Phase 2

Monday 14th February 2022

WHAT DOES PHASE 2 ENTAIL?

PHASE 2

Iterate
User Testing
Creation of prototypes
Promotion in action
Continue marketing
Continue with Image and Branding
6 weeks

INTRODUCTION

This next phase of the project will be dedicated to the design and refinement of our project scope. We should begin to create prototypes for interactions and begin to think about the construction of the space. Throughout the next 6 weeks and according to our schedule, we should be prototyping with environment types and art styles and come to final design conclusions for this. Using this we can begin to make our first versions of the game and ensure we have the mechanics and interactions set up successfully in Unity. Marketing should continue throughout the duration of the project and within this Phase ideally we should begin filming our documentary. By the end of these 6 weeks we will have Easter Break to make small refinements and revisit if necessary. By Phase 3, we should have a fully functioning version of our game.

OUR PLAN:

WHERE DO WE BEGIN?

Construction of Space

According to our schedule and what needs to be done, now is the most appropriate time to start thinking about the construction of our space/box. We are aware of the different limitations so the next week or so should be spent working out how we can overcome these problems and move on quickly. Ideally, we should have the box constructed before the end of these next 6 weeks, so we have a physical environment to test with and capture the effectiveness of our gameplay.

Design Conclusions

The next most important element of this Phase is to gather suggestions and feedback for the art style of our space. In the next week I plan to create a survey outlining the relevant information needed and from here I can go onto making concepts with different environments and gathering inspiration for an Art Bible. These conclusions will allow us to take our next steps which will be prototyping and testing.

Prototyping and Testing

This second phase should involve testing player interactions and the overall experience to ensure we meet our expectations as proposed in Semester One. This will involve the use of a heart rate monitor to assess the difference between rate before and after our experience, as well as asking testers simple questions. We will continue testing different versions of our prototypes made in Unity and get the basics of interactions down before we go any further. The most important aspect of our project is ensuring we have no problems with hardware and the box performs the way we intend it to.

Production

As mentioned before, after discussing expectations with the Fine Art technicians and specialists we should have a constructed box before Easter or during. In addition to this, we should ideally start to think about the production of assets and test with these to ensure they work in our space - keeping to the chosen art style and remaining consistent.

TO DO LIST

WEEK 3:

Contact Chris O'Connor and Andy Brooke regarding the space and projectors
Create a prototype of player interaction ideally in Unity - mini version
Create a survey for environment and art style
Evaluate chosen art style and gather inspiration for environment - choose a specific location

WEEK 4:

Concept drawing for environments
User test Player Interaction and Experience using Kiera's Unity development
Discussion with course leader regarding idea, problems and next steps
Map out experience - create a few mock-ups

WEEK 5:

Environment Concepts
Begin thinking about creation of an art bible - keep simple, don't waste time, what are the most important things we need to know? (Brush type, markings etc)
Produce Sound Bible for expectations of sound design/soundtrack and audio
Kiera to continue with Unity Development

WEEK 6 , 7 and 8:

Discussion with Sound Designer
Programming/Game Development
Asset Production
Sound Production
Continue Marketing

My next steps for Phase 2 can be found here:

Team Discussion