Monday, November 30, 2015

Scratch Game Design

So, coding! Finally, something difficult but super fun! Our assignment was to create an epic Scratch game where one thing chases another, and to make a platformer. We, as well, had to make a game where... well... it actually diddn't have much requirements. It was just a freedom game. (Have fun playing the games, they're around here somewhere...) Anyway, our class gave us feedback on the games, (The one that was made FIRST,) so we could make the games better. The chase game, platformer, and freedom games you currently see above is the most updated version. A couple of the suggestions were to make the water in the platformer for level 4 a little slower, (Which I did, by the way.) and to make the background to the chase game a little more interesting.

So, for each of the games, I think there were clearly some awesome features. (Shameless self-advertising.) The best feature for the chase game, I think, was how the game gets harder the longer you play. After 20 points, it becomes almost impossible to dodge the square's attacks. (Want a hint? Never stop moving.) For the platformer, I think the best feature is the cutsene at the end. The water stops, and then drains. They're pretty cool, and very different. As one increases difficulty, one stops it.

So, the code. I think that the best code I made was on the freedom game, because of the complexity of creating certain formations that would always be carried out provided the correct random number was picked. It was pretty difficult to coordinate the lava and platforms, and took some trial and error. One of the most difficult bug fixes was actually also the best code. I just couldn't figure out how to coordinate the lava and the platforms. When two of the same formations appeared, the platforms would be off by quite a bit, usually making it impossible. But I rewrote the code, so instead of 10 sprites there were 1 that cloned itself, and I made the platforms activate the lava. It was pretty frustrating...

Hope you enjoy playing Chase, Platformer, and Dash!
-Linden<br />

P.S. For the freedom game, use only space. Space makes you jump. Tap space again to double jump. For the platformer, use arrow keys, and same for the chase game.

Invention Commercial


Wazzup! Here we have another G.T. project. This project was to create an invention and advertise it. Currently, the Shirt Shifter (You should know what it's called if you watched the video) is not for sale, because there is only one in existence, but it's still pretty cool. For the assignment, we basically wanted to make a reference to those classic 80's commercials. I think we did pretty well. We also wanted to make it pretty funny and less like a reference to the classic commercials, and more like a rip-off of them. So, that pretty much contradicts my previous statement. Anyway, how did we do? Our only thought was to entertain you. (And sell the product, which isn't for sale >:D )

The best "Team Moment" I think, was the creation of the idea itself. I originally had wanted to do shampertables, (Kinds like convertible pants, but exactly like convertible pants) but it wasn't an original idea. Then, we thought of ANOTHER idea, which was supposed to motivate people, but it wasn't makable, so that had to go to. Finally, I thought of how annoying it was to take off sweaters in the afternoon, and thought of the Shirt Shifter. Supa inspiration genius. It was also a good moment when we finished the editing and saw it on the "Big Screen" and how awesome it was (Although that wasn't really pre-production...). Need more proof? Check out these scores! Left, Up, and Down.


Anyway, DURING the editing, we had split jobs. I was in charge of piecing together the clips, Micah was in charge of music, and Cody was in charge of critical thinking. (I mean critical. Not like complex thinking, more like a critic.) I think we all did a pretty good job on each of our jobs. Everyone did their part, and their part was... did? Basically we divided the work so that everyone had something to do.

Adios!
-Linden  Supa awesome guy w/ hea lol


Friday, November 6, 2015

Composition Scavenger Hunt

Hellllooooooo people that pay attention to a blog like this! We were, this time, supposed to go out (on the school campus... :P) and film 10 examples of composition techniques. Anyway, if you look up ABOVE, you will see the 10 examples WE were supposed to do. I, personally, think that unusual angles are the most important. I mean, sure, you have a movie with rule of thirds or whatever, but no unusual angles, it's just kinda blah. Unusual angles make it more gripping, and draw you in like- WOAH! Did that guy just do an EPIK jump? It looks like it because the camera is under him as he jumps from building to building! When from flat, it's just like- Oh, cool jump brah, meh, this is boring. Just my opinion though. Don't take my word for it.

I think the HARDEST composition technique is ALSO unusual angles. I mean seriously, it's kinda hard to look for the most creative, safe, AND interesting angle at the exact same time. We took about 10 minutes to find ours! Although, when you're making a movie, you have time for that sort of thing... Still, it's hard. I could use it more by taking more time to think about shots before I shoot them, but I'm too lazy. (Jk, Jk. Hold your horses. I'm not THAT lazy.) Anyway, yeah, I could also shoot in more locations that gain the POSSIBILITY to create these strange unusual angles. It'll be hard, but possibly fun. :)

So, on this, my teammates were Cody and Micah. We mainly switched roles every now and then, but mainly, micah and cody were the subjects, I was usually the speaker, (Sometimes it was micah,) Cody, when not talking or holding up the camera, held up the script. He also did most of the text when we were editing. There was a lot of variation on who did what though, so it's kinda hard to explain who did this and that and this-that. Anyway, in the editing board, I cut out the extra footage and pieced it together, Micah was da epik D.J. and did the music, and Cody gave advice and did the texts. Then bing, bang, boom! (I just destroyed a couple vases... >-<) An epic and informative video!

Piece out! (Puzzles r fun)
-Linde