Design TeamsGame DesignTeam StructureThe Game VisionTeam Components/MembersSoftware EngineeringGame Software EngineeringSpecificationsThe Bottom LineEg. Audio DesignLogic SourceGame PlayLevel DesignSlide 14GraphicsGraphic DesignAnimatorsMoCap ActorsNetworksMulti-player DesignAIAudioAudio DesignDialogVoice TalentPlaytestingMarketingTechnical WritersSpring 2007 COMP 7970 1Design TeamsTeam StructureInterdisciplinary TeamsSpring 2007 COMP 7970 2Game Design1. The game design vision drives everything2. Every team member contributes something vitalRespect their expertiseSpring 2007 COMP 7970 3Team StructureDirector/Producer–The person who’s driving–Has the creative vision for entire project–Possibly an expert in some areaSpring 2007 COMP 7970 4The Game VisionA game derives from a vision The Visual, Audio, Graphics, AI, Networks derives from this visionIt’s a collaboration!It’s probably not a dictatorship–No one person can do all the workSpring 2007 COMP 7970 5Team Components/MembersGame Play/Storyboard Level DesignGraphics Graphic DesignAnimatorsMoCap ActorsNetworksMulti-player DesignAIAudioAudio DesignDialogVoice TalentPlaytestingMarketingTechnical WritersSpring 2007 COMP 7970 6Software EngineeringThe Waterfall Model:–Design -> Spec -> Coding -> TestingBetter:–Programmers discover what the customer wants–Programmers implement prototype–Users test prototype–Tests feed back to designSpring 2007 COMP 7970 7Game Software EngineeringMany team members are non-programmersEg. Graphic artists are sometimes semi-literate–Their mastery is pictures!Audio people have some CS experienceMarketing people have limited CS experienceSpring 2007 COMP 7970 8SpecificationsGame specifications will cover many basesIt’s not all about software per seSpring 2007 COMP 7970 9The Bottom LineThe team members are there for a reason:Each team member is an expertSpring 2007 COMP 7970 10Eg. Audio DesignLike any design job, there must be a logic to the audio designThe logic drives –Instrumentation–Musical style–Selection of phrasesSpring 2007 COMP 7970 11Logic SourceThe audio design logic arises from game logicThe driving vision comes from the game–It’s not about creating a hit record, for exampleTeam members…Spring 2007 COMP 7970 12Game PlayExpertise: Games, StorytellingProvide a compelling experienceSet up goals for player(s)–Script–StoryboardProgrammers–Control game logic–Formal Language Scripts, etc for game play–Formal Language Script interpreterSpring 2007 COMP 7970 13Level DesignExpertise: Games, Storytelling, Creative writingProvide compelling experience this level–Adjust difficulty appropriate to level–Subsidiary to game designDesign–Spatial layout–Composition of forces–PacingSpring 2007 COMP 7970 14Level DesignExpertise: Games, StorytellingProgrammers–Creating behavior of enemy agents in geographic space–Special-purpose features this level–Design toolsSpring 2007 COMP 7970 15GraphicsExpertise: CS -- Computer GraphicsProgrammers–Create the graphics game engine–Customize engine components for particular game–Visual effects–Performance tuning–Until recently, used most CPUSpring 2007 COMP 7970 16Graphic DesignExpertise: Visual Arts/Graphic DesignProviding the visual content–Design the look–Implement the lookGraphic design will generate a visual system–Main task is to make the system visually consistent, coherentSpring 2007 COMP 7970 17AnimatorsExpertise: Visual Arts/AnimationCreate the animated characters–Keyframes–MoCap – Capture, Blending, Adjustment–Programming simulation controllers to create good animationsProgrammers–Animation control & playback system–Scripting setup–Simulation systemSpring 2007 COMP 7970 18MoCap ActorsExpertise: Dance, ActingAct out motion scripts–Create consistent character for each captured motion–Seamlessly join together motion segmentsProgrammers–Motion capture –Data managementSpring 2007 COMP 7970 19NetworksExpertise: CS Networks, MultiplayerProgrammers–Implement network components–Client-server system–Server creation–Create multi-player control for game•Prediction, EtcSpring 2007 COMP 7970 20Multi-player DesignExpertise: Multiplayer, CS NetworksDesign multi-player scheme–Resolve conflicts–Deal with lagProgrammers–Game-specific strategiesSpring 2007 COMP 7970 21AIExpertise: AI Algorithms, AI Game PracticeProgrammers–Create the AI engine•Could be just a general object suite–Customize to game components–Responsible for good AI enemy play•Details!Spring 2007 COMP 7970 22AudioExpertise: CS -- Digital Sound Filters/EffectsProgrammers–Create System-level audio software–Environmental effects filters–Resource managementSpring 2007 COMP 7970 23Audio DesignExpertise: MusicDesigners–Create audio space –Interact with other system elements•Player health, location•Time of day, environmentSpring 2007 COMP 7970 24DialogExpertise: Creative Writing, Play WritingCreate believable speaking characters–Create lines of dialog that will sound good–Get the point across (or obscure it!)Spring 2007 COMP 7970 25Voice TalentExpertise: Acting, RadioCreate a compelling animated voice character–Voice fits the body–Delivers the lines appropriatelySpring 2007 COMP 7970 26PlaytestingExpertise: Games, Dealing with peopleTest the game with real users–Get feedback–Adjust game difficulty–Adjust explanations, back story, etc–Get organized!Spring 2007 COMP 7970 27MarketingExpertise: Game market, distributionGet the game on the market–Figure out who your customers are–Generate demand•Get it reviewed favorably•Place ads•HypeSpring 2007 COMP 7970 28Technical WritersExpertise: Technical communicationsCreate documentation–Game manuals–API manuals•In