Cycle 1 Week 1

This is the first of a series of blogs that cover my progress through the GDS210 unit. The unit consists of three developmental “cycles” in which we are expected to establish a group, conceptualise an idea of a game and develop a working prototype in time before the deadline, 4-5 weeks after the start of the cycle. These cycles are supposed to push us to learn how to rapidly prototype, test and incorporate any feedback given.

The first week of our first cycle has passed yet a lot has already been achieved. On Monday, the class split up into three groups and the first brief was handed out. The first assessment is to create a 2D Arcade game for a Mobile/Tablet, specifics include utilizing a mechanic unique to mobile gaming (e.g. touch input) and a 16-bit art style. My team members (Kimberly Smith and John Valdez) and I quickly started discussing concepts for the game. We were having difficulty coming up with a coherent idea at the start, but I think it was because it was the first time any of us were making a mobile game. Not too long after, I was thinking of games that have a lot of replay value when I remembered Shopping Cart Hero. Shopping Cart Hero was an old flash game that I used to play in the 2000’s and its goal was to reach as far as you can by launching yourself from a ramp in nothing but a trolley. Throughout the game, you collect coins that can upgrade your trolley which lets you travel further. From this, came the idea of Sub-Urbal Space Program: a story of two kids in their backyard trying to reach space in nothing but a cardboard space ship and their imagination.

Now that we had our idea, we had to pitch the game to our lecturer on the following Thursday in order for him to greenlight us for production. We had already created a powerpoint presentation the night before and were ready to present. However, through a combination of my own stupidity and a less-than-performing iPhone, I slept in on the day we were supposed to present. After arriving to class two and a half hours late, I find out that Kim and John understandably went ahead and presented without me. This was irresponsible on my behalf and I need to prove to myself and the team that I’m a better team member than I’ve been demonstrating.