Project Proposal

During my studies at CityTech, I’ve gained experience with various software and tools such as 3D modeling programs, laser cutters, and various coding languages. Yet my most valuable learning experience has been in game development. I’ve developed skills in creating imaginative worlds and creative coding techniques using Unity, as well as integrating the work of others to produce unique projects. I have also had the honor of teaching Unity Game development to students during my internship at “Nubian Steam Adventures” and “The Coder School.”

I’m confident in my ability to create a game, and have always loved match 3 style games, “Zoo Keeper” being one of my favorite ones. This is why I decided to create “Spot-A-Fish: Eco Defenders.” A 2D Match-3 style game designed to raise awareness about pollution while offering an engaging gameplay experience. Players assume the role of an environmental cleanup crew member, clearing trash from water bodies to save hidden fish and restore the ecosystem. This project will allow me to apply and expand my game design skills and development, particularly in Unity and C#, but also to create a meaningful game with a positive social impact.

Here is a link to the Projects Powerpoint Panel Presentation

Inspiration

Motivation

I want to make Spot-A-Fish because it’s a game idea I have had for a long time. I know this project can become something that will hopefully propel me to my next phase as a game designer/developer. I also really want a game to show for my efforts at CityTech, something I can put up on itch.io or host on my website that will be fun, educational, and that I can feel proud of. This game will combine some aspects of environmental awareness while also being fun.

Project and Objectives

  • By the end of the culmination project course in the fall, I will have a game prototype that can be further developed into a larger game
  • The prototype will consist of a start page with an options menu (with possibly two modes of play), the main game/s, and a win screen with at least one fish collectible. 
  • The game will feature original graphics and sound. I will be creating the sound using a mix of garage Band and AI to help me create harmonies and chords. I have studied a method that helps me bring a bit more variety to the melodies I had been creating up until then.
  • I would also like to have a promotional image that can be used to showcase the game, either in the form of a digital ad or a printed poster. 
  • I would like to have made it available to the public in some way for feedback through itch.io, Steam, GOG, or Github.

Originality

I Have seen Match 3 style games about underwater creatures or sea-themed related match 3 style games. Some even have a decorate your tank feature where you can add pretty corals or fantasy mermaids. I have seen cute environmental cleanup games, with thoughtful engrossing stories but fairly linear play-throughs and shallow game mechanics. Games that have a message but don’t seem to find an audience.

I have not seen a good amalgamation of both. Where the message is clear through the items being disposed of, the creatures being saved, and the attempt to preserve the rarest creatures by using your points to put them in a conservation tank so future generations can appreciate them with detailed info on the species as well as provide specific information about the endangered species and their location.

Target Audience

  • Spot-A-Fish aims to appeal to a diverse audience. The primary target audience includes casual gamers, younger gamers, environmentally conscious individuals, and those seeking easily accessible and engaging mobile or desktop web gaming experiences. By combining the addictiveness of a match 3 style game with an eco-awareness message, I hope to attract players who appreciate both entertainment and meaningful social impact wrapped in a beautiful game with a nice story and colorful fun graphics..
  • The age group would be between 12 and 50. A very wide range but I believe there is an audience interested in casual mobile games, and a growing segment of gamers is looking for games with a purpose, such as raising awareness about environmental issues.

Methods

  • I plan on creating this game using Unity. I will make the majority of the assets myself and will utilize the help of AI for sound.
  • For the assets, I will use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. I will create character and fish designs and make animation sheets that can be used with Unity’s native engine. I will use code to tie these animations with various win-or-lose conditions.
  • I have also used Canva.com to create Buttons, backgrounds, and UI elements for the game.
  • I have downloaded a Unity Match 3 system with Professor Auji’s blessing and encouragement and am working to make it fit my art style and gameplay.
  • I will outsource the sound effects and find free-to-use sounds on the web.
  • Once I have the main graphics, animations, sound, and code mostly fleshed out I will bring all the elements together as a playable web demo in Unity. For simplicity I will stick to the web, publishing on a known game platform called itch.io and hosting the game on GitHub.

Materials

  • A computer with Unity (LTS) installed: This will be utilized as the main workstation, Which I already own.
  • Ipad Pro: I use this to sketch out ideas, write notes, and progress for the game, as a drawing tablet to create artwork, and for the use of GarageBand to make the game’s music.
  • Graphic Software: Adobe Photoshop, Canva, Illustrator: This is to create 2D artwork. I will usually sketch out the artwork, and brainstorm on paper. Take those designs and try and refine them digitally using Photoshop, or create sharp vector graphics using Illustrator. I like to use Cava to bring the elements together and store them conveniently online.
  • Sound Software: I will be using Garageband to arrange all my sound elements together. I am using ChatGPT in conjunction with Google Collab to create a system where that generates notes and I can arrange them into a melody or a song, then export it as a MIDI file and arrange them in Garageband. All other songs are Steven T. Originals.

Budget & Resources

Timeline

  • Spring 2024:
    • Week 5:Week 6: Finalize Project proposal
    • Week 7: Project proposal presentations for faculty panel (Work Match 3)
    • Week 8: Project proposal presentations for faculty panel (Work Match 3)
    • Week 9: Downloaded Match 3 System/s. (create a separate project to begin working on manipulating)
    • Week 10: Change images for the playable pieces (create Garbage Tiles basic images).
    • Week 11: Create and customize a menu to link to the main game. 
    • Week 12: Make sure that the basic menu leads to a playable version of the game’s main state. The title and basic art should be present. Sound is optional.
    • Spring Break: Get Player Feedback.
    • Spring Break: Incorporate Player Feedback.
    • 5/6/2024: Hand in prototype deliverables.
    • Week 13: Project prototype/proof of concept presentations for faculty
    • Week 14: Project prototype/proof of concept presentations for faculty
    • Week 15:Final Class (Deep Breath)
  • Summer 2024:
    • June:
      • Week 1: Work on character art
      • Week 2: Worked on Cutscene Animation
      • Week 3: Worked on Optimizing Graphics for gameplay
      • Week 4: Worked on Creating remaining tile piece assets
    • July:
      • Week 1: Holiday
      • Week 2: Holiday
      • Week 3: Create a second play mode.
      • Week 4: set up any sounds that I might have gotten at this point.
  • Fall 2024:
    • Week 1: Meet with professor to discuss current game Progress
    • Week 2: Create cut scene animations to provide a story.
    • Week 3: Integrate cut scene animations into the main gameplay. 
    • Week 4: Project update presentations for the faculty panel (add at least one extra mode)
    • Week 5: Project update presentations for the faculty panel (receive feedback to continue developing the game)
    • Week 6: Incorporate feedback that was given.
    • Week 7: Continue polishing the game and creating backups. 
    • Week 8: Make sure all animations and code are optimized for the web.
    • Week 9: Culmination project 90% complete + faculty panel presentation (Upload Game to Github for further testing)
    • Week 10: Culmination project 90% complete + faculty panel presentation
    • Week 11: (further play testing for feedback)
    • Week 12: (Alter according to feedback)
    • Week 13: Culmination project 100% complete + presentation/demo day
    • Week 14: Individual presentations of completed projects for faculty
    • Week 15: Individual presentations of completed projects for faculty