Final Thoughts On Globloria...

First, let me start by saying my last post was a little harsh. This class wasn't really that bad...it was bad don't get me wrong, but not that bad. Secondly, I would like to say that I came into this class with a pessimistic attitude. I am not a gamer nor do I like to play games, so I figured I would hate this class right from the get go. With my pessimistic attitude it only confirmed the fact that I would never like to be a game designer or have anything to do with that field. It's simply not for me. With that being said I would like to take the time to post my thoughts on what I liked and disliked about this class/program.

First though, I would like to say that I think if it wasn't for Matt, and him being an amazing teacher, this program would have failed miserably. You could have not found a better teacher for this kind of program. He was right there with us learning just as we were. He made it as interesting as possible for us, and he was always there to help with any trouble we were having with our game,even when he didn't know the answer. If it wasn't for him, I probably would have hated the class a little more than I did, and half of the stuff I did wouldn't have worked. I just wanted to you know at Globaloria you couldn't have picked a better teacher, and also just to thank Matt for his help. ( I know that kind of sounded like an ass kissing thing but it wasn't...You have to give credit where its due)


Now on to things I liked about this class. This class taught me to think a little outside the box. I wasn't really into gaming so I never really thought about how they were made and the process one must go through to make one. I came to appreciate the hard work that goes into that, and those who do it professionally, let me just say it is a very tedious process, I don't know how people do it. I also enjoyed learning the flash aspect of the class. Although, I personally found it challenging for myself because I have never had a programming class, so when I was doing action script it was very difficult for me to understand the errors it was giving me back....and that is where Matt came in A LOT, because I made A LOT of mistakes...But hey that's the only way to learn right? I have gained a new respect for game designers and also, would like to someday learn a little more about flash.


There was the good, so here is the ugly lol....What I disliked about the class...oh where to start where to start.....First, of all I don't think this program is designed in the right for college students. We as college student, simply don't have the time as high school students do. We are students as well as, Mother/Fathers, Full time/Part time employees, Husbands/wives, friends, etc. Without having access to this program at home, and very little time at school to access it...It is very hard to learn only in 2 hours a week. There is no time to practice or learn on your own. So here's my solution for that--Instead of buying a text book for this class, offer a student discount price of flash, which would be beneficial even after the class is over. Problem #2- Blogging/Wiking....okay okay, I understand the purpose of this being an IT major, I understand it is part of the communication process especially in a project like that, but there wasn't enough people in the class to work in groups, no one commented or read the blogs other than Matt, and it was very redundant and time consuming. Which leads me to Problem #3....There was no feedback what so ever from anyone from Globloria...no one commented on the blog we never even spoke to anyone until the last day. Had a representative came and spoke with maybe the first week and told us what to expect or their thoughts on the program, I think it would have put the class in better spirits so to say. David Lowenstein came on the last day to see our presentation he had A LOT of positive feedback and great ideas just in the little bit of time he was there.I had like a million new ideas after speaking with him. Where was that during the duration of the course? When we were stuck or we need help with coding? Matt can only do so much for us, and trust me he went above and beyond all means...so here's my solution for that: Once a month you have a Skype session with someone from Globaloria, you have some kind of blog (since you seem to love that idea) where students can get in touch with someone who has a vast knowledge of Flash who can help us with our coding, or an email, or someone we can talk to.


Globloria is just not a program I wish to continue though. I hope in the future you can work out some kinks and bugs, because I do think this will be positive program once every thing is figured out.

Final Presentation

Getting Nervous...

Well, there's only a couple of hours left till presentation time, I'm kind of nervous because my game sucks! But I will be very glad to get this class over with. Well i guess I will see everyone in a couple of ours. :{

Final Demo :)

This is my final demo of my game!

What I thought about this class....

Just wanted to post my thoughts about this class. First, of all I want to say I'm so glad Im not taking this class next semester. It was horrible. I think I'd rather take math instead. It was just too much BS and not enough about Flash. I did learn quite a bit about Flash Thanks to Matt, not the class. I had never used flash before this class, so I think it was slightly useful. As far a recommending this class to stay in the curriculum...I give that a big HELL NO. As far as bringing in a class to teach Flash, then I say yes. Bring in a class where it is only flash stuff and how to use the tools and things, kind of like photoshop. All in all this wasnt a good class. GET OUT WHILE YOU STILL CAN!

Well I have Power Point for the presentation which is little dry, and demo that sucks. But Hopefully everything will go well tonight. *crosses fingers*

So I feel a little lost since I didnt go to the class because I was sick then there was break. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, because the presentation is today, and there is no way I can talk for 10 minutes about my game. It sucks the end. Dont think that is gonna cut it.

Well today We spent all class working on our presentations. I got a little more done on mine, worked with power point a little bit even tho I said I wasn't going to use it....I did anyways. So I got a few slides done on that and got a question to pop up on my demo, so it was a progressive day. On a side note, I have to take the second half of this class next semester and i was trying to avoid that at all costs buuuut atleast hopefully if I pass math I will graduate hahah.

Radio Broadcast from Sheppards Town

I wanted to post my thoughts about the NPR thing. I am kind of upset about the thing too. I know SWVTCC is not a University, but we still are college students none the less, weather it says University or Community college after the name, my degree still has the same value as anyone else's. I have worked hard in this class, and would like to get some recognition for it, as well as the rest of the people in my class, and Matt. I do not like being thrown under the bus.

Last nights class went really well I got a lot of stuff done about 3 for 4 screens with stuff that actually works, so I'm pretty excited about that. Im also excited to get started on my trailer. (even tho I have been procrastinating a lot on it lol. Whats new huh

I felt optimistic going to class today. I hope it is a little better than last class. I just think I was in a negative mind frame, that I couldn't do anything, so therefore I got nothing accomplished. Today I have made a lot of progress with a lot of help from Matt. I have got a few screens done for my technical demonstrations. I still think Im going to do my presentation in Corel Studio video editor since I'm familiar with it, and I think power points are incredibly BORING!

I was so frustrated when I left class Tuesday I wanted to cry. I couldn't get anything to work, I couldn't get any scenes created, any buttons to work. I don't know what I am going to do about my trailer, I probably wont have a working demo for it because I can't get anything to work...So I guess I will just make a video using my digital editing skills, since I don't have any flash skills.

Paper Proto-Type

Logo Desgin

Adding sound in Flash

Well this was my first attempt at adding sound from the bunny tutorial...and with a little help with Matt I actually done it. Im kind of proud of myself, because I have never had programming and i GET VERY VERY VERY confused with variables and all that other stuff....PLUS I DO NOT HAVE FLASH AT HOME, so I can practice or anything (cough cough some people go to work and school and do not have time to come back into a lab because it is not open 24/7) Hint Globaloria people it would be nice to have a copy of flash at home for stuff like this! Anways, enough rant here is my tutorial. Enjoy :o)

Game Logo

I have designed my game logo and name it will be Hooked Gaming is the name and the logo is a picture of a fish on the side and in a circle. I should have a picture of it up shortly as well as a video on my paper pro-typing.

Paper Proto-typing

I found paper proto-typing very useful. It helped me lay out all of my scences and how I want things to look in the game. It also helped me determine what was possible and what wasnt during the game. I really found this very useful.:)

Game Presentation-Student Driver :o)

Finished Flash Tutorial

Fly Catcher Tutorial

So I feel like I am doing a little better in flash. I have never had a programming class so it is a little diffcult for me to do the action script (even with a tutorial) I get confused very easily. But Here is a Fly catcher tutorial we done in class off of the Wiki. Enjoy :o)

Globaloria Mini Game Tutorial

Using Guidelines

Today Matt taught us how to use guidelines in flash (which will be pretty useful for some people's games). For example, He made a car on a intersection turn on the road. First, get your object which I used a ball-Select it-then change it to a graphic. Get on your background insert a key frame for however long you want it to be, then click on the button that looks like a rainbow shape click that.A new layer will then appear.Click on the pencil tool then start making your guidelines where you want your graphic to move too. After you make your guidelines you will need to attach your object to the guidelines. You will notice a little circle in the middle of your object which will attach itself to the guideline, do that at the beginning and end of your guideline. Then create your motion tween and test your movie.

Wiki-Choosing A Topic

Topic Assignments

Choose a Topic for Your Game

1. Explore Local Social Issues that Matter to You

How do the following social issues affect your local community? Write down some specific examples next to each one.

• Poverty --Poverty effects this county tremendously especially since the economy is down and everyone is getting laid off, and there are no jobs left here.

• Health -- Health care is hard to come by here since everyone is getting laid off.

• Environment -- Our environment consists of mines and strip mines and that is pretty much it.

• Education -- Is a must around here, especially if you want to get out of this town.

• Civic Participation --

2. Choose One Social Issue to Focus On

Pick one of the specific issues you listed above that you feel very strongly about, then answer these questions about it:

• What are the most important facts people should know about your topic?
• What actions should people do in order to help with this topic?
• What is a positive outcome that could happen if people learned more about this issue?

Identify a Game Genre For Exploring Your Topic

1. Explore the list of Game Genres on Wikipedia

2. Pick Two Genres for Your Game Topic

Select two game genres that you think offer an especially good way to present information and get people to learn more about your topic.

• Genre 1:- Action
  • Why I chose it:

They are the most interesting.

• Genre 2: -Shooter
  • Why I chose it:

I chose shooter because they are my fav and are always fun.

Find Content Resources for Your Game Topic

Find a set of online and real world resources where you can gather facts, images and sounds to use in your game.

1. To begin looking for information online, try doing a Google search on your topic.

Remember, you must give credit to the original creators of any material you plan to use.

2. 'Real world' resources can include teachers in your school, community members, books, periodicals and more.

• Facts:
  • URL: (I Have this part on my flash drive!)
    
  • Real world resource:

• Images:
  • URL:
  • Real world resource:

• Videos:
  • URL:
  • Real world resource:

• Sounds:
  • URL:
  • Real world resource:

My Outline Using the Tools

This was the orignal photo:








Okay This was my Outline of the Apple logo using the tools we learned in class today.




This was the outline after I filled it in with the color.



I felt very good about class today. I seemed to catch on to what we were doing with the anchor points and using the pen tool. We learned a lot of useful tools other than that also. All in all , I actually liked Flash today! haha =)

Game Topic

After doing the "choosing on topic on wiki", I'm still undecided about my game topic. I have although narrowed it down to a few choices. However, I have no idea how to incorporate them into a game. Some of my ideas are: something to do with the body, like how blood flows through the heart or something, something to do with computers, like maybe identifying computer parts, or something to do with coal and jobs in this region. I chose action and shooter on the wiki because those are my favorite kind of games, I don't really think I could incorparte those into any of my ideas for the games. I was thinking more along the lines of a maze type thing, with pop up of facts or information.

My Navagation Button Try

Wow! What a mess I was in! haha If it wasn't for Matt, I would have never gotten my buttons to work! and we also learned that I can't spell worth a darn haha! I felt much better today about Flash with a little assistant. My 1st attempt I could not seem to figure out how to get my Button to work and never could Matt, It was like I had a consistent background and code everywhere but where it should be! (I have never had a programming class, so I am learning that as we go as well.) But we scratched everything and started again with my button and we got it to work that time. I have no idea what happened with my 1st attempt lol. Flash still gives me a headache, I feel very overwhelmed a lot of the time, because I can't seem to catch on to it, and Im usually a quick learner, but I think it is kind of like Digital Editing, I HATED that at 1st but I eventually came around and learned a lot from it. So I am still trying to stay optimistic about this whole situation. I am going to start thinking of some game ideas after I finish the Wiki thing.

I have been thinking about game ideas I would like to do and I have come up with a few ideas. Since it has to be educational *cough**gag**cough* I would like to do something about the economy, or the mines and lay offs, since we live in WV and that effects us tremendously. I also like the idea of us working in groups, Because some people dont know how to photoshop where others do, and some people are better at flash than others. I would really like some help with flash, cause I am n0t that great at it.

Okay, I was EXTREMELY frustrated with this.First, I Photoshoped the truck out of the background and keep the background layer (which was a poorly done photoshop, but you really don't have time in one class period, to do a good job then try to animate something when you don't know what the heck you are doing.) So, then I put the background layer in, and added the truck in. For some reason, every time I animate something it goes backwards. I copy the wrong frames I think. Then I tried adding text which I failed horribly at. I tried everything. All in all, I learn a little more every class, so hopefully I will begin to like flash. But as for right now, It gets two BIG thumbs down!

Is sitting in class and is VERY freaking confused :(

First Flash Try

Okay, so this is not the greatest work, kind of looks like a first graders work, but atleast I learned a lot.

So, I have been watching some tutorials on Flash Animation on Youtube and its seems very complicated and diffcult BUT yes there is a but, it seems pretty awesome once you get the hang of it I guess.

I really didn't know anything about Globaloria before the first day of class and still really don't know what to expect, so I am looking to learn a lot about it. It seems really interesting and I can't wait to learn about flash animation, although it seems kind of hard and I'm not into gaming at all. I'm trying to be optimistic about it all. :)