Annexure B2 : GameMaker A sample activity

OBJECTIVE
To Create a computer based game that is both easy to learn and play, sets a goal to be achieved together with some hurdles, so that the player gets a sense of achievement

SKILLS
The following skills will be exercised in this activity visualize a new and exciting scenario explore the possibility of what can be done with the resources available explore alternatives to what was initially thought and choose one take the pain of executing the option that you have thought compare your results with those of others under the same circumstances explore what you could have done better

LOCATION
The activity will be conducted indoors on computers

TIME
The activity will be split up as following: Set the task and show a demo of creating a game. Get familiarity with the software and read the documentation Create at least three alternate game scenarios, identify components required, difficulties to be overcome. Choose one or more for final creation Build the actual game Demonstrate the game Reflection Session 20 mins 20 mins 40 mins

30 mins 5 x 4 mins 20 minutes

PREREQUISITES
The following are the pre-requisites for conducting the activity 1. Each group should have at least two computers loaded with GameMaker6.1 software 2. Softcopy of GameMaker documentation in the GameMaker sub-folder

STEPS
1. The instructor explains the exercise and demonstrates the creation of a simple game. 2. Each group is given the task of creating a game

Innovation with GameMaker a. Each group must generate at least three or more game ideas b. Group members must debate and come to a consensus on which of these ideas must be implemented c. Each group creates one complete working game 3. This is followed by the reflection section

REFLECTION SESSION
After the completion of the activity each participant will be give a handout which will have the a set of questions The participants will be given 5 minute to fill the questionnaire After that each participant will be asked to read out what they have written The facilitators would listen and lay out all the inputs on a whiteboard and try to provide insights on how group inputs can be integrated with individual inputs to enhance a creative idea

Websites where you can get ideas http://www.tabberer.com/sandyknoll/ http://www.terragame.com/ http://www.share-games.com/

What are the computer games that you have played in the past ? Have you ever built a game of your own ?

Dec 2007

Innovation with GameMaker

What were the three most difficult challenges that you initially felt ? How did you overcome these challenges ?

What is it that was NEW or ORIGINAL in what you just did ?

Can you apply some of these new things / thoughts / ideas in your daily work ? Let us have three ideas

What would you need to convert ONE of these ideas into reality ?

How can this exercise be modified to make it more relevant for your daily work

Dec 2007

Innovation with GameMaker

Instructions on the usage of the software.

Basic Steps : Design a logic for the series of events and actions in the game Identify some graphic icons (sprites) to use in the game Associate objects with these sprites Place these objects inside a room Associate events, actions or paths with these objects

Step 0 : Before you start building the game. Collect the following images into <to be specified> directory for easy location

Step 1 : Add a set of sprites based on these images

Step 3 : Plan on what objects you will need to create Some of these objects will have Actions and Events associated with them. First create the objects that have no such A&E.

Dec 2007

Innovation with GameMaker

Step 4 Objects FLOOR, WALL, GOAL have no Actions or Events associated with them

Dec 2007

Innovation with GameMaker

Step 5 : Create a room and lay the passive objects out in the room

Dec 2007

Innovation with GameMaker

Step 6 : Add the PADDLE object, add five events and the actions with each event

Events are added by pressing the [Add Event] button and making choice. For each event added, actions are added are dragging and dropping from the menu visible on the right. Click on the action to specify parameters in the action. collision with WALL the PADDLE comes to a halt on the WALL. hence the direction chosen for movement is [middle] no direction and speed is 0

press the [Q] key to make the PADDLE move LEFT note on the action, the middle-left square is depressed and the speed is 3

Release Q Press W Release W

Stops the movement of PADDLE Move right Stops the movement of PADDLE

Dec 2007

Innovation with GameMaker

Step 7 : Create the BOUNCE BALL object and add six EVENTS and their corresponding actions On being created, the BALL will be under the influence of gravity Strength = 0.05 Direction = 0 Relative is checked On colliding with the FLOOR, the BALLs vertical movement is reversed the speed slows to 0.9 relative hence inelastic bounce IF the score is larger than zero THEN the score is reduced by 1 On colliding with the WALL, only the horizontal movement is reversed

On colliding with the PADDLE behaviour is same as for FLOOR except that score is increased by 1 vertical speed is INCREASED by 1.1 On colliding with the GOAL score goes up by 10 and directions are reversed [ error here ]

If the BALL goes out of the room, the instance of the object is destroyed and a new instance created at original starting position

Dec 2007

Innovation with GameMaker

Step 8 : Create the GHOST object and add EVENT and ACTIONS On colliding with the FLOOR, the GHOST bounces up On colliding with the WALL, the GHOST changes direction

On hitting the BALL, the BALL shoots out towards the WALL

If the GHOST goes out of the room, it reappears at the initial start position

If the <left arrow> button is pressed, the GHOST starts moving left, and keeps moving until another key is pressed

Similar for <right arrow> Similar for <up arrow> Similar for <down arrow>

Dec 2007

Innovation with GameMaker

Step 9 : Populate the room with ACTIVE objects

The location of the PADDLE, BALL and GHOST on this screen determine the starting point of these three objects when the game begins.

Dec 2007

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