Daniel Shepherd Unit 78: Digital Graphics for Computer Games

HA1 Assignment Breif

Assignment brief

Qualification	90 Credit Diploma in Creative Media Production - Games Design
Unit number and title	Unit 78 – Digital Graphics for Computer Games - partial
Assessor name	Harry Arnold
Date issued	09/11/2015
Hand in deadline	11/12/2015

Assignment title	HA1 Game Graphics Now
The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate that the learner: • Be able to Understand theory and applications of digital graphics used for computer games
Scenario You have been commissioned to write a blog article on the subject of computer graphics for *Computer Arts*, the online and print magazine which covers all aspects of new media design. http://www.computerarts.co.uk/ https://twitter.com/computerarts The idea is for you to provide an overview of how computer graphics are currently used across all sections of the industry.
Task 1 – Technical Glossary Write a Glossary of the following key technical terms and subjects: VECTOR IMAGES RASTER IMAGES THE PIXEL COLOUR DEPTH COLOUR MODELS RESOLUTION ANTI-ALIASING ASPECT RATIO FILE FORMATS - bmp, png, gif, tiff, jpg, psd, pdf, eps and ai COMPRESSION IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICES OPTIMISING STORAGE AND ASSET MANAGEMENT Remember that you are trying to describe and explain your findings. Illustrate as required and remember to cite any sources you have used in your research, both written and visual. This provides evidence Unit 78 – P1, M1, D1
Task 2 – Artistic Styles Create a report that explores these four different artistic styles found in games: PHOTOREALISM CELL SHADING ABSTRACTION EXAGGERATION Choose a wide range of examples and remember that you are trying to describe and explain your findings. Illustrate as required and remember to cite any sources you have used in your research, both written and visual. This provides evidence Unit 78 – P1, M1, D1
Task 3 – Graphic Types Create a report that explores these five different types of computer game graphics: PIXEL ART CONCEPT ART TEXTURE ART BACKGROUND GRAPHICS PRINT MEDIA ART Choose a wide range of examples and remember that you are trying to describe and explain your findings. Illustrate as required and remember to cite any sources you have used in your research, both written and visual. This provides evidence Unit 78 – P1, M1, D1
Evidence checklist		Tick
Technical Glossary
Artistic Styles Research
Computer Game Graphics Research

HA2 Assignment Breif

Assignment brief

Qualification	90 Credit Diploma in Creative Media Production - Games Design
Unit number and title	Unit 78 – Digital Graphics for Computer Games - partial
Assessor name	Harry Arnold
Date issued	16/11/2015
Hand in deadline	11/12/2015

Assignment title	HA2 – Mekka Hornet Rebuild and Promotion
The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate that the learner: • Be able to generate concept art ideas for computer game graphics • Be able to create digital graphics for a computer game following industry practice
Scenario EGI, Eccles Games Incubator has developed a mechanic for a top-down shooter and want to trial, test and release variations of the game in the new year. During the delivery of Unit 70 – Computer Game Engines, you will build your own top-down shooter from a template, but using your own artwork and sound assets. For this unit and assignment you will conceive, design and create the environment, player, enemies and boss characters for the game. The first stage will involve you producing print-ready vector artwork that you will apply to promotional and marketing materials. The second stage will involve you producing screen-ready raster pixel art optimised for use within the 2D game engine. In addition to the final artwork, EGI are very interested in how you have made the work, your design process. This is your chance to apply the software skills you have learnt to date. You will be using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to produce both raster and vector artwork, alongside other pixel editors.
Task 1 - Schedule Complete a schedule for the project using the supplied template. This burn-down chart will help you allocate enough time for each task and hit the deadline. Your schedule will need to be reviewed and updated at least once per week. Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through concept art ideas for computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations. This provides evidence for Unit 78 – P2, M2, D2
Task 2 – Game Evaluation Play the *Mekka Hornet* game level. Review its inspiration and evaluate its effectiveness. Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through concept art ideas for computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations. This provides evidence for Unit 78 – P2, M2, D2
Task 3 – Inspiration Research Research SHMUPs and look for inspiration from other games, but also TV, film, literature, graphic novels, current affairs etc. This document will give you guidance as to the style of your game assets. Use whichever software packages suit you best, BUT cite any sources you have used in your research, both written and visual. Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through concept art ideas for computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations. This provides evidence for Unit 78 – P2, M2, D2
Task 4 – Ideas Generation Produce an ideas map that explores the name, environment, player, enemies and boss characters for the game. Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through concept art ideas for computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations. This provides evidence for Unit 78 – P2, M2, D2
Task 5 – Planning Write up a brief but clear synopsis of your game. Treat this as if you are producing the blurb that appears within a trailer. Illustrate this with imagery if it helps to communicate your idea, BUT cite any sources you have used in your research. Produce a design pack to help in the production your artwork. This will include any reference imagery you may have found (remember to cite sources) or created yourself, either hand-drawn or photographed. Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through concept art ideas for computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations. This provides evidence for Unit 78 – P2, M2, D2
Task 6 – Vector Production Based on your planning, use Adobe Photoshop to create raster mock-ups of your game’s typelogo, player and boss character. The aspect ratio you use is for you to choose, but make sure that the resolution of your imagery is clear enough to work from when tracing. Following this, trace your raster artwork of the game’s typelogo, player and boss character using Adobe Illustrator. Ensure that you have included all aspects of your working processes within your blog posts. This production log will need to include explanatory notes, imagery and screen-shots from the software and any other processes you are using. Remember that you are trying to create computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations. This provides evidence for Unit 78 – P3, M3, D3
Task 7 – Vector Presentation Present your completed vector artwork as a series of four promotional T-shirts. Publish these to your blog in Jpeg format and upload vector PDF versions to Moodle. Ensure that you have included all aspects of your working processes within your blog posts. This production log will need to include explanatory notes, imagery and screen-shots from the software and any other processes you are using. Remember that you are trying to create computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations. This provides evidence for Unit 78 – P3, M3, D3
Task 8 – Pixel Production Re-work and simplify your vector artwork into pixel artwork assets using the supplied templates from the Mekka Hornet prototype. You may choose to use a range of software applications to create your assets. Ensure that you have included all aspects of your working processes within your blog posts. This production log will need to include explanatory notes, imagery and screen-shots from the software and any other processes you are using. Remember that you are trying to create computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations. This provides evidence for Unit 78 – P3, M3, D3
Task 9 – Pixel Presentation Present your completed pixel artwork assets on your blog in Jpeg format using the supplied template and upload the original Png versions to Moodle. Ensure that you have included all aspects of your working processes within your blog posts. This production log will need to include explanatory notes, imagery and screen-shots from the software and any other processes you are using. Remember that you are trying to create computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations. This provides evidence for Unit 78 – P3, M3, D3
Task 10 – Review Write an evaluation of your project. Use your plan, production log and blog posts to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your design process. This is best carried out by producing a conclusion to the design process evidenced in your blog. Try to establish whether or not your finished product has achieved the aim of the project. Remember that you are trying to create computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations. This provides evidence Unit 78 – P3, M3, D3
Evidence checklist		Tick
Schedule
Mekka Hornet Game Evaluation
Inspiration Research
Ideas Generation
Game Synopsis and Design Pack
Raster Artwork Mockups
Vector Artwork Tracings
Four Promotional T-shirts (including PDF upload)
Pixel Artwork Creation
Pixel Artwork Presentation (including Png upload)
Review

Now my work is done I can reflect on how I did. I feel even though I got my work done on time I panicked near the end of this assignment however, I powered through. I did show certain weaknesses however I also showed some strengths!

One of my weaknesses is pixel art. I think this art style takes a specific eye to achieve really good looking art. I find it hard to work will small pixel however I don't mind this when I'm working on a smaller sized canvas. Another weakness with my work is inspiration research, I haven't played too many top-down 2D shoot-em-up games but I used some of the more popular games of this nature.

My strength's are using the software like Photoshop and Illustrator. I think my artwork for task 6 gets progressively better from the Typelogo to the Boss. I really enjoyed this task as I loved the final outcome even if it isn't amazing I think its my best I could have done.

For task 8 I used Piskel to create my pixel art as I think it is the easier way to create pretty good looking pixel art. At the beginning I wasn't looking forward to the pixel art task however I quickly change my mind I found it rather fun to do. I started off not really knowing what I wanted the assets to look like in pixel form but after time I started to adapt to the idea and let my imagination shine.

I felt like I was behind and that I wasn't going to finish before the deadline however I took my own initiative to come back on a Wednesday to get finished all the work that was needed. I am rather happy with myself with my time keeping and about keeping myself organised.

I think my final product is more than acceptable for what the assignment is asking for as I have provided the raster artwork that was traced over and turned into vector artwork. Then I created pixel art that is based on the vector images with a little bit of my own imagination to fill in the blanks.

HA2 Task 9 – Pixel Presentation

To create these assets I used Piskel then after i had finished making these i put them into Photoshop into what you can see above.

I used the select tool to measure the Mekka Hornet work so I could do mine to the same scale. With the typelogo I mimic'ed the fact he used a gradient effect in the background of his.

HA2 Task 8 – Pixel Production

I used Piskel to create my assets they are below;

Typelogo;

Player;

Forward;

Left;

Right;

To make the player look like its moving forward and side to side I place a white block on the front of the wheel one frame and on the next I placed it on the back wheel as I could only do 2 frame animations for this. If I could have done more I would have put the white block down one square each frame which would make it look better.

Boss;

This is the first time I have ever try to animate a person, I think it went pretty well however on the 3rd frame I wanted it to look like he was throwing it but I could achieve that so it ended up looking like he is just jabbing in the air until the following frames.

Enemies;

Enemy 1;

Enemy 2;

Maggot;

I know Enemy 1 and 2 look like one another however, I wanted this look for them as I want them to look like part of a tribe. This may look odd but I feel you will easily tell the different if you were to play against them.

Maggot Spawner;

Bullets;

Player's;

Enemy's;

Bosses;

I wanted to keep a theme with the enemy projectiles where they use spears. The smaller enemies use smaller spears which do less damage and the big boss will have the massive spear that will do increased damage.

Power-ups;

Health;

Multi-shot;

I like the spinning coins so i though i would keep that theme throughout the game with power-ups. These power-up are simply just to add more health and a multi-shot one where the player gets 3x the firepower.

Blood;

Blood 1;

Blood 2;

Turret;

I would like to think this turret will replace the one already on the car when the multi-shot power-up is active. How I would achieve this idea I don't know yet,

Burn;