Delve Major Update - 5

We focused on expanding multiple scenes for the game in this sprint, and we polished multiple systems. The game's vertical slice now looks like a much more playable game, but my UI and sound design work can be improved still.

The main tasks that I worked on were:

• We needed UI displays for players to interact with, which would show the player how to actually play. I created interactable computers that display information to the player throughout the various levels. These help give information about how the different systems of the game work.
• Taking concepts for the main menu UI from other designers and team members, I created a main menu scene that has the camera on a rig system. It travels through popular areas in the game, and it pans back and forth before moving to the next location. I created multiple color designs for the main menu, as well as background ambience and sound effects for interacting with the menu. I integrated the credits into the game, so the team is properly credited.
• I also added a crosshair display to the main HUD, so that the player can actually tell where their laser/guns are pointed. I had to manually correct each one to properly aim at the crosshair, but now the player's items all point toward the crosshair. This was a major complaint because enemies were difficult to hit from far away, but the addition of the crosshair adds a lot to the user's experience.
• Finally, I made sure that all the levels were transitioning properly to the next level, and I play-tested the game during our final hardening sprint of this semester.

Some major things that I learned during this project's first development phase are:

• UI and UX are incredibly important to the overall feel of a game. Continuing to focus on implementing the UI as development progresses will help make the game more cohesive.
• Giving team members multiple concept options helps with finding the best overall option to implement.
• Keeping up with the bug board is ideal for having the build's bugs be addressed quicker.

I am enjoying focusing on the UI and audio sides of the game, and I am looking forward to continuing to polish these areas.

This phase was launched to itch.io on 12/27/2024