This document provides an overview of Peter McCarthy's Year 2 games project for his Creative Media degree. He plans to create a 3D platforming game called "Hamster in a Gravity-shifting Exercise Ball" using Unreal Engine 4. The game will involve controlling a hamster rolling an exercise ball that can change the center of gravity. Peter aims to improve his skills in areas like game development, 3D modeling, programming, and project planning through completing this project. He has outlined the software and processes he will use, and how reflecting on his progress can help him achieve his goals.

1. Pecha-Kucha Presentation
PETER MCCARTHY
GAMES YEAR 2
MCC14103001

2. Subjects this will be Covering
-Unit 13 Brief
-Project Brief
-Game Concept
-What I aim to achieve
-How this will be achieved
-Production and Planning
-Summary

3. Unit 13 Brief: Level 3 in Creative Media
•Final Major Project
• Decides final grade (P, M, D)
•Media product
• Ideally related to subject of study- Games in this case
•16 weeks long (including time off)
• Final Date: 13th June 2016
• Split into 3 categories: Research, Production, and Evaluation
•Process of production most crucial aspect
• Documenting progression and reflection most important part

4. The Project: 3D Game
•Proposed Project is a 3D platforming game
• Developed using Unreal Engine 4
• Produced for all major platforms (PS4, Xbox, PC)(Tentative)
•Hamster in Gravity-shifting Exercise Ball
• Ball can roll up and across any surface- Changes centre of gravity
• Player controls hamster, pushing ball
•Set in Cartoon-Style World
• Easy to look at to match simple, easy to understand concept
•Aiming for young to mid-teen audience
• Main focus for target audience is young
• Game will hopefully appeal to all age ranges

5. Early Concept Sketches
•Early depictions of mechanics
• Aim to flesh out systems to see how they may work
• Basic gravity mechanics- Ball will switch centre of gravity when contacted with wall
• At high speed rolling up object, ball will fly off edge. Centre of gravity returns to ground.

6. Main Inspirations
•Super Monkey Ball
• Very unique and fun ball-rolling game
• Also features animal in ball
• Tilt world to roll ball
•Gravity Rush
• Dynamic gravity shifting system
• Combines Action/RPG genre with unique gravity mechanics
• Appealing simple art style and colour themes

7. Why I want to work on this project
•Strong passion for developing games
• Something I have knowledge and experience in
• Very creative industry, demands new, fresh ideas and concepts
•Simple Concept, Large Potential
• Rolling a ball is easy to understand
• Genre has limitless potential for expansion- can be very creative
•Feasible
• Uses existing technology and methods- should not require “re-invention of wheel”
• Simplistic style which fits theme and concept of game- room for expansion
•Provides Learning Experience
• Will teach me about industry, software, creative concepts and much more
• Genuinely interested in project- enthusiastic to learn

8. An Evolution of Year 1
•Year 1 project 2D ball rolling game
• Simple concept that had been explored prolifically
• Challenge of thinking up new concepts around London theme
• Physics based, had a sense of gravity and weight
•Year 2 project 3D ball rolling game
• Using similar conventions of year 1 game
• Expanding on ball rolling genre into 3D environment
• Opens new creative and logical challenges
• New possibilities

9. How this project will be Produced
•Specific Game Development Software
• Unreal Engine 4 (Main platform the game will be developed through)
• Maya Modelling (Used for 3D asset creation)
• Adobe Suite (Multimedia software used for Sound, Image Editing, 2D animation etc.)
•Hardware Needed
• Mid-range PC to develop through (3D environment rendering can be very demanding)
• Graphics Tablet (For digital sketching)
• Game Controllers (For testing purposes, assuming game will be on game consoles)
•Game Development Skills Required
• Coding Proficiency (Main systems game will run on)
• Artistic Skills (Ability to produce 2D and 3D work through software- proficiency in software)
• Creative Mind (Ability to solve problems using lateral thinking, come up with new ideas and concepts)
• Time Keeping (Committing to a schedule, keeping everything on time and updated)

10. What I aim to Achieve
•Ability to plan and produce a personal project
• Aim to acquire developed planning, critically evaluative and time management skills
•Production Skills
• Includes use of software (Unreal Engine 4, Maya, Adobe Suite etc.) Aim to become proficient in these
• Programming Knowledge and Application (Main strength and interest)
• Artistic Capabilities (Improving drawing/modelling abilities)
•Personal Progression as Learner
• Research and Analytical capabilities (Extrapolation, Application and Reflection in own work)
• Ability to use different perspectives (Looking at something from all angles before assessing)

11. How I will Achieve these Goals
•Practice Production Methods and Tools
• Research and learn how to use software
• Practice using software by creating smaller, simpler systems and projects
• Create challenges and aim to overcome these
•Create and stick to plan and timetable
• Ensure all work is done on time
• Commit to timetable, ensure work is done each day
•Reflect on Personal and Professional Growth
• Keep development diary to keep track of work done and evaluate said work
• Reflect on progression as learner each day with diary
• Assess skills early into project, and again at the end

12. Planning
•Timetable & Action Plan
• Clear description of each day’s task
•Task Progression Checklist
• List of all tasks needed for project and percentage complete
•Reflective Journal
• Keep track of all tasks worked on daily, followed by evaluative thoughts on own growth

13. Skills Development
•Skills Assessment: Before and After
• Analysis and assessment of current skills before and after work on the project.
• Details on weaker skills and aims to improve them
•Reflective Journal
• Daily documentation of skills assessment and any improvements
•Consistent Improvement Potential through Practice
• Production on project itself will continuously grow and improve practical skills
• Written/Planning skills improved from pre-production and research work

14. Research
•Analyse and Extrapolate from Games with Similar Aspects
• Games with similar game mechanics/visual styles/themes as mine
• Analyse deeply to find what works and use this to influence own work
•Study how Games are Coded
• Examine source code of games to learn the logic behind them
•Conduct Surveys and Focus Groups
• Get primary sourced research from specific target demographics
• Use information to tailor game to target audience

15. Evaluation and Reflection
•Reflective Journal for Evaluation on Daily Basis
• All work completed daily will be reflected upon and will seek improvement where necessary
•Final Section of Analysis/Reports
• All reports to have final section used for summary, reflection and personal growth through said work
•Final Reflection Report
• End-of-project report to evaluate all work and growth throughout project

16. Unreal Engine 4
•Main Software that Game will be Built Upon
• All programing for game systems to be done through UE4
• Tool that controls lighting, implementation of systems, assembly and rendering if assets
•Uses Blueprint Visual Scripting System
• Primary means of programming game systems and logic
• Will be main subject of personal growth- main skill to focus on
•3D characters/objects, 2D UI and icons
• Supports 2D and 3D images and objects
• 3D created in Maya, 2D created in Photoshop/Illustrator

17. Autodesk Maya
•Software Used to Create 3D models
• All objects, characters and environments to be modelling using Maya
•Uses Geometry to control modelling
• Using vertexes and normals, models can be created by extruding and moving specific parts
•Requires patience and Planning
• Visualising model before starting work on it is crucial
• Can take much time to create simple models
•Will require time and effort to use proficiently
• Another key subject of improvement to work on

18. Adobe Photoshop
•Will be used for creation and editing of 2D images
• UI, sprites, icons, logos etc. Will be created in this software
•One of the most used pieces of software for media in the world
• Almost all media industries use Photoshop in some way.
• Plenty of help online
•Able to produce professional looking images
• Industry standard work able to be produced

19. Where the Project can Lead
•Aiming for Distinction grade
• Achieved by highest standard of work and detail
•Grade will lead to acceptance into University
•Aim to Study Computer Science at University
• Further expand passion for programming and technical knowledge
•Perhaps follow career in Games Programming

20. Thanks for Reading!
•I hope you enjoyed this presentation!
•Any questions, suggestions etc. Email me at:
petemcca@gmail.com
•I hope this has given you anything you need to know about my project.