Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Final Year Project 2003  2004 Presentation Presented by Group: HO2 Chan Wing Yuen Lee Ka To Advised by Prof. Andrew Horner Prof. Lydia Ayers

Overview Introduction The flow to build the game Results Problems and Solutions Conclusions Q&A

Introduction Motivation –Promoting HKUST in a creative way Objective –Develop an adventure game with attractive graphics, settings, and story lines

Introduction Game Story –I–In the Stone Age, the world suffered a dark period and was controlled by the dark king. –T–The character needs to save the world from danger. –T–The character gains sufficient experience and fighting skills by killing monsters and completing missions to challenge the dark king.

The flow to build the game Microsoft Visual Studio.Net Genesis3D Game Engine 2D Graphics and Textures Sound Files 3D ModelsMap Files

Results – Game Interface A character is speaking to the playerMessagesSkills Learnt Hit Point Spirit Point Level ExperienceCoins Collected

Results – Fighting System Main feature: –D–Decide whether the enemy is hurt or the character is hurt during combat. Implementation: –M–Mainly Controlled by AI() function in each enemy class

Results – Missions 5 missions –The Fire Dragon Mission –The villager Mission –Mr. Horner Mission –The Water Elf Mission –The old tree man Mission Feature: gain a skill after completing one mission

Results – Events 4 major events –The tutorial elf –The replenish well. –The HKUST landmarks. –The challenge to NPCs.

Results – Skills 4 combat skills –Golden skill –Water skill –Fire skill –Forest skill 1 special ability –Eagle eye

Results – Equipment 4 Pieces of Equipment Arm ring Leg ring Helmet Armor

Results – Camera Normal view Short view Far view Front view Side view Rotating view

Results – Mini Games Two Mini Games –Coin Gambling Similar to the “Paper, Scissors, Stone” Game Winner will gain coins; loser will lose coins –Skiing Ski down an ice mountain at a high speed to get as many coins as possible.

Results – Stone Age Environment 14 different locations on HKUST campus simulated in a Stone Age style

Results – Sound/Background music 60 sound files for sound effects and background music A particular sound for each action Different background music for different maps

Difficulties in generating valid 3D models for the game engine Reason: –3DS MAX Studio 5.0 failed to generate a valid.act file for Genesis 3D Solution: –Used another 3D modeling software-- Milkshape3D Problems Solving – Problem 1

Problems Solving – Problem 2 Very slow frame rate caused by complex 3D models Reason: –The area and number of 3D models are too complex to be rendered together. Solution: –Divided a large map into a number of small sub-maps –Used “way-point” idea to link two maps

Problems Solving – Problem 3 Unstable speed of the game Reason: –1. Complex view results in low frame rate; different view results in different frame speeds. –2. Fast computer will result in a high frame rate and the action is too fast; different computers result in different frame speeds. Solution: –By calculating the time used in each loop, the program adjusts the number of frames per second for the motions of the character.

Conclusion Major Achievement –Designed and developed a stimulating game which can be used to introduce our campus to visitors and freshmen. Future Extensions –Option to choose different characters –Riding abilities

Q&A Session –Please feel free to ask questions.