The goal of this module is to create a game for a client while working
together as a team in a professional environment.
Near the beginning of the module our class was told that we were to
make a game about fire safety for year 6 students. It will be shown on the fire
service website. We were to decide what genre of game we could make. To do that
we had to divide into three groups and each group had to present the idea to
the client.
Our group decided on a game that consisted of a series of mini games interspersed
with interactive comic strips. The comic strips were to test the knowledge of
the player in order to see if he/she remembered the lesson behind each game.
There was an escape game, pipe game, telephone game and spot the hazard game.
In the escape game the player had to find the safest way out of a simulated
burning building. The pipe game had the player connect the hose pipe to allow
water to travel through it in order to put out a fire. The telephone game
required the player to dial 999 while the numbers cycled from 0 to 9 at
different speeds. Spot the hazard is very self-explanatory.
After all three groups presented their game idea to the panel of fire
safety representatives and tutors we were given their verdict on which game
will be made. They decided on a combination of two of our games. They wanted a
tower defence game with our comic strips segments between levels. After our
Christmas holidays we were assigned roles and began work on the game. I
originally wanted to write the narrative but I was given the job of sound
design which I shared with Jim Scull.
Initially our work load was minimal because of the other members of the
class were working on the game design document. Me and Jim did look for
websites that provided free royalty free sounds that we could use in-game. I
also had a look at ways to use copyrighted music in the game but the rules were
very vague. I wasn’t able to attend college for 2 weeks because of an illness
but I was able to compile some fire and emergency sounds.
When I returned, me and Jim were tasked with finding free royalty free
music for use in the game. I discovered a site called Incompetech which had
music created by Kevin Mcloud. There was a diverse range of genres and a very
specific method of music search that used adjectives. I compiled 10 songs and
presented them to the class. The songs that I used for the game over screen
were turned down because they conveyed the message that the player had failed
spectacularly and he/she had to live with the consequences. I agreed with this and
returned to the drawing board.
I found 3 new songs that are jolly sounding and I think the group may
approve.
