Week One and introductions

For the first week of the Masters Degree we were introduced to 2 modules and the module leaders. GAM701 also known as Development Synergies, led by Matt Watkins and GAM702 also known as Prototyping for Games, led by Brian McDonald.

The main focus of this week was getting to know the lecturers and the people on the masters degree. However, coming into the course as a graduate from Falmouth University meant I had been taught by the lectures for the past 3 years. GAM701 is with every masters degree student in the Games Academy so these don't entirely focus on games design. whereas, GAM702 is made up of Games Design Masters. so it focuses on game prototyping and design methods.

GAM701 gave us some projects to do before the next lecture. Project 1 was to create an avatar using nothing but objects around us. The avatar needed to describe us and tell a little story about ourselves. I put together the image bellow:

For this image I put all my controllers and keyboard to show I play all platforms, the drawing pad was use to show I have some knowledge in drawing digitally, the Zelda items are to show that my favourite series is The Legend of Zelda and finally the Vault boy bobblehead is to show that a level designer position at Bethesda is my end goal.

The second project we had set was to write a written reflection on what our goals are for the masters degree. This is what I wrote for this project:

"During the master’s degree I would like to focus on level design and grey boxing skills. I want to be able to take designs I draw on paper and photoshop, then transfer them fluently into the engine we are using at them time. I also want to focus on more outdoor environments as I feel like I can only design interior levels. In order to do this, I will need to update my knowledge on the current ways game engines are allowing designers to build their levels. I have always neglected Unity as I don’t like the UI/UX of the engine and I hope to change this mind set. Recently I have started learning how to use Pro Builder within the engine and quickly building small assets.  As for exterior levels I need to look at how environmental designers create their levels and try and find a way that works for me. I have some knowledge in exterior levels but not a lot."

As for GAM702 we were given a game jam with the theme of "Beginning". We have 3 weeks to make this game alone. I have chosen to do a sailing game where the player must maintain the boat their sailing. parts of the boat will break down and they must repair them to get the furthest. The game will end when all things are broken and the boat sinks. At the moment of writing this I have implemented a boat environment, a boat piece breaking, being repaired and a first person character.

Programming really isn't my strong suit and because of this development is taking a while. I've called in help from 2 of my past work mates to help fix some of the code I have taken from the internet.

This is everything we were given in week 1 of the master degree.