Lewis' Games Development Portfolio

Introduction 

Sustainacity is a 3D game demo developed to express and promote concerns about climate change, sustainability practices, and wildlife conservation. The game combines elements of city simulation and action-adventure, allowing players to take on the role of a superhero tasked with saving the city from natural disasters while promoting eco-friendly practices. This evaluation critically assesses the development process of Sustainacity, examining the strengths and potential improvements, and evaluates the tools, methods, and overall effectiveness in meeting the project requirements. 

Project Requirements and Parameters 

The primary requirement for Sustainacity was to create a 3D game that effectively communicates the importance of climate change awareness, sustainability, and wildlife conservation. The game needed to be engaging, educational, and visually appealing, incorporating both simulation and action elements to capture the interest of a diverse audience. 

To meet these requirements, the game was designed with the following key features: 

• Superhero Abilities: Players use unique powers to combat natural disasters and pollution. 
• Environmental Missions: Tasks focused on reducing the city’s carbon footprint and promoting sustainable practices. 
• Dynamic City Environment: Visual changes in the city based on player actions to reflect the impact of sustainable practices. 

Evaluation of Sustainacity 

Program Design and Good Programming Practices: 

The development of Sustainacity utilized Unreal Engine’s blueprint system, ensuring that the program design followed good programming practices. The project was organized using game modes, blueprints, and hierarchies, which facilitated a clean and manageable codebase. This structured approach allowed for efficient development and easy maintenance of the game’s features. 

Quality of Art, Audio, and Design Assets: 

The game features a low-poly art style, chosen for its efficiency and visual appeal. The vibrant colors and dynamic environments enhance player immersion and provide a clear visual representation of the game’s themes. Audio elements, including sound effects and background music, were carefully selected to complement the game’s aesthetic and reinforce the atmosphere of urgency and hope. 

Tools and Methods: 

Several tools were used in the development of Sustainacity, each with its strengths and weaknesses: 

• Unreal Engine: Provided a robust platform for game development with extensive features for creating detailed environments and complex gameplay mechanics. However, initial attempts to use C++ were challenging due to software limitations and compatibility issues with Visual Studio. 

• Trello: Essential for project management, allowing for effective task tracking and organization. This tool helped in maintaining a clear development timeline and ensuring that all project milestones were met. 
• Blender: Used for creating 3D models, which were integral to the game’s low-poly aesthetic. Blender’s comprehensive modeling tools facilitated the creation of detailed and optimized assets. 

Teamwork and Project Management: 

Although the project was completed solo, Trello was instrumental in managing the workflow. Tasks were divided into manageable time frames, which helped maintain organization and focus. Regular self-assessment and adjustments to the plan ensured that the project stayed on track. Despite working alone, the project’s success demonstrates effective time management and dedication to the game’s development. 

Overcoming Challenges: 

One notable frustration was the initial difficulty with using C++ in Unreal Engine. The lack of understanding and software limitations required a pivot to Unreal Engine’s blueprint system, which ultimately proved to be more suitable for the project. This experience highlighted the importance of flexibility and adaptability in game development. 

Perspectives of Game Design 

Game Genre 

Sustainacity is a unique blend of a sustainable city simulation and an action-adventure game. This hybrid genre allows players to engage in dynamic, superheroic activities while simultaneously promoting and managing sustainable practices within a city. The combination of high-octane action, like saving the city from meteors, with thoughtful city planning and environmental conservation, provides a multifaceted gameplay experience that appeals to a wide range of players. 

Audience 

The target audience for Sustainacity was determined through comprehensive psychological and demographic research, ensuring the game resonates with players who have an interest in sustainability and environmental issues. This approach helped in identifying key characteristics and preferences of potential players, allowing for a more tailored and engaging game design. 

Using the OCEAN personality model, the game targets players who score high in Openness and Conscientiousness. 

• Openness: These individuals are typically creative, adventurous, and interested in new experiences. Sustainacity’s innovative gameplay, which combines superhero action with sustainability challenges, is designed to attract these players. The game’s dynamic missions and environmental problem-solving cater to their desire for new and engaging experiences. 

• Conscientiousness: Players with high conscientiousness are organized, detail-oriented, and enjoy planning. The city simulation aspect of Sustainacity, which involves strategic planning, resource management, and long-term sustainability projects, appeals directly to these traits. The detailed and methodical nature of city building, and environmental conservation aligns well with their preferences. 

The game’s demographic research focused on understanding the age, gender, interests, and behaviors of potential players. This included analyzing trends in gaming preferences and environmental awareness among different demographic groups. 

• Age and Gender: The primary demographic for Sustainacity includes individuals aged 11-18, with a secondary group of younger children (5-10 years old). This broad age range was identified through surveys and studies showing a high interest in sustainability among younger audiences. Both boys and girls are targeted, as the game’s themes of superhero action and city building have universal appeal. 

• Interests and Behaviors: The game is designed for players who are not only interested in gaming but also passionate about environmental issues. Audience personas, such as Emma, a young professional interested in environmental science, and George, a middle-aged gardener and nature enthusiast, helped shape the game’s content. These personas were developed based on real data showing that people involved in environmental causes often enjoy educational and strategic games.  

By integrating psychological insights and demographic data, Sustainacity successfully targets a diverse audience that values both entertainment and educational content. This comprehensive approach ensures that the game not only entertains but also educates and inspires players to think critically about sustainability and their impact on the environment. 

Representation and Semiotics: 

Semiotics, the study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation, plays a crucial role in game design by conveying meaning and enhancing the player’s experience. In Sustainacity, the use of visual effects (VFX) effectively employs semiotics to communicate the impact of the player’s actions within the game world. 

The game effectively uses semiotics through UI elements such as text and images to convey information about in-game events and objectives and in-game VFX to show damage to the environment. This clear and intuitive design helps players understand how to play the game and reinforces the educational aspects of the gameplay. 

One notable example is the use of laser eyes as a superhero ability. When players activate their laser eyes, the VFX includes cracks forming in the ground where the laser hits. This visual cue immediately signifies the damage being caused by the player’s action. The cracks are a powerful symbol of destruction, visually reinforcing the power and potential consequences of the player’s abilities. This not only adds to realism and immersion but also provides immediate feedback to the player about the effect of their actions, enhancing their connection to the game environment. 

Another example is when the player character flies into the ground. The VFX in this scenario includes rocks and rubble being thrown up upon impact, effectively showing a harsh landing. This visual representation uses the semiotic principle of indexical signs, where the rubble and debris are direct indicators of the force and impact of the landing. This not only makes the action feel more dynamic and satisfying but also communicates the physicality and presence of the player character within the game world. 

Feedback and Improvements: 

Feedback from play testers was overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding the flying mechanics and visual effects. However, suggestions for future features included more customization options, additional modes, and improved control schemes. This feedback is invaluable for guiding future updates and ensuring the game continues to meet player expectations. 

The responses to the question about whether the game promotes sustainable practices and climate awareness reveal that most participants believe the game is effective in this regard. Most players recognize the game’s efforts in promoting sustainability and climate awareness, though there is room for improvement to ensure the message is universally clear and impactful. 

When asked about their favorite features, players consistently mentioned the mechanics related to flying and combating meteors. They highlighted the fluidity of the flying mechanics, the engaging animations, and the overall excitement of using superhero abilities. This indicates that the dynamic and visually appealing aspects of the game are key elements that enhance player enjoyment. 

Regarding the likelihood of recommending the game to others, the responses show a predominantly positive trend, with many players rating their likelihood as 5 out of 5. A few responses with ratings of 3 and 4 suggest that while the game is generally well-received, there are areas that could be enhanced to make it more universally appealing. This highlights the game’s strong potential for positive word-of-mouth promotion, contingent upon addressing minor issues. 

The recommended age range for the game reveals that players believe it is suitable for a wide range of ages, primarily between 11 and 18 years old. Some responses indicate suitability for even younger players (5-10 years old), suggesting that the game’s content is perceived as appropriate and engaging for children and teenagers alike. This broad age range indicates the game’s versatility and appeal across different age groups. 

Most respondents felt happy saving the city from the harm of climate change and natural disasters, indicating that the game successfully evokes a sense of accomplishment and positive emotion through its core gameplay mechanics. The few “Maybe” responses suggest that while the majority find this aspect fulfilling, there could be enhancements to deepen the emotional impact. 

The unanimous preference for the low-poly aesthetic affirms that this visual style resonates well with the audience. All participants indicated they like the low-poly aesthetic, supporting the continuation of this art style in future updates and developments. 

Feedback on the ease of use of the controls is generally positive, with most players finding the controls intuitive and easy to learn. Some responses noted specific areas for improvement, such as the aiming mechanics for lasers and the number of buttons. This suggests that while the controls are mostly user-friendly, fine-tuning certain aspects could further enhance the gameplay experience. 

Players provided a variety of suggestions for future features, indicating a desire for more customization options, additional modes, and new disaster types. Ideas like customizing superheroes, adding capes, and having different attacks show that players are interested in deeper personalization and more diverse gameplay scenarios. These suggestions can guide future development to keep the game engaging and fresh. 

Feedback on unexpected behaviors, bugs, or glitches indicates that the game is relatively stable, with few significant issues reported. Some minor bugs, such as the event timer glitching and occasional choppy camera movement, were mentioned. Addressing these minor issues will help improve the overall player experience and maintain the game’s positive reception. 

In conclusion, the analysis of these feedback form responses shows that Sustainacity is well-received by players, particularly for its engaging mechanics, enjoyable aesthetic, and meaningful environmental message. By addressing the few areas of improvement highlighted in the feedback, such as enhancing control mechanics and adding new features, the game can further solidify its appeal and effectiveness. 

Strengths and Weaknesses 

Strengths 

One of my greatest strengths is my ability to think creatively and come up with innovative solutions. This has been evident in my work on Sustainacity, where I successfully blended superhero action with sustainable city simulation. By integrating dynamic gameplay with meaningful environmental messages, I have created a unique and engaging game that stands out in the market. 

I have a keen eye for detail, which is crucial in game design. This strength is reflected in the careful planning and execution of game mechanics, such as the realistic VFX that show the impact of the player’s actions. For example, when laser eyes create cracks in the ground, it adds to the immersion and realism of the game. My focus on details ensures a high-quality and polished final product. 

I excel at conducting thorough research to inform my decisions. This skill was particularly useful in identifying my target audience for Sustainacity. By using psychological models like the OCEAN personality test and demographic data, I was able to design a game that appeals to players interested in sustainability and environmental issues. 

Weaknesses 

One area I need to improve is my time management. I sometimes find myself spending too much time perfecting details, which can delay overall progress. For example, I have occasionally focused too long on fine-tuning minor aspects of the game, which has led to tight deadlines. To improve, I can prioritize tasks better and set specific time limits for each phase of the project. 

I tend to take on too many responsibilities myself, which can lead to burnout and decreased productivity. For instance, I often handle both the creative and technical aspects of game development, which can be overwhelming. To address this, I can work on delegating tasks more effectively to team members, trusting their expertise, and focusing on my strengths. 

While I am confident in my work, I sometimes struggle with public speaking and presenting my ideas to larger audiences. This can affect my ability to pitch my game effectively. To improve, I can practice my presentation skills regularly, seek feedback from peers, and possibly take a public speaking course to build confidence and improve my delivery. 

By acknowledging these strengths and weaknesses, I can continue to develop my skills and work more efficiently. Focusing on my creative and research abilities while addressing areas like time management, delegation, and public speaking will help me grow as a professional and contribute to the success of my projects. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, Sustainacity successfully met the project requirements by creating an engaging and educational game that promotes sustainability and climate awareness. The use of Unreal Engine, Trello and Blender facilitated a smooth development process, despite initial challenges with programming. The low-poly art style, dynamic environments, and superhero mechanics were well-received by players, indicating the game’s potential for further development. Future projects will benefit from improved planning and a broader exploration of online resources to enhance understanding and implementation. Sustainacity stands as a testament to the potential of creative media projects to educate and inspire action on critical global issues.