Kyle McCaleb
Game Programming and Development Portfolio
Southern New Hampshire University
Artifact One: Metallic Detective Treasure Hunter Alpha Prototype
This Artifact showcases an alpha prototype created for the fictional company Metal Detect Metal Detectors for the GAM 303 Course at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). The created assets include a functioning and packaged executable, a showcase video, an alpha prototype game design document (GDD), and a traceability matrix used for initial and continued testing.
The tools used to create the finished artifact where:
-OBS Studio
-Unreal Engine 4
-Microsoft Word and Excel
This Artifact highlights the following relevant skills:
-AI Perception
-Collision/Spawning
Showcase Video
Executable, GDD, Traceability Matrix
Artifact Reflection
This artifact was created quickly within a six week period and was my first exposure to the Unreal Engine when it came to creating a fully functioning prototype. Through the process of creating the assets included I learned the importance of keeping organized in order to ensure minimal bugs and errors in the final product. Overall, when polishing the artifact, it came to my attention that the spawning and complex spawning logic of this artifact are something I am proud of, especially for my first attempt. Getting the AI to respond properly per player input was difficult, and was some of the specific feedback we received during our GAM303 and GAM495 courses. By extending the AI behavior checks for the player location and using it to check the AI's relative position, I was able to minimize some of the former problems with the AI.
Through GAM 495 the AI, models, and textures were improved within the executable. In addition, the accompanying documents were updated and generalized from their GAM303 counterparts. The accompanying showcase video was also included for ease of access and clarity.
Artifact Two: Animated Treasure Chest 3D Model
This Artifact contains both a high poly and low poly 3D animated model of a 3D treasure chest. Furthermore, reference photos, concept art, and stills of the model are also included. The chest is animated as a turntable to showcase the model and with an opening animation containing lighting.
The tools used to create the finished artifact where:
-OBS Studio
-Maya
-Adobe Creative Suite (After Effects and Media Encoder)
This Artifact highlights the following relevant skills:
-3D Graphics
-3D Animation
-Creation of completed model from reference through concept art to finished model
Relevant Files
Artifact Reflection
The initial creation of this project was during some of my earliest coursework at SNHU, therefore, I was less confident about my skills especially in 3D animation and modeling. Initially I faced challenges due to my inexperience, but overtime due to practice gained confidence and created a final product I am proud of. By learning to add "weight" to the animation of the chest I learned to pay attention to small details in order to emulate realism in all of my work.
Through GAM 495 I created the showcase video and organized the files into a more easily viewed format. By doing so I was able to make the artifact more clear to the viewer and portray the information to them in a more concise manner.
Artifact Three: C++ Scripted Engine Showcase
This Artifact is the source code and a video showcasing game elements using Unreal Engine 4 and C++. The elements showcased are:
-Ammo usage and gun texture change on overheat
-The creation/use of a camera director and change of camera perspective
-Player damage and health pack (health recuperation)
-Patrolling AI
-Proximity Lighting
-Two-way teleporter
-Exploding destructible actors
The tools used to create the finished artifact where:
-Unreal Engine 4
-OBS Studio
-Visual Studio Community 2017/2019
-Adobe Creative Suite (After Effects and Media Encoder)
This Artifact highlights the following relevant skills:
-C++ Scripting
-Game Engine Mastery
-Game AI
-Game Physics
-Complex Logic Problem Solution
-Graphics Interface Design/3D Graphics
Source Code
Artifact Reflection
The creation of this artifact fused my C++ scripting experience with my knowledge of the Unreal Engine. I learned a significant amount about integrating the code into the engine, and faced many challenges initially with bugs in each element. This was overcome through research and through better organization and comments within my C++ code.
Through GAM 495 feedback was given on the source code format, and I took the time to try and standardize the source code to Unreal engines format documentation. This improvement made the source code easier to follow and more readable. Furthermore, the showcase video was created in order to give a visual representation of the source code in a clear and concise manner.
Artifact Four: Flow Proof of Concept
This Artifact is a presentation with including documentation of a proof of concept for Flow, a 3D physics based puzzle game.
The tools used to create the finished artifact where:
-Microsoft Word
-Microsoft PowerPoint
-OBS Studio
This Artifact highlights the following relevant skills:
-Understanding of Game design
-Project Management
-Writing and Conceptual Skills
Proof of Concept Documentation and PowerPoint
Artifact Reflection
When creating this proof of concept it was refreshing and interesting to look at the game development process from a more project management oriented view, as I have personal experience being a project engineer. I learned a lot through research related to the overall importance of elements within a proof of concept, and think Flow could be successful if moved forward with. I faced challenges at first with my voice and verbal ticks in my presentation, but through evaluation and hard work was able to present a finished product I can be proud of.
Through GAM 495 I updated the presentation to be less academically focused and tried to make it as if I was pitching the idea to a company board. The accompanying documentation was also updated to be more clear, concise, and less focused toward the course (GAM 465) that the artifact was initially developed for.
