Categories
VR Game Design & Development Class

Game 1: Can’t Touch This (Basic Object Interactions)

14 February 2020 – 6 March 2020

Time: 2 Weeks (5 class periods)

Purpose: To understand the fundamentals of Unreal Engine 4, Blender, and game design.

Skills You Will Build:

  • Writing a game design document
  • Using Unreal Engine 4 to make a basic VR game
  • Using Blueprint scripting
  • Understanding basic color theory
  • Making and exporting 3D models in Blender
  • Applying colors to 3D models in UE4
  • Communication with peers
  • Researching answers to technical questions
  • Time management

Grading Rubric:

  • 20% – Design
    • 10% – Game design document reflects your game as it progresses.
      • Use it as a working technical document.
      • The game in your final game design document must be the same game you built.
    • 5% – Game was designed to implement the development requirements in a meaningful way.
    • 5% – Consider the core play aesthetics of your game when designing the dynamics and mechanics.
  • 30% – Development
    • 2% – Can look around using the VR headset.
    • 2% – Can move virtual hands with controllers.
    • 4% – Include some type of object movement in the game.
    • 7% – Can grab and move an object other than the default Pickup Cube.
    • 10% – Have 2 objects (other than your hands) be able to interact in some meaningful way (collisions). – tutorial
    • 5% – Mechanics of the game reflect the intended design.
  • 30% – Visual Art
    • 10% – Make all the 3D objects in the game (you may use existing basic shapes from within unreal such as boxes and spheres but no using complex assets like pre-made furnished rooms).
    • 10% – Make a color pallet and get it approved.
      • Color choice must be intentional!
      • Do they work well together to set a mood or theme for your game?
      • Do the colors allow the player to see what he/she must interact with?
    • 5% – Apply colors to all the objects.
    • 5% – Demonstrate consideration of color in your game.
      • Ex. Don’t put light yellow text on a white background because that’s very hard to read.
  • 20% – Work Ethic
Categories
VR Game Design & Development Class

Classwork: Pre-Development Practicum (Designing A Video Game)

One student per group must submit the design documentation you worked on in class on Thursday (the 16th). This must be pasted in or uploaded as a document, do not send me a link to a google doc.

All students in a group should be working together and giving roughly equal input. Both of you will be asked to explain your game to the class on Monday and you won’t know who will talk about which parts before the presentation.

The design document must include:

  • A description of the major topic of your video game. (What is the game about?)
    • ex. This game is a visual novel about the daily life of an ODA student. Players will spend time in class, interacting with fellow students and teachers, and making decisions to effect their RISER meter. At the end, their RISER score will determine if they get an A on their quarterly report or if they’ll be asked to leave ODA.
    • hint: write this part last
  • List of key elements of your game (maps, characters, art style, etc.)
  • Expounded descriptions of each key element with enough detail to give readers a clear idea of all the essential components of your game.
    • You should be able to begin programming and doing art for the game after reading this document.
    • Hint: Don’t get stuck on one element! Move on or ask for the opinion of someone in another group.