Game Studies / Journal
31.08.2022 - 07.12.2022 (Week 1 - Week 15)
Abigail Kartika
Darmowinoto / 0350525 / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media
Game
Studies / Taylor's University
Game Studies: Journal
LECTURES
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Week 2 (07/09/2022): Lecture 1
Games exist in every culture. Historically it exists as a technology to change, heal, and education as the account of Herodotus. (e.g., Chinese chess (🇨🇳), gasing (🇲🇾), mancala (🇹🇿), senet (🇪🇬), dakon (🇮🇩), etc.) Things that games have in common: competitions, challenges, sponsors, structures.
Problem Statement: What are we pursuing? Does age matter? Where are we going?
Week 3 (14/09/2022): Lecture 2
Studying about games: nature, theoretical and
conceptual, cultural.
Post - modernism (cultural critique)
Everything in question, uncertainty
Post - structuralist views (critique)
What is the structure?
Simulacra and hyperrealism (redefinition) - Jean Baudrillard
Models of real without origin, Hyperreal world (e.g.,
Disneyland)
Week 4 (21/09/2022):
Lecture 3 : Three Dimensionality since Early 1990s
How people play game back then:
- Console journey: 8 bit, 16 bit, 32 bit, 64 bit, 128 bit, current era, now
- PC
Components of Gameplay Immersion:
- Sensory immersion
- Challenge-based immersion
- Imaginative immersion
3dimensionality: narratology -> creates something ludology out of
your story
Week 5 (28/09/2022): Lecture 5 :
What defines a game?
- a game has "ends and means" - objectives, set of rules to get there
(David Parlett)
- immersion
- voluntary effort to overcome unnecessary obstacles (Bernard Suites)
Games: ludology (play based) - naratology (story based)
Principles:
- Play & Challenge experience
- Rewards and Achievements
- Act of rebellion (making mistakes is okay and breaking rules)
- Multisensory
- Motivation
- Engaging
- Appealing
- Replayable
- Social
Prototyping via Iteration Design
Process: design a prototype - play test - analyze
INSTRUCTIONS
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fig 1.1, Module Information Booklet of Game Studies
Phase 1 - project 1
- Game proposal and framework
- Strategy management
Phase 2 - project 2
- Gameplay genre
- Assets and Design - platform
Phase 3 - project 3
- Playtesting & feedback
- Design improvement
*Always take notes on progression
EXERCISE 1: (video/presentation)
- personal gaming history (not all games, few games that changed your life)
EXERCISE 2: (3-5 mins video)
- Identify games with culture influences
- What culture?
- How does it connect to players
EXERCISE 3: (video)
- Identify a non digital game which has been successfully converted into a digital version
- Was it successful or not
EXERCISE 4: (video)
- Choose a digital game which you think has undergone transformation or developed into a game with very high ratings today
- Real time and turn based strategy
- Discuss why and how
EXERCISE 5: (video)
- Review a game which has VR/MR support
- Do you think VR/MR is here to stay
EXERCISES
EXERCISE 1
Speaking of games since I was a kid, I played countless games, and it's
a little bit challenging to remember them all. But here's my gaming
history:
fig 2.1, My Personal Gaming History (GIF)
Since I'm not presenting it in front of class, I made a recorded version
presentation.
Recorded Version:
fig 2.2, My Personal Gaming History (YouTube Presentation)
EXERCISE 2
Week 6 (05/10/2022):
Alden reminded us to start touching the exercises. Exercises 2; a review of
the game, we decided to go separately; Alden with his game; Valorant, JunYu,
Amirul, and Alyssa with Genshin Impact and me with my own game; Tales of
Grimm. I decided to make something separate from them because I’m not that
familiar with Genshin Impact.
Week 7 (12/10/2022):
I started to create the material for my presentation and record the exercise to be compiled by Alden:
fig 2.3, Exercise 2 (My Part)
EXERCISE 3
Week 9 (26/11/2022):
I initiated on creating the slides for exercise 3, which is helped by
Alyssa. We also did a gameplay of AmongUs, not sure for what. But anyway,
here's the material:
fig 2.4, Exercise 3 Slides
Week 10 (02/11/2022):
I started to divide each members' part to do the recording. I'm so glad
they agreed on that and do the recording :"). I even asked on to give me
by the end of this week and they are fine with that. At the end of the
weekend, I checked that some of them had sent the audio, thus I started to
compile everything.
Week 11 (09/11/2022):
After I created the compilation, I asked everyone whether it's ok or not,
or do any of them have something to change. They seem ok, then after I
render, this is our final exercise 3:
fig 2.5, Exercise 3 Slides (recording)
EXERCISE 4
Week 9 (26/11/2022):
Amirul helped on creating the materials, information for the
exercises 4. I'm so glad he helped. He gave me his version of writing
which later I turned it into slides and gave some add-ons:
fig 2.6, Exercise 4 Slides
Week 10 (02/11/2022):
I started to divide each members' part to do the recording. I'm so
glad they agreed on that and do the recording :"). I even asked on to
give me by the end of this week and they are fine with that. At the
end of the weekend, I checked that some of them had sent the audio,
thus I started to compile everything.
Week 11 (09/11/2022):
After I created the compilation, I asked everyone whether it's ok or
not, or do any of them have something to change. They seem ok, but I
need to fix JunYu's part because he decided to do separate recording
from Amirul's gameplay. Then after he sent me the new one, I edited
and rendered, and this is our final exercise 4:
fig 2.7, Exercise 4 Recording
EXERCISE 5
Week 10 (02/11/2022):
Amirul lent me his laptop and steam to try the SuperHot, from that,
I started to create the presentation slides based on what I
understand with Alyssa:
fig 2.8, Exercise 5 Slides
Week 10 (02/11/2022):
I started to divide each members' part to do the recording. I'm so
glad they agreed on that and do the recording :"). I even asked on to
give me by the end of this week and they are fine with that. At the
end of the weekend, I checked that some of them had sent the audio,
thus I started to compile everything.
Week 11 (09/11/2022):
After I created the compilation, I asked everyone whether it's ok or
not, or do any of them have something to change. They seem ok, then
after I render, this is our final exercise 5:
fig 2.9, Exercise 5 Presentation
PROGRESSION
WEEK 1 (30/08/2022):
Public Holiday!
WEEK 2 (07/09/2022):
Last week was a public holiday, thus, class was conducted on week 2. There
were so many people in the class, and lots of unfamiliar faces because they’re
coming from the Computer Science course. At the first meeting, Dr. Charles
introduced us to the module and how the class will be conducted. As explained
by Dr. Charles, all projects in the module are required to be done with team
members. Project 1 to 3 are a continuous project which in the end, we will
ideate a unique game.
We go into some groups of 5 members. I was in a group with 1 BDCM student, and
3 Computer Science students. We introduced ourselves and got to know each
other with the group members; Alyssa, Amirul, Aiden, and Jun Yu. We introduce
our favourite games, which later will be the topic / ideation of the project -
so we enjoy the process. We exchange contacts also.
fig 3.1 The BLANK Group Members
We discovered each other's interests, personalities, and studied the genre of
some games that are scrolled on Amirul’s STEAM. We get to know that Amirul
plays a lot of games with diverse genres, for example; gachas, RPGs, MMORPGs,
FPS, etc. Alyssa also shares similar genres, and Jun Yu shared an RPG game. On
the other hand, Alden mostly plays FPS. From myself, I shared MMORPGs, RPGs,
Gacha and MOBA games. To be honest I’m not being really helpful since I’m not
used to PC / laptop games because I never downloaded one, and I’m sharing more
about mobile games POVs.
After we knew each other’s interests, we started to discuss more about the
genres, but we couldn't find one because there's so many choices to choose
from. Alyssa suggested a horror genre game, I suggested a fantasy genre game.
Then, we agreed on making both horror and fantasy. Alden suggests making
something of maths and science, Amirul agrees on that because they both love
maths, which me and Alyssa cannot relate to haha. But then, we agreed on it.
Then, we discussed on the platform what to use to make the game, which the
computer science guys more understand than me and Alyssa. The first discussion
feels awesome since they all seem like good and active teammates, and I am
really looking forward to doing the project with them.
WEEK 3 (14/09/2022):
We discussed more about the gameplay type aside from the genre. They’re all
talking about computer games which I don’t understand :”). So many various
game types to choose from; we can make FPS, RPG, or something else. We came
out with something like choice based games, for my understanding it’s
something like “Episodes” on the phone. But then we changed our direction to a
RPG Game. To be honest I’m really passive about this part, since I don’t know
what they’re talking about, and I think I’m there but not helping with
anything.
For the gameplay concept we came out with a life based concept but mixed with
horror - fantasy genre. Basically the MC needs to survive a week and manage
their stress level, otherwise if they cannot, or MC being killed on his/her
hallucination, it’ll be game over, which was JunYu and Amirul’s idea.
Me and Alyssa later develop on something like MC need to survive a week and
manage their stress and if the stress level is high enough, he/she will be
attacked by monsters in his/her hallucination. At the other time, MC also need
to take care of their hunger bar.
Next, the boys moved forward on planning the platform to use, they tried to
discover several platforms, which finally they decide to use RPG Maker.
WEEK 4 (21/09/2022):
We came up with the game concept we made and consulted it with Dr. Charles
back in class. Dr. Charles approved of that and gave us feedback that the
important part of this kind of game is the story line, because this kind of
game needs a proper storyline, thus he also gave us feedback that we have to
come up with a script. JunYu started to work on the maps, while me and Alyssa
started to think of the events that we can add to the game, with dialogues and
cutscenes.
WEEK 5 (28/09/2022):
This week, we have more progress for the game, we get to test the RPG Makers.
Amirul and JunYu prepared a brief preview of the gameplay, where we can study,
walk, and reduce our stress by buying something on the vending machine. Dr.
Charles approved that also, but then he gave feedback that we need to create a
stronger plot, and thinking like what’s the purpose, why, something like
that.
On the other hand, the prototype also still needs to be remade also since
JunYu made the map so huge haha. Dr. Charles also feedback on our design,
making sure we don’t use templates or designs provided by the RPG Makers.
Thus, I started to make a visual of the monster using digital art.
Dr. Charles also gave us feedback that since it’s on “dream-world” it’s better
to have a magic attack rather than physical, making it logical. For the
storyline, now it’s getting stronger and we need to provide 1 event of
gameplay by next week.
WEEK 6 (05/10/2022):
Alden reminded us to start touching the exercises. Exercises 2; a review of
the game, we decided to go separately; Alden with his game; Valorant, JunYu,
Amirul, and Alyssa with Genshin Impact and me with my own game; Tales of
Grimm. I decided to make something separate from them because I’m not that
familiar with Genshin Impact. This week also, sir announced that we no longer
have class sessions, it changed into each group individual work time.
After that, me and Alyssa started to work again on the story. We came up with
the prologue and ending 1 2 3 dialogues.
fig 4.1 Draft 1
WEEK 7 (12/10/2022):
On this week I started to create the material for my exercise 2 presentation.
After that, me, Alyssa, and Amirul started to develop more about the
storyline. Me and Alyssa came up with some new events, and we created it until
the Witch Doctor event.
WEEK 8 (19/10/2022):
Independent Learning Week!
WEEK 9 (26/10/2022):
Okay, so the storylines are finished. But then, it feels like Amirul tries to
create a better story again. Thus, I feel like the storyline that I create
with Alyssa is not that good. I tried my best. I spent lots of time working on
that but then just changed. Okay, feels like I am contributing but at the same
time seems not to contribute anything. I mean, we can just communicate on what
to change, why you change, that’s all :’D. Meanwhile, Jun Yu keeps on creating
the maps, and Alden is there talking about the other modules. What are we
doing, do we have much time, have we even done anything for the exercises?
What I reflect from this is that, there is a lack of communication between
each member for the corresponding project, it should’ve been better.
fig 4.2 Draft 2
Since no one initiated anything, I tried to initiate on creating exercise 3
materials. We played Among Us together, which is the fun part, but then they
only play, and not helping with the slides except Alyssa. That sucks. Am I too
rushing? Am I too forcing? I’m trying my best to reflect on that, but as I
thought of it, it’s better if we finish exercises first since we planned on
postponing the game developments. But then Amirul’s contribution, again, is
helping, he did the material for exercises 4.
Out of my ego and sense of needed to feel contributed, I also tried my best to
help Amirul. Since he wants to take a lead on the plot, I decided to cover up
for the dialogues. From the things he made, I tried my best to give it more
life, and he approved of that. I’m relieved that at least I can do something
for the game.
WEEK 10 (02/11/2022):
We always meet up at the class hour, but then, with the same repetition, I did
the exercises with Alyssa, JunYu designed the maps, and Amirul with the new
gameplay. This week, Amirul lent me his laptop to learn about the SuperHot
game, which is our topic. From that I started to learn about the game and
designed the presentation. I was helped by Alyssa, then I continued on helping
Amirul doing the draft. The draft kept on moving, we did it halfway through
the plot, then we stopped, because Amirul was still thinking about the next
plot.
Week 10, we continue on making the draft, while at the same time, I divide
parts and start to ask the members to complete each parts recording by the end
of the week. I feel very anxious that we didn’t consult with sir for a long
time. Thus, I planned on rushing the exercises. The recording was efficiently
completed by the members. I feel appreciated that they wanted to hear me, some
even recorded it on the scene, like JunYu and Alden.
This week also, after I got the complete version of the others recordings I
started to create the compilation. I did it in Premiere Pro, which Amirul
asked on After Effects actually, but then I’m out of storage and I feel
Premiere Pro is way more effective for video compiling, so I used Premiere Pro
and completed it by next week before our meeting. I did Exercise 4 and 5,
while Alyssa helped me with Exercise 3. With that, we complete our exercises.
Yay! We finally can focus on the game :)
WEEK 11 (09/11/2022):
Me and Alyssa showed the result to the other members, they are ok with that,
except for JunYu's Exercise 4 recording, because the audio is mixed with
Amirul’s gameplay. Thus, JunYu needs to send me the version of his recording
without the Minecraft’s video, and we are done!
We finished the exercises, all left to do is the game! I saw JunYu continue on
creating the map, and Amirul creating the expression for the characters. He
asked me how to make great expressions, so I made some for him.
WEEK 12 (16/11/2022):
Moving on to the next week, we continue to develop the game again. JunYu
continues with his maps, and Amirul continues with adding the storyline, also.
I feel not good that only JunYu and Amirul have the RPG Maker software, so I
need to do something else that I can do outside the RPG Maker software.
I remembered back when I created the cat monster art, that we need some
monster drawing to be put as the enemy. I feel like only cat monsters aren't
enough.
fig 4.3 The Cat Monster
So, I asked Amirul how many he needed, and he asked me to draw 5 commanders
and 5 mobs. Okay, to make it fair, I’m okay with that since I cannot help them
in the RPG Maker. Thus I divided with Alyssa on who drew what, and we decided
to explore Pinterest. From that, the output is that I’m in charge of making
the commander, and Alyssa the small mobs. I discussed with Alyssa since we’re
not that professional in drawing, making 3 monster commanders and 3 mobs is
fine. We got a lot of work to do, but that’s fair!
WEEK 13 (23/11/2022):
I’m amazed that we progressed so much. I am really excited yet anxious that we
finally on week 13. Alden started to compile all the documents. I finished the
3 commander monster, Alyssa also.
fig 4.4 The Design
Meanwhile, I don’t clearly understand why Alden said that we don’t need to use
everything, but then I’m glad he saw that we put time and effort into making
that in only a week, thus, we still use it. I got to see the preview of my
designed characters in the RPG Maker, it was so cool!
I feel amazed with our progress. I can sense if we put lots of effort we can
make this happen. Also this week, finally we got to meet with sir, online, and
showed us our game to ask for his feedback.
WEEK 14 (30/11/2022):
Sir hasn't replied to anything from the last time we sent the game. I kept
feeling anxious about the game. My mind keeps saying that “it’s already Week
14, it’s already Week 14, it’s already Week 14” :’). As a distraction, I tried
to finish my part in the documentation file, also creating something for the
“Marketing” section.
fig 4.5 poster
Also, I tried my best to finish up the other modules left for week 14 and 15
submission.
WEEK 15 (07/11/2022):
Finally sir replied to the game and he sent us some feedback regarding the
game. This week we started to finalise things, Amirul fixed up things that
were pointed out by sir, meanwhile the rest of us keep on progressing with the
e-portfolio and journal, Alden is doing the wix on his own. Since I’m already
back in my hometown out of Malaysia, I standby in discord on whether they have
something to discuss or not.
FINALIZATION:
- Final Game
- Exercises
- Game Design Document
- Reflection
fig 4.6, final website
fig 4.7, final presentation
FEEDBACKS
WEEK 2 (07/09/2022):
- Can try RPG Maker
- Continue in developing the concept
WEEK 3 (14/09/2022):
- Finalize genre and concept
- Create more specific plots
WEEK 4 (21/09/2022):
- The story / plot can be more stronger
- Can make script
WEEK 5 (28/09/2022):
- We need to come up with our own contents (original), example: for the monsters
- Use “magic attack” only because it’s on dreamworlds, also to make the game more unique
- Already have stronger storyline
- Next week: 1 event gameplay
WEEK 13 (25/12/2022):
- Submission week 15
- Document: purpose, intention, research problem, scripting, characters no need to be veeery detailed - combination of report and manual
WEEK 15 (06/12/2022):
To be honest group project isn't something I'm good at, but with this group
project I learnt to communicate more with people and improvise my English,
since I'm the only one that came from outside. I feel it's amazing and cool on
how we managed to finish things with not much feedback sessions. I also feel
amazed with Amirul and JunYu since the two of them did almost everything on
the game software. However, I feel that we lack in communicating, in term of
the game. I feel like we could've communicate better. But overall I think we
made an ok group work in term of the "group" work. But at the end of the day,
they're not that bad, they're really fun people and I guess I just want to
believe that they did tried their best with whatever reason it is. I think we
just lack on communication on some aspects.
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