Jan Ning

Raveball Arena

Background

This is my senior capstone project for CMPM 172 Game Design Studio III, a senior-level course that provides hands-on experience in the game design and development process.

My colleague and I used our winter break before the final split of our senior year to develop a game prototype using Unreal Engine 5, which we built from source before the official release.

We wanted to showcase our own original game idea during the final project phase of the course rather than working on someone else's.
So we created a short demo of the game and presented it along with a slideshow highlighting our envisioned team members to our classmates on the first day of the new quarter.

Takeaways

This project provided me with valuable insights into the development of large-scale games and honed my project management skills.
I learned the significance of source control and playtesting, and how external feedback is vital to consider a player's perspective.

One essential lesson from this experience was the significance of managing scope. My colleagues and I faced challenges due to an overly ambitious scope, which proved difficult to accomplish within the course's timeframe.

Overview

Raveball Arena is a fast-paced, rhythm-based soccer game with dynamic events and procedurally changing arenas. The music drives the gameplay loop, with the arena and game changing based on different music phases. Players use a shooting bar mechanism to pass and shoot and can pick up items that affect their abilities. Random events, power-ups, and obstacles keep the game exciting.

Role Breakdown

- Formed team and developed a prototype with a colleague for the senior capstone project, recruiting and onboarding classmates for various roles
- Designed and programmed UI creating all menus, the heads-up display for 2 and 4 player modes, scoreboard, event panels, and dynamic abilities
- Managed the project using Azure DevOps for version control and sprint planning, holding weekly meetings to ensure tasks were on track
- Conducted playtests and made changes based on feedback for various systems
- Debugged various features and assisted in developing an MIR algorithm for a rhythmic and audio-focused game

Game Design Principles

The core gameplay mechanics involve dribbling and shooting the ball, with the speed and timing of the shot determined by a power bar.
The rhythm-based gameplay elements add a layer of unpredictability and excitement, as the arena changes based on the music's energy and different phases.

Power Bar Mechanics

The power bar was included to add an additional level of skill and precision to the gameplay. Players must time their shots carefully to ensure they hit the target with enough force to score a goal.

Procedural Level Interactions

The procedural level interactions, including musical events that cause the arena to shapeshift, spawn items, and change layouts or gamemodes, were included to keep the gameplay fresh and engaging for players. These events add an element of surprise and challenge, requiring players to quickly adapt to changing circumstances and use their skills and items strategically.

Gameplay Dynamics

Players must remain alert to the changing gameplay dynamics and make quick decisions about how to best navigate the obstacles and use the power-ups to their advantage. Overall, the mechanics of Raveball Arena were designed to create a fast-paced and engaging experience that requires players to use a combination of skill, strategy, and quick thinking to outmaneuver their opponents and score goals.