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A few weeks ago I enrolled in a ten week course that teaches how to make video games, taught by my friends father.
I had my first class last Saturday and enjoyed it immensly, and am waiting with bated breath for the next one, which is in two days.

The first class was basic level design, adding textures, and figuring out how to change sizes, make windows/doors etc. etc.

Next class we get to put a character in and get a basic idea for how we want the game to play out.
I've already written up a rough draft for the story of the game, as well as what genre I want it to be (survival horror).

The class lasts three hours.
I honestly didn't realise how long it was because it was so much fun.

I intend to use this thread as a blog of sorts, complete with photos of the class and some screen shots if possible of the game, with the intent of publishing it and
letting people play it.

I figured the fine people of dakka dakka would enjoy it (hopefully).

Cool, I took a 2D game design course a few years back (not my type of thing it turned out).

Is it going to be a 2D or 3D project?

Ma55ter_fett wrote:Cool, I took a 2D game design course a few years back (not my type of thing it turned out).

Is it going to be a 2D or 3D project?

3d. I wasn't really sure myself till I actually took the course. It'll present it's own problems in the design, but what's life without challenges?

Nice! I'm trying to make a rpg with rpg maker/

This thread is relevant to my interests.

Very cool. We need screenshots and more details! What tools are you using to make it?

I've actually got a degree in Computer Science (with a specialization in game programming) and I work as QA for a video game company currently. I love it!

Thinking of taking an online course in game design from AI Van, so I'll be following this

Lord of battles wrote:Nice! I'm trying to make a rpg with rpg maker/

This
Although I keep getting bored and want to play it so I have a bunch of unfinished ones.



I'm hoping I can find a good gaming course around here, at the moment though the best I can find is Network Engineering >_>
So I can program routers and crap but it's not as fun as if it were creating a game.


I guess I'll be keeping an eye on this as I'm interested to see how it turns out.

What engine are you using?

Im currently majoring in Video Game Design! Im also about to start working with a team on a new game made with the Unreal Engine! Post pics when you can ide love to see!

I don't know the name of the engine, but I know the name of the program we've used so far.

The class has used WED World Editor to design the game world, then place objects, houses etc. etc. inside the world.

The first class was just to get familiar with it and we didn't really do anything beyond mess about for three hours lol.

This next class is going to be more focused. I'll post you a little plot summary in a little bit, just gotta dig through my USB's and find which one I stored it on.

Cool man.

I'll give it a try when you get it out.

Finally got around to writing the summary out.

In the game, you control the character Ahzek Clyde. Suffering from years of torture and bullying, and unable to battle his depression Ahzek decides to end it.
The game takes place after he takes his own life, where he meets his bloodline's Grim Reaper.
His Grim Reaper reveals that he wasn't supposed to die yet, and gives him the chance to live again, and the ability to gain closure and move on from his problems in life.
To do so, he must first face his families demons, as well as his own personal ones, represented in game by various enemies.

What do you guys think?

I'm thinking, if possible, of adding a sort of sanity meter that you find in Lovecraftian games.
But instead of making the screen go all wobbly, as you normally get, the further the meter drains, certain paths through the game might be
exposed, though they would have more enemies etc. etc.

Sounds cool and original.

Insanity meter sounds like it will fit the game well.

This game sounds like pure win.

Thanks guys, glad to hear you like it.

I took some photos today (on my phone.), but I have to find my adaptor for my sim card to upload the photos.

Oh, and to answer the questions of what program we're using:
3D Game StudioA7.

If you are looking for a good program to get your feet wet, I can't recommend Hammer Editor enough.

I use it and love it.

jp400 wrote:If you are looking for a good program to get your feet wet, I can't recommend Hammer Editor enough.

I use it and love it.

Personally I cant stand Hammer, I would recommend UDK and Unity

I have Tried to use hammer can never get it to do what i want it to do. But of course i have never bothered reading the documentation that is included with hammer.

I like UDK better due to it is more flexible in terms of use. From what I hear it is very similar to hammer. But does not have allot of the features that UDK does...

An example of this is Scaleform and Speedtree.

Plus UDK is free.

So I found out some of the enemy models we can use in our games. In no particular order:

Predator
Vampire
Werewolf
Master Cheif
Stormtrooper.

I'm think i'll try and find a vaguely humanoid one, to be explained below.
This is jsut a conversation i'll try and record and put in as a cinematic if possible.
Keep in mind, at this point the characters no each other.

"Do you accept my offer?" the man asked.
Ahzek had never envisioned a real Grim reaper looking so... normal.

The man was dressed plainly. Stone washed jeans, brown jacket, a skinny brim hat. He flicked a gold lighter open and close, awaiting an answer.

"Where... where would I end up if I refuse the offer?' He asked meekly.
"Afraid I can't answer that question. All depends on the Balances and the Judges." The man replied.

"Judges?"
"Long story, not going into it, I need an answer." The Grim Reaper said impatiently.

Ahzek swallowed hard. He'd wnated to die, but he wanted to live as well. He thoguht, as the Grim Reaper made tick tocking noises.

"I accept."
The Reaper brightened. His smile was terrifying. It held no joy, and it revealed the horror of what he truly was.
As his lips spread, Ahzek caught a glimpse of what the Reaper had been before. His lips barely held back his scream.

The Reaper held out his hand, and Ahzek took it. The flesh was horrifying in it's warm.

The man looked him in the eye, and spoke.

As he did, Ahzek felt the ground of Purgatory slide out from underneath him. He fell, and the Reaper laughed as they fell together.

It seemed an eternity. He guessed it might have been.
But he eventuall touched back down on solid ground again. He lay upon cold metal grating. The Reaper sitting on his haunches in front of him.

"You're a screamer, you know that? I love my women to make noise." His smile was predatory, teeth bared, anoher glimpse into the all too
monstrously human truth of his nature.

Ahzek sat up. The reaper pulled him up, and handed him his lighter.

"To gain passage back to Life, you'll need to face your ancestral demon benefactor. Long story.
You'll also need to confront your own demons. If you survive, enjoy what you've been given. You don't get a third shot.
If you don't... maybe you'll have tip the Balance in favor of you. If you didn't... well, the walls will welcome you." The Reaper turned, and began walking away.

Ahzek called after him, but he did not respond. He simply faded into the distance.

Ahzek looked around him. The sky above him was black and white, and the sun painted everything in a demented purple hue.

As far as he could see, walls confined him. He trekked towards the nearest one, and peeled back in horror. They were made of organic components. He didn't know why, or even what it was, but the word
Giger came to mind.

Ahzek backpedaled, seeking a way out. All he saw were two landmarks. A strange floating bridge, and a simple house. He began walking, seeking a way out immediately.

Damn, you should write a novel.

Story is sounding pretty interesting so far.

MasterDRD wrote:Damn, you should write a novel.

Would it surprise you if I tell you that I'm writing a screenplay as well as several short stories?

n0t_u wrote:Story is sounding pretty interesting so far.

Thank you. The story is something that's sat in the back of my mind for a couple of years, so it's pretty fleshed out compared to other stories I've written.

Surprise? No. Leap with joy?
...no.
...
...
Ok yes.

Sound pretty cool tbh.

Ill admit i am doing something similar, although atm its all paperbased. Never have been that good with the sorta practical stuff apart from programming lol.

So I finally was able to upload the photos. I would like to apoligize in advance for their quality, I took them on my cellphone.


The different views that allow you to place and adjust obects in the level.

The house from the short story.

Wonder what this is? Hmm....

A picture of the same bridge, using a brighter lighting source.

GAH! Broken physics! Why is it floating!

GIGER!!!

The switch between the hroizon and the sky is abit sudden. I'll try and fix that.

My buddy took this picture of me hard at work.

The class.

The teacher, my friend's dad.

We read both of the magazines to give us an idea of what we want to do.

Check us out on facebook please!

Although something about all of this makes me feel slightly queasy... I hope you're having fun, GES!

Arctik_Firangi wrote:Although something about all of this makes me feel slightly queasy... I hope you're having fun, GES!

I'll take your unease as a good sign. Assuming it off course stems from the short stories and level design so far.

Brutal Legend ftw. Still hoping they make a sequel eventually!

Story looks awesome. I can't wait too see it when it's done. Will it be creepier than Amnesia: Dark Descent?

I just have a few tips/pieces of advice for you.

If you want to get into game design you need to learn Autodesk MAYA, 3ds Max, or Softimage XSI.

These will allow you to create your 3d assets and export them to your 3d Engine/Framework of your choosing.

I am also assuming that you are still in school and you have a school email address.

Go to the following website Area.Autodesk.com

Register your school email and you get access to all of Auto-desks software for free and as long as you are a student.

So I would encourage you going to college early so that you can maintain the good free software from Autodesk. Otherwise it is expensive...

BTW - There are some free Engines\Game Frameworks that you should look into.

First one being Unity 3 - Unity 3d is a artists engine, It includes BEAST Light mapper and Lots of other handy tools.

Second Being the UDK (Unreal Development Kit) - Basically the Unreal Engine 3 being pumped full of Free and Wonderful Features. Looks very similar to what you are using and I would encourage you to use this.

Here are the Links for the following engines

UDK - www.UDK.com

Unity - www.Unity3d.com

If you want to know more about game design I would be more than willing to help as i am also making my own game

Ediin wrote:Story looks awesome. I can't wait too see it when it's done. Will it be creepier than Amnesia: Dark Descent?

Psah! It'll be better even then Eternal Darkness! Actually, no it own't. But I'd very much be happy if you considered it 1/8 as good as Amnesia.

Also, thanks for complimenting the story. it's something I'm very proud of. The stories been influenced by Lovecraft writings, Giger paintings (as if it wasn't obvious enough)
and several other sources which I don't have the patience to list right now.

Benjamin385 wrote:If you want to know more about game design I would be more than willing to help as i am also making my own game

Thanks ofr the info, I have an email address, I lost my school one tho. .

But I think game design will be more a hobby then a career, as I'm considering going into the Navy.