest parts of a game that can be studied individually. There is no exact definition for an atomic element but once you look at each element a theme starts to form. This helps game designers know what they need to build their very own game. Atomic Elements      Players         Resources Player     Interaction  Objectives      Game State         Theme               Rules         Information       Games as systems Game elements Critical Analysis studies p

Gamestorming This week was particularly difficult to complete. As I've said in other blog posts, I'm not that equated to games. So I had to do some research just to see what was possible with Unity .  This really helped with the brainstorming process, having an idea of what was possible gave me a clear view of what I might base my project on.  Idea One, My first idea is to create an escape room.  An escape room is basically a game where you try to escape a room or any space through clues. You usually have to complete a number of tasks to escape. I searched if that was possible through Unity and found this video on Youtube. I brainstormed some ideas such as basing my rooms in a shopping centre closed for the night. I feel that would give me flexibility with themes for the rooms. I could have a room in a fitness shop with sport themed tasks. I could then have a room in the canteen with food based tasks.  Idea two, My second idea would be more aesthetic focused. A game where y

Unity Tutorial 01 "Unity3D" Pintrest This week's tasks are the first of my modules to really challenge me. I am only on week three and the workload has increased significantly. For my task I was to complete three unity tutorials . Although difficult, these tasks were fun to complete. After the long and tiring process of downloading Unity3D and Visual Studio, I made a student account and got to work. The first thing I was taught was to position the vehicles and obstacles that were provided in the asset folder pack. Next I learned how to use the cursor and keys to change my  perspective of the game. I then learned how to add movement with Visual studio. I could add weight onto the objects and alter the speed of my vehicle. I also was taught how to change the camera angle of the game and how to have the camera follow the game.  I enjoyed working on the test game. It was a new experience that will hopefully lead to a new skill. I did however have some difficulty with the

Game Design  During this week's reading task I read the "Four Basic Methods For Generating Ideas" article. The article speaks on how to improve your abilities in producing ideas with four techniques the writer has chosen to focus on. The first technique is Concentration. The writer states that a study shows that “ any changes in the environment positively affect the generation of ideas”. They also believe curiosity is the key to creativity. Just changing a small routine can aid you to come up with fresh new ideas. Game design Technique two is Brainstorming. Although basic, brainstorming is an effective way to generate ideas and is used heavily in the industry. Next Scamper. This method has its own subset of techniques e.g. Substitute (replace something in an existing project), Combine (Mix two existing genres) and Adapt (update old mechanics to new Technologies). The last technique is considered the hardest, The Ramsey method. For this method you collect the maximum amou

Time Strategies  I've always had issues with time management, the only time I am punctual is when I am being depended on, usually that means group projects. To my advantage this year has quite the few group projects in the curriculum. I will, though, have to shape up on my punctuality for the modules that don't, luckily this week's tasks will teach me a few things about time management. Time Pixabay The article I chose to read  11 ways unsuccessful people mismanage their time . I found it very enlightening. It begins by saying "time management can help determine our success" which I believe is true, leaving work till last minute can lower the quality of your work and waste the time spent leaving it with an air of anxiousness. Although I was familiar with the ways in which people mismanage their time, it was still important for me to read them out loud. A really useful tip given was to make rituals. Having activities not work related spread out throughout the day c

Assignments For this assignments I was introduced to the type of work I will be doing in my labs and for homework. There were a total of five core assignment types and five extra credit. It will be mandatory to do tasks like reading, Unity3D tutorials, commenting on my peers blogs, a project and giving project feedback. For some extra credit I will have the option of tech tasks, Wikipedia trials, growth mindset blogs, HEART blogs and extra commenting.  Blog pixabay I am already familiar with the reading tasks as they were the first ones I've been introduced to. The second task is working with Unity3D which I haven't done before, I look forward to learning the new skills. thirdly I will be reading and commenting on peoples blogs. I am exited with this because I enjoy looking at other peoples work to aid the development in mine. Next for the semester i will work on my own project. Lastly I will be giving  in-depth feedback on other peoples project. I am nervous for this tasks as

 Technology For todays task and lab I was to learn about different tools that could help me with my modules throughout the academic year. All the tools i learned about will be useful widgets apps and shortcuts that will aid my online work. Laptops Pixabay Firstly Blogging, I'm obviously  not unfamiliar with blogging as this is a blog right here. I used this time to learn about blogs to  visit other accounts from my peers. Blogging is new to me as I have only just started it last year but it will be nice to be aware of where others are at through the semester. secondly Bookmarking, I am familiar with bookmarking and have been using it for years now. It is a really efficient tool to use because it's quick and easy. A tool similar would be Grouping. Grouping is a tool on chrome where you can group different tabs together and minimise the amount space your tabs take up.  I have just signed up for a Unity3D account and Inoreader I have no use for them yet but will be exploring them