Spiky Block Programming Project

This is Spiky Block Project that we have to make spiky block and a simple platformer map for spiky blocks. We used Unreal Engine 4 blueprint to create the map.

I mostly used timeline node to create its movement, emotion, and SFX. Here are some explaination for each group from timeline.

Emotion, Scream (SFX), Camera Shake - I used event track to cause effect. For example, the block face changes when event track hits the key.
Location, Scale (Shadow) - I used vector track to move the block. These also require vector variable. In Location part, the block used only Z-axis to make an effect like Super Mario spiky block.
Rotation - I used float track to change its angle. Rotation requires rotator variable.
Color Change - I used color track to change its color freely. For changing material, I need to create Dynamic Material instances which allows to change color by itself.

In the game, there are three types of spiky blocks. The first block is moving block that has Location, Scale, Emotion, Scream (SFX). In addition, when players are in the trigger box, the block shakes and make alarm music, and drops to the ground for attack. The block also changes its emotion (static mesh) when it goes down. When players are on the block, the block changes its emotion and make sound.

Another Block is Spinning block that has Moving block mechanism+ Rotation+ Color Change. When players are in the trigger box, the block changes its eye color, and goes down to the ground. It also spins when it goes down.

Third Block is moving block, but it has a teleport that brings players into the death trap. For this trap, I changed the death trigger box to teleport node.

Different from first two blocks, I decided to experience (going beyond) with the last block. For the last block, it moves everywhere which means it moves x,y,z axis at the same times. It also spins in 360 degrees. I also added random node to cause different SFX for crash. Because of that, the block move in crazy pattern.

I found a interesting fact that the moving block works well even if it is angled, but not for other blocks that has a rotation node. In the map, I rotate the moving blocks in x, y, z axis and it works well. However, spinning blocks change its angle when it is tilted, but these go to the same direction as moving blocks.

Platformer Game Design Project - The Trap

For this project, we had 2 weeks to finish a good platformer design for beginners. I decide to create the level based on Super Mario Bro (1985) and Shovel Knight (2014).

The first thing that I planed is the introduction for obstacles and mechanism. I researched Super Mario Bro and Shovel Knight 1 level and find that the games show new mechanism without a complicate pattern. So I decide to show new enemies and mechanisms that can be solved easily.

For example, I put a puzzle that can be passed through a moving platform. The first one can be solved without any risk. However, after the first moving platform, players are facing the moving platform with deadly spike. If players fail to jump on the moving platform, they lose life.

 Also, I put the challenge puzzle that is not require, but if players beat the challenge, they can get the prize (which are coins for this).

 Super Mario Bro level is simple because players do not have to go left to get to the goal. My level also does not require to go to left until the escape event. In the escape event, players need to go to left to avoid the moving spike coming from right side. I planned to make players to go all the maps again, but I deleted it because of the play time limit.

The last puzzle is mixed together. Players require to ride on a moving platform and dodge spike in the way. It is challenging, but when players go through all the obstacles and escape from the trap, the reward is waiting for players.

Platformer Game Design - The Trap

This is the small platformer game design. The goal of the game is to unlock the door that is located in the beginning of the map. The character is a treasure hunter who wants to find the treasure that is located at the end of the map. When the character find the treasure, the trap activates and the character must escape before the trap kills the character. At the end of the map, the character escapes from the cave.


References-

Concept Reference

Game Reference

Event Reference

Shovel Knight Tutorial Level Analysis

Shovel Knight Game Tutorial Level Analysis

Shovel Knight has a good tutorial level that explains most mechanisms for the game. Here are some examples that guide players well without text.

 

Beginning Part

     Most games show complicate button tutorials or reading in the beginning, but Shovel Knight does not provide any button guide. It can be challenging, but Shovel Knight requires knowing only two buttons. Jump and Dig. Many people know about the Jump, but not about what the dig button can do. The game explains the dig button by putting a gold mine next to the starting point. Players are going to dig the gold mine since that is how the normal shovel works. Next to the gold mine, the bug slowly comes from the right side. People will try whether jump or dig to kill the bug. People might try to jump on it because that is how the popular platformer game "Super Mario Bros" works. However, the jump does not kill the bug and it hurts players, but the bug wouldn't hurt them a lot. When the players use the shovel, the bug dies in one hit and it drops golds. The game explains the Dig button by using only two objects.

Teaching New Skill

     After the beginning part, the game stops players with send boxes. Players already saw sandboxes and know that it can be destroyed by digging button. However, the sandboxes cannot be destroyed when players are on the sandboxes. When it happens, most games explain how to go through obstacles, but Shovel Knight lets players figure out how to go through the sandboxes. After a few seconds later, players figure out the new skill by pressing jump and down button and it can be destroyed by the new skill. Next to the sandboxes, players find the weak enemy and the goldmine. Like the beginning part, players would test the new skill to them and figure out that the new skill can kill the enemies, but not dig the goldmine. After this part, the game explains another function of the new skill by putting the puzzle that can be passed with the new skill.

Showing new object

     In the middle of the map, players can find the moving platform that hasn't seen in the game. In the first moving platform part, the gold encourages players to use moving platform and players do not get any penalty for falling. However, in the second moving platform part, the deadly spike is under the moving platform. Different from the first moving platform, falling from the moving platform gives the death penalty, so players need to be careful for this. Also, when players go through the map more, the game gives a hard puzzle that is mixed with two mechanisms.

Boss Fight

     Boss Fight for the tutorial level is noticeable than other games because of the tutorial boss, the black knight, who uses the same skill as players. The boss fight encourages players to use various skills.