Project Proposal

CS 4760 - Senior Project Proposal

Problem Statement

This project proposal is for the creation of a two-dimensional top-down computer game. It will include all original art, sounds, and code-base. The planned implementation will allow for a multiplayer experience in a single zone, with a stretch goal of additional zones.

Problem Description

The motivation for this project is to engage in building an application that utilizes many of the technical skills that I have learned over the years studying at PSU, and applying them in a creative manner.

I personally find programming to be an artistic medium and, to me, I consider a vide-game to be an ultimate artistic form. To quote one of my favorite independent developers, "[they] are art, music, sound, all put together and made interactive" (Phil Fish). I would love to apply the skills I have learned into a project that I am very passionate about. I would also enjoy including the professors and persons who have made my time here memorable!

Project Goals and Objectives/Deliverables

• Working Primary Loop
  • Working meaning there are no game-breaking bugs that will crash the application.
• Optional Tutorial for New Players
• 4 Unique Playable Characters
• 3 Unique Enemies
• 1 Unique Boss Enemy
• Progression Tracking (Achievement and Score based)
• Multiplayer
  • From initial game start. Stretch goal of drop in/out multiplayer.

Project Scope

For this project the planning phase will involve research on different possible engines and languages to use for the project. All code base and assets used will be made from scratch. The only third-party assets that will be used are sound files.

Success Factors and Benefits

A game is a form of interactive media. Therefore, success will be measured by the following:

• New players are able to begin the game without any coaching or instruction.
• Players are able to understand the controls via in-game tutorial and menus.
• The game is fully functional on the designed for platform (Windows PC). Benefits to myself in doing this project:
• Being able to apply my technical skills in an artistic way.
• Final product available for portfolio showing.
• Practice skills in a media field I am interested in. Benefits to others in doing this project:
• Inspiration for others and their projects
• Professors able to view learned technical knowledge for project planning, design, and implementation
• Project for display that engaged certain faculty/staff in some portion of the project.

Timeline

Week #	Date	Goals
pre	08.27.2018	[ ] Select Development Environment [ ] Primary Game Loop Design
1	09.03.2018	[ ] Player Movement [ ] Controller Support [ ] Placeholder Assets
2	09.10.2018	[ ] Fleshing out of permanent assets [ ] First Character Design
3	09.17.2018	[ ] Begin Coding of Primary Game Loop [ ] First Enemy Design [ ] Simple Enemy AI
4	09.24.2018	[ ] General User / Debug Interface [ ] Goal / Story Design First Draft [ ] First Enemy Implementation
5	10.01.2018	[ ] Tutorial Level Design [ ] First Level Design
6	10.08.2018	[ ] Start Game with Multiplayer (2 players) [ ] Second Enemy Design
7	10.15.2018	[ ] Third Enemy Design [ ] Second Character Design
8	10.22.2018	[ ] Tutorial Level Completion [ ] Second Enemy Implementation
9	10.29.2018	[ ] Goal / Story Design Completed [ ] Third Character Design
10	11.05.2018	[ ] Third Enemy Implementation [ ] Boss Enemy Design
11	11.12.2018	[ ] Start Game with Multiplayer (4 players) [ ] Fourth Character Design
12	11.19.2018	[ ] Polishing of User Interface [ ] Boss Enemy Implementation
13	11.26.2018	<space for polish and cleanup>
14	12.03.2018	<space for polish and cleanup>
15	12.10.2018	[ ] Project Presentation [ ] Graduation!