Personally, I think that this quarter, I have been doing relatively well. The one thing that tripped me up was the dice project which I took a long time on and didn't even get a good grade for. Other than that project, my work flow has been pretty productive. I need to stop obsessing over everything being perfect because it costs me a lot of time and it hurts me especially when it is something that will not affect the project as a whole that much. I have a few questions about the interface and whatnot. "Why can you not change the parameters after you apply a modifier?", I actually know why but a better question would be "Why is there not a method that can bypass certain modifiers to be able to change the parameters. It sucks to have to use the shrink and grow tool instead of simply typing in my parameters. Anyway, I am very happy with my portfolio artwork this time around. On a side note, I need to put aside more time in class to make my extra 2 models for my selected works but it is a bit hard to get that time when I'm on tight deadlines for assignments. So far, the London Bridge has felt really good to work on and I'm proud of what I've accomplished up to this point. I hope to produce more complex models in the future. I have made a ton of animations and simulations since we started on it. The neighborhood project felt really good to finish, and the Simulations Project is on the way.
-John Hempstead
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Super Smash Bros Ultimate is a fighting game for the Nintendo Switch and the 6th game in the Super Bros installation. It came out on December 7th, 2018. Super Smash Bros offers mainly the same gameplay style as Super Smash Bros for 3ds and Wii U while bringing back every single character ever released. The game backs up the gameplay with stunning HD visuals and smooth 60 fps gameplay. The main fighting roster consists of 72 characters and you unlock more characters as you play the game more. Masahiro Sakurai, the developer, is also planning on adding at least 6 more characters to the game as DLC in the upcoming months. The core Smash Bros. fighting system is to deal damage to your opponents so they will be weak and you will be able to launch them further. This unorthodox fighting system is what separates Super Smash Bros from the rest of the fighting games. The new features that most fans expected was definitely lacking though, as the main appeal was all of the returning characters and stages. Overall, Super Smash Bros Ultimate was intended to be a reunion of every single thing that old fans and new fans loved about Smash Bros. and compile it into a single game. This is what Super Smash Bros Ultimate does well.
-John Hempstead Simulations in 3ds Max are a feature in where you can set up certain elements and forces in a scene and see how itr plays out. Simulate basically creates this situation so you can play it back again. So far, I am loving simulations and how they work. Part of it is watching the smooth animation after you are done, but most of it is getting to set up the environment and seeing how it plays out. So far, this is the most fun thing I have done in 3ds Max and possibly this class as a whole. The most difficult thing about simulations is having cloth tear on sharp edges. I'm still trying to work out how smooth I need to make an object to keep it from tearing. I think that creating simulations including cloth movement in particular is a very lengthy process that I have yet to memorize. Right now, I am just testing out things and pressing buttons until I get what I want so of course it will take a while. A lot of game design careers require this skill and this is the very basic form of animation. Simulations are the best way to imitate real life conditions. The gravity and wind effects in the forces tab are tools I associate with simulations. You can even exclude which forces you want to act on an object. Just try and try again. I currently do not have any work completed to show simulations. I can't wait to start working on the new assignments that focus on simulations and force elements.
-Simulations are created in slow motion and you can replay them at the bottom -Simulations open up new time elements in 3ds Max John Hempstead Which one is better? 3ds Max or Maya? In this post, I will be comparing the two programs from what I have researched about them and from what I have used. These are both 3d modeling applications but they are used for different purposes and while they both can accomplish the same things, some tasks are more efficient on one of the programs. First of all, 3ds Max, from what I can tell, is better at architectural design and modeling. There is an option when you first start up 3ds to have a mode specifically for design. You can also tell that it is built for architectural tasks because of some of the options in the create tab. There is a whole category for stairs, and many options within categories like these. Maya is similar to Blender in that it is used for character modeling and more focused on animation. 3ds Max's animation isn't bad in any way but Maya's system is much more intuitive and more efficient. This is so much so that many animators rate Maya as one of the top programs for character modeling, rigging, and animating.
Super Mario Bros. was a hit game created in 1985 that has inspired the release of many other games after it. Along with these games came a movie in 1993 simply titled, Super Mario Bros. This film had a big budget and there was a ton of promo and advertising for it. The film ended up being a flop. There could be many possible reasons for this, from the lack of similarity to the games, to the creepy looking designs of some of fans' favorite characters. The Super Mario Bros. Movie takes place in Brooklyn, New York where the two Mario Bros. work as plumbers. The movie makes this very clear while the video games never really bring this up or have ever brought it up much since the original game. Ever wondered why the Mario Bros. are called the Mario Bros.? Well, it's simply because both of their last names are Mario. Therefore there would be Mario Mario and Luigi Mario. Here is where the movie starts to stray away from the game a lot. The film crew tried so hard to bring these characters to life that they just started making stuff up along the way that was inconsistent with the games. The villain is named Koopa instead of Bowser like in the original games, and Luigi has a love interest in the form of Daisy who is actually digging for dinosaur bones under the Brooklyn bridge. Mario and Luigi have to save Princess Daisy from Koopa once they get transported into a dinosaur world mysteriously. At this point, I had seen enough. This movie was an attempt to bring the Mario Bros. to a genre of movie where it didn't belong.
Mitchell, Nigel G. “9 Craziest Things About Filming 'Super Mario Bros: The Movie' [Movies].” The Geek Twins, 30 Mar. 2013, www.thegeektwins.com/2013/03/10-craziest-things-about-filming-super.html. www.thegeektwins.com/2013/03/10-craziest-things-about-filming-super.html After lots of time searching through 3ds Max portfolio artwork, one caught my eye. This person, Jesse Morgan's portfolio while rather messy, has some amazing artwork modeled on 3ds Max. My one example was the artwork that caught my eye. I believe it is a model of the Sydney Opera House in Australia. What caught my eye about it was how the reflection of the structure was shown clearly and realistically in the rippling water. One thing I think could be done better was contrasting the shadows and lighting more so it seems more like it's out in the open water like the scene shows. Another thing that I find inspiring is the way they use shapes and basic primitives so well to connect them and make more complex shapes. One thing I will do to get closer to this level of proficiency is to work on my placement of objects. I need to think outside the box more if I want to make more complex shapes; some techniques work better than other, so I must learn the different techniques of doing things and then test things out to determine which technique is best for the job. Another thing I could do to get close to this level of proficiency is to experiment some more with cameras and lighting within 3ds Max. I haven't really used these tools that much and a big portion of this artwork relies on shadows, reflections, and lighting. https://damnedlobster.carbonmade.com/projects/5827759 -John Hempstead Sonic Mania is a game that came out late last year for PC, Xbox, PS4, and Nintendo Switch. Sonic Mania was advertised as a crossover between classic levels and new levels. Unlike Sonic Generations, this game was all presented in the classic sonic style. Most worlds combine 2 acts, one act from the old games and one brand new act in the same environment. There are some new worlds too. Sonic Mania was received very well by critics for going back to the basics. Over the years, Sonic has gotten a lot of hate for rushing out games and putting out low quality content. The story is a prequel to the flop game, Sonic Forces. It starts out with Dr. Robotnik trying to steal a jewel called the Phantom Ruby. With this gem, Robotnik can warp time and space, transporting Sonic to a different zone every time he catches up with him. The story follows Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles on their journey to stop Robotnik from getting away with the Phantom Ruby. The story is basic, but executed well considering there are no cutscenes. I give the story a 7/10. The gameplay is just like the classics that everyone loved with the same physics. The level design is almost on par with Sonic 3 and Knuckles with a little bit more cramped level design which can make some segments rather boring to play. Overall, I give gameplay a 8.5/10. Since this game is a classic game, obviously the gameplay is more important so I will give the overall game a 8.5/10.
-John Hempstead Recently, my work flow has been speeding up and I have been staying on task more, but I've also gotten more used to the tools and how to use them more efficiently. Work flow is going to be very important if I decide to work for a game developer so this is good for me. There is still work for me to do however. If I have about three or four minutes left in class and I've just finished something, I will just chill instead of starting on the new assignment or even looking at it. I've always had trouble getting assignments in this class done on time, so this is something that will help boost my grade as well. Overall, I think I'm understanding how I'm supposed to be getting work done in this class and it will help me a lot in a game career and even in other classes.
-John Hempstead A lot of people want to get their start in the game industry but many people do not know how to do so. There are entry level positions such as Game Testers but entry level jobs are super competitive. You need to know how to get your foot in the door and the best way to do that is with your portfolio according to many game companies. Having lots of technical experience isn't always the best thing to have because engines and programs are always changing in the game industry. Companies want employees with a solid understanding of how to do their job and not just have shortcuts on a program. The most looked for thing on a portfolio is the games that the applicant creates. They want people that understand the creative process. In fact, companies might hire people with really good creative process knowledge with limited knowledge of programs over you, who might have the opposite. Overall portfolios are a good showing for you if you do it right.
Sonic Colors was a game created by SEGA for the Wii and DS in 2010. Sonic Colors expanded on the "boost mechanic" introduced by Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Rush. The main complaints about those two games were the linear level design and sloppy control of the character. Sonic Colors fixed those problems and expanded upon both of them allowing for different control schemes and making the level design switch between 3D and 2D. The gameplay is fun, but the bosses are easy. Solid 9/10 for gameplay. The storyline for Sonic Colors was mediocre at best as the writers who wrote the script knew barely anything about Sonic and his origin. The story was simple and the jokes are actually funny sometimes. Story gets a 6/10. Finally, I will review the environment. SEGA pulled out all the stops for this game. Sonic Colors is based in an amusement park located in space linking several diverse planets. One planet is a sugar covered mountain of goodness, another planet is an Japanese inspired waterpark. The best planet in the entire game though, is Planet Wisp. Planet Wisp is home to many aliens and is pristine in nature, but Dr. Eggman takes over the planet and starts building factories there polluting the environment. Overall, these levels give you a view of the beauty of Sonic games, but also show you the darker side of the worlds which gives you an incentive to complete the game. Environment gets a perfect 10/10. Overall, I rate Sonic Colors a solid 8.5/10 and I believe it is one of the best Modern Sonic games to come out. Sweet Mountain (below) Aquarium Park (below) Planet Wisp (below) -John Hempstead
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AuthorMy name is John Hempstead and this is my blog that will be showcasing what I have learned throughout my time in Fundamentals of Design and Animation. Archives
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