Back from Fall Break and Ready to Dive Back In!
After a restful fall break, the team is recharged and excited to continue our journey on the project. Here’s what we’ve been working on:
Level Design Greybox
To advance our work on Mini 3, Tyler created a level design toolkit, streamlining the process for Anna as she builds our game levels. With this toolkit, Anna made three different running paths, each with both easy and challenging versions. We then hosted an internal playtest with teammates and classmates to gather feedback on the gameplay experience.
The playtest feedback highlighted a few adjustments we could make: for instance, some obstacles and stair gaps were either too large or too narrow, which sometimes disrupted the flow. Balancing these spaces will help ensure the gameplay feels challenging but achievable, so players don’t get frustrated and give up. Overall, everyone was excited about the level design direction!
UI Direction Exploration
Yawen has been hard at work exploring UI designs to enhance the game’s overall look and feel. She presented several concepts, aiming for a cohesive visual style that aligns with the game’s sports theme and vibrant atmosphere. After some tweaks, we landed on a solid UI direction that complements the sporty, dynamic vibe of our game.
3D Art
Lawrence has continued refining our character designs, adding facial features and basing their look on African kids to bring cultural authenticity. He also designed the characters’ clothing, incorporating meaningful patterns.
Meanwhile, Regina started creating the stadium’s exterior. She designed three unique gates that correspond to the game’s three main areas, adding a sense of progression and excitement as players move through different sections.
Programming
Tyler has been refining the gameplay for Mini 2. Based on playtest feedback about the controls, he simplified interactions, enabling players to tap and hold on either side of the tablet to control movement. These adjustments improve the game flow, making it more intuitive and aligning better with players’ expectations. He also adjusted the germ spawn rate to ensure it feels more balanced and makes sense within the game’s context.
Sound Design
Eva began composing the soundtrack for Mini 2, using an Afrobeat sound kit to create a background score that adds a lively, racing-game vibe. The music enriches the gameplay, aligning with the game’s pace and enhancing player immersion.
Each of these updates marks a step forward in bringing our game vision to life. We’re excited to see how these elements continue to evolve and come together!