Meeting Seven - 12th January 2009

In this meeting only Greg, Helen, Jack and Simon turned up, as the other two didn't realise we had a meeting.
Since getting new requirements from Alex Counsell last meeting, we realised should try to aim for some of these. One of these requirements was to create 5 levels. We thought that this may be too hard for us to achieve, so if we stick to 4 levels, hopefully Alex will be able to agree.
The breakdown of levels:
Level 1 - A Jungle full of trees
Level 2 - A DARK Cave
Level 3 - A Rope bridge
Level 4 - A Volcano

Since Alex Counsell wanted us to create some puzzles in each of the levels instead of simply just picking up a key and getting out, the group tried to think of some ideas. We came up with an idea that because the cave would be dark, the character would have to carry some kind of torch around, to light the way. To get this torch, the character would have to find it in the Jungle, and find two batteries for it. We thought we may be able to try this as puzzle, but would contact Fran and Alex to ask them if they had any input on this. We thought the batteries could be of limited power, and if they ran out, the screen would go black, and the character would die, because of the creatures in the cave eating him, thus producing game over. Simon also thought of maybe using a flame lit torch instead.

We are still waiting for confirmation from Alex (in our group) on news of the development of the character. Once we have finished with the character, the rigging and texturing can take place, so we can work with Motionbuilder. Since Alex did not turn up at the meeting, an email would be sent around to catch up. Greg decided to give Alex a deadline of 1 week to finish the character, as we would be pushed for time. Jack agreed to work on the rigging of the character as soon as it was completed, as he has done it before successfully. He said that we cannot work with the character in Motionbuilder until the character is properly rigged, but said the rigging does not take long.

Greg has sent an email to the MOCAP room to try book in a session to start learning Motionbuilder, but now must agree with the group to organise a day every week they can go in. This will probably be Mondays, and the same time as our normal weekly meetings, as it seems everyone can make that time. Since Semester Two is coming up, Greg will be asking people what their Semester 2 timetables are, so we can fit in around them.

Helen has created a draft version of the website and uploaded it to the google group. All that needs to be done now, is await the information to upload to the website. Since the website is marked quite high, she has realised she will need to make it quite complex, to get a good mark. For this, she has decided to create an XML image gallery in Flash showing concept art. She will require Fran to upload all the concept art to the google group so she can start.

As texturing the character is concerned, we do not know if we have to texture in Motionbuilder, or to texture using Max. Greg will send an email to Alex Counsell asking this.

Tasks for this week are:

Helen - Await for Fran to upload all concept art to the Google Group and start working on an XML image gallery in Flash.

Simon - Explain his level designs/environments on the Google Group and upload any work that he has done to it as well. He is to keep working on the environments. A deadline has been set to finish the first level design/environment (The Jungle) by 2 weeks time. Thus meaning 2 weeks are set to create each of the levels.

Alex - Finish the character model, upload it to the Google Group and send it to Jack so he can start rigging it. He will also be set the task of texturing the character but as this may take a while, Jack has agreed to help out.

Jack - Await Alex's model so rigging can take place.

Fran - Think of any puzzle type ideas for each of the levels, and upload all concept images to the Google Group so Helen can work on the XML image gallery.

Greg - Continue Production Process, write up a full list of requirements for Alex Counsell to sign off as soon as possible, and send an email asking if we can texture using Max instead of Motionbuilder.