Nuggy Break! the game
Concept created for the Project Exhibition at Saxion University (1st year of Art & Technology BA program - first year)
DOWNLOAD: https://goo.gl/2fegyJ
Run at Processing (https://processing.org/download/)
WHY
Gaming, illustration, animation and storytelling - these 4 passions of mine combined were the source of inspiration for this project.
My love for games instigated me to learn more on how make a game and the process of it. Also, in order to add a storyline to enrich the experience of the game I could practice my skills with storytelling, illustration and animation - three subjects I adore.
I also believe on creating something that can speak my beliefs and morals. With that in mind, during the brainstorm of concepts I reflected on what I wanted to transmit with this project.
I decided to create something that would put a light on what society eats and its real price. I am pescatarian myself and I believe people became so distant of what they actually eat and society is oblivious to the costs of its eating habits and its impacts over the living things and the environment.
WHAT
I developed the concept of the game Nuggy Break!: the adventure of a chick at a nugget factory trying to run away.
Matching my adoration for vintage games and my passions I developed the game with 2 levels based on old and simple games (such as Breakout and Flappy Bird) and adapted it with my illustrations and concept design techniques.
HOW
By using my drawing and Adobe Illustrator skills I created the character Nuggy and its variations:
Sketch of character and visuals
Nuggy character and its variations
Afterwards, by using Adobe After Effects and Adobe Premiere I made a simple animation to add the storytelling factor and improve the understanding and experience of the game. This animation was added as an introduction video on the beginning of the game.
The biggest challenge of this project was programming on Processing.
I first researched possible 'mini games' that could fit the concept of the scape of the factory. I searched among games already provided by teachers of Saxion University and openprocessing.com.
Out of this search I selected the games Breakout (source: https://goo.gl/YRqxEo) and Flappy Bird (source: https://goo.gl/vqTxV5).
Using these codes as a base, I incremented the games with the character and sound effects.
Original (left) vs Altered (right)
To match both games, and create the order of the final game with its screens (storyline) I developed the programming using stages (example code provided by the teaches of Saxion University).
The game has 7 stages, among them 2 are the 'mini' games and the other 5 are intermediate screens and instructions (such as the introduction video).
Intermediate screen between Level I and Level II
The final result is Nuggy Break! the game which is available for download at https://goo.gl/2fegyJ.
*SHOWCASE*
For the showcase of the final game, I also developed a game controller to enrich the game experience by using my physical computing knowledge.
First I chose the best sensors that could fit better the concept: a pressure sensor (same functionality as a push button and unconventional) and a potmeter.
After crafting the game controller, I set it inside a wooden box made with the laser cutter.
In order to accommodate this enhancement, I reprogramed the game to respond to the controller. By using a model code (provided by Saxion University as well) I programmed the game to arduino uno.
