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Just before we start
Research
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Music research -
I am going to be researching some popular game music to get a taste of what I should create. This will include music from both low poly games & realistic games.
Super Mario Soundtracks -
This is the Super Mario Bros theme music by Nintendo. It is an 8-bit soundtrack made to accompany the player throughout different missions, though there are more soundtracks & sound effects like this. The soundtracks mainly depend on the environment or setting the player is introduced to. For example, Bowsers castle has a dread soundtrack where the player almost feels rushed to get out of there to stop hearing the tormenting sounds from the music. The music always goes from cheerful & slow, to fast & daunting depending on the event taking place. I am looking into this soundtrack as it is a world famous soundtrack, this is because of how fun & immersive it makes the game.
Super Mario Bros. Original Theme Track
Super Mario 64 Ultimate Bowser Final Boss Soundtrack
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Koji Kondo | Creator of Super Mario Bros Soundtracks
Behind The Scenes Super Mario Odyssey Soundtracks
Super Mario 64 soundtrack review
Why Koji Kondo is a genius
I have included the top 2 clips as research into how the soundtracks are made & re-used to fit different parts of the consumer media. Koji Kondo seems to have used many soundtracks from the games in the movie, just with different techniques and styles.
Koji Kondo Composer Profile
Game Grumps Intro Theme - A Musical Analysis
From this research, I can gather that game soundtracks can be made simple with the same music being played, with different techniques to allow for a different sound. I can also understand the amount of work that Koji Kondo put into the soundtracks, mostly being that he is a genius with how he plays & the way he produces the soundtracks.
Hitman Series Soundtracks -
HITMAN series music is mostly graceful & slow, with some exceptions. I don't think the music changes to much depending on the scene, during gameplay you normally get sounds in cutscenes or when you kill a target, otherwise there is no music, just ambience & sound effects from the environment such as birds, guns, people talking, something dropping, just general stuff. I cannot really go as in-depth with HITMANs soundtracks as these are only for dramatic effect to the game to make it more immersive, sort of like Mario's. I also cannot find any behind the scenes for the music, only the gameplay & cinematography for the hitman absolution game.
HITMAN Series Sountracks
Ave Maria Hitman Blood Money Soundtrack
Jesper Kyd Jakobson | Creator of the HITMAN soundtracks
Reviews for Hitman: Blood Money soundtrack on amazon
Jesper Kyd Jakobson Interivew
HITMAN - E3 2015 Trailer | PS4
Fall Guys Soundtracks -
The game's soundtracks plays an important role in creating its lively and entertaining environment. The music complements the game's overall aesthetic, with catchy tunes and upbeat rhythms that add to the game's fast-paced and chaotic environment. Additionally, the sfx add to the immersive experience of the game, from the sounds of the obstacles and the crowd cheering to the jingles that play when a player passes a checkpoint or wins a round. Overall, the soundtracks in Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout are an essential part of the game's feel and environment, enhancing the player's experience and making it a joy for children & adults to play.
All Fall Guys Soundtracks
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout Voicelines
Review for Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout soundtrack
Fall Guys Gameplay (4K 60FPS)
Software I could use -
Cakewalk - Bandlab (Windows & Mac)
Cakewalk is both a web based & an app based DAW for both PC & Mac. The web version is called Bandlab (Both are owned by bandlab).
Garageband (Mac)
Garageband is a free DAW that comes with iPhone, iMac, Macbook & iPad. It is default for any Apple device & is great for starting out in the music world.
Soundation (Windows & Mac)
Soundation is a web based DAW that allows for users to have access to loops, instruments etc. Soundation is more limited compared to the other software as it only allows for 3 songs on the free version as well as a limited amount of loops & instruments.
Waveform (Windows & Mac)
Waveform is a free but tricky software. Waveform compared to its free competitors. It's workflow is not as great as Bandlabs or Soundations due to how the software works, it is best to use a MIDI device is waveform as it is hard to get along with the way the piano software works within it can be hard to use & sometimes messes up.
I looked into what a few websites & music producers recommend for beginning using DAWs & they mostly said Bandlab is the most intuitive one for beginners just getting into it.
Soundtrack concepts -
Misfire Main Menu Soundtrack 1
Behind The Scenes 1
Misfire Main Menu Soundtrack 2
Behind The Scenes 2
This just goes to show how easy it is to make a quick soundtrack for a game. It can always be changed depending on what you're looking for & quickly too.
Gameplay Research -
Gameplay is the biggest factor, along the story line. If you do not have good gameplay & mechanics, players a certain to click off your game without hesitation. The game also has to be interesting, not just graphically or with colours, but with how you interact with the world around you, that is the different between a good & bad game.
GTA 5 -
The gameplay of GTA 5 consists of driving, shooting & exploring a massive open world based in Los Santos (Basically Los Angeles). The driving mechanics in the game are really good & try to be realistic with how the world feels, I mean traffic, pedestrians, wildlife etc. The shooting in GTA 5 is mostly quick & concise, if you are using a controller then you are able to take advantage of the controller aim assist GTA 5 offers which allows you to easily take aim at enemies without really trying, this is a different story for online gameplay. The GTA 5 online gameplay has vastly changed from being old & boring, to being hard & annoying as players find ways to "troll" others which the publisher "Rockstar Games" is criticised for. In GTA 5 online, driving & the environment is the same, except for a few buildings being changed due to them being done over the game time, but the shooting is different as controller players may not always be able to use the GTA 5 controller aim assist where it can be toggled off (not be player choice) but rather Rockstar server choice or the hosts choice. You can also commit robberies whilst playing either online or story mode, some are easy but some take a lot of planning to get right, some are hard to get first try without insane luck. The heists in GTA 5 also allow for different approaches, quiet or loud, the player decides on crew members too & how much cut the crew takes. This is the same for online but there are more options. Lastly, I am going to quickly talk about the side quests, other wise known as "Strangers & Freaks" which is about the characters meeting people who either have future work for them, insanely quick stories or just new friends that you can call and interact with later. Mainly, the rewards throughout the story is new gun unlocks and more money. However, the side quests are mainly if you are bored or want a break from the main story to meet the other strange characters in the story. The main rewards in general are money and new contacts, that don't pick up half the time.
GTA 5 Final Heist (Subtle Approach) gameplay
GTA 5 Online in 2022
Welcome To GTA 5 Online
Human: Fall Flat -
The gameplay in Human: Fall Flat is centred around physics based mechanics, which means that you will need to use your characters movements and abilities to overcome various obstacles & puzzles in each level. Bob can run, jump, grab objects, climb, and push& pull things, but his movements are intentionally clumsy and imprecise, which makes for a fun and challenging gameplay experience.
Human: Fall Flat Gameplay Trailer
Human: Fall Flat Multiplayer Gameplay
Evolution of Human: Fall Flat
QUICK NOTE -
The reason I am including gameplay from GTA 5 though it is realistic is because mine is a shooter game with people around you that you blend in with & a target you kill, which in some cases also related to GTA 5 gameplay.
Octodad: Dadliest Catch
The gameplay of Octodad: Dadliest Catch is centred around controlling Octodads movements and completing various tasks while avoiding detection. Players control each of Octodad's tentacles independently, which makes for a challenging and often funny gameplay experience. The games physics based mechanics require the player to coordinate Octodads movements and manipulate objects in the environment to complete tasks such as making breakfast, going grocery shopping, and even getting married. There is an obvious reason as to why I keep bringing up this game, it is because I am making my game inspired the the gameplay & mechanics of this game, so I am looking into the movement of gameplay of it with videos as shown below.
Octodad: Dadliest Catch Gameplay
Behind The Scenes of Octodad: Dadliest Catch
Octodad: Dadliest Catch Full Walkthrough
Does GTA V Have A Good Story?
Human: Fall Flat Review
Octodad: Dadliest Catch Review
Graphics Research -
Graphics are what make or break the reputation of a game. If the graphics are buggy &/or eye-sore, then the player will not want to play the game and click off. However, if you have a game which captivates the audience, it is a completely different story, it will immerse them in a completely different environment & they won't take their eyes off the screen.
Fortnite -
Fortnite's graphics are another style of low poly, not just a simple colour, but multiple colours to create a more complete style of low poly. Low poly allows the game to run extremely well, even on non-modern PC's whilst still looking really well made & professional. Fortnite's graphics used to be very simple, not plain colours, but less lively. However, now they have changed it to look extremely vibrant & alive with a lot more features in the island you play on, the lighting really helped thanks to Epic Games new unreal engine 5 release which allowed for the new "Lumen" shader engine which also allowed for more realistic shadows & depth. Since a few years ago (2017) when then game released, they have added the new & popular ray-tracing which allows for shadows and lighting to fully thrive, reflections of windows & other reflective surfaces.
Evolution of Fortnite Graphics (2017 - 2023)
RTX 4090 + 8K Fortnite Chapter 4 = INSANE
Fortnite Before & After Graphics
Gang Beasts -
Gang beasts is another simple low poly game that has simple colours that still manage to look extremely vibrant. It's main attraction is the mechanics of the game & how the player moves around, rag-doll like. Graphics wise there is not much to say as it is just simple colours. I think the reason gang beasts has simple colours is because they more appeal to the target audience which is children. Simple allow the game to look more cartoon and fun which is the main premise of the game.
Evolution of Gang Beasts (2013 - 2022)
Gang Beasts - Gameplay Trailer | PS4
Team Fortress 2 -
Team fortress 2 graphics are the perfect example of low poly & extremely well made. The game was made using the source engine made by VALVE, the creators & owners of steam. Team fortress 2 does not rely on realistic shadows, sun-rays or sunlight. More the game relies on just the environment around you such as the buildings & plants.
TF2's Graphics Have EVOLVED (mat-picmip-10)
(The term mat-picmip-10 refers to the games ultra settings)
TF2 2007 & Now
As much as I would research the VALVE source engine. I will
be using blender for this project. I don't think I have to do a lot of research into blender as I already understand it. However I will cover the basics of it.
Unreal Engine 5 has a new Lumen engine as I previously talked about. However, I am fine using blender for lighting so I will also only do the basic research needed for that too.
Fortnite: 2023 Review
Gang Beasts 2022 Review
Why TF2 is a PERFECT Video Game
3D Models Research -
3D models are not necessary to a game, rather they are a technique that is used to please the audience. There are plenty of 2D games as well that do just as well if not sometimes better than 3D modelled games. But for my game, I will be making 3D models for concept art.
Hi-res model
Low poly model
Photo realistic model
Toon shader model
CG5 Music Video -
For some reason, I have been extremely drawn to this art style & video featured. I am going to try re-create it using blender since I am considering using the style in my game.
CG5 -IDONTUNDERSTAND (feat. David Archuleta) (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
Comments from the music video
Simple Toon Shader in Blender [Eevee}
Blender Toon Shader
The examples below are research into professional work done by other artists. I will have references & I will create something based off them.
My Toon Shader Example -
Below are my attempts & tests for creating something using the toon shader, otherwise known as the shader to rgb node.
Making TOON sea in Blender 3.0
My Low Poly Example -
Software I could use -
Blender (Free) -
Blender is an open source free to use software that man creatives use for its ease of use & how much you can do in the software. The software does have a bit of a learning curve.
Autodesk (Paid) -
Autodesk consists of software called "Maya" or "3DS Max". This software is "Industry Standard" because it is paid, but it does not disappoint, but just like blender it has a learning curve. It costs around £1000 - £2000 a year depending on the services you need, so not exactly great for beginners but more for experienced people in studios.
Cinema 4D (Paid) -
Cinema 4D is a paid software that either comes with the Adobe After Effects software, or you pay £50 a month for the license. Once again, not great for a beginner but more for a studio.
Unreal Engine -
Ureal engine is mainly used for games & architecture purposes, but you can 3D model. Since it's release, just like the others, is has upgraded a lot of its features, including the software's new "Lumen" engine for realistic lighting & shadows which brings a whole new amount of depth to peoples creations.
For most cases (including mine), blender is a great software to use & I am already used to it so what's the point of changing now.
Story research -
Story, just like gameplay & graphics, is what makes or breaks a game. The story doesn't have to be significant or really detailed. The story has to be something the player will remember for a long time, that is a good story, something they can make memories with.
The Walking Dead: Telltale series -
"The Walking Dead" series is profound for its user based story line where the user chooses their path & how everything plays out in the end goal. In this type of game all of your choices matter a lot as to how the story plays out, if you choose too many wrong moves then you can end up making the game a lot harder for yourself. However you can make the games slightly easier if you make good choices.
The Walking dead but I pick every bad option
THE WALKING DEAD Full Season 2 All Cutscenes (Game Movie) Telltale 1080p
The Walking Dead Season 3 Full Game - No Commentary (A New Frontier)
The Walking Dead: The Game Season 1 Review
Call of Duty -
The "Call Of Duty" series is a weird one because most of it is based around the guns & gameplay. But, the story in the older ones (Modern Warfare 2, 3 etc). The games don't base themselves on real events as much as they base themselves on what could happen in war & the losses war comes with & it doesn't shine away from showing what happens to people in war and the consequences of your actions.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Complete Storyline (Original Saga) - What you need to know (Updated)
Modern Warfare Remastered - Nuke Scene
Ghost & Roach Death Scene - Modern Warfare 2 Remastered "LOOSE ENDS" (4K 60fps)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Review
Uncharted -
Uncharted is a major AAA game based on adventure & mystery. The story is about you going out into different countries & with the main protagonist "Nathan Drake" who is part of the Drake fortune left by his ancestors. One of the games is about finding his ancestors treasure but through it tackling hard enemies, finding out different truths etc. The games normally introduce new characters through friendships, family & past work the protagonist has done, which doesn't always end well.
The Complete UNCHARTED Timeline Explained!
The Uncharted Series | The Ultimate Critique
Uncharted 4 Remastered Full Game Walkthrough - No Commentary (PS4 Pro 4K 60fps)
Nate & Elena Cutscenes (Uncharted 1 - 4)
Branding -
A games branding is one of the most important parts of game production. It is pretty much the face of the game & what the brands visuals say will say A LOT about the kind of game it is.
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout -
Fall Guys logo is supposed to be fun & childish. The pink & blue colour for the text looks really vibrant & eye catching, especially when it also comes with BIG BOLD lettering. The lines around the text allow for it to look as if it is moving which gives it the feel as if you are always moving in game & you can't stop. I am not sure what to say about the "Ultimate Knockout" text as it just looks looks graffiti text which is also childish you could say, but the blue stroke around the text makes it look really good.
HITMAN -
Both "HITMAN" logos look both professional & sleek in design. The first one look scary to be honest, almost like a high power cult group, it looks like a snake pattern which what could be gun smoke at the top. The logo is shiny silver to bring premium design into the concept. The fact that both logos in general have no colour, just plain text says the game is of high standard & not a fun kids game, more a game about being clever & tactical. I am not sure as to why the text is spaced out in the 2nd logo, it feels as if it to make it easier to read and to make it more professional to the eye.
(PLEASE NOTE: This logo is not actually gold, but black text on a black background does not work)
Gang Beasts -
The gang beasts logo is definitely graffiti style. It has 2 colours, pink & black (stroke) or yellow & black (stroke). I don't know why but I really like the way the text flows into each other, it looks really seamless, yes I guess computers are good at that. The broken parts in the logo pretty much represent the hand style used to maybe paint as it is never perfect unless you add multiple layers.
Audience research -
This is a mood-board based of my target audience.
My target audience is mainly content creators or more generally young who like stupid fun games.
Why do people enjoy video games?
Link (New York Times) - Why Do People Love Games? - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
I then asked ChaptGPT made by OpenAI about what is typically wanted by the audience in both a general video game and it's trailer, here is what it answered with -
Video game trailer question
General video game question
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