Statement of Intent

Statement of Intent

Topic
The topic I’ve chosen for my final year project is to produce a rhythmic adventure game. This game application will be published in mobile platform. The core idea of my final project is about the rhythmic adventure mobile game, however I will make a package for this mobile game which includes website and prints. The reason of creating the website is to show I also have some capability of advertising. I am proposing a rhythmic adventure mobile game because I have yet to find this type of game on the App Store nor Google Play Store. On the mobile store, they do have rhythmic-action game which is also tap according to the beats to gain highscores; Like most rhythm game, the interactions are very shallow, competing against each other to determine the winner based on highscore; Thus, showing a lack of meaning behind those interactions.

Therefore, I want to create a rhythmic game where the interaction of tapping on the beat serves a purpose and a meaning. My key inspiration is from Patapon also rhythmic adventure game. Their interaction with the beats will trigger different feedback from the characters of the game based on the combinations of the beats. However, Patapon is only available on console, not on mobile yet. My game will be referencing the interaction of Patapon, by tapping on different combinations of beats will trigger different feedbacks such as: Attack, Defend, Forward and etc. To spice up the game even more, I will be implementing game theories in it, rewards/ punishment and difficulty levels.

Genre
This project mainly focuses on entertainment, it also shares a narrative content inside to create a story telling effect; at the same time making the game more adventurous. Generally, this project is a casual game on mobile for users to entertain themselves. With the mobility of smart phones, user can have their casual fun anywhere, anytime.

Form
The rhythmic adventure game will be developed by using Adobe Flash, Action Script 3. It will be developed as an AIR application which runs on Android devices. The game will be designed as a horizontal platform game whereby users will have to play the game on their devices horizontally. The game also features the function of saving/ loading data internally. Since it is a single player game, therefore the game will be able to work offline. The game will be run as a full working prototype due to the limitations of power and time. However, the game will be launched on Google Play Store when it is fully functional and ready to be commercialized. The technical specification of the device that I will design the game in is:

Target Audience

Music is for everybody, so there is no targeted age group or sex to play this game. The game will be targeted on smart phones user as it requires a smart phone to run the game and plays it. My game is also to be targeted on casual mobile gamers. Casual mobile gamers are peoples who are not obsessed with the game but rather playing the game to kill-time when bored. Compared to online gamers, mobile gamer does not play the game regularly.

Based on my research, it is to be said that the rhythmic game in the arcade are starting to die off due to too many competitors came out at a same time. Therefore, my target audiences are those who are still interested in rhythmic game but having problem finding them.

The other reason of rhythmic game’s decline is people rather playing a real instrument than a fake one. Is it because they share the same experience therefore rhythmic game loses its fun? So by creating new experience of rhythmic game by implementing adventure inside it, it can bring new experience to audiences that already know how to play an instrument.

Besides that, after researching on the App Store and Google Play Store, I have yet to seen any similar type of game (rhythmic adventure) that I want to propose. Therefore, I think it can be a good chance to try producing the game and attract new audiences with the fresh idea.

Existing Skill & Knowledge

Software
In terms of software, the skills that I need to have in order to develop the mobile game that I’ve proposed is Adobe Flash, Action Script 3, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Audition.

I’ve been using Adobe Flash for quite some times, it helps me to animate objects. I have been learning it since Level 4 in my Degree year. Besides helping me on animating, this software can also develop Flash games and app as a prototype. It uses Action Script 3 which I am quite familiar with due to AIN and CMNMM modules which require me to produce artefacts that uses AS3 in Level 5 of my Degree year.

As for Adobe Illustrator, I have been learning it since my Foundation year in Degree. This software will be useful as it helps me to create graphics as assets which I needed it for the game development.

To create a rhythmic game I need to design sound and beat for the game. Therefore, Adobe Audition will be in use. This is also one of the software where I am familiar with. It can help me in terms of sound editing, a major aspect of the game I’m about to produce.

Skill set

In terms of skills set, I have drawing skills which are sufficient for me to design the characters and environment as the assets for the game. I have been drawing since secondary. Therefore I am confident on creating the assets needed.

I have always wanted to animate character since secondary and I’ve get to learn it during Level 4 of my degree year, so I think animation is also the skill set which I am confident in it .

Lastly, the knowledge that benefits my final project is the consideration of UX for the user. As a future UI/UX designer, the consideration of UX is a very important aspect in creating projects. I’ve also learnt building a good UI for the users to engage with the game/ app in Level5 of my Degree year which can be applied on my final project.

New Skills and Learning

The new skills that I will have to learn is about music, I don’t have much experiences on music instruments, so I have to explore more on music, beats and tempo which I’m inexperienced at.

Besides that, my skill set on Action Script 3 is not good enough to get the game to work perfectly. AS3 is also one of the skills that I will have to polish up in order to perfect the game I’ve proposed.

Moreover, it is the first time I propose role playing genre type of game. I will have to study and learn the game mechanism of RPG and also the concept behind RPG to create a better experience for the users.

Lastly, I have to learn how to apply the game theories into my final project to make the game more interesting and challenging that attracts peoples to play. The current theories that I will be implementing to my game is reward & punishment and the levels of difficulty.

Objectives

My objective for my final project is to present a fully workable prototype in the Degree show. If the final outcome is very good, I will consider pitching my project and request funding from company to execute it as a commercialised game and publish it on App Store/ Google Play Store.

Relation to Degree Essay

The degree essay I will be writing is about “How to create and enhance mobile game”. This research question carries throughout the entire year. The degree essay benefits me in terms of research in depth on what aspect that influences the level immersion of user towards the game. Also at the same time, I can discover more game theories that might affect the gameplay and user experience. The findings for my degree essay will be very useful in the production of my final project.