Team Project: Assassin's Shadow

This project was a module in the first year of the degree; the objective was to create a computer game with a group of programmers (1st year university work), exploring the difficulties of project development in a team setting.

About:

I and four others formed a group to create a computer game using the Gamemaker engine/toolset. Based on group-generated ideas, we decided to use the concept from one of my custom Command & Conquer script maps providing a loose basis for the rules and aesthetic of the game.

Each member was assigned to create an aspect of the game and merge it; these included such assignments as enemies, player goals, and movement. Each team member was also responsible for creating a single level that the player could explore.

Some of the responsibilities I was assigned were:

• Implementing the menu system.
• Creating player projectile mechanics.
• Map creation: Level 2.
• Various props and art assets.

One of the challenges I faced when implementing the weapon projectile was the game being very easy to beat if the player merely spammed the weapon key.

I decided to cap the firing rate to limited ammunition; each projectile slowly regenerates to the capacity of 4 throwing stars. The effect meant the player would have to wait for ammunition regeneration, preventing them from firing a stream of endless fire.

I was responsible for the creation of the second level, having the opportunity to explore how some of the props I created could have conditional effects; the effects I decided on using were:

• Water patches; applying a condition that slows the player movement.
• Custom collision masks on props to both the player and projectile weapons.

As part of a collaboration with the level designer, I assisted with lighting in the final level, adding ambient lighting from city lights and fires. It was a fantastic opportunity to see how the game could develop if we had more time to pursue development.

Final Scenes:

Created with: C, GML(Game Maker Language), Adobe Flash, GNU Image Manipulation Program.

Project created by Project Team*, 2013-2014.

Module Lecturer: Mike Reddy (University of South Wales)

Project Team: Alan Davies, L. Haskins, J.Palmer, A. Miah, D. Kelly