Author: Ryan Jordan Simpson

Using assets that Dylan has designed I have created a working prototype of the first level for our game (name still pending). The aim of the level is to collect the RAM which triggers the robot’s memory (this is yet to be implemented as it is not necessary at this stage). Next appears a tablet/computer terminal with the code for a locked door which the player has to debug/fix by dragging the correct code in place of the current code. When complete and correct the tablet will close and the doors will unlock. The player then heads for the top door, presses ‘space’ and continues to the lower level, before heading to the end portal (which is just a placeholder for now). The level then ends and the next one begins.

Here is the demo video.

-Ryan

I have been looking into and researching character animation for Construct 2 because we were struggling to figure it out. We have only ever done video animation before and nothing game related. From what I found we will need to re-create the robot character a number of times to each position it is needed in. For example while the player is still we need an ‘idle’ animation to give it some life – this will involve the hover effect moving, arms slightly moving to represent some sort of breathing (even though it’s a robot – we just want it to seem less static), perhaps a blinking light on it’s head and it’s eyes blinking.

We will also need a set of images for moving right (we can then mirror that animation for when the character is moving left – which saves valuable time). Adding to this, images for jumping and for falling are needed so we can program them into the even sheet within the game to give it a more immersive feeling.

– Ryan

In the meeting we discussed how the interaction will work; will the puzzle bring up a website, will it be a drag & drop answer or will the player have to move the character to a yes/no button/lever?

Let’s break each of them down…

Website pop up
This would be where the player will input the answer to the puzzle, typing in code or debugging a line or block of code. *This may break immersion but will allow for an easy-to-use interface*

Drag & Drop
The puzzle will be an in-game pop up and it would bring 3 possible answers with it (for example). The player then has to drag the correct block into the right place in the code in order to progress. *This will be more immersive than the website as the player is still in-game, but it may not be as encouraging for the player to learn the code.*

Yes/No
This will allow the user to stay in game fully and still be in control of the character. The puzzle will appear and ask the player if the answer is correct (could also work as multiple choice) and the player will have to move the character to the appropriate floor button and jump onto it in order to activate the answer. Getting the answer correct will unlock the door – getting the answer wrong will reset the puzzle (maybe take health also). *This will be the most immersive method but may not be as encouraging for the player to learn.*

Each of the options listed have both good and bad points and we will decide which one works best, if any. We also aim to get some audience feedback so we can take into consideration which they believe is best whilst playing. This may lead to one proving itself above the rest, all of them being useless or each of them being applied to a different age bracket.

We have also discussed the option of using all three possibilities but setting them as difficulties. For example the website pop up in which the player inputs the code from memory and what they have learned will be the ‘hard’ difficulty, the drag & drop option will be ‘medium’ as it requires less knowledge and is easier to answer, and finally the ‘easy’ difficulty will be the yes/no option. This is something we will take into consideration and draw upon again shortly.

– Ryan

After creating a demo for our project we have decided that Construct 2 to will be the software we shall use to make our game. We chose Construct because we find it very easy to understand and even when stuck, it’s simple to navigate and find solutions to the problems we face.

We believe Construct 2 has the ability and power to do most of the things we need it to, and for the things that may not be directly available, they will be able to be imported into the project.

Construct 2 is also more convenient for us at this stage because it allows for more accessibility for both our tutor and our audience as it exports to HTML5.

Before you see the demo there are some notes to keep in mind:

– On the RAM pick up a dialogue box is planned to appear informing the player of what memory has been regained (the door remains locked at this point – unlike in demo video).
–  As the player approaches the door an event is triggered which begins the puzzle. This will be a pop up within the game (note; this is not set in stone, we are still developing different ways for this interaction to happen).
– Only when puzzle is completed will the locked door become unlocked and the player can progress.

And now for the demo…

– Ryan

Today we have been experimenting with Construct 2 and we have made a basic demo of part of the first level.

We are using our scene, character and pick-up item and have programmed the game to recognise the character picking up the item, which then triggers a sprite (in this case the locked door) to disappear – note, this sprite is invisible and the idea is that when destroyed it will be replaced by an open door – In this scenario, the open door which spawns is another invisible sprite, just to the right of the door set to ‘solid’ so that we can see it exists and works.

In all, once the images have been compiled it will run as follows:

Player runs into RAM
RAM ‘destroys’ closed door – which in turn spawns open door in place
Player runs into open door to progress.

For the purpose of making sure we choose the best fitting software/platform for our needs we will also be taking a look at Canvas for HTML5 and writing up a post on it shortly.

– Ryan