Pumpkin Paddle Frenzy
Game Development III
September 13, 2024 - December 6, 2024
2D upgrade style game intended for those who enjoy gradual progress, low-stress gameplay, and rewards from incremental improvements. Playing as a competitor in the annual Windsor Pumpkin Regatta, the player will race past rivals in a pumpkin boat down a lake. Collect apples to be traded for upgrades to build the best pumpkin needed to win the race!
Created in a team of two, using Unity.
Role: Lead Programmer
Challenge Identified:
One of the most challenging aspects of designing the game was creating infographics that effectively conveyed essential gameplay mechanics. I initially considered a detailed introduction, but realized that lengthy explanations risk losing the player’s attention.
Action Taken:
To address this, I refined my approach by condensing three "pages" of information into one. I used animations to present the gameplay mechanics in a more visual, engaging way. Results: This visual approach enhanced the clarity of the information, making it easier for players to understand the mechanics. It also improved player engagement by maintaining their attention and reducing overwhelming text.
Reflection:
This process taught me the importance of simplicity and visual storytelling in game design. I learned that players often engage more with concise, animated content rather than lengthy explanations, and that iterative refinement can lead to more effective communication.
Challenge Identified:
Midway through the project, I recognized the need to improve the structure and modularity of my code.
Action Taken:
I chose to experiment with implementing Actions in Unity, stepping away from Unity Events to reduce interdependencies between scripts. Results: Actions allowed my scripts to focus solely on their designated tasks without needing to reference other scripts directly. This approach simplified my code and enhanced its maintainability.
Reflection:
While I'm still refining my understanding of the best practices for using Actions, the experience reinforced the value of experimenting with new techniques. It also highlighted the importance of iterating on my code to improve its structure and performance.
