Champlain College Capstone Project Blog Entry 1

So the first class of the year for Capstone has started. Over the summer, my team and I were actually pretty much ready to start focusing on making an idea for a game we had, but then we learned we had to have two prototypes for stage one and two.

This upset us a bit, but we quickly recovered and already are in the process of making the mechanics and puzzles to apply to them. I've been made the production leader of this group of four which isn't so much a problem for me since I've had production experience over the year by becoming the leader of a group that's making a visual novel. Note to self: find out if that would be good material to use for Senior Show when they show our individual presentations. Sure it's My Little Pony, but eh.

While Mason and Vincent start making the mechanics and Josh starts some early concept art for both prototypes, I'm going to be starting on the iterative process and finding some testers who would be willing to test the prototypes early on. I can think of a few friends.

Only thing left to do is make all the issues we need and since I'm production leader I should get a head start on that.

End of entry

I'm back

Wow, it's been so long since I've been on this. Yeah, so your wondering why I'm writing an entry now when I took a big break months ago. Well, school piled up and I lost interest in doing this blog. I didn't feel like I really had anything to do with it and as such I left it as it was for a long time.

However, my final year in college requires me to blog about the senior project that I'm working on and since I already have a blog I figured I might as well return to this one. Does this mean I'll still chat about the industry and stuff. Sure, just don't expect many reviews. I've got a lot of time to waste on school and very little money to spend playing games.

I do promise to review the following

-Mass Effect 3 with the new endings

-Sleeping Dogs

-Resident Evil 6 (When it comes out)

And maybe a few others.

Till then, Later

Why I won't be reviewing Mass Effect 3 yet (Spoilers)

Well, I completed Mass Effect 3 twice already so normally I should review it, but I’m not going too. Now let me say this much, it’s a great game and should be played, but because of the ending I’m holding back on reviewing it. Like many others, I was very disapointed in the ending that Mass Effect 3 gave us. However, ever since I read about this Indoctrination Theory, it got me wondering if their’s more to this ending then meets the eye. To explain more about this theory, please watch the video below done by the legendary Angry Joe:

I happen to agree with a lot of the theories behind this. Many people say that Bioware dropped the ball or sold out on the ending, but I think maybe this was their plan all along. This wouldn't be the first time companies have added real endings to DLC.

I know some people are going to say "Well why not just include the ending anyway?". There might be a bunch of reasons. Maybe production went longer then expected and they had to ship before the ending could be completed (A problem all games face as no game is ever shipped with everything in it). Either way, I doubt Bioware really did this on purpose and even if they didn't the outcry of this ending has been so big that Bioware can use this time, and this theory, to give the fans what they want.

Granted it all comes down to how they sell it. When this DLC comes out (Most likely in April) what's going to be the price? If Bioware is smart they will release it for free. Having us pay 10 to 15 dollars for the ending we want isn't going to help them get forgiven by their fanbase. People were up in arms about the one-day DLC issue, the Origin issue, the forced Multiplayer issue, and now this ending issue. Bioware shouldn't add another one to their list. 

But either way you look at it, a lot of hardcore fans will most likely never forgive Bioware for what they did. I mean, I hold no grudge and I still love Bioware, but it's obvious that some choices they made have costed them. 

That doesn't mean, however, that fans should be acting like idiots. You want to create a protest and demand a better ending with a charity fund. I'm find with that. You want to give videos on why the ending sucked? Cool. But to demand Amazon for refunds on a game that is really good overall as well as going to the FTA to sue Bioware (Really kid, you went there) is just plain dumb. 

Like I said. This is a really good game. I'm not reviewing it yet, because I want to see where Bioware takes all this and go from there.

We are Gamers and We are Legion

Later.

P.S. Sorry if I haven't been updating a lot. We just finished Alpha for our Production II class. 

My thoughts on Mass Effect 3's one day DLC topic

While I count the seconds for Mass Effect 3, chances are you already know of the leaked info on how Bioware will be releasing a $10 DLC for those who didn't get the Collector's Package on the day of Mass Effect 3's release. The DLC is called "From Ashes" and it takes place on Mars where you find a new companion. A Prothean.

That's right, the legendary Prothean race who were thought to be wiped out, or turned into Collectors, has a survivor! He also has a Jamaican accent which is weird, but cool.

This has got people up in arms because many are pissed at EA and Bioware for adding what they think is an "important character and plot twist" to the overall main story and charging them on day one, after paying 60 dollars for the game already, to get this. 

Many are up in arms, emailing at Bioware for what they call a betrayal. There are even people asking for boycotts to cancel their purchases and demand that Mass Effect change this. 

My opinion? I'm buying it and the DLC.

Yeah, it's ten extra bucks and I wish this was part of the game or came out later, but you know what I don't care. 

I want to play Mass Effect 3 and if something comes out with it and I need a few extra bucks, then okay sure. Yeah I wish it was free, but come on. It's ten dollars. The economy is that bad yet.

All these calls for a boycott are stupid. Chances are half of them are still going to buy the game and still get the DLC. Or better yet, just buy the game and not the DLC if it pisses you off that much. This game is most likely going to be one of the greatest games ever so your only hurting yourself for not buying it.

Everyone's been talking about it and you want to play this game. Are you really going to let this one thing just stop you from enjoying a good gaming experience that hundreds of employees spend months and years making for you? As a Game Designer, I'm buying that game to show respect for all the dedication on those who worked their butts off to entertain me and create a work of art.

Sure some might call me a corporate lapdog or a sellout to consumerism. 

But you know what?

I'm going to be blowing up Reapers with a Jamacian sounding Prothean by my side while you moan and complain on Reddit. Your logic is invalid!

We are Gamers and We Hope to see Legion in this game.

Global Game Jam 2012

Yup, this year I took place in the Global Game Jam. For those of you who don't remember, last year I talked about how I took part in this awesome event. It's a world wide event where gamers all over the world come together into groups and make games in 48 hours based on a theme.

The games can be electronic, card games, board games, or even games with words. It's not about being first or last, it's about having fun and showing your creativity.

This year I managed to create another board game based on the theme: Ouroboros. It's called Alchemy, based on the mystical symbol being used for the ancient art. The game is a card game with a drawn board where players place cards on the board in order to get combinations and earn points. The first person to get all their points wins.

Here is the game: http://globalgamejam.org/2012/alchemy

Bo-Baton

Last year, my classmates and I in Game Technology II created a game in less then three weeks using Unity. My task, as well as my partners, was to create a level for the swinging rope mechanic as well as the overall level design. Take a look and see what you think.

Modern Warfare 3 vs Battlefield 3

(Disclaimer: I don't own the pictures)

Finally. After countless matches, countless times playing single player, and countless dead Russians or terrorists. I finally am ready to give off my opinion on which of the FPS behemoths is better.  Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 or Battlefield 3. Chances are you’ve heard many people say which is the better game and why. Well, that’s what I’m also doing.

Except I spend since the debuts playing these games because I wanted to give my best analyses possible.  But in the end their can only be one…

Now about me and Call of Duty. I’ve been a fan since the first game and I still consider the start of the Battle of Stalingrad to be one of the best moments in any game. Ever since then, each game has only gotten better and better. Then we suddenly were given Modern Warfare and all our minds were blown.

Call of Duty in modern era? Access to aircraft and bombs? A plot that actually is original and decent? Hell yeah this game series is awesome. To this day Activision’s Modern Warfare is one of the greatest games to ever come out and each sequel has only gotten better and better.

Now I’ll confess something. I’ve never played a Battlefield game. Never.  I knew of the series, but was never that interested in it. That was until I saw the trailer for Battlefield 3. I, like many, was hooked and wanted to know more about the game. What really stunned us all was the new Frostbite engine and how the game looked like it could seriously compete with Call of Duty.

Everywhere on the internet, the two games were being talked about and how much they were going to bring to the table of FPS’s. Both games have come out a while ago, but to this day there are still arguments on which are better. Well this is my opinion guys so let’s start.

   

1. Graphics

Call of Duty has always had stunning graphics. The level design of the multiplayer maps always managed to capture attention and during the main story, you’re going to have major epic scenes. With all the bombs, bullets, and explosions going on around you actually feel like you’re in a real battle.

The NYC levels are just awesome! The greatest city in the world is in flames and crumbling all around you. I lived half my life in that city and they captured the entire island perfectly. France and England are no slouches either as that Big Ben moment really hits you.

The only thing I may have an issue is with the skyboxes. I don’t know, they kind of seem less improved then before.

However, Battlefield 3 makes graphic look like life itself. Now I played this on the Xbox and I know that the graphics are tons better on the PC, but even on Xbox the game plays beautifully. Characters look better then Call of Duty and the environments are more detailed, especially when it comes to the desert and night levels. Best desert combat ever. And the weather? My god is it great. The sea and water are just so well done I think it might be one of the top ten water effects I've ever seen in a game.

And with the levels of Battlefield 3 so huge it’s like you’re actually in a living warzone. Character animations are the best and the customizations for your characters make them stand out well.

Winner: Battlefield      

2. Controls

Call of Duty, for the most part, has had an average control scheme. And that’s a problem. I keep wishing the controls would get better or different then its previous counter parts, but that’s not the case. The game feels the same as it did before. For some it’s a good thing, but after playing the same controls after 3 games you would think we would get something different.

Plus, sometimes the controls just seem a bit weak.

Battlefield 3 has a much better control scheme and it has to. After all, you’re not just running around on the field of battle. You’re flying jets and driving tanks!  When you move, you feel like you’re moving. Turning is much better and the animations, my god. The Parkour like gameplay you get when you jump or dive is a thousand times better than anything Call of Duty gives (Or Brink for that matter). Shooting works well and aiming is just as par as the aiming system in Call of Duty.

But the real credit goes to the vehicle controls. They do get some getting used to, but as you master them you start to feel like a real jet pilot or a tank driver. 

Winner: Battlefield 3

             3. Sound

If you have your own sound system, do yourself a favor and send it to the max! This game continues to capture the realistic gunfire and explosions that you would expect in a Modern Warfare game. But the best has to be the voice acting. Top quality work on this one and I give it full credit for the accent’s they put in for the Russians. Plus, Price is just a bad ass.

Battlefield 3 has pretty realistic sounds as well. In fact, both Modern Warfare and Battlefield sound perfect together…only one little thing. I hate the voice acting in BF3. I really think they could have gone a lot better with it then they did. But one thing that they really do well together is the vehicle sounds. Still, I love voice acting. And I don't want any ties in this game so credit goes to COD.

Winner: Modern Warfare 3

            4. Single Player

I really like Call of Duty’s single player. Why? Because unlike other FPS’s army stories that are focused on terrorism or a war that’s happened in history, Modern Warfare actually has an original plot. Sure some events might be inspired by previous ones in real life, but did any of us expect General Shepard's betrayal in MW2? Or the backstory of Makarov? Not to mention Soap’s death in MW3!

And the impacts the story gives you such as the falling of the Eiffel Tower, the Big Ben explosion, and the last level when your killing Makarov? Just epic.

This is an epic tale that will make you want to replay all three games over again.

Battlefield 3’s single player…is just not good. Really not good. I really didn’t think they were trying with this one and it kind of shows. I don’t know anything about the characters, the story just confuses me the moment it starts (And I get what they’re trying to do, but A. COD Black Ops did it already and B. So did Black).

I don’t know if they were focusing so much on the Multiplayer that they didn’t want have that strong of a single player, but either way. This is an easy one.

Winner: Modern Warfare 3

       5. Multiplayer 

This is the big one everyone has been talking about. As usual, Modern Warfare 3's is godlike. All the things we’ve come to expect from Modern Warfare in terms of Multiplayer are there. Awesome matches, new perks and weapons, and an excellent range of maps.

One thing I really find cool is the new Kill Streak system. You can choose to have one based on your kills, like before, but now you can also have on based on your deaths. What I also really like is the new level experience. Where the more you use your weapon, the better it gets.

What is also great is the other co-op missions and the Survival mode like game. The Co-op missions were tons of fun and I and my friends played them all night long when we got the game. I especially like the ones where on player is the shooter on some sort of vehicle or sniper position and the other has to go around shooting and moving to the objectives while his partner protect him. That’s awesome gameplay experience right there.

And then there is Survival mode. This is when you and a friend have to last as long as you can against bigger and deadlier waves of enemies that range from common soldiers, to dogs, to Juggernaut armored enemies. Each successful repel gives you money that you can use to buy ammo, perks, armor, and more. You’ll spend hours a day on this experience and never stop playing it.

Again, just the multiplayer experience alone is enough to make you have this game.

Now to Battlefield 3. Big maps with huge teams and huge guns. That’s just what you can say about this game. Each map is very well designed and very big. Enough to fit 50 players even. Matches go on for a long time and you’ll have plenty to do with the huge amounts of vehicles post everywhere. Teamwork is definitely needed for this experience as you cannot win this game on your own, you will die a lot if you don’t stick close to your teammates.

It sounds like a really good experience…but there are flaws. One, you will need to really spend a lot of time on this game to get more equipment. If you thought being a noob in COD was bad, this is much worse. It took me nearly forever to get enough credits to buy better equipment when nearly everybody was killing me every five seconds because I was so poorly equipped. At least in Call of Duty, you had some balances to help you out. I give credit to all the customization and the Battlelog system Dice made.

But there aren’t as many types of games you can play on these maps and the only one that really made me play was just Conquest. Modern Warfare as a lot more to offer. And while Battlefield 3 does have Co-op missions, they just don’t feel as good as Modern Warfare’s does.

Winner: Modern Warfare 3

OVERALL WINNER: MODERN WARFARE 3

So yes, both games are good. However, once again Modern Warfare is the king of all First Person Shooters. Everything about this game is great and this is the side I choose in the war between the two games.

We are gamers and we are legion.

Later