DENGCHEN MEI

In class, I completed the creation of a Zelda-like dungeon game with my team members. Unlike the game jam experience, this time our project is much more detailed. We had plenty of time to improve our game by adding more content to our game demo, debugging, and optimizing our algorithms.

We didn't have a clear division of labor this time, because we always thought this was a small project, and all of us wanted to be more familiar with our project, so we tried to let everyone touch each part when we assigned tasks. For example, the person responsible for a player attack the first time might be assigned to enemy tracking the next time. We also always felt that if the project size was large, we would have to have each team member focus on one part.

It was a relatively complete group experience. We have divided the whole semester into 5 phases:

Stage 1:
1. Design sprites (moving and animated sprites, nonmoving and animated sprites, moving and non-animated sprites, nonmoving and non-animated sprites).
2. Add the player and its basic moves.

Stage 2:
1. Add some basic enemy moves and attacks (only moves, no damage for now).
2. Add player melee and ranged attack action sprites.
3. Add the player hit status.
4. Add item sprites.

Stage 3:
1. Design rooms and levels.
2. Add hitbox to detect attacks and object collisions.
3. Pick up items to unlock bullets.

Stage 4:
1. Add HUD.
2. Add the camera move.
3. Add the player life system.
4. Add the enemy tracking system.

Stage 5:
1. Add the final boss and design the attack mode.
2. Optimize your program.
I fully participated in the game production and was the leader of our team. Each phase lasts for two weeks. I will arrange our meeting time to discuss the problems that need to be solved and assign work. When someone fails to complete the task, we will take timely measures and give corresponding punishments. Celebrate together when all tasks are completed successfully. The whole process is smooth.

In the whole process, I learned:

• Enhanced practical skills by assisting experienced professionals in various tasks.
• Developed proficiency in industry-specific tools and software through hands-on training.
• Built strong relationships with team members and supervisors, fostering a positive work environment.
• Received constructive feedback from mentors, leading to improved performance and increased knowledge.

Participated in the China Game Jam Shenzhen station, the team developed the game for 48 hours, successfully finished the game, and won the participation award. Our team used the domestic game engine COCOS and typescript to make a maze-like game. I was mainly responsible for enemy design, including attack mode, A* wayfinding model, etc. During the project, I actively participated in the selection of the game theme and the discussion of gameplay design, and successfully completed the sections I was responsible for. There are some problems along the way, such as whether to move both enemies towards the same cell if the target shift point is the same in a turn, or whether only one of the enemies moves and the others remain motionless. After discussion with the planner, it was decided to adopt the latter. Although it did not win the grand prize, it was still a very valuable learning and cooperation experience.

When the COVID-19 broke out, all affected Chinese cities were placed under mandatory quarantine. We were told to stay in our own homes and isolate ourselves. I volunteered to be a volunteer, distributing things like water and food to our community. I've had residents break down and yell at me or do hurtful things to me, and I understand them very well, so instead of fighting back, I really try to persuade them and reassure them that everything is going to be okay. It also taught me how to communicate better with different people or people in different emotional states. I'm also better integrated into our community. We were told to stay in our own homes and isolate ourselves. I volunteered to be a volunteer, distributing things like water and food to our community. I've had residents break down and yell at me or do hurtful things to me, and I understand them very well, so instead of fighting back, I really try to persuade them and reassure them that everything is going to be okay. After a while, they would calm down and apologize to me and thank me for my advice. Now, I still get messages from them thanking me for what I did during that period.

In the whole process, I learned:

• Communicate better with different people or people in different emotional states.
• Give myself when the community needs me.