Flow DiagramLesson 5

Know how pathways are used in game design

Understand how game events can be triggered

Be able to create a suitable game flow diagram

Lesson Goals

#pathway#trigger

MarkingMarks Learning Objective

1 – 6Pass

Basic design techniques to the plan game structure, limited reference to pathways, game play and game mechanics with limited consideration of success criteria.

7 – 11Merit

Sound design techniques to the plan game structure, some reference to pathways, game play and game mechanics with some consideration of success criteria.

12 – 15Distinction

Detailed design techniques to the plan game structure, extensive reference to pathways, game play and game mechanics with thorough consideration of success criteria.

TriggerWhat is a trigger and how are they used in games?

#pathway#trigger

Understand how triggers are usedBe able to make a flow diagram

Triggers Triggers are used in video games

to make something happen in the level.

This would include the events that you use to open or close a door or to use an active prop.

Triggers will also be used to make a character seek and destroy the player as they try to complete the level.

#pathway#trigger

Understand how triggers are usedBe able to make a flow diagram

Triggers Mission Maker uses six different categories of trigger which are:

Spatial Trigger Object Clicked

State Trigger

#pathway#trigger

Understand how triggers are usedBe able to make a flow diagram

Global Trigger

Speech Trigger Shot by Player

Into a room or trigger volume Actual object or nearby object

State of something changes Score, time, start of game

Character delivering speech media Shoot an object or character

PathwaysWhy is a good storyline vital to any video game?

#pathway#trigger

Understand how triggers are usedBe able to make a flow diagram

Pathways A players pathway through a game can be documented visually

with a flow diagram which will show the main stages of the game.

Flow diagrams are useful to display the sequence of events that will occur during the game and how a player can navigate around the map.

Clearly explaining your pathway will help you plan a game that will flow effectively from one area to the next.

#pathway#trigger

Understand how triggers are usedBe able to make a flow diagram

Linear Flow

A linear path through a game will involve a player moving from one room to the next with few options to take along the way.

This pathway offers little choice or variation to a player but ensures they take an efficient path to the end of the game.

#pathway#trigger

Understand how triggers are usedBe able to make a flow diagram

Non-Linear Flow A non-linear path gives a player

much more choice in how they navigate the game but they may not take the most efficient route to the finish.

#pathway#trigger

Understand how triggers are usedBe able to make a flow diagram

Your Task Create a game flow diagram showing the pathway a player will

take through your video game: Rooms Pickups Characters

You can use gliffy.com to create the flow diagram and colour code each different section.

It is important that your door and character events should use a variety of different triggers.

#pathway#trigger

Understand how triggers are usedBe able to make a flow diagram

Keywords

Pathway

Trigger

The route a player will be required to take to win the finished game.

Something that causes an event to take place within a game.

Understand how triggers are usedBe able to make a flow diagram

#pathway#trigger