Abigail
Kartika
Hello readers, my name is Abigail, and I’m a student of Taylor's University BDCM (creative media design) specializing in UI/UX design. I’m a chill yet ambitious person sometimes. I like to create concept, do visual designs, and play mobile games (not a gamer coz’ no gamer plays mobile game). I’d like to work as UI/UX Designer (hopefully game UI/UX Designer). Nice to meet u :D
Weekly Reflection
Week 1
Last week was a public holiday, thus, class was conducted on week 2. There were so many people in the class, and lots of unfamiliar people because they’re coming from the Computer Science course. At the first meeting, Dr. Charles introduced us to the module and how the class will be conducted. As explained by Dr. Charles, all projects in the module are required to be done with team members. Project 1 to 3 are a continuous project which in the end, we will ideate a unique game.
We go into some groups of 5 members. I was in a group with 1 BDCM student, and 3 Computer Science students. We introduced ourselves and got to know each other with the group members; Alyssa, Amirul, Aiden, and Jun Yu. We introduce our favourite games, which later will be the topic / ideation of the project - so we enjoy the process. We exchange contacts also.
We discovered each other's interests, personalities, and studied the genre of some games that are scrolled on Amirul’s STEAM. We get to know that Amirul plays a lot of games with diverse genres, for example; gachas, RPGs, MMORPGs, FPS, etc. Alyssa also shares similar genres, and Jun Yu shared an RPG game. On the other hand, Aiden mostly plays FPS. From myself, I shared MMORPGs, RPGs, Gacha and MOBA games. To be honest I’m not being really helpful since I’m not used to PC / laptop games because I never downloaded one, and I’m sharing more about mobile games POVs.
After we knew each other’s interests, we started to discuss more about the genres, but we couldn't find one because there's so many choices to choose from. Alyssa suggested a horror genre game, I suggested a fantasy genre game. Then, we agreed on making both horror and fantasy. Aiden suggests making something of maths and science, Amirul agrees on that because they both love maths, which me and Alyssa cannot relate to haha. But then, we agreed on it.
Then, we discussed on the platform what to use to make the game, which the computer science guys more understand than me and Alyssa. The first discussion feels awesome since they all seem like good and active teammates, and I am really looking forward to doing the project with them
Week 3
We discussed more about the gameplay type aside from the genre. They’re all talking about computer games which I don’t understand :”). So many various game types to choose from; we can make FPS, RPG, or something else. We came out with something like choice based games, for my understanding it’s something like “Episodes” on the phone. But then we changed our direction to a RPG Game. To be honest I’m really passive about this part, since I don’t know what they’re talking about, and I think I’m there but not helping with anything.
For the gameplay concept we came out with a life based concept but mixed with horror - fantasy genre. Basically the MC needs to survive a week and manage their stress level, otherwise if they cannot, or MC being killed on his/her hallucination, it’ll be game over, which was JunYu and Amirul’s idea.
Me and Alyssa later develop on something like MC need to survive a week and manage their stress and if the stress level is high enough, he/she will be attacked by monsters in his/her hallucination. At the other time, MC also need to take care of their hunger bar.
Next, the boys moved forward on planning the platform to use, they tried to discover several platforms, which finally they decide to use RPG Maker.
Week 4
We came up with the game concept we made and consulted it with Dr. Charles back in class. Dr. Charles approved of that and gave us feedback that the important part of this kind of game is the story line, because this kind of game needs a proper storyline, thus he also gave us feedback that we have to come up with a script. JunYu started to work on the maps, while me and Alyssa started to think of the events that we can add to the game, with dialogues and cutscenes.
Week 5
This week, we have more progress for the game, we get to test the RPG Makers. Amirul and JunYu prepared a brief preview of the gameplay, where we can study, walk, and reduce our stress by buying something on the vending machine. Dr. Charles approved that also, but then he gave feedback that we need to create a stronger plot, and thinking like what’s the purpose, why, something like that.
On the other hand, the prototype also still needs to be remade also since JunYu made the map so huge haha. Dr. Charles also feedback on our design, making sure we don’t use templates or designs provided by the RPG Makers. Thus, I started to make a visual of the monster using digital art.
Dr. Charles also gave us feedback that since it’s on “dream-world” it’s better to have a magic attack rather than physical, making it logical. For the storyline, now it’s getting stronger and we need to provide 1 event of gameplay by next week.
Week 6
Alden reminded us to start touching the exercises. Exercises 2; a review of the game, we decided to go separately; Alden with his game; Valorant, JunYu, Amirul, and Alyssa with Genshin Impact and me with my own game; Tales of Grimm. I decided to make something separate from them because I’m not that familiar with Genshin Impact. This week also, sir announced that we no longer have class sessions, it changed into each group individual work time.
After that, me and Alyssa started to work again on the story. We came up with the prologue and ending 1 2 3 dialogues.
Week 7
On this week I started to create the material for my exercise 2 presentation. After that, me, Alyssa, and Amirul started to develop more about the storyline. Me and Alyssa came up with some new events, and we created it until the Witch Doctor event.
Week 9
Okay, so the storylines are finished. But then, it feels like Amirul tries to create a better story again. Thus, I feel like the storyline that I create with Alyssa is not that good. I tried my best. I spent lots of time working on that but then just changed. Okay, feels like I am contributing but at the same time seems not to contribute anything. I mean, we can just communicate on what to change, why you change, that’s all :’D. Meanwhile, Jun Yu keeps on creating the maps, and Alden is there talking about the other modules. What are we doing, do we have much time, have we even done anything for the exercises? What I reflect from this is that, there is a lack of communication between each member for the corresponding project, it should’ve been better.
Week 10
We always meet up at the class hour, but then, with the same repetition, I did the exercises with Alyssa, JunYu designed the maps, and Amirul with the new gameplay. This week, Amirul lent me his laptop to learn about the SuperHot game, which is our topic. From that I started to learn about the game and designed the presentation. I was helped by Alyssa, then I continued on helping Amirul doing the draft. The draft kept on moving, we did it halfway through the plot, then we stopped, because Amirul was still thinking about the next plot.
Week 10, we continue on making the draft, while at the same time, I divide parts and start to ask the members to complete each parts recording by the end of the week. I feel very anxious that we didn’t consult with sir for a long time. Thus, I planned on rushing the exercises. The recording was efficiently completed by the members. I feel appreciated that they wanted to hear me, some even recorded it on the scene, like JunYu and Alden.
This week also, after I got the complete version of the others recordings I started to create the compilation. I did it in Premiere Pro, which Amirul asked on After Effects actually, but then I’m out of storage and I feel Premiere Pro is way more effective for video compiling, so I used Premiere Pro and completed it by next week before our meeting. I did Exercise 4 and 5, while Alyssa helped me with Exercise 3. With that, we complete our exercises. Yay! We finally can focus on the game :)
Week 11
Me and Alyssa showed the result to the other members, they are ok with that, except for JunYu's Exercise 4 recording, because the audio is mixed with Amirul’s gameplay. Thus, JunYu needs to send me the version of his recording without the Minecraft’s video, and we are done!
We finished the exercises, all left to do is the game! I saw JunYu continue on creating the map, and Amirul creating the expression for the characters. He asked me how to make great expressions, so I made some for him.
Week 12
Moving on to the next week, we continue to develop the game again. JunYu continues with his maps, and Amirul continues with adding the storyline, also. I feel not good that only JunYu and Amirul have the RPG Maker software, so I need to do something else that I can do outside the RPG Maker software.
I remembered back when I created the cat monster art, that we need some monster drawing to be put as the enemy. I feel like only cat monsters aren't enough. So, I asked Amirul how many he needed, and he asked me to draw 5 commanders and 5 mobs. Okay, to make it fair, I’m okay with that since I cannot help them in the RPG Maker. Thus I divided with Alyssa on who drew what, and we decided to explore Pinterest. From that, the output is that I’m in charge of making the commander, and Alyssa the small mobs. I discussed with Alyssa since we’re not that professional in drawing, making 3 monster commanders and 3 mobs is fine. We got a lot of work to do, but that’s fair!
Week 13
I’m amazed that we progressed so much. I am really excited yet anxious that we finally on week 13. Alden started to compile all the documents. I finished the 3 commander monster, Alyssa also. Meanwhile, I don’t clearly understand why Alden said that we don’t need to use everything, but then I’m glad he saw that we put time and effort into making that in only a week, thus, we still use it. I got to see the preview of my designed characters in the RPG Maker, it was so cool!
I feel amazed with our progress. I can sense if we put lots of effort we can make this happen. Also this week, finally we got to meet with sir, online, and showed us our game to ask for his feedback.
Week 14
Sir hasn't replied to anything from the last time we sent the game. I kept feeling anxious about the game. My mind keeps saying that “it’s already Week 14, it’s already Week 14, it’s already Week 14” :’). As a distraction, I tried to finish my part in the documentation file, also creating something for the “Marketing” section. Also, I tried my best to finish up the other modules left for week 14 and 15 submission.
Week 15
Finally sir replied to the game and he sent us some feedback regarding the game. This week we started to finalise things, Amirul fixed up things that were pointed out by sir, meanwhile the rest of us keep on progressing with the e-portfolio and journal, Alden is doing the wix on his own. Since I’m already back in my hometown out of Malaysia, I standby in discord on whether they have something to discuss or not.