Conclusion Post

At the start of this course I had only a basic understanding of computer games and how they worked and over the last 6 months I have learned a great deal about the creation process involved in making a fully functional game.

The first thing we learned to use was a browser based software called Scratch. It is a free 2D game creation software.

Capture of the scratch home page

At the start of the year we were taught how to use it and eventually we were tasked with creating our very own 2D games.

The next software that we were introduced to was Adobe Photoshop.

Photoshop logo

We learned how to use most of the tools within Photoshop relating to vectors. We even made the graphics for our 2D game using Photoshop.

After some weeks we went on to use our first 3D game software, UDK.

UDK or Unreal Development Kit is a free copy of Unreal Engine 3 that anyone can download.

Unreal's logo

At first the software seem to be impossible to navigate but after about 10-15 minutes it became much easier to use. The software can be used to produce both 3D and 2D games for all platforms.

We used the software to create our own 3D game for assessment, the same 3D game that I have been documenting for the past few months. 

I have learned how to create a fully functional 3D level using the tools that are readily available in UDK. 

I have learned:

• how to create my own custom landscape,

landscape editor in UDK

• how import custom static meshes that can be used in UDK,

• how to create my own custom textures, 

adding texture to a material

• how to make a bot spawn and try to kill the player,

kismet for standard bot

• how to make a bot spawn in a vehicle,

kismet for spawning a bot in a vehicle

• how to add fog and wind,

actor classes, wind and fog are found here

• how to add foliage (trees,grass) using the foliage editor,

Foliage editor

• and even how to add and edit lighting.

Dominant Directional  Light properties

Tthat is just to name a few of the things that I have learned to do in my time with UDK.

To concluded I hope to continue my studies in Games Programming and Development as the experience so far has been one of great enjoyment and over the course of such a short time I have learned so much about in designing and creating a game.

3D Game Update

Since the last time I have posted about it I have added in a damaging Physics volume around a "shrine" in my map

Properties of a physics volume

You just need to have the red builder brush at the desired size then click on add volumes and add a Physics Volume. With one added you just need to add a damage per second and change the damage type to none. The last step is to tick pain causing so it will actually damage the player.

I have also added in a rotating key that spins once all the correct objects are in place. I achieved the spinning by rotating the key 180 degrees every .5 of a second for 1.5 seconds. Then I ticked looping on the matinee sequence and also increased the play rate so it seemed faster than it would normally

My static mesh key

I added in a fractured version of a static mess into the level that activates a sequence upon taking damage.

UDK static mesh editor, fracture tool.

One of the last things which I have added in is a weapon locker to allow the player to have access to a weapon in the level as they do not spawn with one. They can be found under the actor class tab of the content browser in the the weapons drop down under the pick up menu.