Plan for Brian Richardson (bzztbomb)
by Brian Richardson · 11/14/2004 (12:26 pm) · 0 comments
I was played with flocking algorithms a couple of weeks ago, and it was fun picking new targets and watching my Windows API circles fly towards them with nice visual flocking behavior. It seemed like it would be fun to base a game around. But I didn't want to start yet another project until my previous ones were complete. But I changed my mind to do it for a GID entry. The beauty is that I have a set time limit to play with it, then I can go back to other things. I now have a basic working prototype that I can play around with and see if the game would actually be fun. There's too much text so far, so here's a screenshot to break it up!
The game itself is working, you must click on the terrian to move your player, and the computer players will follow you along. Once you have enough computer players in your flock, you advance to the next level. You can change into any member of your flock by clicking on them. You can download it by going here.
GID was very fun, it forced me to focus much better. That's probably the biggest thing I've learned from it. I didn't read the GG fourms, or check my RSS feeds ONCE on Saturday, and boy did I get more work done!
Check out Ben Bradly's entry for the gem of GID7.
Finally, Here was my progress log, if anyone is bored enough to read it.
* 11/13, 0:00-3:00: I've implemented object picking, god camera, and the initial flocking rules. The game is not quite playable right now. But it's fun watching the orcs run around in circles and other weird paths to get to one another. The game should be playable in another hour, but it's definitely time for bed. Screenshot taken, not much to look at currently. ;)
* 11/13, 10:30-12:00: Added cow skin to play guy model, Thomas "Man of Ice" Lund suggested that. It rules! Tweaked the flocking algo a bit. Allow the player to choose new leaders of the pack. Signal the leader with a red cow print skin now. Next on the list, data structures to keep track of who is currently in what pack and communicate the up to the player with skin changes.
* 11/13, 13:00-15:00: More tweaking of flocking algo. Added flock counter UI. Finished data structures. It's getting there. I'll add the ability to "win" next. Then finally, create a level to play.
* The rest of 11/13 was spent skateboarding and vegging out.
* 11/14 11:00-17:00 -- Did everything else.. ;)
Sorry, this plan is incoherent and rambling. I haven't taken much time to think back on things yet.. ;)
The game itself is working, you must click on the terrian to move your player, and the computer players will follow you along. Once you have enough computer players in your flock, you advance to the next level. You can change into any member of your flock by clicking on them. You can download it by going here.
GID was very fun, it forced me to focus much better. That's probably the biggest thing I've learned from it. I didn't read the GG fourms, or check my RSS feeds ONCE on Saturday, and boy did I get more work done!
Check out Ben Bradly's entry for the gem of GID7.
Finally, Here was my progress log, if anyone is bored enough to read it.
* 11/13, 0:00-3:00: I've implemented object picking, god camera, and the initial flocking rules. The game is not quite playable right now. But it's fun watching the orcs run around in circles and other weird paths to get to one another. The game should be playable in another hour, but it's definitely time for bed. Screenshot taken, not much to look at currently. ;)
* 11/13, 10:30-12:00: Added cow skin to play guy model, Thomas "Man of Ice" Lund suggested that. It rules! Tweaked the flocking algo a bit. Allow the player to choose new leaders of the pack. Signal the leader with a red cow print skin now. Next on the list, data structures to keep track of who is currently in what pack and communicate the up to the player with skin changes.
* 11/13, 13:00-15:00: More tweaking of flocking algo. Added flock counter UI. Finished data structures. It's getting there. I'll add the ability to "win" next. Then finally, create a level to play.
* The rest of 11/13 was spent skateboarding and vegging out.
* 11/14 11:00-17:00 -- Did everything else.. ;)
Sorry, this plan is incoherent and rambling. I haven't taken much time to think back on things yet.. ;)
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