I have learnt a lot about how to use Flash and Actionscript. I now feel I could confidently write actionscript for simple animations and games. I understand how variables work (happiness-ometer!) and how to use various functions. I am also much more confident on making movie clips and buttons, which before this project, I struggled with.
I enjoyed working on my own for several reasons. I was able to use completely my own ideas, and I could get on with the project whenever I felt like it. I also had to sort out any problems by myself, which sometimes proved very difficult, but in the end I learnt from my mistakes and improved at Flash significantly.
I like how "cute" my project is overall, as it would appeal greatly to young children. Everything from the colours, fonts, animations, and sounds were all carefully selected to suit the overall feel of the project.
I am also pleased that I got the happiness-ometer working, since it gives an aim to the game: to keep Pebbles happy.
However, I had to change my idea from the original Project Proposal:
"For my individual interactive project, I have decided to create in Flash an interactive screen “pet”.
- He will be very simplistic yet effective.
- He will be rounded and cute.
- Aimed at young children, particularly girls.
- He will be able to sit in his own screen while the child is busy on the computer and make cute noises/movements if left alone for too long.
- He will have several different movements/ characteristics:
- His eyes/head will follow the mouse
- After a certain amount of time he will become hungry and whine for food/attention etc.
- He will fall asleep if he is tired or bored."
I could have improved my project by making the pet have more of a mind of his own, and by making him move more freely. However, I think this would have been a bit over my head and I'm glad I decided to make the project more simple than this because I still learnt an awful lot, and was able to spend time adding minor details like sound effects and a 'Game Over' screen.
Another thing I would have liked to change if I had more time was to make a more challenging game. The reason this game is so simple is because it was a last minute idea. If I was making this product for use in real life I would definately have spent more time on the game, probably making an option to play 3 different games, and the happiness-ometer would go either up or down depending on whether the games were completed or failed.
