Task 2
29/03
Unlike any other unit, where we have been asked to do a specific project, this time we have been asked to choose a project we want to do ourselves. From one point of view it might seem good; you can whatever you want and nobody will force you do something you do not like and you are not good at. However, it also means that we have a tremendous range of briefs to choose from. Which, for me, is not a good thing - I prefer to be told what to do. Whenever I have to choose what to do, I spend more time on thinking what to choose than actually doing something.
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Because of that I have decided to ignore most of the briefs, including briefs that require skills I do not have. Then I have rejected projects that are too small - like one about creating a comic strip (it was written in the brief that this project takes only 2 days to finish). Then I have narrowed it to briefs that seem interesting and then narrowed them once more to ones that I would like to do. In the end I have three briefs I would like to talk about.
Project Choosing
"The competition is for a series of outstanding illustrations that show that the artist understands how to match pictures to text. The pictures should also demonstrate the entrant’s grasp of narrative, pacing and characterisation. The judges will focus on the quality of the illustrations rather than the standard of the writing. Good stories are welcome, but the text will not be the main criterion for judging. Entrants should supply a well-produced rough dummy, which clearly shows how the style and layout of the illustrations contribute towards the development of the story and characterisation. It is important to avoid monotonous layouts with little contrast in composition or colour. Too many words can overwhelm the illustration. The judges are ultimately looking for high-quality illustrations, suitable for children’s books, which are considered to be an original contribution to the field."
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This project asks me to create a short 32-paged picture book suitable for children. I think that this project would be very interesting as I have never written a book before but planned to publish one. However, I think that this project would be not suitable for me, as I am not that confident in my hand-drawing skills. In the worst case scenario, I would end with no good art, which is compulsory for the picture book!
Picture Book Illustration
The Macmillan Prize 2017
30/03
"A popular lifestyle magazine based in New York are looking to commission an awesome illustrator or graphic designer, this winter, to inspire people to keep active during the colder months. The magazines' audience are young, creative professionals and students who have a love for all things design-led. Founded by a graphic designer and illustrator, the magazine has a strong reputation for commissioning talented and up and coming designers in creating one-off artworks to sit within their magazine pages. The client would like to commission a designer to create an infographic to inspire and excite their reader in new ways to keep active during the long, chilly winter months. The name of the piece is 'How to keep fit this winter (like a boss!)'. For this infographic, the client would like you to use your own creative flair here and really let your imagination go wild with the design. They are looking for your individual take on modern infographics and so consider going for a fully illustrative or typographic approach. The choice is up to you! The important thing is to have fun and get creative. The only thing the client has specified here is that you include text and that the information on the page is nice and clear for their readers to digest. To start with, get researching the various styles and approaches that you go for with this brief such as using bespoke lettering or a specific colour palette. Be intuitive with it and have fun!"
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This project asks me to create an infographic that would introduce people with a range of winter activities. I think that this project would be interesting, as I have created infographics in the past, meaning that I would be able to apply my knowledge.
However, I think that it is better to do something new to me as I prefer to constantly learn new things and apply my own techniques to them.
Winter Infographic
Life Style Magazine in New York
"Do you love coming up with great ideas for games? Now is your chance to take it to the next level! We’re looking for the very best game ideas from 10-18 year olds across the UK."
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This project asks me to create a game concept. Not a game but a concept for one. It means that I will not have to code or create any demo but only communicate my ideas using different tools. I think that this project is perfect for me as I have always wanted to work in the Gaming Industry as a developer. Unfortunately, I have no skills for that yet (I can programme in BASIC only and I do not know any engines).
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Thanks to this project I will be able to show others my ideas for games I have always wanted to create. Because of that, this project is ideal for me and will be my Final Project for this unit and course.
Game Concept
BAFTA Young Game Designers
Last year British Academy of Film and Television Arts has decided to establish a competition for young people. Thanks to the Young Game Designers many young designers and artists aged 10 to 18 were able to showcase their skills and ambitions, while trying their best in taking their first steps to enter industry they are interested in. This way numerous students and free-lancers were finally given an opportunity to gain experience and knowledge they will unqestionably need to use in their future careers.
Brief
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is an independent charity that supports, develops and promotes the art forms of the moving image by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public.
In addition to its Awards ceremonies, BAFTA has a year-round, international programme of learning events and initiatives that offers unique access to some of the world’s most inspiring talent through workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes, connecting with audiences of all ages and backgrounds across the UK, Los Angeles and New York.
BAFTA relies on income from membership subscriptions, individual donations, trusts, foundations and corporate partnerships to support its ongoing outreach work.
Who are they?
BAFTA Young Game Designers
British Academy of Film and Television Arts asked all contestants to showcase their concepts using previously prepared set of documents that they had to fill and follow. It seemed more or less like any work I have done for this course, meaning that I would have no problems will following such procedures.
Contestants were free to choose what their game was supposed to be about. Nevertheless, they had to follow some moral, technical and legal rules and conditions.
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Game Concept had to be suitable for children under 16 and PEGI 12 restriction.
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​"Videogames that show violence of a slightly more graphic nature towards fantasy character and/or non graphic violence towards human-looking characters or recognisable animals, as well as videogames that show nudity of a slightly more graphic nature would fall in this age category. Any bad language in this category must be mild and fall short of sexual expletives." http://www.pegi.info/en/index/id/33/
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It means that character in the game COULD fight - they could exchange punches and kicks, however, they would not be allowed to make other characters bleed, break bones, lose limbs etc. Characters could be shown in a bit more revealing clothing. Characters could use bad language to some extent; I suppose that it means use of words like 'idiot' or 'moron'.
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Games (not game concepts, but actual playable applications) had to be prepared in:
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​Algodoo (.phz)
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Flash (.swf)
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•ameMaker (.gmx)
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HTML (.html) (.html5) (twine made .html files) (If submitting a HTML game, all the necessary game files should be collected together in a single .zip file.)
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Java (.java)
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Kodu (.kodu) ( Kodu games must be playable with a keyboard/mouse)
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MissionMaker (.mission)
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Scratch (.sb) (.sb2)
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Windows Executable (.exe)
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All art used must have been prepared by the contestant.
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You could not use work prepared by other, including art from other games or artists.​
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Restrictions
Although, contestants had to follow some rules they could not break (it was unavoidable to be disqualified after ignoring restrictions), they were free to choose what their game / concept would be about. They were to choose the setting, protagonist, antagonist, enemies and all mechanics and controls.
This way they were free to use their imagination to the fullest, having an enormous amout of space for their ideas.
I really like this part, even though I think being told what to do makes everything simplier, as I had many ideas for games I have always wanted to show others. This way I did not have to change them at all in order to make it suitable for the audience and/or client.
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It means that I have to consider things such as pitch of potential player, target audience, range of interactions with the game, story, progression, art, ethnicity and psychographics, what problems to create for players to solve and how to do it.
Target audience covers players I am aiming for to play my game, while potential audience covers all players that could / would play my game. Both groups are very important, as they determine popularity of the game. I will have to think how players could interact with game; using mouse, keyboard? Will they control one character or more? Should they be able to edit they game via level editor? Should they be able to play alone, in group or through the internet? Will I make a new story or using something already created, like a fairy tale? Should it be linear or give multiple opportunities to change the course of the game? Should there be only one way to beat the game and only one ending? I need to think about the ways of progressing as well and what players might face. Will they have problems with the game? Should everything be clear and available from the start?
I need to ask myself all these questions in order to create a successful concept that will meet all requirements set.
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Brief
I need to fill BAFTA 'Design-A-Game' Worksheet. I am going to fill them, scan them and then upload them.
Deliveries
Formal proposal from the moodle.