Mary's blog

Testing and Debugging

2009-07-06T10:50:00.000-07:00

I feel that this will be useful to all of the Gaming II class at MCTC. Even though, I haven't watched the MU Online videos for Gaming II.

Running, jumping, etc.

2009-07-06T10:48:00.000-07:00

This type of code will not necessarily be used in my game but might be useful in setting parameters or endpoints for limits of movement.

Drag and Drop

2009-07-06T10:46:00.000-07:00

This is my post for "Drag and Drop". I truly thought I had done this one before but must have skipped it. This code should be very beneficial in my game. The code itself isn't complicated math but math nonetheless.

Coding Enemies

2009-06-28T14:23:00.000-07:00

So far the material is very hard to understand, I guess because most of it is programming language and the codes involved to get it to work. Mr. Smith is doing a great job of drawing similarities with everyday language and comparisons with subjects that I am familiar with. Thanks again Mr. Smith. I'll probably never be the greatest at this but I won't quit trying to make sense of it or applying to my game.

Platforms

2009-06-15T11:01:00.000-07:00

The code involved in platforms is complex and will not be necessary in my game.

Character Effects

2009-06-09T16:15:00.000-07:00

If I can adapt Character Effects to do what I want it to do in my wiki game, it will make it more entertaining for the player.

Timer

2009-06-09T16:12:00.000-07:00

I could not grasp the tutorial for the timer but the one we did in class through ActionScript2.o and code did work. This is not going to be part of my wiki game.

Sound Effects

2009-06-09T16:10:00.000-07:00

Sound Effects being put on the ActionScript stage instead of on an object is a good idea. Sound Effects will be prevalent in my wiki game as well as negative and positive response animations.

Collision Detection

2009-06-09T16:06:00.001-07:00

This topic and coding will enhance my wiki game by the player getting a positive response from the horse for the right answer or learning from their mistake by the horse "acting up" for choosing the wrong answer. Each scene will have four possible solutions to choose from.

ScoreKeeping

2009-06-09T16:03:00.000-07:00

Basic Scorekeeping might enhance my wiki game but I am also afraid that it might discourage some older people from trying to play it. Thereby, it would defeat the purpose of allowing that person to learn something new.

Scrolling Background

2009-06-09T16:00:00.000-07:00

I found "Scrolling Background" a difficult lesson and will not use it in my wiki game. Maybe someday when I fully understand Flash, I'll develop a game to utilize the concept.

Special Effects

2009-06-09T15:57:00.000-07:00

It might be eye catching to use some of the special effects on the title of my wiki game. If I can ever get the hang of using flash correctly.

Moving on a Path

2009-06-09T15:50:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed working on Moving on a Path in ActionScript2.0 during class but it is not part of my objectives for my game on the wiki at this point.

Finding Solutions

2009-06-05T10:47:00.000-07:00

It is getting easier to navigate within the wiki tutorials but the terminology is still hard. I do keep trying to learn from what others have already done. I just wish that I was not so ignorant due to my own passover of computer knowledge prior to graduation in 1987. Finding solutions was daunting to say the least.

Learning from Others

2009-06-04T15:00:00.000-07:00

Most of the people in my class are a lot better at this programming and navigating the wiki prompts/actions than I am. It does help to have others to see how they are treating the material and attempting to utilize their methods myself. Mr. Smith understands that I do not always use the same terminology and is still able to instruct me with good results for the most part. I am very grateful that my classmates are so very patient with my shortcomings.

Programming Practices

2009-06-04T14:51:00.000-07:00

I keep trying very hard to learn proper programming language. The truth of the matter is that it is not as easy as it seems. Sometimes, even deciding how to name something a variable versus an instance name is daunting. I guess it does not help that I use Flash CS4 at home when I work on CS3 during class. I want to thank Mr. Smith and Trevor again for their expertise, patience and assistance. They truly do want each and every student to excel.

Intro to ActionScript

2009-06-04T09:48:00.000-07:00

This designing a game is really hard for an adult for several reasons: 1) I'm always afraid that I will do something wrong or ruin what I have already done. I am still not comfortable with this technology but definitely want to learn how to use it effectively and 2) my worst fear is that I will fall "flat on my face" due to my lack of early exposure to programming language and unfamiliarity with utilizing the assets necessary even inside of the wiki format.

Game Animation, Interaction and Sound Additions

2009-04-26T13:35:00.000-07:00

Adding animation, interaction and sound has changed my game idea very little. It only adds to the interest level of the game. My worst problems have been in understanding the technology in its correct format (steps) for utilization. Having a knowledgeable, caring and motivational instructor and assistants helps tremendously. The other problem that I have run into has been trying to upload files to the Wiki due to their size even though I have gone into the library and deleted every sound and image except for the essential ones at this time.

Paper prototyping 3-2-09

2009-03-02T11:55:00.000-08:00

Even though I have no experience with computers games, I still am determined to pursue the game idea I have chosen. My belief remains that my topic is important enough to "struggle" with my inexperience in computer related material. I enjoyed drawing the game sketches and tended to be a little detailed with my drawings and descriptions. It was necessary for anyone to make sense of my game. Mr. Smith was very helpful as well as his assistants in keeping me on track and finding a proper format to use. The process of writing the steps and sketching took me longer due to the subject material and subtleties involved in "reading" nonverbal horse language.

Imagining your game topic

2009-02-12T08:27:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, I have picked a topic that takes many steps and is a unique process dealing with each specific horse, colt, etc. I don't have the Flash software on my laptop at home and I personally have no experience in playing computer generated games up until now. However, I still feel certain that the subject material is worthy of teaching others. Perhaps, it will teach whomever decides to play it to deal more kindly with the race of our world in some small way.

Social Issues Game; Ayiti & Food Force

2009-02-02T11:58:00.000-08:00

To Whom It May Concern,
I attempted to play two Social Issues games specifically: "Ayiti" and "Food Force". Ayiti does not allow player to move around figures or changes subtitles but will allow player to switch from one season to the next. My observations of this game are based entirely on the seasons. In the initial introduction to the game, you were allowed to choose from four different variables; health, education, etc. I chose good health and learned that without the other variables being favorable that you can not win. The game "Food Force" would only allow the player to get to the specific mission.When they were clicked upon individually, the missions would not open. It does get kind of aggrevating when these things will not work.

Social issues game/ Sept 12th

2009-01-25T13:17:00.000-08:00

This game was chosen because I was unable to load Flash on my computer. Graphics, animation and sound worked well with theme of project. I discovered that there is no correct answer in dealing with a culture totally different than our own without a background of the country's history to work with.

Learning to play/social issues

2009-01-25T12:51:00.000-08:00

I played "Sodapopjerk" and discovered that there is no right answer in this economy.

2nd entry

2009-01-21T11:42:00.000-08:00

I am trying very hard to understand the concepts. I am very grateful to have an instructor who takes away some of the intimidation in learning new skills.

my first post

2009-01-14T12:49:00.001-08:00

yeah!