Week 4 Devlog

This week we discussed and settled on our project goals for this space exploration game:

1. We want to create an experience where players feel "Alone in Space"
2. We want the Oxygen Management system to be the main focus of gameplay, with other mechanics supporting that.
3. We want the Player to have clear goals throughout. (Collect parts, Reach the end of the level etc)

We also completed the initial design for our level, which introduces the mechanics and challenges in a linear fashion.

Lauren's: 

After last weeks playtest we received a lot of helpful feedback on our game, and one of the ideas that stuck was potentially incorporating Diagetic UI in the form of a "helmet" that the player wears when they are in an area of the level where oxygen is decreasing. The Oxygen meter and other important information can be included in this HUD.  Overall, most players were satisfied with how the controls feel, but if we have time at the end of the project I would like to add a slider that players can adjust the mouse sensitivity, as a small number of our playtesters felt this was too high.  

I created this simple doodle to illustrate the Level Layout and highlight important elements of the design. 

This week I also created a simple production document to break down our game into individual tasks, and set up the Github so that we can collaborate on one project.  I did manage to get a rudimentary "Helmet" Diagetic UI system in place, (not without a bug or two) for this weeks prototype, and I'm excited to develop this more as part of the final project. A lot of planning and documentation this week meant less time developing the unity project itself, but the trade off ultimately has been worth it because I can work with a clear goal in mind each week. 

Rachel's:

This week I started brainstorming asset ideas, for the planets and obstacles that appear on the planets. I started playing around with the software "Blockbench" to get models for our game. I created a model for the first planet, which is supposed to represent Saturn. It still needs to be finished for colouring but so far I believe it fits the theme.

I also started brainstorming potential assets for the platforms. Right now we have blocks as the platforms, which aren't immersive to our game theme. Our three main platforms for the game will be meteors, rocket scraps and space plants