Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Dev Work
Characters:
The following characters appear during gameplay.
Hal
A bitter, cynical man in his late twenties, Hal is perhaps the last person one would expect to become a hero. But fate had other plans…
May
May introduced Hal to his “destiny”, and provides him with invaluable information to help him fulfill it. While it certainly wouldn’t be off-base to question her motives, or even sanity it’s never really a good idea to bite the hand that feeds you.
Mr. Mynar
Mynar is the wealthiest man in Willowbrook, and he’s not afraid to flaunt it. Hey if you owned three-quarters of your hometown, wouldn’t you?
Dr. Smith
Dr. Smith is a wheelchair-bound, maniacal genius with a conspicuous German accent. He runs a lab near the Power Plant, and is rumored to be experimenting with extra-dimensional particles…
Townspeople
All across Willowbrook you will find a vast assortment of people, looking simply to get on with their lives. While some will be wiling to help, and others seem to want the exact opposite, you can’t get by without them.
Vehicles
When you get tired of running, you have several alternatives.
Descartes
Your basic sedan, bland and uninspiring, it was built for the sole purpose of getting you from point A to point B, and certainly does a good job of it. But where’s the fun in that?
Descartes Intellego
The Descartes brand’s renowned pony car, celebrated for its youthful appeal and high level of modability.
Chirac Corsair
It’s a sports car… Drive it like you stole it.
Descartes S
The game’s “secret” vehicle, its un-lockable content, if you will.
Items
Crystals: These are the central focus of the game. There are seven of them to be collected, and you must complete a series of puzzles and quests to retrieve them.
Guitar: The guitar is a musical instrument, play often and the experience you’ll gain will be worth your while.
Cell Phone: Use this to communicate with the various people you meet.
Baseball Bat: A useful multipurpose tool…
Lock Pick: Use this to get into hidden areas.
Money: This allows you to buy products, vehicles, etc.
Food/Drink: Restores health, stamina
Plot Overview:
Willowbrook will be a third-person, side-scrolling RPG that will incorporate 2D animated cutscenes. In this game, the player takes on the role of Hal, an unlucky bachelor who is teleported to another dimension after botching an Internet date with a voodoo priestess. He becomes trapped in a realm, known only as Willowbrook, a small town on the edge of existence, whose residents are continually tormented by a nocturnal race of humanoids, referred to as the Xebufu. In order to escape, he must unite seven mystical stones to power a vessel that will allow him to return to his own dimension. Each scene in this game is to be composed of a 2d bitmap, with each character, item, and vehicle overlaid in such a way as to create a sense of absurd realism. What follows includes:
➢ Each individual scene in the game,
➢ A quoted description as will appear in the instruction manual
➢ List of characters/props
➢ Actions/Control Scheme
Scene 1: Downtown
“Perhaps the most important area of this game is downtown Willowbrook. This is where Hal will meet the majority of the characters he will interact with and find many of the items that will help him along his “quest”.
Points of Interest:
Korova’s
“The local “milk bar”, this is where many young people come to unwind at the end of a long day. It’s probably best to show up after dark …”
Alonzo’s Pre-owned Auto Emporium
“The latest from a long line of used car salesmen, Alonzo has without a doubt perfected the art of preying on the wallets of the poor and naïve. Still, his penchant for finding rare and interesting vehicles is unmatched. The complementary beverages don’t hurt either…”
Ed’s Threads
“Ed is the local tailor, some say he is the best around, whether that’s because he’s the only tailor in Willowbrook is uncertain…”
Testament
“A local club, it’s where Willowbrook’s best musicians come to strut their stuff.”
Underground:
“The sewers of Willowbrook, it’s amazing what you might find down here.”
Scene 2: Outskirts
“This is the vast expanse that lies beyond the center of town. It would be unwise to navigate by foot…”
Points of Interest:
The Suburbs:
“This is where the working man takes refuge after a long day at the office, disappearing into the uniformity of middle class existence.”
Semetary Hill:
“When your time comes in Willowbrook, it’s likely you’ll end up here…”
Rt. 616:
“This vast, straight throughway is a favorite haunting ground for street racers of all kinds. Head out here to test your mettle.”
The Garbage Plant:
“This is where the essentials of civilization end up when they have outlived their useful purpose, to generate electricity”
The following characters appear during gameplay.
Hal
A bitter, cynical man in his late twenties, Hal is perhaps the last person one would expect to become a hero. But fate had other plans…
May
May introduced Hal to his “destiny”, and provides him with invaluable information to help him fulfill it. While it certainly wouldn’t be off-base to question her motives, or even sanity it’s never really a good idea to bite the hand that feeds you.
Mr. Mynar
Mynar is the wealthiest man in Willowbrook, and he’s not afraid to flaunt it. Hey if you owned three-quarters of your hometown, wouldn’t you?
Dr. Smith
Dr. Smith is a wheelchair-bound, maniacal genius with a conspicuous German accent. He runs a lab near the Power Plant, and is rumored to be experimenting with extra-dimensional particles…
Townspeople
All across Willowbrook you will find a vast assortment of people, looking simply to get on with their lives. While some will be wiling to help, and others seem to want the exact opposite, you can’t get by without them.
Vehicles
When you get tired of running, you have several alternatives.
Descartes
Your basic sedan, bland and uninspiring, it was built for the sole purpose of getting you from point A to point B, and certainly does a good job of it. But where’s the fun in that?
Descartes Intellego
The Descartes brand’s renowned pony car, celebrated for its youthful appeal and high level of modability.
Chirac Corsair
It’s a sports car… Drive it like you stole it.
Descartes S
The game’s “secret” vehicle, its un-lockable content, if you will.
Items
Crystals: These are the central focus of the game. There are seven of them to be collected, and you must complete a series of puzzles and quests to retrieve them.
Guitar: The guitar is a musical instrument, play often and the experience you’ll gain will be worth your while.
Cell Phone: Use this to communicate with the various people you meet.
Baseball Bat: A useful multipurpose tool…
Lock Pick: Use this to get into hidden areas.
Money: This allows you to buy products, vehicles, etc.
Food/Drink: Restores health, stamina
Plot Overview:
Willowbrook will be a third-person, side-scrolling RPG that will incorporate 2D animated cutscenes. In this game, the player takes on the role of Hal, an unlucky bachelor who is teleported to another dimension after botching an Internet date with a voodoo priestess. He becomes trapped in a realm, known only as Willowbrook, a small town on the edge of existence, whose residents are continually tormented by a nocturnal race of humanoids, referred to as the Xebufu. In order to escape, he must unite seven mystical stones to power a vessel that will allow him to return to his own dimension. Each scene in this game is to be composed of a 2d bitmap, with each character, item, and vehicle overlaid in such a way as to create a sense of absurd realism. What follows includes:
➢ Each individual scene in the game,
➢ A quoted description as will appear in the instruction manual
➢ List of characters/props
➢ Actions/Control Scheme
Scene 1: Downtown
“Perhaps the most important area of this game is downtown Willowbrook. This is where Hal will meet the majority of the characters he will interact with and find many of the items that will help him along his “quest”.
Points of Interest:
Korova’s
“The local “milk bar”, this is where many young people come to unwind at the end of a long day. It’s probably best to show up after dark …”
Alonzo’s Pre-owned Auto Emporium
“The latest from a long line of used car salesmen, Alonzo has without a doubt perfected the art of preying on the wallets of the poor and naïve. Still, his penchant for finding rare and interesting vehicles is unmatched. The complementary beverages don’t hurt either…”
Ed’s Threads
“Ed is the local tailor, some say he is the best around, whether that’s because he’s the only tailor in Willowbrook is uncertain…”
Testament
“A local club, it’s where Willowbrook’s best musicians come to strut their stuff.”
Underground:
“The sewers of Willowbrook, it’s amazing what you might find down here.”
Scene 2: Outskirts
“This is the vast expanse that lies beyond the center of town. It would be unwise to navigate by foot…”
Points of Interest:
The Suburbs:
“This is where the working man takes refuge after a long day at the office, disappearing into the uniformity of middle class existence.”
Semetary Hill:
“When your time comes in Willowbrook, it’s likely you’ll end up here…”
Rt. 616:
“This vast, straight throughway is a favorite haunting ground for street racers of all kinds. Head out here to test your mettle.”
The Garbage Plant:
“This is where the essentials of civilization end up when they have outlived their useful purpose, to generate electricity”
Control Scheme
Controls
The control scheme for Willowbrook will incorporate both mouse and keyboard inputs to interact with your environment. Such a control scheme will be familiar to anyone who has experience with this system and benefits by being similar to other computer-based RPG games.
Figure 31-5b: User Interface (Referenced area indicated by number in text)
Vehicles:
Vehicles are controlled primarily through keyboard input. Speed, RPM, and current gear are indicated in the bottom left corner (5). Gear selection is performed by mouse click.
W – Turn Right
A – Accelerate
S – Turn Right
D – Brake
Shift – Clutch
Space – Full Throttle
Alt – Downshift
Control - Downshift
E – Enter/Exit
Q – Horn
Foot:
This is the primary way in which the player will experience the gaming environment. Characters are controlled by the following keyboard commands.
W – Turn Right
A – Forward
S – Turn Right
D – Backstep
E – Use/Talk
Q – Cell Phone
Control Arrows – Use equipped item
User Interface:
The player may access his menu at any time by either pressing the space bar or clicking the menu icon on at the top of the screen (2). The menu will provide access to the various items accumulated during gameplay, as well as allowing any changes to be made to the control scheme or audio and video settings.
In the upper left-hand corner of the screen is the Life Bar (1). This keeps track of your current health status and stamina. Taking damage from enemies or excessive labor will drain your life energy. It can be replenished through health packs or nutrients.
When items are selected from the menu, they are equipped by assigning them to one of the arrow keys (4), and are then used by clicking the button. Other actions are performed using the “E” key, and that action will be displayed in the UI (3).
The control scheme for Willowbrook will incorporate both mouse and keyboard inputs to interact with your environment. Such a control scheme will be familiar to anyone who has experience with this system and benefits by being similar to other computer-based RPG games.
Figure 31-5b: User Interface (Referenced area indicated by number in text)
Vehicles:
Vehicles are controlled primarily through keyboard input. Speed, RPM, and current gear are indicated in the bottom left corner (5). Gear selection is performed by mouse click.
W – Turn Right
A – Accelerate
S – Turn Right
D – Brake
Shift – Clutch
Space – Full Throttle
Alt – Downshift
Control - Downshift
E – Enter/Exit
Q – Horn
Foot:
This is the primary way in which the player will experience the gaming environment. Characters are controlled by the following keyboard commands.
W – Turn Right
A – Forward
S – Turn Right
D – Backstep
E – Use/Talk
Q – Cell Phone
Control Arrows – Use equipped item
User Interface:
The player may access his menu at any time by either pressing the space bar or clicking the menu icon on at the top of the screen (2). The menu will provide access to the various items accumulated during gameplay, as well as allowing any changes to be made to the control scheme or audio and video settings.
In the upper left-hand corner of the screen is the Life Bar (1). This keeps track of your current health status and stamina. Taking damage from enemies or excessive labor will drain your life energy. It can be replenished through health packs or nutrients.
When items are selected from the menu, they are equipped by assigning them to one of the arrow keys (4), and are then used by clicking the button. Other actions are performed using the “E” key, and that action will be displayed in the UI (3).
Math/Science Report
Object-Oriented Programming:
Object-oriented programming is a method of computer programming that focuses primarily on the use of a graphical interface, rather than requiring the user to input individual lines of code. Some examples of modern languages that incorporate some degree of OOP (read: object-oriented programming) include:
➢ C++
➢ Microsoft Visual BASIC
➢ JAVA
➢ Adobe Flash
C++ is a language derived from C that is renowned for its ease of use and high level of adaptability. This makes it a popular choice of modern software developers for everything from server integration to designing the most recent video game titles. Visual BASIC is an extension of the Microsoft BASIC language, created specifically with OOP in mind. It comprises the underlying architecture of Windows, and is therefore notable from a programming standpoint.
JAVA, and by extension Flash are a common alternative to C++. Flash is a useful tool in website and animation design, allowing for seamless integration of visual and code-writing values. For this reason, this program is venerated by novice video game designers whose amateur works occupy the majority of the bandwidth of such popular sites as Addictinggames.com.
Basic Concepts of Object-Oriented Programming:
There are eight basic concepts in OOP. Called “quarks” by those in the field, they include the following (Abadi):
➢ Class
➢ Object
➢ Method
➢ Message Passing
➢ Inheritance
➢ Encapsulation
➢ Abstraction
➢ Polymorphism
Class:
Class is one of the most important of the fundamental concepts of OOP. It is defined as the basic essence that sets one object apart from another. In this way, an object is connected to a series of subroutines, based on the qualities that define it (Abadi).
Object:
An object is the basic unit in OOP. This takes the place of lines of code in traditional programming, and is directed by instances (see Figure 25C-A2). These modifiers define which properties an object possesses, and how they will change by the actions of the user during execution.
Method:
The method refers to the way in which Classes are modified by their instances. In this way, if a car was to be considered an object, instances of said car would include such qualities as drive ( ) and park ( ) in that these represent actions that such an “object” would be likely to perform. As seen in Figure 25C-A3, each instance contains an inherent method (Object).
Message Passing:
Figure 25C-A3 illustrates the concept of message passing, how an object calls upon each instance.
Inheritance:
Inheritance allows subclasses to gain the attributes of their parents, while allowing them to be programmed only once. In this way, OO Programmers can be more efficient and reduce the chances of scripting errors. For example, if a car was to be considered a class, its subclasses would include brands such as Ford ( ), Cadillac ( ), Toyota, and Infinity ( ), and each of these would “inherit” the instances of drive ( ) and park ( ). (Object)
Encapsulation:
This allows instances to apply only to certain classes at certain times in an effort to allow objects to adapt more readily to changing information. In this way, methods are defined as “public”, “protected”, or “private”. Public access allows the subroutine to be accessed at any point in time by any client. “Protected” instances can only be accessed by certain subclasses, while “private” indicates that an instance may only be accessed by the specific, defining class (Object).
Abstraction/Polymorphism
Abstraction allows different classes to be modified at the most appropriate level of inheritance, allowing the program itself to open each subroutine without knowing the specific details of each unit. Polymorphism occurs when a class may be defined by any of its subclasses depending on the scope of the method (Object).
Macromedia Flash:
Macromedia Flash is an Object-oriented program, derived from JAVA, used primarily in graphical design and animation for website design and other uses (Flash). It is ideal for the design of Willowbrook due to its ease of use, and attractive, graphically based user interface.
Flash Animation:
Although animating with Flash is a fairly involved process, it greatly simplifies the traditional methods (see Figure 25C-A4).
Method:
In order to animate in flash, one must import image files in .bmp format, rasterizing, to ensure smooth blending during scene transitions (Flash). From there, the user creates a background, extrapolating it over several scenes, while modifying the animated object between each frame, so that the illusion of movement is created. Audio files can be added and the frame rate adjusted to increase realism.
Summation:
Object-Oriented Programming is one of the most popular methods of creating new applications and web content. Its ease of use, coupled with a high degree of adaptability allow the user unparalleled freedom to create. Perhaps the quintessential example of OOP is Macromedia Flash. This system is popular with man novice game designers, and will therefore be a good format to base Willowbrook off of, allowing for my creative vision to be fulfilled without overcomplicating the design process with excessive coding or other complexities.
Object-oriented programming is a method of computer programming that focuses primarily on the use of a graphical interface, rather than requiring the user to input individual lines of code. Some examples of modern languages that incorporate some degree of OOP (read: object-oriented programming) include:
➢ C++
➢ Microsoft Visual BASIC
➢ JAVA
➢ Adobe Flash
C++ is a language derived from C that is renowned for its ease of use and high level of adaptability. This makes it a popular choice of modern software developers for everything from server integration to designing the most recent video game titles. Visual BASIC is an extension of the Microsoft BASIC language, created specifically with OOP in mind. It comprises the underlying architecture of Windows, and is therefore notable from a programming standpoint.
JAVA, and by extension Flash are a common alternative to C++. Flash is a useful tool in website and animation design, allowing for seamless integration of visual and code-writing values. For this reason, this program is venerated by novice video game designers whose amateur works occupy the majority of the bandwidth of such popular sites as Addictinggames.com.
Basic Concepts of Object-Oriented Programming:
There are eight basic concepts in OOP. Called “quarks” by those in the field, they include the following (Abadi):
➢ Class
➢ Object
➢ Method
➢ Message Passing
➢ Inheritance
➢ Encapsulation
➢ Abstraction
➢ Polymorphism
Class:
Class is one of the most important of the fundamental concepts of OOP. It is defined as the basic essence that sets one object apart from another. In this way, an object is connected to a series of subroutines, based on the qualities that define it (Abadi).
Object:
An object is the basic unit in OOP. This takes the place of lines of code in traditional programming, and is directed by instances (see Figure 25C-A2). These modifiers define which properties an object possesses, and how they will change by the actions of the user during execution.
Method:
The method refers to the way in which Classes are modified by their instances. In this way, if a car was to be considered an object, instances of said car would include such qualities as drive ( ) and park ( ) in that these represent actions that such an “object” would be likely to perform. As seen in Figure 25C-A3, each instance contains an inherent method (Object).
Message Passing:
Figure 25C-A3 illustrates the concept of message passing, how an object calls upon each instance.
Inheritance:
Inheritance allows subclasses to gain the attributes of their parents, while allowing them to be programmed only once. In this way, OO Programmers can be more efficient and reduce the chances of scripting errors. For example, if a car was to be considered a class, its subclasses would include brands such as Ford ( ), Cadillac ( ), Toyota, and Infinity ( ), and each of these would “inherit” the instances of drive ( ) and park ( ). (Object)
Encapsulation:
This allows instances to apply only to certain classes at certain times in an effort to allow objects to adapt more readily to changing information. In this way, methods are defined as “public”, “protected”, or “private”. Public access allows the subroutine to be accessed at any point in time by any client. “Protected” instances can only be accessed by certain subclasses, while “private” indicates that an instance may only be accessed by the specific, defining class (Object).
Abstraction/Polymorphism
Abstraction allows different classes to be modified at the most appropriate level of inheritance, allowing the program itself to open each subroutine without knowing the specific details of each unit. Polymorphism occurs when a class may be defined by any of its subclasses depending on the scope of the method (Object).
Macromedia Flash:
Macromedia Flash is an Object-oriented program, derived from JAVA, used primarily in graphical design and animation for website design and other uses (Flash). It is ideal for the design of Willowbrook due to its ease of use, and attractive, graphically based user interface.
Flash Animation:
Although animating with Flash is a fairly involved process, it greatly simplifies the traditional methods (see Figure 25C-A4).
Method:
In order to animate in flash, one must import image files in .bmp format, rasterizing, to ensure smooth blending during scene transitions (Flash). From there, the user creates a background, extrapolating it over several scenes, while modifying the animated object between each frame, so that the illusion of movement is created. Audio files can be added and the frame rate adjusted to increase realism.
Summation:
Object-Oriented Programming is one of the most popular methods of creating new applications and web content. Its ease of use, coupled with a high degree of adaptability allow the user unparalleled freedom to create. Perhaps the quintessential example of OOP is Macromedia Flash. This system is popular with man novice game designers, and will therefore be a good format to base Willowbrook off of, allowing for my creative vision to be fulfilled without overcomplicating the design process with excessive coding or other complexities.
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