Planning to Fill the Holes

Skills and Knowledge Plan

Ok, so we have addressed the skill gaps, but how do we go about filling these gaps? here is a plan of how I wish to overcome these skill gaps:

Specifically:

1. To gain a moderate knowledge of programming/coding to carry out the full project (Systemic)
2. To advance the polish of my personal art style and visual skills (Visual)
3. To further develop my personal writing style (Research & Dissertation) 

1. Gain a moderate knowledge of programming/coding to carry out the full project (Systemic)

Understanding of JavaScipt

Week 1-4:

Newbie Guide: http://forum.unity3d.com/threads/34015-Newbie-guide-to-Unity-Javascript-(long)

Unity3D Student: http://www.unity3dstudent.com/category/modules/beginner/

Youtube tutorial of the basics of JavaScript:

Understanding of C#

Week 2-8:

Learn Scripting in C# for Unity: http://catlikecoding.com/unity/tutorials/

A Youtube tutorial of the basics of C#

Specific programming of Game Events

Week 8-12:

Unity Answers Forum: http://answers.unity3d.com/index.html

Unity Forum: http://forum.unity3d.com/forum.php

Unify Community: http://wiki.unity3d.com/index.php/Main_Page

Read 'A Theory Of Fun: for Game Design': to gain a better knowledge of how to balance the challenge and skill within the game.

Understanding of programming Menus and Transitions

Week 12-16:
Unity Wiki: http://wiki.unity3d.com/index.php/MainMenu

EZ GUI, another method of menu creation in Unity: http://www.anbsoft.com/middleware/ezgui/

Very useful Youtube tutorial showing the creation of Menus in Unity. 

2. Advance the polish of my personal art style and visual ability (Visual)

Defining Personal Art Style through Practice

Week 1-4:

Checking our artists at CG Society to see what styles other people have: http://forums.cgsociety.org/

Also looking for style comparison on Deviant Art: http://www.deviantart.com/

Sketching within my sketchbook.

Reading 'Video Game Art': for inspiration and practice.

Life Drawing & Anatomy

Week 2-8:Life drawing sessions at Abertay University every Wednesday 5-7pm.

Posemaniacs: http://www.posemaniacs.com/

Reading 'Figure Drawing: For all it's Worth': Practicing various oses for the character.

Character Design

Week 8-12:

Taking inspiration from character design blogs:http://characterdesign.blogspot.co.uk/

http://borjamontoro.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.characterdesignpage.com/

Reading 'Fantast Workshop': to help develop my digital painting skills and for character design.

Environment Design

Week 12-16:

Learning from my friend Lorenz who is a concept artist working freelance: http://hideyoshi.deviantart.com/gallery/

Environment ideas: http://byte.frostdesign.com.au/archives/tag/environmental-design

Reading 'Video Game Art': for inspiration and practice with drawing game environments. 

3. Develop my personal writing style to convey information in a succinct manner (Research and Dissertation)

Use of Exaggerated Language

Week 1-4:

Meetings with Dayna to go over my dissertation draft structure and ensure my writing is appropriate.

Read academic journals on game and see how they are written: http://gamestudies.org/1202

Succinct Writing

Week 2-8:

Read 'Key Themes in media Theory': to get an idea of how to write a relevant and succinct dissertation.

Clear Methodology

Week 8-12:

Read and practice 'The Laws of Writing a Good Dissertation'

http://www.gabbay.org.uk/papers/talks/20081022-lawwgd.pdf

Literature and Research

Week 12-16:

Read through sections of your current 12 month subscription of Edge Magazine: for relevant connections to literature as well as new and current trends and information on game studies.