Update

It's already two weeks ago since I posted my last update, and a lot had happened in the meantime. The mean problem was that I was losing focus, meanly because I was searching for a related research area that addresses a current design issue(s) or flaw(s) in current videogames. This search should result in a research subject that has more relevance to the industry. The only result I got was more pressure.

So i decided to change direction and I actually got back to my original approach which is the focus on learning mechanics. I also decided to leave the subject "Suspension of disbelief" untouched, meanly because it's to vague and hard to analyze. Though it is still probable that I will touch the subject in my thesis, but only at a superficial level.

So what now?

The most important step now is to start working on my prototype, which I intent to do in the following four to six weeks.

Oh yeah the prototype, wasn't that the half-life hazzard course.

Nop, not anymore. I decided to start building a game that has a little bit more originality to it. It's still in the save zone though, so don't expect any experimental gameplay. The concept is mainly focussed on mechanics that can be made/scripted in unreal kismet.

The goal of the game is to clear each room of its enemy's. The problem is that the player starts every room without a weapon. Enemies can be killed by crushing them with physics objects (crates) or by shooting them with a weapon from a fallen enemy. Figuring out how to kill the enemies is the puzzle element in the game and also offer me the opportunity to integrate a different learning elements

Main mechanics are:

- walking

- jumping

- pushing crates

- shooting

Weapons are

- physics (can be pushed a pun enemies)

- link gun (can be used to shoot at enemies)

- rocket launcher (can destroy specific walls)

I made a short animation that demonstrates the game mechanics. Note: The 2D camera viewpoint is used for demonstration purposes. It's probable that the final the final game will use another point of view.