Learning Points
- Prototyping
- Jamming
- Create a two minute video showcasing, describing, analysing, suggesting (Still to do)
*****
17th October
App Jam underway
Three word task - Guide, Opponent, Restricted
Concept:
A game based on Penceunant Cafe - Steffan’s Cafe.
Aim of the game - to earn points by serving customers successfully.
Mechanic
- Customers arrive and order - order stays visible for five seconds
- Player fulfills the order from memory, dragging items to a tray. Player gains points for correct fulfillment
Jeopardy
- Player must monitor stocks and use points to replenish
- Distraction from non-customers trying to get away without paying. Successful interception earns points. Unsuccessful loses points.
Initial Questions
Technically possible?
How long each round is
Recurring players records
One type of customer or random type (walkers, runners, chatterboxes, coffee-huggers
How many menu items
How closely fits the Three Words?
Video should showcase the app
Describe functionality
Analyse
Make suggestions for further development
18th October
Creating a prototype
Functionality:
Random order appears at the top (I’m thinking stays on screen for 5 seconds, adds a memory element to it)
Fulfill the order by dragging and ordering food and drink icons to the empty speech bubble
’Kerching’ sound on successful completion and money added to total
Stock number goes down. Short of stock is flagged up, and prompt to replenish. Money goes down.
Jeopardy of not having enough stock to fulfill order v. keeping money in the bank.
Distraction of occasional ‘Runner wihtout paying,’ which delays or distracts from order.
Feedback:
Make landscape rather than portrait
18th October
Outcome:
What: An app to be offered to kids (or adults) who visit the cafe.
Aim: Serve as many customers as possible within a set time frame.
Mechanics: Against the clock, A customer appears with an order, the order disappears after about 5 seconds to add an element of memory game. Drag the ordered items to the empty speech bubble. Successful completion of ordered puts money in the bank. Occasionally someone tries to run away without paying. Player needs to stop them (tap red hand) before they reach the right side. This can only be done between orders. Keep the items restocked by using money in the bank.
Scoring - Number of customers served, amount of money in the bank (minus stock in the cupboard)
Feedback - It startout out as Portrait - but I changed it to Landscape to make it feel more like a game. Generally good feedback.
Problems - How to code this? Are all the features easily creatable?
Reflection on process
I wasn’t sure whether this exercise was to be done through an actual App Jam, or in the company of others, or with ongoing collaboration and that held me back a bit. In the end I started, and then reflected, and tested on people I had available. Think the feedback, and iteration important, as is putting the project aside and allowing the brain to just get on with the process of subconciously rejigging and trialling it.