NostromoNostromo

Tom PateckyTom Patecky

Ross BrownRoss Brown

Operational ConceptsOperational Concepts

Based on Ambrosia Based on Ambrosia Software’s Escape Software’s Escape Velocity seriesVelocity series

Single-playerSingle-player Player can freely Player can freely

travel to different travel to different areas in game and areas in game and interact with other interact with other ships/planets.ships/planets.

System RequirementsSystem Requirements

Core Game Engine – Sprite-based graphics, Core Game Engine – Sprite-based graphics, player uses keyboard for moving around the play player uses keyboard for moving around the play area.area.

Planet and Ship interaction handled with a Planet and Ship interaction handled with a window containing buttons that let the player buy window containing buttons that let the player buy equipment, replace crew, accept missions, etc.equipment, replace crew, accept missions, etc.

A large undirected graph defines a map of the A large undirected graph defines a map of the star systems, player moves to different systems star systems, player moves to different systems using wormholes in the play area.using wormholes in the play area.

Non-Player Ships will require an AI.Non-Player Ships will require an AI.

System and Software ArchitectureSystem and Software Architecture

Can be done in either C++ using OpenGL or Can be done in either C++ using OpenGL or DirectX or in Java using Swing.DirectX or in Java using Swing.

Best performance would be achieved with C++.Best performance would be achieved with C++. Advantage of using sprites is that they are Advantage of using sprites is that they are

simple to implement and do not consume an simple to implement and do not consume an inordinate amount of CPU timeinordinate amount of CPU time

Can be made to run on a wide variety of Can be made to run on a wide variety of systems, will not require a high-end computer to systems, will not require a high-end computer to play.play.

Life-Cycle Plan - StakeholdersLife-Cycle Plan - Stakeholders

Developers – Need to be Developers – Need to be able to produce the game able to produce the game at a reasonable quality at a reasonable quality within the set time period.within the set time period.

Gamers – The game Gamers – The game needs to be sufficiently needs to be sufficiently entertaining and entertaining and challenging.challenging.

Life-Cycle Plan - RoadmapLife-Cycle Plan - Roadmap Develop basic engine with space flight, combat (projectiles, hit Develop basic engine with space flight, combat (projectiles, hit

detection).detection). Begin the menu engine.Begin the menu engine. Lay groundwork for statistical upgrades.Lay groundwork for statistical upgrades.

July 19th, 2005 July 19th, 2005 Zero-feature releaseZero-feature release Create content like maps, ships, port interaction.Create content like maps, ships, port interaction. Complete upgrade system.Complete upgrade system. Develop enemy AI.Develop enemy AI. Integrate sound.Integrate sound.

August 2nd, 2005 August 2nd, 2005 Beta releaseBeta release Bug fixes and more rigorous testing.Bug fixes and more rigorous testing. Balance gameplay elements to make it challenging, yet enjoyable.Balance gameplay elements to make it challenging, yet enjoyable. Improve graphics, sound, and user interface.Improve graphics, sound, and user interface.

August 15th, 2005 August 15th, 2005 Final releaseFinal release

Feasibility Rationale - PitfallsFeasibility Rationale - Pitfalls

We are potentially We are potentially underestimating the time underestimating the time it will take to complete the it will take to complete the project.project.

Developers may have Developers may have limited experience, which limited experience, which will increase the amount will increase the amount of time the project takes.of time the project takes.

Feasibility Rationale - AdvantagesFeasibility Rationale - Advantages

This type of product This type of product has been made has been made before, so there is before, so there is less risk involved in less risk involved in implementation.implementation.

Development can be Development can be done in whatever done in whatever language the team is language the team is most familiar.most familiar.

Questions?Questions?