Free Driving: XNA Game - Case Study Example

?Free Driving – XNA Game Introduction As of now, it is very difficult to point to an aspect of human life that has not been affected by the advent oftechnology. In fact in the pre-technology era, little did anyone every think that a time was coming that children and of course all game lovers would not have to go to the field to play one kind of game or the other but just sit in the comfort of their rooms and manipulate the playing of a game. As technology continue to dominate the gaming aspects of our lives, research and debate on whether or not games are good for us as people continue to rage on. The arguments become even alarming when it has to do with the impact of games and for that matter, computer or video games on children. The fact of the matter however should be that even medicines that cure sicknesses can be poisonous if they are left in the hands of the wrong people or used for the wrong purposes. This is to say that computer and video games may be bad depending on who is playing it, for what purpose it is being played and under whose supervision it is being played. Booth (2009) reported that “a report from the European parliament concluded yesterday that computer games are good for children and teach them essential life skills.” It is based on these qualities of a game that the XNA Game has been developed. The XNA Game is a free drive simulator that will be played by one player at a time. The player will be controlling a car that will be moving within five maps. The games is built in such as war that the car have amount of HP, in the game, when player control the car hit some rocks, or fail from a height, the car will lost some HP, when the HP become zero, the game finished, and player lose the game. The theme of the game can be described as alien invasion theme as the race is not just about winning in a competition. There are some items in the game, player collect the items can improve the car, after the car improved, it will get more HP or become faster. Also there are some special items, when player collected it, and player can get better cars. The design intentions are based on medical connotation of improving the control of the fine motor skills, especially control of hands and arms of players. This has been factored into the technical form of the game where by there are limited button interaction so that all engagement will be with the joystick. Concept Document Game Analysis Game Description The genre of the game is simulator. Its element combines free driving, collecting, dodging and racing. The game has a thriller game content. The theme is alien invasion where as the style is based on abstract. The game has a hyper game sequence with one player playing the game at any point in time. Game reference XNA Game is a non-fictional simulation/game. The game offers phenomenal player immersions that include strategic and tactical play. This is to say that players who continuously enjoy this game will end up being people who can be more strategic about their lives and take tactical decisions because of the need for them to apply these qualities in playing the game. This will make report by the European Parliament that games have positive imparts very true (Booth, 2009). Game technical The technical form of the game is 3D graphics. Though the graphics is generally 3D, the camera view of the game is a side-scrolling 2D plane. This offers three levels of perspectives, which are the racing field, the background of the racing setting and of course the status bars. The game is built on a java gaming platform and is therefore played on PC and mobile devices. Game sales Consumer group Like all other computer and video games, this game can be played by people of age group, gender and social status. The design and construction of the game has however been done with a lot of specification and suitability to children with fine motor disorders, who wish to improve these. The game therefore targets a more or less a medical development consumer group. Logsdon (2011) explains that “fine motor skills involve the small muscles of the body that enable such functions as writing, grasping small objects, and fastening clothing.” This means that with its medical consumer base, the XNA Game will target more closely, people who lack the ability to perform the skills outlined by Logsdon. This target group is not ‘out of this world’ or the first of its kind. It is also not an absurd target as Chilliwack Times (2011) reports that “a new research project from the University of the Fraser Valley (Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada) uses video games to help test the motor skills of children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (or FASD). Payment The payment system to be developed for the sale of the games shall be very innovative and technical though there shall be the ordinary store purchasing and payment system. By innovative and technical mode of payment, the expertise of information and communication technology specialists shall be hired to orient the company’s sales unto an electronic system that will allow for electronic commerce (e-commerce). This will open the sale of the game to worldwide consumers and buyers. The payment shall therefore be done by the use of electronic means such as the use of credit card, wire transfer and other electronic wallets. Estimated price The price of the XNA shall be structured based on a number of factors including existing competition. Presently, the world is field with countless number of games (technology based) that are doing quite well on the market. The competitive advantage of most of these gaming companies is the number of years they have been in existence. To match up this competition, the price of the XNA Game upon release shall be pegged at $15.99 for traditional store purchase and $17.50 for online purchase to enable affordability. Device support list As much as possible the game will be supported on all personal computers and smart mobile devices. Specific mention can be made of Acer n30, Samsung i740, Samsung Omnia, Toshiba TG01 and HTC HD2 Game atmosphere The XNA Game has a world space atmosphere. This is because the game has been designed in such as way that provides the player with much possible infinite world space to drive through and explore. The atmosphere also is a typical residential setting comprising both village and city scenes. Depending on whether a player is riding through a village or a city, there are huts, mansions, fuel filling stations, water bodies, forest and market environments. This environment has been created so that while driving, player will find collectable objects that provide additional points and obstacles. The goal of the game is to acquire as many objects as they can, while avoiding as many obstacles as they can. Game play Opening the game application The game is opened by double clicking on its icon. This takes a player to the credits page and then the options page where they make options depending on their playing level. Game Options The game presents options with the difficulty level, driving route, motor rider to use, color scheme and sound levels. These options make the game very interesting and dynamic. They make playing of the game adventurous and exploratory. Story Synopsis You are an internationally renowned rally driver who competes in the ultimate race around the world. You compete through different locations collecting prize money and vehicle modifications as you race. The racing takes you through the deserts of America, snowy plains of northern Russia, the rolling hills of Europe, the steamy jungles of South?East Asia, and the extreme outback of Australia. You do not follow a track or run to a finish line. You are simply required to find as many collectibles as possible within a time limit. Modes There are two major playing modes as of now. There is the PC mode and mobile device mode. Presently, there isn’t an online mode. The PC and mobile modes make interactivity very effective and interesting. Game Elements There are complementary elements in the game that makes racing and the battle for the collection of prize money more interesting. Some of these elements include a turbo engine system that gives the racing motor a superpower performance once applied. There is also a vehicle modification system that gives the rider access to. Game Levels The game comes with three major gaming levels. These levels are beginner, medium and advanced. The differences within the levels have to do with the amount of opposition faced in the cause of the racing and the driving enhancements of the motor bikes. Relatively, an advanced player is privileged to more advanced setting but would have to overcome a lot more obstacles. Player’s Controls The player has a number of controls over the motorbike and performance to collect prize money. Winning You are simply required to find as many collectibles as possible within a time limit. Losing Losing is relative to previous performance. As a player keeps record of his or her performances of how much collectibles and prize money received over the time frame give, lesser collectibles and prize money made after the end of time constitutes a loss. End The game ends after a given time. Beginners will have their games ending earlier than medium performers and medium performers before advanced performers. • Why is all this fun? The XNA Game is an all fun game because there is nothing really as losing. Players are never timed out because they crash down. They are also not losers because they were last among a group of racers. They are made to enjoy the full length of the time given. Key features Number of Levels Generally, the game comes with three levels, which are beginner, medium and advanced. However, the motor bike used has a key feature with levels whereby the player has total access to an engine and gear system that makes the motorbike run faster and display general improved performance including acrobatics display. Number of Enemies/ Characters There are no co-racers. There are however enemies who come in the form of owners of collectibles. These are described as enemies because they possess prizes that must be retrieved. Sometimes, these people will offer opposition in the collection of the prizes. Depending on the level one is playing also, these collectibles are difficult to locate. There are cases they could be confused for threats that have the potential of lowering the speed of motorbikes. Time of Game Play The XNA game is played within three time systems which are 4 minutes 30 seconds, 10 minutes 15 seconds and 20 minutes 30 seconds according to the levels of the game which are beginner, medium and advanced respectively. Replay ability Because the game will continue to run till the time elapses, there is no need for replay whiles the game is still running. After play however, a player who achieves certain level of performance is automatically promoted to the next level. After going through all three levels, a player who does not quit is given the opportunity to select a level of his choice and the process continues. Audio Specifications The audio specifications of the game includes the following: DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL) x 1, Dolby 5.1ch, DTS, LPCM, Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T) x3 (input x 1 + output x 2), SACD Hybrid (CD layer), SACD HD, DVD-Video: DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW Graphic Specifications The game works on a 3D graphics system. This therefore requires SVGA graphic and 640x480 graphics resolutions to operate. Device Compatibility For personal computers, the following specifications allow for compatibility. They are Minimum CPU Type: Pentium Minimum CPU Speed: 133 MHz Minimum RAM Required: 24 MB Minimum Hard Disk Space: 25 MB Graphics Type: SVGA Graphics Resolution: 640x480 Color Depth: True Color (All Game, 2010) Number of Players At any point in time, there is only one player on the race. Online Activities (high scores, etc.) The only online activity presently is online purchase and online purchase. Number/Type Modes There is currently only one mode of the XNA Game. There is likely to be more modes as the use of game advances. Selling features Marketing Ideas As a new product and a product with competitors, it is very important that enticing and reaching marketing ideas are incorporated into the sale of the XNA Games. For this reason, there shall be the incorporation of customer social relationship management into marketing of the games. By customer social relationship, the company shall create a platform for all users of social networks to participate in the daily affairs of the company. This shall be in the form of suggestions, contributions for future improvement and the like. As the company gets an idea of the number of fan or customers it has through the social network system, it would then bring up market centers and marketing strategies and needs that meet the locations, requirements and suggestions of customers. Apart from the customer social relationship management, e-trading shall be adopted to create a universal sales point for customers. Consumer Group The major customer group will be children within the ages of five (5) and fifteen (15). This is because the game is purposed to be a medical development that will be targeted at improving fine motor skills among users. It will be noted that fine motor skill disabilities are common among children within the stated age group. This not withstanding, all other people regardless of age, gender or social status may use the game. Unique Features An outstanding unique feature of the game is its controller, which is the joystick. The controller system makes the intention of the game as a rehabilitation gaming for children with a medical condition that may restrict their motor skills possible. In accordance with this, a suite of games will be developed and deployed to subjects for a period to determine if playing these games improves the control of their hands and arms. The game also has special features that make the development of certain behavioral and characteristic traits possible. Some of these traits are endurance, tactical, strategic, boldness and zeal. These traits are incorporated into the functioning of the game that makes a player keep playing till the given duration is up. Merchandising Merchandising activities that will be used to promote the sale of the XNA Game includes the making of miniature game models for sale to children. There shall also be the designing of the model of the game to be used as stickers and on publications such as exercise books, note books and school bags. This will help in popularizing the image of the game at a global level. Indeed as much as people become familiar with the model of the game, they will have the thirst and quest to own some of them and be part of the fun. Design Document Design Version The XNA1 shall be the maiden version of the XNA Gaming series. The need for updating the game shall come from consumer interaction, suggestions and further research to be conducted by the developers of the game. Design Guidelines Presently, the deign does not allow for use as console but interactive PC or mobile device involving the use of joystick to allow for mobility of the hand and arms. The design also does not allow for use directly with a computer mouse or keypad (with the PC version) because of the intention to focus on the role of the joystick. Game Design Definitions The menu of the game contains buttons that allows for play, game save, pause, exit, control and enhancements. The player is regarded as an internationally renowned rally driver whose task is to compete in ultimate championship around the world. The player therefore goes through many different routes across different continents including America, Europe and Asia. The player’s task is to compete through these different locations, collecting prize money and vehicle modifications. The system of the game does not follow a track or run to a finish line. All the player is required to do is to find as many collectibles as possible within a time limit. Playing the game requires the player to accelerate the motorbike at the toughest speed position. This is to ensure that the player covers a good length of distance within the given time frame. The playing also requires identifying as many collectibles and going to claim them as possible. The game is over when the time allocated is over. Winning is therefore rooted in the number of collectibles received by the player and the distance covered within the given timeframe. Losing therefore means making less achievement in this regard as no condition exits the player automatically. Game Matrix Below is an example of the game matrix Object Properties Unit type Hit Points Damage Bullet speed Movement Basic Enemies Cannon -01 40 110 Medium NA Cannon -02 70 160 Slow NA Static rocket launcher 80 710 Medium NA Flock 1 25 510 NA Medium Flock 2 25 45 Slow Medium Medium 1 90 350 Fast Slow Medium 2 100 410 Medium Slow Rail 130 610 NA Slow Small 1 35 210 Fast Fast Small 2 40 220 Fast Fast The game matrix gives a summary of a particular round of play. Game Flow Chart The game flow chart below is targeted at integrating the properties, actions and objects of the game into one common structure. The reference of where the properties, actions and objects exist within the game has duly been attached. Player Elements This is a single player phase game. The driver benefits from collectables such as money, food and shade. The driver also gets to change his tire, top up fuel and adjust gears. The one phase driver creates a user name example ScHoly. Until the user name is created, the default player name is XNA Player. Player Definition The default player is known as XNA-S where ‘S’ stands for single. The player is an aspiring world racer who must justify his competence by completing the XNA route. At the beginning of the game, the player is pegged at the beginner level and starts the race from the crowd filled American city setting. The default motor setting of the player is set at acceleration of 0 but with the capacity to race up to 220kph. The sound consisting of music and race volume is set at 50% by default but can be adjusted by the player. The motor is brand new including its tires but the tires changed along the race depending on the performance of the player and distance of route covered. The default fuel level is also full and the player cannot top up until he reaches a filling station. If through reckless driving the fuel runs low, the player will have to drive at very low speed against the time given. When the fuel totally runs out, the player will have to pull the motor bike till he gets to a filling station. The player has access to food and drink to vitalize him but these are not commonly identified. It should take the vigilance of the player to discover the food and drinks. At times, the player will have to make impressive moves such as jumping huge gutters to get access to food and drink. Upon eating and drinking, the player is charged with much strength, which is translated into turbo speed of the motor bike. As the player rides on, he has information of the fuel level, the speed gauge, distance covered, time covered and distance to a redemption centre. A winning player is a player who completes the race by the close of the duration given with so many collectives, especially cash in his motor carrier. A loss is not much of these are collected. Player Properties An exceptionally interesting phenomenon of the game is the amount of properties the player has. By amount of properties, it not the wealth of the player but then the influence the player can have on the game. Again by player, reference is being made not to the user of the game per se but the imagery of the follower in the game. To this effect, there is the property of actions. Some of the actions that the motor rider can perform include jumping, sky jumping, enemy combating through kicks and slaps, getting off the motor at a collection point or filling station, pulling the motorbike when the fuel runs out and slanting very low to the ground. The health properties of the player is vested in the food and drink given to the player and this is manifested through the ability to endure top speed after eating or drinking without skidding off the road. With weapons, the player has access to stick and knife. Stick is used to clear enemies whereas the knife is used to clear busy paths through the bushes, especially to redeem collectables. Read More