Computer game design

Research, Task 1 

Here I’ve found information from the trailer of “BloodBourne” that is about a Fantasy RPG game, which uses Photorealism as its graphics style. I was influenced by this video game because of its genre and its dark city which was based on Transylvania, famous for its history.

BloodBourne uses myths and fantasy creatures as the enemy, which is where I got the idea to add it to my product. Boodbourne has also influenced me by how they created their own weapons from scratch, this allows player’s to add their own style.

BloodBourne In-Game Weapon

Here I have found a review on the RPG, open-world game: “Skyrim.” This game influenced me with how many players enjoyed the game, due to how they could explore the world and make their own decisions, which is why I’m considering on making my video game a open world game too.

“MYM” Page 48

The photo above is page 48 of the game magazine: “MYM.” Here I have found the games “Final Fantasy VII Remake” and “Fallout 4.” Final Fantasy has two incorporated graphic styles of Photorealistic and Cel-Shaded.

The Photorealistic graphics are used for the environments probably for immersion, and Cel-shaded graphics to focus on the characters of the video game. The developers have mixed the graphics together into one game to give Final Fantasy a realistic look but keep the uniqueness from the manga art style.

The environments would work for my video game as I am aiming for sound player immersion, as my genre is Supernatural and needs to be more realistic. The character designs however are not what I’m aiming for, as they look too much like Cel-shaded.

Fallout 4 is what I’m aiming for with my game with all objects and characters, as its fully Photorealistic and gives the game the effect of real life.

Fallout 4 also shares the same target audience with my video game, of 18 and above, however Final Fantasy aims for the ages 16 and above, which will have restrictions in the PEGI Rating my game is given.

“MYM” Page 49

Above is page 49 of the MYM magazine and includes two examples of RPG games. The game to the left is “Kingdom Hearts III” which is a Cel-shaded, fantasy game and doesn’t have anything in common with my game due to its graphic style and its target audience is 12+.

The Kingdom Hearts series’ uses an art style regularly used in Japan called “Manga”  for their characters as the developers are in Japan and it is native there and also very used in the RPG genre.

On the left side of the page above is a game called “Horizon Zero Dawn” which is another RPG, though it uses the Photorealistic graphic style so detailed that the video game which is being released for 2016, cannot be produced for formats used in the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. I need to understand the limitations of the technology I will be using, as I want to achieve the same brilliant graphics.

Here is a video of some of its gameplay.

I’m planing to produce a video game with the RPG and hack and slash genre  with a supernatural theme. I’ve researched whats already in the market so I can find some inspiration and avoid any copy right mistakes.

This is a video game called “Devil May Cry” which is a action-adventure hack and slash. I like this video game as it has given me inspiration to create a supernatural story however I have involved demons, as theres not many games out there that have already done this. My target audience ( 18+ ) really enjoy the supernatural demons.

I also like Devil May Cry’s main character, Dante, as he has an attitude which brings comedy into the story and gameplay. Dante also has a appearance of an over-confident, mysterious character which brings additional emotions, something I want my character to bring to my project.

Devil May Cry’s “Dante” Character Evolution.

Even though I like Devil May Cry’s main characters I don’t like the enemies. I feel it could do much better than the original designs, as they just look like dolls with knifes.

Devil May Cry’s “Stygian” Profile Photo.

So I’m planning to bring my myths into the video of zombies, demons, witches, dragons, vampires and werewolf to create a difference to other video games.

I have also found the post-apocalyptic RPG called “Fallout series.” This game is what inspired me to feature an apocalyptic world in my own as it adds buildup and excitement.

The world actually feels abandoned and struggling for survival which draws the player into the game. I’ve also consider making my game into a series if it is successful, as Fallout improved and became more popular for every game they created for there series.

Fallout Screenshot Of Environment.

There was another an open world RPG called “Skyrim.” This video game is what inspired me to use myth like creatures for enemies: like dragons, werewolfs, vampires, zombies etc because it makes Sky more entertaining for the player as they would have to use different techniques, to fight different enemies.

Skyrim In-Game Monster.

I’m going to make my game in modern times instead of Skyrim’s medieval time era to create a difference between the two. I also believe my target audience will enjoy the game more if its in a modern time.

“Dark Souls” is an RPG game called which inspired me to use knight armour and swords as one of many of the available weapons, because swords are very popular when sword and armour are involved so I want my game to be successful.

Dark Souls Varying Armour Designs.

 

Task 2 

Below I have created a digital sketch of a basic building that I have based off of an apartment building, for my apocalyptic city. Its made from a simple rectangle to keep it a basic building shape.

Basic Apartment Building Sketch.

I’ve  added windows as well to make it look more like a city building. I’m also planning to add detail to some of the roof to make them look like they’re damaged and collapsing. I’ve also added some rubble to add some realism to my buildings.

Damaged Apartment Building Design.

I’ve also created digital sketches of lamps, benches and a bridge as simple shapes just to give my city a little bit more detail, which should draw the player into the game more as its more realistic.

To improve my games realism I’m planning on adding normal vehicles like cars and buses and also damaged vehicles, to improve the atmosphere in my video game and add an appearance of chaos in my video game.

So Below are the simple digital sketches I’ve created.

I want to be able to do this myself as it will separate mine from other games out there.

Sketch Of A Public Bus

Sketch Of A Car

Sketch Of A Lightpost

Sketch Of A Bench.

Task 3

word document unit 72

Task 4

Presentation concept art 2

 

communication skills report

Research, Unit 2 Communications – task 1

Here I’ve found information from the trailer of “BloodBourne” that is about a Fantasy RPG game, which uses Photorealism as its graphics style. I was influenced by this video game because of its genre and its dark city which was based on Transylvania, famous for its history.

BloodBourne uses myths and fantasy creatures as the enemy, which is where I got the idea to add it to my product. Boodbourne has also influenced me by how they created their own weapons from scratch, this allows player’s to add their own style.

BloodBourne In-Game Weapon

Here I have found a review on the RPG, open-world game: “Skyrim.” This game influenced me with how many players enjoyed the game, due to how they could explore the world and make their own decisions, which is why I’m considering on making my video game a open world game too.

“MYM” Page 48

The photo above is page 48 of the game magazine: “MYM.” Here I have found the games “Final Fantasy VII Remake” and “Fallout 4.” Final Fantasy has two incorporated graphic styles of Photorealistic and Cel-Shaded.

The Photorealistic graphics are used for the environments probably for immersion, and Cel-shaded graphics to focus on the characters of the video game. The developers have mixed the graphics together into one game to give Final Fantasy a realistic look but keep the uniqueness from the manga art style.

The environments would work for my video game as I am aiming for sound player immersion, as my genre is Supernatural and needs to be more realistic. The character designs however are not what I’m aiming for, as they look too much like Cel-shaded.

Fallout 4 is what I’m aiming for with my game with all objects and characters, as its fully Photorealistic and gives the game the effect of real life.

Fallout 4 also shares the same target audience with my video game, of 18 and above, however Final Fantasy aims for the ages 16 and above, which will have restrictions in the PEGI Rating my game is given.

“MYM” Page 49

Above is page 49 of the MYM magazine and includes two examples of RPG games. The game to the left is “Kingdom Hearts III” which is a Cel-shaded, fantasy game and doesn’t have anything in common with my game due to its graphic style and its target audience is 12+.

The Kingdom Hearts series’ uses an art style regularly used in Japan called “Manga”  for their characters as the developers are in Japan and it is native there and also very used in the RPG genre.

On the left side of the page above is a game called “Horizon Zero Dawn” which is another RPG, though it uses the Photorealistic graphic style so detailed that the video game which is being released for 2016, cannot be produced for formats used in the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. I need to understand the limitations of the technology I will be using, as I want to achieve the same brilliant graphics.

Here is a video of some of its gameplay.

The Graphic Techniques and Software used in my Chosen Genre

For my research I have found that Photorealism and Cel-shaded are the most used in the RPG’s of today.

The most common software is Studio Max, used for 3D modelling.

The Graphic Styles That I Think Work Well And Ones That Don’t

I Think Cel-shaded and Photorealistic work really well as in nearly every game I found which involved in for RPG genre, however I also feel that it is possible for Pixel Art to be equally successful. Abstract graphics, though wouldn’t work as there needs to be more detail in an RPG.

How These Styles Are Used To Attract Specific Audiences

Cel-shaded graphics are used to attract people with its bright colours, which cause the audience to pay more attention to it by how eye catching it can be.

Photorealistic focuses more on the story of the video game by giving making the audience more attached it, as well as making people impressed with the quality of the graphics.

Pixel Art attracts an audience by making their style simplistic; something anyone can play and get involved in.

Abstract attracts an audience by its wide range of colours and interesting art styles.

My Main Influences

“Bloodbourne” is a good example due to its dark fantasy theme and how it is based around the legend which is Dracula, which sets up the environment.

“Devil May Cry” mainly due to the main character: Dante, who has a cocky and mysterious attitude which adds new emotion to an otherwise violent and gory game by introducing some comedy.

“The Fallout Series” for its apocalyptic but realistic world, adding more of a pull to the franchise.

“Dark Souls” for the in-game use of swords and field, weapons and armour. As well as the Levelling up system which involves the player’s character while aiming to complete the game.

“Skyrim” because of how it is an open world game giving freedom and with the ability for the player to make their own decisions, it involves the user far more and adds to play time and future reuse.

Bibliography For Task 1 Research

(Proofread By Yasmin Bradford)

Sources on YouTube:

Bloodburne Video Trailer
Horizon Zero Dawn Video Trailer

MYM magazine July 2015 Matt chapman pages 48 and 49

Skyrim Preview

Dark Souls Search On Google

RPGs On Google

google images

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 Report draft 1 , Task 2 

I’m using cinema 4D as the software to produce my video game. Cinema 4D has capabilities of producing any shape needed with the ability of adding textures to give your mesh the graphics appearance your aiming for. Cinema 4D also has special render settings to help create the image your aiming for. I chose this software as it’s the software south devon college use and its a professional software which was recommended. Cinema 4D strengths are the fact that it has a good interface which makes it easy to use and it is the simplest software to use with good tutorials which make it easy to learn on how to use this software.The limitations of this software are the fact that there is a lot of user errors and errors with loading the textures up which make it difficult to create the textures you need. Cinema 4D also has its limitations from moving from device to device as you need to save every texture and piece of work onto a portable hard drive to continue your piece of work. Cinema 4D is limited on the character design as all of its capabilities and functions are for the design of environments, There is a software called MAYA which is more focused on the creation of characters in a video game. MAYA and blender are a lot more complicated to use as there interfaces are cluttered. Cinema 4D has the export options of

• 3D studios
• Alembic
• Allplan
• Bullet
• cinema 4D XML
• colada 1.4 and 1.5
• Direct 3D
• DXF
• FBX
• illustraor
• RIB
• STL
• VRML 2
• Wavefront

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Report draft 2 , Task 2

I’m using cinema 4D as the software to produce my video game. Cinema 4D has capabilities of producing any shape needed with the ability of adding textures to give your mesh the graphics appearance your aiming for.

Cinema 4D also has special render settings to help create the image your aiming for. I chose this software as it’s the software south devon college use and its a professional software which was recommended.

Cinema 4D strengths are the fact that it has a good interface which makes it easy to use and it is the simplest software to use with good tutorials which make it easy to learn on how to use this software.

The limitations of this software are the fact that there is a lot of user errors and errors with loading the textures up which make it difficult to create the textures you need. Cinema 4D also has its limitations from moving from device to device as you need to save every texture and piece of work onto a portable hard drive to continue your piece of work. Cinema 4D is limited on the character design as all of its capabilities and functions are for the design of environments, There is a software called MAYA which is more focused on the creation of characters in a video game. MAYA and blender are a lot more complicated to use as there interfaces are cluttered. Cinema 4D has the export options of

• 3D studios
• Alembic
• Allplan
• Bullet
• cinema 4D XML
• colada 1.4 and 1.5
• Direct 3D
• DXF
• FBX
• illustraor
• RIB
• STL
• VRML 2
• Wavefront

I have been very successful when using this software as i’ve been able to create a apocalyptic city for my video game, i’ve also been able to add crucial details like textures of buildings, roads , cars Etc. This software has give me the capability to create light effects that give my city dim street lights with the effect of dark shadowy areas so i class myself very successful when using this software because i was aiming for this soft of city in my video game.

I was aiming for this because i want a city with the look that it’s been effected by a supernatural nightmare for example a apocalyptic world. If i was describe how i could improve the software and my project to feel i was even more successful i would say that Cinema 4D  need to create effects for things like damaged/ smashed windows for when textures dont work. I’d also say Cinema 4D needs to make it simpilar to create of effects of crumbling materials, so if your aiming to create a world that has a lot of chaos you can add damaged cars, buildings, and all objects around.

I believe cinema 4D could add these improvements to its software as i struggled to make some of my buildings damaged with rubble around them, also i couldn’t find a texture that made my windows look smashed/damaged.

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The final report, Task 2

I’m using Cinema 4D as the software to produce my video game. Cinema 4D has capabilities of producing any shape needed with the ability of adding textures to give your mesh the appearance you’re aiming for.

Cinema 4D also has special render settings to help create the wanted image. I chose this software as it’s the software South Devon College use and its a professional software which was recommended.

Cinema 4D strengths are the fact that it has a good interface which makes it easy to use. It is also the simplest software for beginners, with good tutorials which make it simple to learn the basics.

The limitations of this software are the fact that there room for a lot of user error, and there can be problems with loading the textures up which make it difficult to create the effect needed.

Cinema 4D also limitations when moving from device to another as you need to save every texture and piece of work onto a portable harddrive to continue your piece of work.

Cinema 4D is limited on character design as all of its capabilities and functions are based on the design for environments. There is a software called MAYA which is more focused on the creation of characters in a video game. MAYA and Blender are a lot more complicated to use as their interfaces are cluttered.

Cinema 4D has the export options of:

• 3D studios
• Alembic
• Allplan
• Bullet
• Cinema 4D XML
• Colada 1.4 and 1.5
• Direct 3D
• DXF
• FBX
• Illustrator
• RIB
• STL
• VRML 2
• Wavefront

I have been very successful while using this software as I’ve been able to create an apocalyptic city for my video game, by adding crucial details like the textures of buildings, roads, cars etc.

This software has give me the capability to create light effects that give my city dim street lights, making dark shadowy areas. I was aiming for this because I want a city which has been effected by a supernatural nightmare, for example my apocalyptic world.

If I was to describe how I could improve the software and my project I would say that Cinema 4D needs to create effects for things like damaged/ smashed windows for when textures don’t work.

I’d also say Cinema 4D needs to make it simpilar to create effects for crumbling materials, so if you’re aiming to create a world that has a lot of chaos you can add damaged cars, buildings, and all mannar of other objects around.

I believe cinema 4D should add these improvements to its software as I struggled to make some of my buildings appear damaged with rubble around them. I also couldn’t find a texture that made my windows look smashed/ or damaged.