24/3/2017

Aims: To create and test a computer game
To produce user documentation for a user game
To suggest improvements to a computer game following user feedback

Objectives:
To answer at least two surveys for computer games
To create a computer game
To test a user game using a variety of methods
To create a user manual for a computer game
To create a technical manual for a computer game
To suggest improvements based on testing and user feedback

Today I finally managed to complete my computer game and I am very happy with the outcome of it. This means I met one of my targets for this term. A weakness of today is that I didn't manage to complete A3T1 and A3T2 for Unit 22. This means I will require an extension to complete them. Although I am happy that I have completed my game, I feel that it is slightly rushed and could have made it a bit better with the feedback I have from my survey. I am excited for the Kingswood trip on Monday.

My Targets for this term are

• Improve communication skills by asking more questions and answering more questions in class.
• For U22 create a game that runs smoothly and is consistent. Make sure you test thoroughly to check for errors. Make it so that the enemies spawn randomly.

23/3/2017

Aims:To create and test a computer game
To produce user documentation for a computer game

Objectives:
Create a computer game
Test the computer game using a variety of methods
Briefly explain some code (iteration, selection)
Create a user manual
Start creating a technical manual

Today I continued to create my game. I have managed to complete the steps in making my first level. You can now complete it to go onto level 2 which I am happy about. I still have lots of work to do to complete my game which is a weakness but I have been given an extension to complete it tomorrow in independent study time. We started to create two new documents today which are the user manual and technical manual for our game. I dont think I will find the technical manual difficult because most of it is copying and pasting from previous game unit work.

My Targets for this term are

• Improve communication skills by asking more questions and answering more questions in class.
• For U22 create a game that runs smoothly and is consistent. Make sure you test thoroughly to check for errors. Make it so that the enemies spawn randomly.

22/3/2017

Understand the importance of good quality of code and know that there are different ways that programmers make code more readable.
Have a solid grasp of the practical problem.

Identify and apply factors that can improve code
Explain why good quality code is important
Identify and discuss the factors that can improve readability
Create a functional specification
Create a detailed functional specification

Can improve the readability of code
Identify different methods of improving the readability of code
Identify different methods of making quality code
Explain why good quality code is important
Identify key features of a functional specification

Aims: To be able to create a computer game for a given specification
To be able to test a computer game
To produce user documentation for a computer game

Objectives:
Create a computer game
Test the computer game using a variety of methods
Briefly explain some code (iteration, selection)
Start creating a user manual

Today I learnt how important it is to fail. This may sound quite stupid but in fact, failure is just learning from mistakes and making improvements. A strength of today is that I managed to make objects inside my game spawn randomly, which was part of a SMART target for this term. I feel proud of this because my peers were not sure how to do it. A weakness of today is that the game and both assignments are due tomorrow but I don think I will be able to finish them so may require an extension.

My Targets for this term are

• Improve communication skills by asking more questions and answering more questions in class.
• For U22 create a game that runs smoothly and is consistent. Make sure you test thoroughly to check for errors. Make it so that the enemies spawn randomly.

17/3/2017

Aim: To create a user survey for your computer game
To create and test a computer game

Objectives:
Use Survey Monkey to create a user survey for your game
Create a computer game
Test your game
Briefly explain examples of iteration and selection

Today I worked productively on assignments and re submissions. A strength of this is that I managed to complete two of them which means I have no work due until the middle of next week. This afternoon I was trying to fix a bug in my Computer Game to make it so objects such as enemies respawn at random places at the top of the screen. I should use one of the targets that I was set today to ask peers for help with this. A weakness of today was that my alarm never went off in the morning so I ended up waking up late and only just made it to college on time.

My Targets for this term are

• Improve communication skills by asking more questions and answering more questions in class.
• For U22 create a game that runs smoothly and is consistent. Make sure you test thoroughly to check for errors. Make it so that the enemies spawn randomly.

16/3/2017

Aim: To be able to create a computer game for a given specification
To be able to test a computer game

Objectives:
Create a computer game
Test the computer game using a variety of methods
Briefly explain some code (iteration, selection)

Today I have mostly been working on my game and have made lots of progress. My character and enemies/collectibles are now able to move and disappear once collected. It also displays points in the top left corner. A weakness is that I am struggling with making the collectibles respawn after they have been removed but I will try my best to make it work. I am happy with how my assets look after I made them today.

15/3/2017

Aim: To be able to create a computer game for a given specification
To be able to test a computer game

Objectives:
Create a computer game
Test the computer game using a variety of methods
Briefly explain some code (iteration, selection)

Identify the features of the Software Development Life Cycle
Name some models of the SDLC

Understand the different stages of the SDLC
Understand how the stages link together and understand the key model types

Identify the stages of the SDLC
Explain the stages of the SDLC
Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the waterfall model
Identify the main features of the Agile SCRUM model
Identify the characteristics of poor design
Explain the characteristics of poor design
Independently develop skills within programming

This afternoon I learnt about the different Software Development Life Cycles models such as the Waterfall and Agile models. I researched and learnt why they are important and about each steps of them. A strength of today is that I managed to complete all of my screens/rooms for my game in GameMaker and am now ahead of where I originally saw myself being after today. Another strength of today is that I walked to Subway during lunch break and really enjoyed my sandwich. A weakness of today is that I have checked my Emails and have a dozen of new assignments popped up that have made me feel pressured into giving up free time to complete them.

10/3/2017

Aim: To be able to create a computer game for a specific purpose

Objectives:

• Create backgrounds for your first two levels (Start and instruction screen)
• Create sprites and objects for your buttons
• Add code to make the buttons link to appropriate room
• Test your first two levels
• Any other resubmissions

Today I made the Main menu and Instructions menu in Photoshop. I think that I am proud of how they look because they are similar to how I planned them. On the other hand, I didn't manage to add them into my game or add buttons to them but I aim to do that on Wednesday next week. In the afternoon, I worked continuously on resubmissions and managed to complete two of them which I think is a decent amount of work.

8/3/2017

Aim: To produce designs for a computer game

Objectives:
Create basic design documents e.g. action plan, design specification, pseudo-code
State the importance of a data dictionary
Create a data dictionary for the computer game being created
Identify the features of programs
Explain key programming terms and techniques


Understand the main types of programming language
Understand that there are three paradigms and each’s strengths and weaknesses
Understand that there are different factors that can influence the choice of language used.

Understand the features of procedural programming
Understand the features of event driven programming
Understand the main points of object orientated programming
Understand the difference between procedural and object orientated programmingIndependently develop skills within programming
Identify the steps necessary to complete a project

Today we started off by completing more progress on our GameMaker unit. I have yet to finish my storyboard but am close to finishing it off, which is a strength of today. Also in the morning I had a mock job interview and I am happy because I got some good feedback from it. The only thing that I lacked was movement and expanding on points which I think these can definitely be improved. A major weakness of today is that I haven't felt 100% over the past couple of days but hopefully the cold should wear off soon.

3/3/2017

Aim: To be able to create a game in GameMaker

To be able to produce designs for a computer game
Objectives:
Complete SOA for U01
To add special effects to your first GM game
To make a character move in a specific path
Any other resubmissions

Today I learnt how to add sound effects effects into my game on GameMaker. An advantage of today is that I managed to complete a decent amount of work on Unit 6 work and still have a big amount of time to complete it. A weakness of today is that I never got around to adding a timeline or getting my charterer to move in a specific path. I need to know how to do this so I can use it in my game for Unit 22. This week has gone great for me because I think that I have been very organised in my work.

2/3/2017

Aim: To produce design documents for a computer game

Objectives:
Create some design documents for a computer game (action plan, design specification, storyboards)
Write basic pseudo-code
Write pseudo-code for iteration and selection methods for your computer game

Today I learnt what pseudo code is and how to write it. I think that I have completed a lot of work related to my computer game specification which is an advantage. A weakness of today is that I had issues opening GameMaker. When a tutor came to help the class fix it, it started working without him doing anything. Today I also found out that we are having mock interviews next Wednesday and so I have to prepare for that. I think that I will struggle to stay confident during it but I will try my best.

1/3/2017

Aim: To produce designs for a computer game

Objectives:
State some of the design documentation required when creating a computer game
Create an action plan for a computer game
Create a design specification for a computer game
Create a storyboard for a computer game


Understand that there are three main paradigms
Explain key programming terms and techniques

Understand the main types of programming language
Understand that there are three paradigms and each’s strengths and weaknesses
Understand that there are different factors that can influence the choice of language used.

Understand the features of procedural programming
Understand the features of event driven programming
Understand the main points of object orientated programming
Understand the difference between procedural and object orientated programming
Know why different data types are useful
Create an array
Write data into an array
Read data into an array

Today I learnt what an array is in computer programming. It is useful because it is efficient in time, space and makes the code more organised. An advantage of today is that I have finished a lot of assignments and re submissions that are due soon. A disadvantage of today is that I found it difficult to concentrate because of how drowsy I felt in the afternoon for some reason.