Project 1: WarioWare

Prompt

In reference to the original video game series released by Nintendo, WarioWare describes a genre of videogames that feature a compilation of shorter minigames played in quick succession. Each minigame is speedy and simple -- only requiring one or two actions to complete within a seconds-long countdown timer.

For our first project, each of you will create a short 2D interactive animation for a warioware-style project.

Rather than adapting existing warioware scenes, the intention of this project should be to experiment and explore your own angles of interest (formal and/or conceptual) within the limitations of this framework. While observing the project requirements below, find something meaningful, interesting, or personal to express with animation.

Inspirations:

Consider the creative decisions made in the following examples that communicate their respective rules and intentions for player interaction:

• How do the pacing and aesthetic design set the overall tone of the project?
• What are the cues (audio, visual, social, etc.) that suggest how players should act in this space?
• How much agency are players allowed to behave and express themselves differently? How does that transform or shape meaning in this project?

Requirements

Your interactive animation is required to:

1. have a "start scene";

   Keep any textual instructions within 1~3 words!

2. have a timed event, ie. the duration in which a desired action must be completed in order to "win", otherwise the player "loses";

   While 8~12 seconds is standard for warioware minigames, for this project, you may extend that timeframe up to 2 minutes -- please consult the instructor / TA if you're planning for a timed event duration beyond this scope.

3. have an "end scene" be activated at the end of the timed event;

4. implement ONE (1) of the following formats:

   A. Point-and-click Mouse Interaction

   
   Design a 2D environment that reveals a secret or a story when explored with a mouse. Clicking objects will reveal details or surprises.

   OR

   B. WASD + Arrow Key Navigation

   
   Move a 2D object around an environment with arrow keys / WASD on your keyboard. Collisions in the environment trigger events, such as a new asset appearing or a new scene starting.

Requirements to score an A:

• have sound;
• have a concept, story, or meaningful origin behind your decisions;
• contain at least TWO (2) assets that have active and idle states;
• implement 2D animation techniques.

Your project is NOT required to:

• have a series of "minigame" scenes, nor have a comedic tone and speedy pace like a classic warioware minigame;
• use explicit videogame-y language like "WIN", "LOSE", "SCORE", or visible countdown timer UI -- consider the premise of your project, then choose your words and images wisely... or get really experimental with it!
• implement both point-and-click mouse interaction AND WASD + arrow key navigation... but you can if you want to!

Tips:

• Use score keepers or collision / trigger collider events to activate your ending scenes.
• Consider having different ending scenes for different outcomes, eg. whether the player successfully completes the minigame within the time limit.
• Start from the scripts that will be shared in our tutorials, and then make any necessary edits from there later on.
• Consider your audience and how it should be interacted with. What do you want them to feel/know/discover? How can you design your project and interactions to communicate your story, feelings, or even a joke?

Deliverables

Sketch/Proposal

Bring to class for one-on-one check-in:

• any sketches, assets, prototypes, and works-in-progress to illustrate your project's direction;
• a tentative project timeline that breaks down your anticipated project workload into a schedule of smaller checkpoints leading up to the final project deadline, ie. what you aim to get done by when.

Final Project Build + Documentation

Refer to How to Submit for the submission checklist, and instructions for exporting your files correctly.

Evaluation

Your final project will be evaluated according to the guidelines listed in the course syllabus.