Studio 1 -3

Studio 1

• Make a list of all the computer games you are familiar with
  
• List the games by genre: FPS, role-play (MMORPG), arcade, etc.


• As a group, rate the games 1-5
  
• Identify the game concept. This just means the top level idea of the game
  

Studio 2

• Look back at the definition of the games concept you came up with last week.


• Work on the definition to explain what is distinctive i.e. different, original, etc, and exciting about the game


• Think about the game in more detail and specify how the different parts of the game are impacted by the concept


• Do the same thing but for what team members would be needed.

Studio 3

• Produce use cases for each game. It should include player input, game object interaction, display system and game audio interaction.

Tekken

Genre: arcade, beat-em-up
Group rating: 2 – Excellent

A classic arcade style beat-em-up in which the player selects a character from a line-up and fights competitively in the Tekken tournament against other artificial intelligence fighters. From kung fu to kickboxing, each character sports an individual fighting style. Use the joypad to master their moves and win the championship to unlock new characters or challenge a friend in a blood-shedding two-player brawl.

The concept mentions use of characters. Therefore a concept artist will be needed to create rough prototypes on each character to outline how they will appear. This can be done with pencil and pad, computer software, etc.

Once the designs are complete a 3D modeler (or graphics programmer) will be needed to transform the designs into a three-dimensional mesh of triangles and polygonal shapes so that they can later be rendered and enhanced further. This is usually done with a special software program such as 3D Studio Max and it allows the modeler to add, subtract and alter details to the mesh.

When the models are built they will be ready for animation. This is about temporarily describing how the model will move and change over time.

As the concept above outlines, Tekken features a diverse set of characters, each with an individual style of fighting. I would therefore involve motion capture into the animation so that the fighting moves appear realistic. So a group of performers with skills in martial arts will be needed and required to wear some type of markers (i.e. LED, magentic, etc) near their joints and a computer will digitally record their movements.

The player/players fighting will want some indication of who is winning the fight so a User Interface (UI) Programmer will be needed to design a GUI. This, amongst other things, should include a health bar, which declines each time a player has been attacked and a points scheme, which should indicate who won which round.

The concept mentions that players should use a joypad to ‘master’ character moves so an Input Programmer will need to write a code specifying the relationship between the joypad and the game. The programmer will need to outline which buttons handle kicks, which buttons handle punches, the sequence of buttons to press do do special moves, etc.

Grand Theft Auto III

Genre: FSP, role-play, action, adventure, shoot-em up
Group rating: 1/2 – Outstanding/Excellent

An ultra-violent third-person shooter with a role-play element in which the player takes on the role of a nameless criminal who has just been released from prison for robbing a bank. He seeks revenge on his ex-girlfriend, Catalina, who accompanied him during the robbery but later shot him and left him for dead, resulting to his arrest. The player must roam fictional Liberty City and take on work from local crime gangs, aswell as a corrupt police officer and a media mogul and complete assassinations, bank heists and carjacks to rise in power and get his revenge.

The concept mentions use of characters so again, a concept artist will be needed to create rough prototypes of each character – this includes Catalina, the police officer and the media mogul. These concepts do not need to be perfect but they should be detailed enough to outline the characters appearance. The artist will also need to produce prototypes of the city, weaponry items, health items, vehicles and any other similar objects that play a role in the game.

When the designs are complete a 3D modeler (or graphics programmer) will be needed to transform them into three-dimensional wireframes. A graphics programmer will then render the models into images so that details such as texture, lighting and shading, etc can be added to them.

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon

Genre: FSP shoot-em up, action, adventure
Group rating: 2 – Excellent

An action packed, first person shooter with life-like sound effects set in 2008 in which the player takes on the role of a Military Commander in charge of a six-man squad called the Ghost Recon’s. The player has been called upon by US Special Forces to prevent a civil disorder in Russia as Ultra Nationalists plan to rebuild the Iron Curtain in Europe. Follow your radar system and lead your squad through hostile territories and undertake deadly missions to prevent the continent from being divided.

As with Tekken and Grand Theft Auto, a concept artist, 3D modeler and graphics programmer will be involved in this project to develop the world, the characters, the weapons, etc.

The concept mentions that the player character should ‘follow a radar system’ to help tackle missions so a User Interface (UI) Programmer will be needed to design the system and also, to integrate it into the GUI. This feature should direct the player throughout the game aswell as warn him/her of danger.

The concept mentions use of sound effects so a Sound Programmer or Audio Engineer will be needed. He/she will be asked to build a library of sound files and to link them to the characters, character’s actions, input events, etc. He she will also be asked to assign music and atmospheric sounds to the game.

Resident Evil 1

Genre: FSP shoot-em up, role-play, horror, action, adventure,
Group rating: 3 – Good

A blood-soaked first person shoot-em-up where the player is a member of the S.T.A.R Squad (Special Tactics and Rescue) sent on a mission to a Midwestern town to investigate reports of cannibalism. After being attacked by a group of ferocious dogs, which leaves your partner dead, you take refuge in a secluded mansion, home to bloodthirsty zombies and bizarre monsters.

A concept artist, 3D modeler and graphics programmer will be needed to create the characters – this includes the player character, the S.T.A.R Squad, the dogs, the zombies and the monsters. This team will also need to create the world, i.e. the secluded mansion.

As the game contains a role-play element, I assume it features an introduction video and cutscenes to advance the plot. Therefore I would include motion capture into the animation so that facial expressions, head movements, body movements and similar actions which are difficult to program appear more natural and realistic. So a group of actors will be needed.

Gran Turismo 1

Genre: arcade, driving
Group rating: 4 – Excellent

A simulated driving game with a superb soundtrack in which the player selects a car from a line-up and races in various championships against other artificial intelligence drivers to win money and boost his/her driving career. The money earned can be used to purchase new vehicles aswell as buy parts and tune them up!

As mentioned with the other games a concept artist, 3D modeler and a graphics programmer will be involved in this project to develop the vehicles, the race tracks, etc.

The concept mentions a soundtrack feature. So a sound programmer will be needed to assign music to the game. He/she may also want to add other sound files to the game such as atmospheric sounds, i.e. the crowd cheering, car sounds, engine sounds, etc and link them where necessary.