6 replies to this topic

[Ed Mack]

Hi,

For my A Level computing project I want to create a small game engine (and some game content). I ran this past one of the markers, and he warned that for the marking I need real end-user involvement.

In a typical project, the end user would be someone such as a restaurant owner or librarian. They are asked a lot of questions, and they basically define the system requirements - all the functionality, the dataflow (inspect the old paper system ect.) and the volume requirements. The person also tries it out, gives feedback and gives some feedback at the end.

Of course, a game-engine is slightly different, since it really has multiple end-users, and doesn't follow the paper->electronic system conversion that is typical of these projects.

Those of you in the games industry, who defines the system requirements and gives feedback on these sorts of issues? Have you any good ideas for finding a good 3rd party user who will be able to dictate what the system needs to be capable of?

I'm really enthusiastic about this game idea, and I must make it happen :)

[bladder]

You can go upto a simulation company or a graphics design company or something and ask them if they are willing to give your technology a roll. They'll have their requirements all sorted out as well.

[Ed Mack]

I'm going down the educational-game route, as some of the modern language teachers in school really want good uses for the whiteboards installed. This should make things go smoothly :)

[Einheri]

Yes, I was about to suggest the educational route. My friend did something similar for his A-level last year, when he developed some software for doing simple virtual physics experiments. It looked like an interesting project, actually.

[Ed Mack]

Over the past few days, it seems all the departments want interactive games. Too bad I talked to languages first. However, I think this way I can do lots of silly mini-games.

[SpreeTree]

Ed Mack said:

Over the past few days, it seems all the departments want interactive games. Too bad I talked to languages first. However, I think this way I can do lots of silly mini-games.

I was thinking of doing something similar for a collegue of mine. He teaches Japanes (I work in a school with language college status, so we teach a lot or languages), and I was thinking of something tetris like. As the Kanja drop down, you have to place them to make a japanese word (up, down, left or right) and when you do the word disapears.

He really liked the idea, but I never have the time to look into it.

Its a silly mini-game you could investigate if you have the resources :)

Spree

[Ed Mack]

Very cool. I'll mention it to them at the brainstorming