Research

Research

Research presentation
My aims are to: 

- Improve in my sprite animations
- Improve in the quality and design of my sprites
- Improve my skills in programming


Secondary Research:

Sprite Animations 

What is animation and why is it so important in games?

A animation is a sequence of frames (still pictures) played one after another to create movement. Animations are incredibly important in games since movement brings the game to life increasing the game feel and overall immersion.    

Movement in Games

'Cuphead' 

'Cuphead' is a 2D animated platformer with the ability to play in multiplayer. The main characters: Cuphead and Mugboy are lose a bet to the devil and to be spared they have to go around and collect 'soul contracts'. They are made to go through many boss fight style battles. The whole game in animated in 2D with a cartoon art style. 




The movements of the sprites in this game are very smooth and well made.
Also the character designs in this game have little to no shading and highlights.

'Cuphead is made with cel animation and every frame is drawn out individually as said by the studio who created 'Cuphead'.
I will use what I have found out about the game 'Cuphead' and it's animations and I will incorporate this style of working into my own work. I will be using the technique of drawing out every frame individually.

Movement in Animations 

'Rick and Morty'


'Rick and morty' is a 2D cartoon with using 3D figures. 'Rick and morty' is a syfy comedy. the main characters Rick (the scientist) and Morty go on adventures through space using Rick's flying car and teleporter. The movements in this animation consist of key-frame positions.




Both of these types of movements could work well in the game i am designing however I believe that the movement style of 'Rick and Morty' would work best in the type of game I am creating. My reasons for this choice are: in games such as 'Mario' and 'Megaman' the run cycles are only key-frames. since my game is also going to be in a pixel art style this would make the most seance. 

'Rick and morty' behind the scenes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfDOFyZeCtg



Sprite Quality and Design

By the end of this FMP I want to be able to make better quality sprites with more effective designs.

'Cuphead'

Image result for cuphead character design
In the game 'cuphead' the two player sprites look similar. The differences are: the straws, nose, eye shapes and colours. Overall the design of the characters is simple but effective in allowing the player to realize that they are both on the same side.


Image result for cuphead boss character design

The designs for the enemy (Muse) is more complex however in this art style there is no shading only leaving block colours which give a nice old timey effect.

'Layers Of Fear 2'

Layers of fear is a philological horror riddled with puzzles. I am interested in the design of the bloody manikins for my own game.


Types Of Pixel Art Styles

Hyper Light Drifter

hyperlight_003

Eitr

eitr_001

Children of Morta

morta_002

necrodancer_002

dokoroko_001

Programming

GAMEPLAY
This video is of a work in progress game that i am heavily inspired by in the way the battle system runs. What I want to include from this in my own game is the random enemy spawner and the layout of the stats. 

This is a video of multiple pixelated games that use RPG battle systems. I am most interested ind the game 'Charlie Fleed's CBS'. This game has the most similar battle system to my own vision.

TUTORIALS
This tutorial shows how you can make a scrolling HUD. The video was very clear and informative and I am sure to use this to assist in my project.

https://gamedevacademy.org/construct-2-rpg-series-2-battle-design/.
this is a tutorial on how to create a battle system. I will be referring to this in aid when making my game.

   

Primary Research:

What questions are you asking? What do you need to know?

Select which primary research techniques you'll be using?

Why have you chosen these techniques over others?

Identify the research (technical, analytical, inspirational)

are you expecting qualitative or quantitative results?

When in the project will you be doing this and why?

   What I need to know from my target audience is: What they believe makes a good horror game, From past experience, what type of puzzles are the most challenging? Are horror games best when done in your own time or fast pace on a timer? What motivates you to play games? I will be using a questionnaire ask these questions. I have chosen a questionnaire because they can be on a worksheet or digital. It also makes it easier to collect and count responses. This research will be a mix between Technical and analytical. I am expecting qualitative results over quantitative. I will be doing this research before the practical experimentation so I can take the results into account to experiment with ideas from the feedback from my target audience.

What I have gathered:

What do you believe makes a good horror game?14 responses
Build up and anticipation
jump scares
The tense atmosphere/build up to a jump scare
cats
spooky graphics
Loud noises when you least expect
atmosphere
unexpected jumpscares or something different to the game like foxy in the first nights at freddys moves normal and not moves quickly and unnoticed
Jump scares
Disturbing imagery, interesting story
Tension, Scary, Atmosphere, story. It should be scary enough for you to fear what's around the corner but compelling enough to still want to progress
Suspense, pacing
Disturbing themes. The environment
the jump scares
Forms response chart. Question title: What motivates you to play games?. Number of responses: 14 responses.Forms response chart. Question title: Are horror games best when done in your own time or fast pace on a timer?. Number of responses: 14 responses.

Forms response chart. Question title: What puzzles do you find most challenging?. Number of responses: 14 responses. 

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