What did you learn?
I learned not only how to create a game or a 3D world in Unreal, but I also learned how to create pieces in Maya and export them into the world of Unreal. I had never worked with Maya or Unreal before so I am not more familiar with exporting and creating 3-Dementional objects that could be used to build video games or create demonstrational layouts.
What was easy?
Once I got the hang of how to make some of my pieces in Maya it actually became fairly simple to create some funky designs and try out new shapes with different surfaces. Additionally, when the project began to come together more as a put more pieces into my art gallery and craft some of the textures, I was able to envision my game more clearly.
What was challenging?
Truthfully, it was pretty challenging to move individual pieces within Unreal. Once I got the hang of the commands and the features to zoom in, move around, walk, just the size and angle of a piece and much more it became easier. I think it was mostly just a learning curve with being unfamiliar with video game controls, keyboard shortcuts, and Unreal.
How could your submission be improved?
I think if I had more time I would have created a more interactive environment. For some reason, I created an outdoor art gallery for my video game. Im not really sure what inspired that but I suppose when we started to create the chess pawn I thought it might be cooled to display all of the pieces I made in Maya within Unreal. I imagine it would take much more skill to develop a more interactive environment with many moving parts but it would be cool to learn if I had more time.
How could the professor improve the assignment for the next class?
Sometimes it was a bit confusing when it came to exporting things from Maya and Photoshop into Unreal. I think slowing down that process a bit and working through uploading textures from Photoshop and our pieces from Maya into Unreal as a class would simplify the process.
How might you apply your knowledge in future assignments or work scenarios?
Video game design is an exponentially growing market right now that not everyone has the skill or capability to learn or create a career in. It is helpful to be exposed to this type of Digital Media because it could open doors for me in the future if I decide to pursue game design.
How did a specific reading or video inspire or help you?
A reading that helped me was actually the Epic Game website. It explained some of the shortcuts used on the keyboard and mouse in Unreal Engine. I was able to move around the world and the map easier that I knew how to use the keys on my mouse and how to delete nodes and work with widgets.
