Game Design Document

Firstly I wrote a game concept document to give a brief idea of what my game is about and how it is played. I then wrote a game design document which fully explained what the game is and what it is about it also includes the sounds that are included and the game engine that is used.

When I wrote my first copy of my game design document I had not thought about the layout of the page or consistency of fonts used throughout each document, therefore I had to change the font of my heading and sub-heading by using the styles included in Microsoft word this is so the document looks more professional and so the text is easily readable to readers that have vision problems or dyslexia.

I also received feedback from peers which wrote a few comments to help me improve my document and have standing at a professional standard. This taught me the constantly look at the consistency of a document including the layout and fonts used.

Concept document
Design Document before edit
Finished Design Document

personal development plan

I created a PDP (personal development plan) to help me follow different skills that I have learnt in different Units, I made ma draft copy and then received feedback.

PDP Draft

With feedback that I received on the feedback sheet I then RE-edited my PDP to meet the requirements that were stated on the feedback sheet. Reading through what was written on my feedback sheet I agreed with all the points that were given such as, maker sure it is kept up to date. Another point was to fill in the evaluate column completely so I know how I solved these problems that I had come across.

Feedback

The final copy of my PDP includes all of the suitable changes that were written on my feedback sheet. Now that I have made these changes such as keeping it up to date I am finding it is easier to keep track of the skills I am learning. Once I read through and evaluate my PDP it helps me understand what I am learning without even realising that I am.

I also had to read through peers PDP and write feedback and constructive criticism to help them further develop PDP.

PDP Final

My Game Pitch

My game pitch

What was my pitch?

I had to present my game Kaiju Nest to my lecturers and peers whilst using correct and consistent subject terminology and also using effective communication skills to make it as though it was a professional presentation.

Effective communication

Throughout my game pitch I had used a variety of different effective communication skills to make my pitch more professional such as;
Eye contact with my audience - this was to make the audience feel noticed and also involved within the pitch.
Talk at a sensible speed - I spoke at a sensible speed so it was easy for those in audience to understand what I was saying and for those with barriers such as hearing problems had more of a chance to catch what I said.
Standing up straight with a professional posture - This was so I looked more presentable and also more confident as one can tell a lot from body language and posture.

If I were to do my game pitch again I would make sure I learnt what was on each slide so that I didn't have to keep looking behind me at the board to see what the next slide was about. Something else that I would change if I had the chance to present my pitch again would have been bringing a bottle of water with me as I easily become nervous and as a negative results in having a dry throat therefore bringing a bottle of water would have helped.

My game pitch

Learning Styles

Learning styles

There are three main learning styles which are the way an individual finds it easiest to learn, the three are auditory, visual and kinaesthetic.

Auditory -  The Auditory learning style means that you find it easier to learn through being spoke to, listening to audio books or others ways of teaching or learning based around hearing or sound.

Visual - Those that are of a Visual learning style prefer to learn visually for example watching videos, or watching someone go through the task then letting you do it for yourself. All in all the visual learning style is for those who prefer to learn through anything visually rather than auditory or practically.

Kinaesthetic - Kinaesthetic learning style is for those who prefer to learn hands on for example instead of learning how to build a computer system by reading about it or listening to someone explain the steps, it would be easier for them to build it themselves and learn from mistakes. Therefore Kinaesthetic learners are more hands on people and find it easier to learn everything by doing practical tasks as opposed to theoretical.

What learning style am I?

My main learning style is visual as I find it easier to learn by being taught  through demonstration and being shown to do things before I do it myself, also by watching videos I find it easier to learn as I can think back about what part of the video that part of information was on and also keeps me more entertained as I easily become bored of the task.

Sub-learning styles

There is also a group of learning styles which shows how someone handles tasks, these are Pragmatist, Reflector, Activist and Theorist.


Pragmatist - A pragmatist is someone who has a goal and will do anything to achieve it. They do not let their own emotions or feelings get in the way of their goal and will ignore their own ideals to get the job done. Pragmatists will always look for the quickest way to get things done.

Reflector - A reflector is someone who prefers to learn by observing and watching others to see how they do it, they will spend a lot of time thinking about how to do the task before they pursue it.

Activist - A activist is someone who prefers to get things done practically and learn while they do things practically such as building a table and learning how to build it as you go.

Theorist - A theorist learns best by working methodically and also learns by experimenting, the type of person who will read the instructions on how to build before the starting the build.

What learning style am I?

My learning style would be a Pragmatist as I don't really think about the task ahead and usually attempt it head on without any preparation. I do not let anything get in the way of the goal that I am trying to achieve, and I always look for the quickest option to get the task completed. This can sometimes be a problem as I do not think about what I am going to do before the task is started, but it can also be useful as I make sure things get done.

What is VOIP software? & Evaluate and compare 3 software for effective communication

What is VOIP software?

VOIP - VOIP is an acronym for Voice Over Internet Protocol. It is another way of making calls instead of using a phone. If reasonable internet quality is available it is cheaper to use VOIP than to use a standard phoned using a mobile network company. Therefore an advantage of VOIP is that is cheaper or even free. An advantage of VOIP is it's portability as you can make and receive calls for free anywhere that has internet connection. Also most VOIP companies provide features which most phone company will make you pay extra for when added to you're service plan, for example;

• Caller ID
• Call waiting
• call transfer
• repeat dial
• return call
• three-way calling  

A disadvantage to VOIP is not as many people have access to the internet or even a VOIP software compared to how many people have access to a mobile phone. Another disadvantage is that fact that some VOIP do not include the emergency services such as 999. VOIP needs power to run, no power means no phone whereas if you have a phone and you have no power within you're home you're phone will still be operational.

VOIP would be used in situations such as if a business is holding a conference they could use a software such as Skype to form a video call therefore face to face talk amongst one another and show ideas via a white board which they have only in the room they are in.
VOIP will also be used for personal use such as if someone was trying to get hold of there friend they could call them for free and even use video chat and have a conversation a disadvantage is that if you do not have a stable connection the chat may drop and be ended. Businesses mainly VOIPs to keep their telecommunication costs down to save money. The company Allstate insurance co. used a VOIP to deal with hurricane Katrina

Evaluate and compare 3 software for effective communication

Skype - Skype is a type of effective communication as you can easily and efficiently start a chat with someone whether it be video or just voice, it is a reliable service as a lot of large companies and small businesses use it to have work meeting and conferences. A disadvantage of Skype is that if you do not have a stable connection the quality of the video and chat will be at a poor standard.
E-mail - E-mail is a useful way to message others or to keep in touch with people, it is also a quick and easy way to pass over files such as PowerPoint presentations or word documents if they are needed in a work environment you are not currently at but someone else is. A disadvantage of E-mail is the fact that it can take some time for someone to reply to their E-mail as they may not check it regularly.
Facebook - Facebook is ok for general chat between friends as you can talk to more than one at the same time, disadvantages of Facebook is that you cannot speak to each other using voice only text another is that their video chat is very poor quality and hard to see what the camera is showing.

Skype would be the best form of effective communication as it involves instant messaging and also voice chat as the others don't. Skype and Facebook both have video chat but Skype's is far more superior in terms of quality and simplicity.

Evaluate Written Technologies

Race'n'Chase - Game Design

Good points

• The layout of the document is consistent and stays with the same font, size and spacing. There is a good use of headings and bullet points.

• Each page of the document is labelled appropriately with the page number, the date, title of the document and also which version of the document is being showing.

Bad Points

• The game design document for Race'n'Chase lacks pictures and makes the document more boring to read as it is just a wall of text.
• No colour and this is a important aspect as it catches the readers attention.
• Displayed badly as it is like it has been photocopied and is slanted.

Barrier & Solutions to Effective Communication

Physical Barriers

Barrier - My Physical barrier is the fact I get distracted fairly easy, whether its outside noise while I'm having a conversation or looking out a window and daydreaming.

Solution - Improve eye contact because this will help me from seeing things going on around me as I would be more focused on the other person.
Try harder to concentrate on work and stop looking out the windows of the classroom. If I stop looking out of windows I won't be distracted by things outside the classroom and will be more focused on my work.
By following these solutions I should be able to complete my work faster as there will be less distractions and also my work will be of a better standard as I will be more focused on my work and what my task is.

Barrier - Another one of my barriers is during presentations and pitches I begin to get a dry throat and often my mind goes blank.

solution - To solve this problem it would help to bring a bottle of water in to the presentation with me therefore if my throat begins to dry up I can drink a bit of water.
To help resolve the problem when my mind goes blank, I should read through my presentation and any other notes I have to make sure that I am fully comfortable with it. Another way to solve this problem would be to practice the presentation in front of others to make you even more certain that you are comfortable with the pitch or presentation.

Language Barriers

Barrier - My Language barrier is that my body language always portrays that either I'm not listening or I'm not interested but I am, its just what I find comfortable.

Solution - Start to think how I am sitting and portraying myself properly to the interviewer. If I am slouching during a job interview the employer will think that I'm not really interested in the job I am trying to get. They will also think that I am not listening to what they have to say therefore they will not be interested in employing me.

Mental-emotional Barriers 

barrier - I have a short temper therefore is difficult for me to stay calm, this is sometimes troubling in a work environment.

Solution - I get easily agitated therefore when I feel myself start getting annoying I should walk away from the situation get a drink of water and take deep breaths and wait till I have calmed down till I return to the situation.