jingle bells. Batman smells. Global-oria-break.

I want to wish everyone Happy Holidays before we all head home tomorrow and sleep in. One of the questions I was asked was "What are you going to be doing over break to further your gaming progress?", and all I could think about was "WHAT!". I was kidding of course, but I really plan on sketching out most of my characters, backgrounds, and etc. I just might go ahead and do some research as well, but most likely I'll just plan and brain storm. Well I have to get back and help videotape prototypes, heres a picture of something christmasy to lighten the stress of the day.

Thanksgiving farwell

Let me start out by saying "THANKSGIVING!! WOOO!!" Sense I got that out of my system, lets discuss my progress. So far I've done everything to keep myself caught up in Globaloria. I've filled in numerous projects pages, and created my own team page (Surreal_Monkey). Just to dumb it down a bit, I've done eve-ry-thing."Do I feel comfortable with what I've accomplished?", yes I have no regrets about my work. I do plan on getting ahead by drawing consept art for my game, and many other things just like that over break. Basically I'm going to do a whole bunch of brainstorming. Once I get back however I'm going to go ahead and draw most of the characters/scenes on flash, or some how draw-scan-then upload onto my computer (If that makes complete sence to the readers).

Planning My Game

( This picture can explain the overall concept I'm looking for, but its not going to be as *Detailed* as I would like it to be. Just the whole surreal concept for the game make it more attractive, thus make my game my game more appealing to the users.)
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-Strengths & Weaknesses
I really don't think I'll have to much problems with flash, because the overall coding for my game will just be key movement. Also most of the enemies will have only certain directions that they will move in (For ex: the Mushrooms in "Mario" only move back and forth). My graphic design capabilities I guess could be my greatest strength, so I really don't thing I'll have to much problems with that. I really can only see myself having a little problem with keeping my flash coding organized for certain moving objects and etc.

Imagining my game

synopsis
"My game idea is to create a game that teaches basic knowledge of music. In a platform based?Adventure the users can take the role of a young conductor named Danny , who literally gets sucked up into his work. While playing Danny you're surprised to see that you awake in a 2d musical world (Similar to Mario's). To get back to your own world you must fight various amounts of musical instruments, and fight against musical bosses. While in this musical world, users will gain knowledge of music through repetition. The game Itself will have some visual similarities to "Mario", but contain many original ideas & artwork."
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- What am I most excited about creating my own game?
What I really look forward to when creating my game is just being in the creative process.
-Who are you designing your game for?
I'm designing my game for anyone who is interested in learning the basics of reading music, not pinpointing certain age groups.
-What will your game teach the player about your topic?
My game will teach the basics of reading music, and how to become more creative with music.
-Where does your game happen?
My game is taking place in a distorted dream (Similar to the look of "Alice in Wonderland") where you fight musical notes. Your surroundings look very hipnotic, with swirls of purple and pale blue in the sky. Even the objects in the game will reflect from its twisted background. The setting itself will have various musical aspects to it, so the user will be more tuned into the music learning experience.
-Why is a game a better way of understanding your topic than a quiz?
A game is far more better way of understaning my topic than a quiz, because using a game to teach a topic is far more entertaining (thus allowing the user to want to learn).

My projects blog prompt.

Was it hard to create a mini game? No, making the mini game wasn't as hard as expected. The coding itself was rather easy, but I had some setbacks along the way (with coding). The best part of the topic had to be just creating the mini game, and the worst..... would have to be figuring out whats wrong if the coding wasn't right.

30 min. Reading

1.) "What did you read?"
I didn't have any reading materials on me, so instead I read a classmates blog.
2.) "How often do you read?"
I tend not to read as much as I would like too, but I say I read about a book a month.
3.) "What do you like to read?"
I love to read any fiction based book.
4.)"What has reading taught you?"
Reading has taught me many things, but I'd have to say books have taught me to be creative.

Mini Game!

Today we started on our mini games, and I'd have to say it was kinda interesting. Even though I got stuck trying to code the bunny to move.... so If anyone can supply a proper code for that , thanks.

Thoughts? 0_o

My thoughts regarding learning/using flash codes and etc. I would have to say I dont look forward to using flash again, because overall flash can be very tricky. Besides that dont get me started on figuring out what you did wrong if a flash code dosnt sort out correctly. On the other hand I do look forward to creating flash games, so in my stand point its fifty-fifty. And "Will I do well?" I'd have to say I have confidence in myself regarding to using flash, but NO PROMISES!

Choosing a Topic?!

Hi (me trying to intoduce myself), im Nick. But many of you already know me as "Bigkillernick". Today Im going to be sharing with you some links that I believe will help me on my way to creating my "Humanities" game. I tried to find as many websites that can share as much information that would be helpful to you and I. To answer you question, "YES I FOUND THEM!". Heres some links of information that might help the "Humanities" team -> (Game Studies) , (Arts Department) , (Yahoo Humanities) , (College Board Blog) , (WMU NEWS) , and (The Huffington Post) . Now I made sure all of these links had vital information that one game designer needs to know about the "Humanities" genre, so dig in. :D

Taking my next step

Racing, one of my least favorite genres. But in this case I can make an exception. While reviewing some games in Globaloria I got caught in a very addictive game. The game was in the Racing Genre, and for once for me very fun. Many of my Globolaria classmates already know, or played "Drift Runner". So I cant go into much detail about it, because many of you have already experienced the INTENSITY! Besides that example of a Racing game heres a pic, that is related to the genre-->

Blogging with Links

Today we all made a blogpost that provided a link of our choosing (Ex. I did my Linktest on a new game). It went smoothly for me, but just trying to figure out a topic that might be intresting was rough. In the end though I found a topic that I know that has to be one of the most coolest things ever, thus I chose the new game created by the game designers at "Spicey Horse". I know what a name, but they produced a game thats going to be a top seller. The name of the game is "American McGee's Return of Alice", If you want to know more about the game go to my blogpost named "Link Test". The link is at the bottom of the post, Enjoy.

Link Test: Return of Alice

One new game that caught my eye was a new twist on a old story. American McGee has took the old fairytale story of "Alice in Wonderland" and gave it a dark sinister twist. American McGee has already come up with dozens of games just like this, but its 2nd "Alice" game just looks incredible. Heres a link to a website that gives artwork and info on "American McGee's Return of Alice" .

First Blog of 2010!

Starting off the year has been very slow, and nothing has really changed from last year either. This year though my goals have been changed, and my overall work has changed. I'm going to have to pick up more responsibility on both coding and graphic design, because I cant rely Matt anymore. Also I got big plans for games this year Big plans I tells ya' (I dont need to explain myself on that one). Besides that Im more like an assistant this year, so AWESOOOOME! Well I have to get back to editing my blog. Peace out.

Last day of Globaloria

Well as many of you know just like school Globaloria must come to a end, and yes that time is upon us. I just wanted to share with you all how much fun I had this year, and how glad I am that I signed up for this class. Im also thankful for the few who created this "Organization" and I thank all of our superiors of Globaloria. Goodbye yall' I'll se'ya next year.......

Function Blog: 5/18/10

While creating my game there were some aspects that I didn't get the time to do. There were things that both Matt and I really thought deserved to be in the game, for example a mini game inside the actual game. We thought this would be a great way to keep the game more interesting, but sadly the idea was thrown out of the window due to our "snow weeks". The only way I could describe the what the mini game would be used for is simply to be a "Point Booster", or just some sort of final addition to the game. The mini game itself would be based off of any type classic platform genre, and be relatively simple. Besides that there was many other possibilities for the game, but sadly were becoming to problematic. That about sums up my function blog thank you for your time.

Questions NO-MOO!!

Well I finished the questions for Matt's and my game, P.S. I emailed them to him so I can check mark that off my list. Another thing that I did is I went ahead and did our Civics blog entry and etc. Next time im going to go ahead and work on Matt's and my presentation, and im going to help Matt finish our game. So Next class will be somewhat of a relief, because Matt and I will be nearly complete. Besides that i really cant think of anything else...... hmm O" one more thing I havnt been uploading any pictures for my blogs so heres one of my favorite politicial cartoons->

:D Arena Scheduling + Presentation

Well today I didnt have much of a Globoloria class due to Arena scheduling..... So what I got started on today was the game presentation. I found that I could use the Internet to find stuff to make it more juicy. Well that about rounds up my Class sorry.... :( but I did schedule globaloria again lol. well I have nothing else to say good bye.

Push to finish

Well today..... or again I worked on researching major issues for the game. It ended up with me almost, and when I mean almost I mean I just need to find three more major issues. By now Im going to need a five hour energy just to keep pushing forward. That reminds me Matt wasn't here to help, because he had some sort of competition to do. Another thing we only have about one and a half weeks to complete this totally so Im going to have to speed up, or do some work at home (That a Graphic designer/ researcher can do). Besides that everything just peachy, but I was extremely tired (end of the week for ya') so that made it somewhat difficult. Well thats it and im signing off... cya

Question Wensday!!

Questions, Questions, and yet I have more Question that need to be done..... lol wow it sorta seemed like I just created a poem!! EAT IT MATT!! I can rhyme too you know!! Sorry it seems that I just got sidetracked lol, well Like I was saying I did do questions again.... but this time Im certain that I will get them done NEXT TIME!! Also Matt and I did edit the game more, um and that's basically it! O" NO I forgot I did answer the blog prompt and etc. Now thats it lol... Well Im leaving bye... bye.... bye... bye... bye... lol

Function Blog: 4/21/10

I would say just trying to grasp the concept of electoral votes is pretty much the hardest thing to comprehend. Why, because you dont really know how many electoral votes each states can have. Or trying to understand the concept of how the election starts and ends..... O" and our game should be a perfect example of how to understand these concepts, because the entire game basically revolves around the two.

:O half way done?

Well today I realized im going to put full effort just to make an impact on these questions. I mean I worked all day and I got about half of the work done...... I know it sounds like a whole bunch of work that I finished, and It is lol. Yeah well I did get a bunch done like for example I did upload every part of the map... Now I did say that the last time, but evidently I didnt upload one piece of info. Also Matt and I did quit a bit to the game itself, for example we put the updated map and regions up. Plus Matt finished the preloader, so today was quit a successful day.. XD well another thing I did almost finish with the questions but I still have a little bit to do. Well Im leaving CYA later.

Moving right along

Well today I finished cropping the much needed Map along with cutting out the appropriate regions, and I started on putting together the questions for the game. O' and if any of you would like to see the map/region Matt and I uploaded them to our team page so go check em' out!! Also I did manage to go ahead and upload the civic blog prompt, and answer this weeks civics blog prompt. Another important thing.. To any of Globalorias leaders there's a student who has been leaving harassing comments on many of my classmates pages his user name is Mattp , also he has been changing and basically screwing up some of my classmates wiki pages. I really think this has to be fixed or hes going to end up totally deleting every ones wiki pages. P.S. I wasn't meaning to be a snitch or anything, but it needs to be fixed lol. Well that's sums up my class period... I will CYA tomorrow..

Function Blog: 4/15/10

News and other sources usually manipulate civic information, because they too get their information from both the Internet and living sources(people). So basically even the news could misinterpret facts, and they could also tweak the information that's given to make it more "juicy". In my opinion the only way to make sure your information is correct is to compare different sources. For example you might of got your first piece of info from the newspaper, then you could compare it with the same info but online......

MAP WORK

Well today I basically cropped a map for Matts and my game, also along with that I did crop regions on the map. Besides that I did make a list on what is really needed to finish the game, for example we need a map (almost done), preloader coded (almost done), Mini game (needs to be started), and I need to find major issues for the game (finished). So basically today was a real push to get a whole bunch of work done, but I still need to do some... and again that "some" still needs to be done so I'll be striving to get a lot of things done for now on. Well I got to go the bell rang and schools over CYA!!

Researching.......

Well as of today I really set forth and tried to get most of the research done for my game. The research basically revolved around the views or opinions of each state towards a certain major issue in recently or NOW.. For instance Gay Marriage is one of billions of major issues tarring America apart, or the issue that deals with protection against Illegal Immigration. Basically very well known issues that our users of our game can relate with... I didnt get finished looking up every states opinion, because it takes a lot of energy finiding an issue that greatly impacts certain states. Well I did get down to Calorado... (I went in ABC order)Well heres a pic that deals with my game---->

GRAPHICS AGAIN!!

Well I did SOME DEMO WORK!!! lol yeah basically today was my day in getting required graphics uploaded to the team page.. while Matt was looking up statistics for our game (we needed the statistics to be more accurate) and uploading a civic prompt. Describing the graphics that I created I would say they all are about the Correct and Incorrect screens. Also I did create the vote/xp flag.. I would of created more, but Matt and Tj laughed at my flag so I had to improve it. Well like always heres a photo thats based off of the Election or Politics--->

Reviewing anything thats necessary

Well (wow I just noticed I always start of my blog like that lol) today was just like I put as the title... we just went over anything that needs to be checked like our game ideas in general, or our blogs. O" we actually did do more then that, but like my last blog states I did do homework.... or something close to it. Also Matt and I just added some more info that should be put into the game like statistic wise. Besides that I was fixing up the map for our game, and Matt is or was SUPOSED to scan it and color it..... Well as planned I have a pic that deals with politics.... its not really related to the Electoral process, but it does deal with politics....

HOMEWORK!?!?!?!?

Well its the end of the WORLD!!!! I actually had homework for Globaloria.... well not necessarily but it was work at home!!!! Well I wouldn't have homework if our computer server wouldn't of crashed, so I thought I could stay up to pace by doing a little of work..... Today or earlier today I basically did as much work as I could without doing it on the computer, meaning I did some paper work for the Game.... yeah thats right I started working on the Game!! Besides that I posted a blog prompt early and answered the prompt for this weeks Civics blog.. I might here in a few min. comment on some blogs, but it depends on if I have any work provided by mom... :D O" and part of fixing up my blog heres a photo dealing with the up coming election 2012!!!

Function Blog: 3/23/10

If I were to choose a Team that I expect has a game that would do an effective job teaching about the Function topic, their team name is "The Blond Chicks". The game itself focuses on teaching the rights of students and responsibilities, In my opinion this might be an easier approach in teaching this subject. What student wouldn't learn about what their RIGHTS are....... or simply this might stick better in some of their younger minds. "The Blond Chicks" attend Sandy River Middle School.

Vid along with editing

Well I'm just going to start my blog early today for I can have enough time to post a blog along with a uploading a video based on the Function group. Its not the most entertaining video, but Its an example of what revolves around elections and voting. Well heres the vid--->

Wow I actually didn't know how to post videos on my blog. I even had Mrs. Daigle come and help me, but her advise was a little off.... You still do basically the same thing as you would uploading a vid to wiki, but you just post it directly with the embedded code in you blog...... So I hope this helps the few who might need it.
Besides that I did edit a whole bunch of stuff (with Matts help of coarse) like posting a vid on my team page. P.S. the vid is on the history of gaming (you should check it out) and I posted a vid about an upcoming game that is a must want "Fallout New Vegas". Well I feel very accomplished today, and Its a Friday so that puts a very large tole on how I feel. Well thats about it CYA!!!

Fixing and improving

Well today seemed like a race in improving my whole Globaloria classwork. Besides that it made it even harder for the fact that our computer room was closed again due to somesort of writing road map thing?.?.? Well besides that I did get quit a bit of teampage work, but some of the things that needed to be improved were to complicated and time consuming. Like the fact that I have to post work progress that has already been finished, its just impossible to fix it now...... but like I said I did improve a whole bunch of work so time wasnt wasted. Well I dont have enough time CYA

NO COMPUTERS!!! WHAT!!!!!

Well we didn't have computers to work with till the end of class...... so I only did a little of planning. I mostly planned the game just a bit, and I answered the blog prompt (As usual). So today didn't seem as a productive type of day, but I did seem to change my blog title. I changed the blog title, because it seemed to have the potential to bring in STALKERS!!!!lol No it was only for security purposes. SO I keep promising myself that I will work a lot next time to recover progress!!

Function Blog: 3/15/10

If I were to share about one of my Collaborative projects I would say the Demo would best suit this prompt. I would say this best answers this prompt, because it took collaboration to create it. The story behind Matt's and my collaboration was more of a ease I guess. Matt and I while sitting down thrown in ideas of what the best thing should take place, and the fact of both of us sharing ideas with each other while creating the demo.

Very Tired :/

Well to start things off YES iam tired, and yes even though Im tired I did do quit a bit of work. LOL I wasnt that tired, but I didnt lie about working. Today I updated Matts and my team page about the demo. I also submitted a blog prompt on the MyCivicEngagement, and I had answered the required blog prompt question. Also I did go through many Function blogs and put in my opinion of their game Ideas. Besides that I tried helping Matt as much as I could with programming, but I couldnt do anything besides putting my intake on some questions and etc. Well im trying to post a funny pic each B day so heres on right NOW!!!

Function Blog: 3/11/10

This is a reply back to The Smarties, Sandy River MS.
(Secretary of State)-duties of this office depend on the constitution and laws of the particular state, but they often include responsibility for overseeing elections within the state.
(Secretary of Treasury)-Is in charge of finance and monetary matters.
(Secretary of Defence)-is the head of the U.S. Department of Defence(DoD), concerned with the armed services and military matters.
(Attorney General)- the mail legal advisor to the government.
Each position is appointed by the President.......

JUST A LITTLE MORE

To start off today's blog I just want to refer back to my recent post...... it seems that some of you out there are really interested in that blog I was talking about. Well here's the link-http://brookesglobaloria.blogspot.com/

Now to get back on what today's class was all about. Today was a real push for Matt's and My demo, I mean we got so far with it. We now only have to put in one more thing........ the map. So I believe we SHOULD finish it early Thursday, and have time that day to upload and answer the Function blog prompt. Besides that it didnt really feel like I was doing any work, I guess I was so focused on finishing the thing that I just totally forgot I was even doing work.....

:D 2 Hour Delay+ A Side of Commenting

Well like the title (weird) we did have a delay, thus cutting our time short here in Globaloria, but it wasn't a real waste though. I did a lot, and I mean A LOT of commenting on different teams Civic Blogs. While commenting I came across one blog that struck to me as gold.......... not to be overwhelming or anything. To cut it short it made a whole bunch of sence....... Well the bell has rung and Im on my way.....

Corprate Cat!!!!!

Well today was a sort of funny/new kind of day, like you just found a dollar in your pocket kind of day. (if that makes sense) What I mean is that my entire class was sort of new to me, most likely from the little things and such. Besides that.... we mostly whent over our new blog situations and we(or just Matt and I) created some Linked In profile. Im not real sure what it is but I will try to look more into it. Well I was told to provide a picture that some what describes what im talking about.. so heres something that expresses my wonderful day :D enjoy

Function Blog: 2/23/10

Hello Function Community my name is Nicholas and I belong to Super Squirrel Alpha Beta. My team-mate and programer is know by Matt, but he is formaly known as Prince Roberto the 48th. Our game "The American Choice" explains the complex system of an American election, thus fitting into the Functional Ideal group. (Function-Local, state and national/federal levels of government systems)
http://www.myglife.org/usa/wv/gehswiki/index.php/Team:Super_Squirrel_Alpha_Beta

Back From My Dull Snow Adventure!!!!

Well today was my schools first day back from our little (More Like 5th in a row) vacation. I would have to say trying to get back into the school schedule is really HARD!! lol Besides that in Globaloria class Matt and I finished the preloader (Matt programed and I created the Graphics). It wasnt much or a day in Globaloria, but we did go over some questions about our game topics. Well the bell has rung and im heading outa here.....

Moving right along.......:D

Well today was a quiet day for my Globaloria class, because our class room was stolen by teachers!!! Not really just took away from our control for awhile i guess :p, but besides that Matts and my Demo is coming together nicely. I just finished some graphics for our XP flag ( a flag that will show that amount of Points or Votes you have) and next time Matt and I will finish uploading a map that will play a real big role in our game...... so I believe once I do that it will knock the demo to a couple more graphics.... Well Im suprised we had school today, because it looks like we have a foot of snow outside (not kidding). Well heres a photo to help you enjoy your day :D

Yawn.... XO

lol Yeah today felt like I literately had less then five hours of sleep, and besides that a real relaxed class like Globaloria just made it worst. :D Not saying the whole day was bad.... I did get some work accomplished.... like the Preloader (ANd yes it took me all class period). Besides that I emailed the Demo Graphics and The Preloader to Matt FOR HE CAN DO SOMETHING!! lol jk He does is fair share..... but the Preloader is a lot more then it seems.. Trust me.. Well I just about talked about all I did today. Well CYA...... :0 Yawn.

RELIEF :D

Well right now im in that state of calmness, what is that called O'' yeah Tranquility... I have no real reason to be so calm except that my plans for this Demo have a 99.9% of coming through for me..... the other .1% will most likely destroy my hopes of ever finishing it. :D lol Its not as bad as it sounds, the Demo has been coming along smooth and quick. Also Matt and I came up with a rather fun and cool ideas for loading screens and etc. O'' one of the most important things that happened today was that Matt and I played around on Warfeilds Flash Drawing Pad. Nothing really to say about it except that its amazing!!! lol Well the bell is due to ring.... BYE :D

I FOUND THE LOLZ

Hello everyone today was a good day.... I had many discussions with my classmates or Matt and etc. O'' and the title has nothing to do anything with this blog today its just something that made my day even better. Well to get down to the point I worked on a lot of Graphics, and I added my Blog log back so I feel accomplished, Matt's and my Demo is coming pretty far in graphics, but we really haven't programed anything yet....... so dont expect it done in a few weeks.... Also I looked up some ways to get more animated with Matt........ and that about sums up today. Well I'll talk to the few that have listened. :D BYE

:D DEMO

YEP today all that I worked on was the Demo..... I finished two slides (its more then it seems). The two that I finished were the Title and the Instruction page. O'' and also I decided for that the demo and game will not be hand drawn due to the fact of I will and cant ever afford a drawing pad. Umm Nothing really besides that Im just "thrilled" about working on the Demo....lol Im not being sarcastic...... Well Im down to my last minute CYA....

Ideas :D

Today was basically filled with thinking of different ways to earn points or "Votes" for Matts and my game. I had a small bunch of ideas, but I think if I would of messed around with it more I most likely have a verity of point gain stuff (if that makes sense). Also I had some pretty interesting ideas for graphics and such.......... and a couple of inside mini game Ideas. O" and Matt and I decided to start early on the Demo so we should have it prepared in a month 1/2 and still have time to go over it for check up. Well Im running low on time CYA :D

Hello Again

Its been too long since I wrote anything in my blog...probably about three weeks. Well never mind that today we had a two hour delay so that really knocked quit a bit of time and over all things for my class to do today. So this makes this entry another smaller one so bear with me. Today we watched "Draw in Flash" Tutorial which basically explained a whole bunch of simple tools and etc. Also I was Discussing some bonus ideas for the game with Matt.... I'm not going to share with you everything but it will be EPIC!!!!!