Week One: Basic Geometry

Week one is done

To start off, I'd like to mention that I have no timeline for this project. This project's purpose is to get me more familiarized with game development and implementing Blender obj's into Unity. Then, eventually teaching myself basic coding for a 3d platformer. Continually, I will teach myself how to rig a character, add animation into Unity, add cut scenes, develop GUI's and a smooth user interface. The list is endless as well as standard. Also with this project, I will feel out the process of developing (and finishing) a game which will then allow me to decide if game development is for me. I've always had the idea in the back of my head, so now is the time to discover the truth! Before I get into my update, I would like to add that I have been using Blender and Unity for a few years, but I never completed a game. I did, however, finish a game using GameMaker https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/691738. This game will be different.

Here is what I have accomplished this week:

I was inspired by Ocarina of Time. I saw the buildings, the textures, and the low poly characters and thought "I could totally do something like this with Blender." Mario 64 was always a huge inspiration too, so I revisited some of the levels and noticed that most of the older 64 games used basic geometry and textures to create great games. I'm always hesitant, though, because all the other indie developers are doing unique systems, great art, things that I could not compete with. I thought, "Enough! If I'm ever going to do this, I'm going to have to do it for myself before I could please the masses." My mindset is locked in placed and I'm determined to make a 64-esque platformer.

I started by created a prop set for myself. I skipped the concept art and the idea boards and jumped right into designing elements that I wanted in the game. I created cubes and put textures on them. I created ramps like I would imagine Mario 64 would do. I created stylized trees, bridges, fences, rocks, grass, and railings. Then, I put all those objects into Unity and played with the coloring of the textures. The lighting. I want to see if my vision would sustain the transfer. It did. I like how the objects look in Unity.

After I finished transferring my objects, I was going to design a level with the pieces I created, but I couldn't. I needed to know how to scale my level. Which brings me to the end of my week. I just started constructing a main character. I want the player to be a small dragon. I'm in the process of figuring out the best design for him as well as how I think he should be colored. I'm texture painting him because unwrapping him seems too complicated at the moment.

That's where I am at now! Next Sunday I will be back with another update ?