Evaluation

Overall, I am happy with being able to create 4 character and one of them to be controlled on the stage using the keyboard keys. What I like about the other ghosts is that they are not flat still on the page but they are floating in the air while the other one is floating and moving across the stage. It can overlap the other ghosts and even move off the stage. The background and sounds are successfully working and the ghost which is controlled is also successfully working.

I planned for the freely-moved ghost to be able to push the other ghosts and make them move but I struggled with the coding which will push the other ghosts. I found this part very challenging but unfortunately this wasn't successful.

I struggled a little with the coding in order to make that one ghost move but eventually I managed to make it work by looking at different examples online.

Progress

I have created another ghost lower down the stage in order for the users to be able to move it around the stage in between the other ghosts which are moving in their selected spaces on the stage. Only the one ghost will be able to move across the entire stage freely (using the keyboard buttons by the user)

The second screenshot is showing the coding which I had to use in order to be able to control this ghost and for it to be able to move up, down, right and left.

Progress

I have now managed to add two more ghosts which are moving in the air all at the same time. In addition, I have made the background image move to one side which creates a very interesting atmosphere.

Progress

I have decided to go for a completely different character to the ones which I have sketched earlier. I wanted for my character to suit the scary atmosphere and spooky sound which is why I have decided to go for a ghost character. I have drew it up as a separate symbol and drew it a few times slightly differently in order for it to look like its flying in the air on the main stage.

Animation Process

Here are my first stages of making my animation. I have created 5 layers including:

 

- Actions

- Labels

- Sounds

- Character

- Background

I have then inserted blank key frames and started with adding the background image which I will want to use. I have then added the background sound which will be playing during the animation.

I have researched a few sites where I could download sounds for my animation. Due to my 'dark' theme backgrounds, I have decided to go for a scary-like game with spooky atmosphere. I have found a couple of sounds which would work well as my background noise while the animation is playing.

The site which I have downloaded the background noise from:

http://www.orangefreesounds.com/space-sounds/

Background Ideas

Here are the two different kinds of backgrounds which I have found and that I am interested in using in my animation. I have added the bibliography of them underneath.

 

 

 

 

 

Grey forest background image. Accessed in May 2017.

http://orig12.deviantart.net/af99/f/2015/123/0/a/bg_copy_by_mmantas-d8s0ree.png

Dark sky with stars background image. Accessed in May 2017.

https://www.ccpgames.com/img/universe/background_nebula.jpg

Planning of characters

 

 

Here are some little sketches of the characters which I have drawn as ideas of ones which I could  use in my animation. I particularly like the Police Officer one as it is more detailed and would look interesting in an animation. Though I might go for a more simple one if it is too difficult to make in my animation. I might make one which is more-like made up of a shape which will be easier to recreate in Adobe Animate. I will take the challenge of creating the police officer.

Image Bibliography

Kentucky Route Zero. Video game image. Accessed in May 2017.

http://www.adventuregamers.com/images/teasers/24759/k2-fp__big.jpg


Hohokum. Game image. Accessed in May 2017.
http://static.blog.playstation.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/hohokum.jpg

Fly Guy. Game image. Accessed in May 2017.

https://goodmenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/FlyGuy.jpg

Kongregate. Game image. Accessed in May 2017.

http://www.freegamesnews.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Wizard-Walls.jpg

 

Kongregate, Game example number 4

This image is from a game called Kongregate. This one looks a lot more detailed in comparison to the other three examples which I have looked at. More colours are used within the game and you can also recognise the characters although some are made up monsters. I like the idea of short-like characters as they make the game look like its focused on the audience of children. Using various of types of characters is also what I like about this game. As you can see from the image it includes, monsters, Wizards and soldiers.

Fly Guy, Game example number 3

This image is from a game called Fly Guy. As you can see there are no colours used within this game. Although it looks very simple, it is an addictive game in my opinion due to the fact that it is fun being able to make your character fly up the screen from left to right. Although the characters and objects within this game are sketched, you can clearly recognise what they are and who they are. For example, the clouds are very simply drawn, but you can recognise that they are clouds.

Hohokum, Game example number 2

This image is from a game called Hohokum. What I visually like about this sort of game, is that characters mainly move to one side. It is simple to play but quite addictive in my opinion. The characters are very made up and not realistic. The colour scheme used in this game is very colourful and childish. Tt makes the game look very exciting. I also like the faded and light background colour used in this which I might consider when creating my animation.

Kentucky Route Zero, Game example number 1

This image is from the game called Kentucky Route Zero. The characters are not very detailed, but detailed enough to recognise which are human-like or animals. It uses dull and dark colours with square-like objects. I like the whole background theme as it creates quite a scary and tense atmosphere which some users might enjoy when playing the game.

Research

As my research, I am first going to research into some games which will give me some kind of ideas and inspiration to help me create my animation. there are many different games which are visually different from one another. looking at visually different characters and game scenes will help me to think of what my animation could look like.