Demo Video
Note: All models within the project are not made by me. Either they were already in Unreal Engine or I downloaded them from an external source.
Game Download
Self Evaluation
I think most of the mechanics and features in my game are built well and allow for growth of the game e.g. adding more units and buildings. But some features are in need of some improvements such as the selection in the game. Currently selection only allows you to select one unit or one building in other RTS games you can select multiple similar units at the same time.
At the very beginning of production I messed around with multiple different control schemes which ended up with me adding multiple control schemes and settings which were not in my original plan. But I think it added to the game and improved it. It is something that I would like to improve by allowing the player to be able to change the keybinds and also I would like to add a couple more control methods.
I spent a lot of time doing research for the game. I found the game analysis the most helpful as it allowed me to understand what was needed from a RTS game. I think I could have done more game analysis of different games so that I got a better and wider understanding of the RTS game genre. I spent the most of my time in production and developing my practical skills. I think I did my best to show off everything I can do and that I showed a wide range of skills within programming e.g. AI, UI, etc. I also showed my developments in skill through my reflective diary. I don’t think I caught every bug and problem and logged it in the diary but I think I caught a lot of them. It is something that I could improve upon in the future by writing down every bug I come across and comment on how I fixed it.
I don’t think the product changed much since my final conceptual ideas as a lot of the production was setting up the base fundamentals of a RTS game. The only thing I can think of would be the introduction of the controls scheme and the settings as those weren’t in my original ideas. I don’t think I managed to fully implement the theme of light and dark. I do have the resources of yin and yang but I didn’t spend the time to balance the need for them as I wanted to in my original idea.
“Buildings require only Yin or Yang to build. (maintenance might require both e.g a shield generator)
Shield generators – mix Yin and Yang to get different types of shields?? Yin is stronger Yang is bigger
Units require a mix of yin and yang to be built. More defensive units require more Yin more offensive units require more Yang”
If I had more time I would start balancing the yin and yang in the way that I wanted it to in my original concept. I think I have managed my time very well. I was able to complete all the things I set out to do with additional features and unforeseen difficulties. I never felt stressed by time constraints. I never felt like I needed to push myself to the breaking point to get everything done. It was a nice balance of getting work done and other life commitments.
I have developed my skills in Unreal such as AI and UI systems but I have also gained skills in game instancing, the top down camera controls and settings. There are many things I could add and improve upon but the main ones are: multiple selection, improved settings and resource (yin and yang) balancing. These are the main areas I feel like I would want to improve if given more time.
Peer Feedback (2 people)
Q. Question A. Both of their answers R. My response
Q. On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate the camera controls?
A. 7, 10
Q. On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate the settings provided?
A. 6, 7
Q. Are there any settings you would want added?
A. Yes, Yes
Q. If yes what?
A. Keybindings, FOV
R. Keybindings are something I thought about adding and were on my list of things I would add in the future. FOV on the other hand I hadn’t thought about. It would be something that I would like to add though.
Q. On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate the unit and building controls? (e.g. telling them what to do)
A. 5, 8
Q. What features already included do you think could be improved?
A. To be able to select multiple units, Building – Queuing / Time till end
R. Multi selection for units was probably the next thing I was going to add to the project if I had more time. Building queuing is something that was partially added but it did have a bug so fixing that bug and improving on the whole queuing system and giving the player a visual representation of what is happen would be good to add. Probably would add this right after the multi selection. I am happy with how the current queuing system but it could have some improvements especially with how building is handled in the queuing system.
Q. What features not included currently would you like to see?
A. Patrol paths for the units, Win Condition
R. Win condition would definitely need to be added but I would need to add a proper enemy first either in the form of an other player by adding multiplayer or creating an AI for the player to fight against. Patrol paths are something that show up in other RTSs so I would want to add that as a feature. I do have a good idea of how I could implement that as I did patrol paths in Project Anaximander (my last project).