uprepmakers-blog

[uprepmakers-blog]

Today me and my partner worked on finishing up our game by attaching support pieces to the bottom of each game figure. We also printed out a vinyl cutout to label the start and the end of the game board. Our game is called “escape mars”, it is a board game and you start on mars and work your way to earth. For our game figures we used a 3d printer to print out astronauts. 

[uprepmakers-blog]

Today we were doing some finishing touches on concept art, most groups have either finished concept art or are almost done, my group, (Frank and Lucas) has been working on our rulebook and getting ready to create our board, our game will be about building and destroying, one part is building the other is destroying your enemies buildings.

[uprepmakers-blog]

Thursday

Today we worked on our concept art for our first quarter final project, making our own physical games before launching into some digital media making next quarter. Some people including myself are using photoshop to make images and backgrounds, others are using Piskel or Gimp. Some are making 3D game pieces with 123D Design.

[uprepmakers-blog]

Today in game design, we started on our quarter projects. We will be putting together all of the game building skills we have learned. Environment, Mechanics, and Story. These games will be board games created with a mix of Photoshop and using everyday materials to create our games. For instance, my group will be using 3-D printers, Photoshop and some regular materials to make our game.

[uprepmakers-blog]

SPACE (social programming adventure club) met today - on a day off, no less - to spend time learning together about building iPhone apps. The club's goal is to build an app to support calendaring in the UPrep Athletics department. While they may feel they've just scratched the surface in their knowledge of app making, the group is well on their way to an initial prototype!

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Today in class we made environment to our game idea. Most of us use computers while the others used iPads or drew. My game is a mystery and I made a bloody knife.

[uprepmakers-blog]

“Today we played games that focused mainly on environment. My group played the game 'Between Two Cities' which focuses on drawing cards to create cities. You make a city with the person to your right and the person to your left at the same time. It seems complicated but in fact, the instructions are very easy to follow. It walks you through the game and helps you set it up. I would rate 'Between Two Cities' a solid 8/10. The setup is a little complicated but once you play It for a bit it makes more sense.”

[uprepmakers-blog]

“Today in game design we continued play testing and working on our final versions. We are also working on revising anything unclear that came up in our play test. Our games are story-based and mostly consists of cards, boards and game pieces. Our game is about escaping an insane asylum before the other players. It has multiple choices but they all lead to one ending, or two, if you lose then you're trapped. There is one card that ends in your death. Overall, the stages of our games are the beginnings of a final version.”

[uprepmakers-blog]

“In class we worked on play testing other groups games. We have been creating games in groups and today we had our games play tested by other groups. For play testing, the group who's game is being tested is not allowed to interact with the group that is testing. This makes sure that the testers will get all the rules and story from the game itself and helps to see if anything in the game is unclear. When the players finish testing the group asks them questions about the game. The groups used the feedback from the play testers to start designing a newer and better version of their game.”

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Some pictures from Upper School Robotics showing off their ongoing BB-8 Droid project at Seattle Mini Maker Faire.

[uprepmakers-blog]

“Today in game design we are finishing our story based game prototypes. We are just writing on notecards and and making boards. Our game is about a group rebels that try to overthrow the corrupt government. It is a choose you own adventure game. There is one option that requires a die and is a random chance. Depending on what you roll, the civilians either join your army or the enemy's army.”

[uprepmakers-blog]

“Today in game design we continued working on our story-based games that we started designing yesterday. Our game is made currently with paper and pencil, along with some cards. It is about negotiations with aliens. The feelings of the people of your nation affect the outcome of your actions. Our stage of development is equivalent to a pre-alpha where we have the major concepts, plot line, and major mechanics, however mechanics might change and the game board and cards are very roughly drawn.”

[uprepmakers-blog]

Starting Game Design Project #2 - Story and Plot. Played Clue, Betrayal at House on the Hill, Microscope and Forbidden Island, and wrote about their plot and story elements.