As I look ahead at the road to completing my Capstone project, I realize that this stage of preparation feels like the “calm before the storm.” So far, the work has focused mainly on research and the creation of design documents, both individual and team-based, rather than actual coding or gameplay implementation. It\u2019s a phase of setting the groundwork, which is both exciting and a bit daunting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The preliminary design document I worked on individually was an interesting challenge. It forced me to consider what functional area I wanted to focus on and how I would bring it to life. My area is 3D Asset Integration and Visuals, which means I\u2019m responsible for figuring out how the models and animations will interact with our hybrid Euro-style\/Dungeon-crawler board game. So far, this has involved digging into the details of Unity’s Asset Pipeline and Universal Render Pipeline (URP). As much as I’d love to jump straight into developing the game, this step feels like laying down the tracks for a train. If it’s not planned correctly now, everything can derail later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the team side, we\u2019ve been hammering out the main design document. Even though we haven’t started writing code yet, collaborating with my teammates has been productive. We\u2019re making sure everyone\u2019s on the same page before we tackle actual gameplay features. It’s a lot of brainstorming and figuring out how to divide responsibilities, but it\u2019s cool to see how our different ideas are coming together. The mix of a Euro-style board game and a dungeon-crawling mechanic gives us plenty of creative options, especially when it comes to customization within the game, which I think will be a major selling point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For now, the focus is on planning rather than action. While the coding hasn’t begun yet, I know this research and planning stage will save us time down the road. It\u2019s tempting to want to jump in and start developing everything immediately, but I\u2019ve learned through past projects that good preparation sets the foundation for smoother execution later. If anything, I\u2019m sharpening my technical skills, diving into asset management, and ensuring our design can evolve into something playable and fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Though we’re still in the early stages, there have been a few successes along the way. One of our biggest wins so far is creating a clear and achievable project scope. With all the excitement around the project, it\u2019s easy to get carried away with ambitious ideas, but we managed to focus on what we can realistically achieve over three terms. Setting boundaries has helped us avoid scope creep.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the flip side, the biggest struggle has been balancing the ideas of each team member. Everyone has a different vision of what the game should be, and finding a way to integrate all those ideas into one cohesive plan has taken time. There were moments when it felt like we were pulling in different directions, but eventually, we found compromises that satisfied everyone. The challenge moving forward will be sticking to these decisions and avoiding second-guessing them later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So far, the Capstone course has been a solid experience. I appreciate that the course structure encourages collaboration and allows us to divide tasks based on our strengths. The design document assignments are helpful because they force us to think critically about every aspect of the game before we start coding. However, I do feel like there\u2019s a lot of documentation work that can feel repetitive at times, especially when balancing other courses. However, I understand that this documentation will help us communicate our ideas better and avoid issues down the line.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the coolest parts of this project has been using Unity to build our game. I\u2019m familiar with it, but there\u2019s always something new to learn, and this project has pushed me to get deeper into the engine\u2019s capabilities, especially when it comes to 3D asset integration and optimization. I\u2019ve also had to get more comfortable with Photon Bolt, the multiplayer framework we\u2019ll use for peer-to-peer hosting.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n
As for asset management, I\u2019ve been experimenting with Level of Detail (LOD) techniques and lightmapping to optimize performance, ensuring the game runs smoothly without compromising visuals. This has been a fun area to dive into because it\u2019s where I can combine my love for technical problem-solving with creativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Handling multiple classes, the Capstone project, and everyday life can be overwhelming at times. Here are a few things that have worked for me when it comes to managing stress and keeping productivity high:<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking forward, the next big milestone for us is the v0.0.1 release. I\u2019m excited to see our ideas come to life, even if it\u2019s just in a very basic form. It\u2019s going to be a long journey, but I\u2019m confident that with the groundwork we\u2019ve laid, we\u2019ll have a game that\u2019s both fun to play and rewarding to develop.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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