Class hours: 10:05 – 2:45
Mr. Bohmann | wbohmann@ewsd.org
10:05 Today’s Notes & Attendance
Week 32! This is the last stretch to the finish
Games, Games and more Games will be our primary focus to the end
Keep and eye out for any communication from VHSA
Game Dev. Journals – show me for credit
One Button Game pitches – due today (For B Grades)
10:10 Monday Mail
10:15 Sprites (Working towards Pixel Perfect) in Photoshop
- Tools for Pixel Art – Photoshop, Aseprite, Piskel
- Games with great pixel art – HyperLightDrifter, ScottPilgrim, Video of Pixel Games
- Character Size – the evolution from 16 to 128 pixels (DonkeyKong Mario 16 pixels!)
- Setting up in Photoshop
- Line theory – for pixel perfect lines-
- Character Creation
- Export
Line Theory:
A “jaggy” is an unintentional break in a otherwise smooth line or curve. This makes the line look strange and pointy, too many jaggies can ruin an artwork.
To make a smooth line you should have the same number of pixels on every “step” of the line, for example: 1, 1, 1, 1, is a smooth line whereas 1, 2, 1, 1, is not.
A smooth curve always follows a pattern. When you are moving towards the centre of the curve the number of pixels should be lower than or the same as the previous number of pixels.
When moving away from the center you should do the opposite, the number should be higher or the same as the one before it. For example: 6, 3, 2, 1, 1, 1, 2, 4, 4 is a smooth curve
We’ll practice making a character today. Place your creation in Dailies today so we can see what you did. All designs are good!
10:50 Break
11:00 English with Mx. Yopp
11:50 What Does a Game Designer Do?
There are lots of areas of expertise in the field of game design. Three primary roles/categories encompass this career path. Those roles include:
- Game Designer
- Game Programmer
- Game Artist
Some of those categories broken down into specific roles include:
Lead Game Designer – defines the game, establishes the core concept and features of the game – big picture person
Level Designer – designs the layout, flow, layout and placement of props, maybe even some scripting
Assets & Environmental Designer – works with the creative director to model the worlds, assets and builds
Content Designer – comes up with the quests, the story, the dialog, the missions and in game material
Systems Designer – determines the collection of mechanics that controls the outcome, combat system or inventory system, magic systems – you get the picture
Economics Designer determines the award system, costs of items (like swords) awards, level ups, damage, etc…
Creative Director – sets the creative course of the game and holds to overall vision together
Game Producer – ensures funding and different roles are working together to produce a high quality game on time
Activity: Career Exploration
Open Google Classroom and look for the Assignment called Game Careers. Explore several jobs (anywhere on the globe) that are hiring in the field of game design or development. Some places to look:
Look at several jobs to get an idea of what kinds of work you might be interested in. Then, answer the following questions.
- What types of jobs are there in game design?
- What types of jobs in game design did you look at or find most interesting to you? What did you like?
- What kinds of qualifications are necessary for the jobs you looked at? Where are a lot of the jobs located?
- What career search engines did you look at? Which did you like the most for career exploration?
12:25 – 12:55 Lunch
12:55 Independent Reading
1:20 Break
1:30 Design Challenge
1:55 Production Time and Guided Support
One Button Game proposal
2:40 Dailies
Dailies can be placed in the CAWD2 Dailies Folder on the CAWD2 Public Folders drive