Critter Creator Blog

Week 25/09/2023:

This sprint wasn't about getting work sorted, but more about formulating ideas and preparing to start development of the game. As a collective, we decided to create a card battler with steampunk and cyberpunk themes. You would battle enemies with cards which had different features (health, defensive upgrades, swap positions, etc.) with the goal being to defeat all of the available enemies.

We decided upon the general roles for each member of the team, and I was responsible for Programming, Trello Management, Narrative & Scrum Master.

I then set up the Trello and Miro boards which we then used to prepare to start development on the next sprint, and began drafting a first draft for card set for the next sprint.

I created an example first draft of 31 cards across the steampunk/cyberpunk themes in preparation for the next sprint, however after speaking with our tutor, we decided to pivot our idea due to the scope of the project and the marking scheme. We will now be making a doodle platformer, where you play as an inventor stealing parts for his robots off a conveyor belt by using neon lights to draw platforms, guiding the parts into the portal. This allows the game to be mobile exclusive, as you have to be able to draw on the touch screen to play the game. We aim to make this game as juicy as possible, and this gave us a new base to work off of. 

From here, we set up new Trello and Miro boards, picked an art direction and started to prototype mechanics. As a collective, we decided to just play with mechanics and concepts before the next sprint, and prepared our project proposal.

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Week 09/10/2023

We reviewed the ideas that we had come up with in the week prior, and also presented our plan our course-mates. We got some feedback, and used this to plan out what we were doing next. As the other members were setting up the base game, my job was to get the Trello boards set up, as my prior experience and understanding of Agile meant I could create a good base for us to work with.

From here we established the next steps for the prototype, planning out the first and second levels to act as tutorial levels, and started work for the next sprint.

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Week 23/10/23:

Reviewed the previous weeks worth of work, and made plans for the current sprint starting today.

I Updated all the Trello boards. and created a new Trello board for Emma and Charlotte that is simplified for easier use. This sprint, I'll be working on developing three hazards, including the fan hazard.

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Week 06/11/2023

This week, as group we made significant progress with the game. Our game was successfully uploaded to the play store, and more content was added to the game.

Playstore Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.TeamStarGG.CritterCreator&pli=1

I made four obstacles - a fan, that would blow the ball away, a magnet that would attract it, an energy gate, to block the ball when it's active, and a death zone, that we can place anywhere that would 'kill' the ball if it makes contact with one. The magnet doesn't seem to work properly just yet, as I struggled to get the rigidbody physics of the ball work the way I intended. In addition, they are currently made with placeholder shapes, but once the art assets are made later, I will apply them. I also created controller scripts to make them customizable and modular, so that further obstacles can be built faster in the future. Next sprint, I will be working on the menus, finishing up the last obstacle and fixing up a few minor bugs relating to previous features.

The next sprint will commence on 13/11/2023, where we will be reviewing the prototype. 

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Week 13/11/2023

This stand up was slightly different as Hope was not in class, and Jack was ill. The rest of the team had an in-person meeting, and Jack's work was added in later.

I implemented the pause menu, with functionality to return to main menu, restart the level and resume the level. Controlling volume has been set up in UI, but the functionality hasn't been completed. I also got the pause menu to turn on and off when the icon is pressed. Next I will be making sure the game pauses when the menu comes up (with help from Emma) as well as adding functionality to restart, resume and return to home.

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Week 27/11/2023

We showed other students and out tutor the game this week for playtesting & feedback. The game will have a new update to the Google Play store this sprint.

Last sprint, I got the pause menu almost completed with regards to functionality. The volume controls have started to be worked on, and other bugs been resolved. This sprint, I finished the death zone obstacle, completed both the energy gate and the death gate and applied the art assets to these obstacles. I also added death gates at the bottom of each level, so that if you miss the portal you die. Next I will be adding the assets into the pause menu, building levels and general quality of life updates (particularly the tutorial).

The next sprint will commence on 11/12/2023.

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