Project Status Overview
As I continue my journey through the Capstone course, I’m reminded that the road to developing a polished product is full of both anticipation and preparation. The work over the past couple of weeks has been a deep dive into refining our project’s foundation and ensuring we’re ready to begin development.
This week, we submitted the final version of our team’s design document. It’s been a collaborative effort, and the document has evolved a lot since the first draft. We’ve finalized the details on gameplay mechanics, team responsibilities, and overall project scope. It feels like we’re getting closer to the actual build phase, which is exciting. Writing this document was an opportunity to revisit and tweak parts of the game to ensure that everyone’s vision is aligned and realistic within the timeline. The hybrid Euro-style/Dungeon-crawler board game concept is beginning to take shape, and we’re all looking forward to seeing it evolve into something tangible.
We also completed a Client Verification assignment this week, where we had to evaluate if our project is truly ready for development. This involved reviewing our current progress, checking that our design meets the initial goals, and assessing any potential risks moving forward. The exercise forced us to think critically about our planning and whether we had adequately addressed all necessary details for a successful development phase. It’s always helpful to take a step back and assess the bigger picture before diving into the code.
v0.0.2 – A Glimpse of What’s to Come
Speaking of diving into the code, we’re preparing for the release of v0.0.2 of our project. This marks a significant milestone, as it will be the first time we start to see our ideas materialize in a functional form. Our focus for this release is on implementing core gameplay features, 3D asset integration, and ensuring that the multiplayer framework is working smoothly. There’s a lot of work ahead, but it’s exciting to see the project evolve from abstract designs to something interactive.
Successes, Fails, and Struggles
The biggest success this week has been the clarity we now have as a team. By finalizing our design document and completing the client verification, we’ve made sure we’re all on the same page moving forward. It’s also been satisfying to see how the technical side of the project is progressing, especially in terms of asset management and game mechanics.
However, we’ve also faced some challenges. With the pressure to move into development, there have been moments where I felt like we were losing sight of the bigger picture. It’s easy to get caught up in coding and technical details, but I’m constantly reminding myself that thorough planning is just as crucial as execution. Moving forward, the challenge will be balancing the development pace with the need for refinement. It’s a delicate dance!
Feedback on the Course
Looking back on the course, I’ve appreciated how it has pushed me to think critically at every stage. The assignments and discussions have forced me to plan and collaborate in ways I hadn’t done before. The Capstone experience is definitely challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. It feels like we’re creating something real, and that sense of accomplishment is what keeps me motivated.
One area that could be improved is the documentation workload. While I understand its importance, there are times when it feels a bit repetitive, especially with the multiple design documents and client check-ins. Nonetheless, I know that this will pay off later, especially when it comes to communicating with teammates and ensuring everything stays on track.
Technologies and Tools
In terms of new technologies, I’ve been diving deeper into Unity’s Asset Pipeline and learning more about optimizing 3D models for our game. We’ve also been using Photon Bolt for the multiplayer aspect, which is both exciting and a bit daunting. I’m eager to see how it all comes together when we integrate these technologies into the game.
I’ve also started experimenting with more advanced asset management techniques, such as Level of Detail (LOD) and lightmapping, which I think will play a big role in optimizing our game’s performance. It’s an interesting challenge to balance performance with high-quality visuals, but I’m confident we can strike that balance.
What’s Next?
The next big milestone for us is v0.0.2, and I can’t wait to see how it turns out. We’re heading into a crucial phase of development, and I know there will be bumps along the way, but I’m excited to push forward. With everything we’ve laid out in the design documents and the feedback we’ve received, I feel confident that we’re on the right track.
As always, I’ll continue to rely on my favorite productivity hacks—automation, communication, and prioritizing breaks—to keep things moving smoothly. It’s going to be a hectic few weeks, but I’m looking forward to the journey.
CATEGORIES: CS 461