The book is by the ‘Gang of Four’ so… Image from here.
Specific
I will understand each pattern presented in the book ‘Design Patterns’ so that they could be used in the context of my game development. This will make my project structure more robust and easier to build upon. I will do this by creating sample projects to illustrate each of them in action in simple console applications using C++. I will complete this in 2 of the 26 patterns per week and expect to have the goal completed in 13 weeks.
Measurable
I will know that this is complete when I have example projects for each of the patterns covered in the book. This will be the measurable outcome.
Achievable
This is achievable because I am already using some of these patterns without realising that they are design standards. A similar skill that I have learned is the concept of Object Oriented programming in general and the design patterns feel like a natural extension of that. The skill level that I intend to achieve is intermediate as I have already created complex projects in Unreal. One thing that may interfere with the achievement of this goal is that I may find unexpected complexity in areas of programming that I have not yet explored. Should that happen, I will conduct additional research or reach out to tutors for advice.
Relevant
This is relevant because Unreal and Unity are both engines I wish to use and they both use an object oriented approach. Its also relevant because I have enough skill with Unreal to quickly create a complex project, but I need help to organise my thoughts and intentions in advance of that execution. I will need this skill in the future as I intend to become a professional game developer. This is the right time to pursue this goal as I require the skill immediately and would see an improvement in my projects very quickly.
Time bound
There is a lot of material to cover here and I would expect that this may take around 3 month’s to complete. I will aim to complete 1 example of 2 patterns each week until I have covered all 26 of them.
*Update – I have realised that I already own a book called Game Programming Patterns and I think that I would like to explore that book also. So, on my newly created Trello board (more on that later) I have also listed the patterns, or at least this authors explanation’s of them as to do items in the main SMART goal. I think that its appropriate and helpful to have some of the patterns explained from two authors and I feel that the game patterns book is going to present patterns that are more appropriate to what I want to learn about at the moment.
Hello, my name is Mike. I am an aspiring game developer enjoying a second chance at life. Sounds deep right? I know, but its true. I am from London and from 2007 I owned a clothing business selling Barbour, Hunter, Joules and so on. I didn't like it. I kind of fell into it and by the time I knew I didn't like it I was committed and needed to follow through. In 2009 I met Natalie, my Cornish maid and once our little girl came along in 2015, we decided that Cornwall would be a better life for her than London. In the meantime, the business had suffered tremendous difficulty having been burgled twice. Insurance? What can I say. I ended up suing (and winning) the broker for selling me an incomplete policy. It was hard. When I arrived in Cornwall having shut the business down and generally being in pretty poor health, stressed and disappointed, my Wife (whom I would need exist without) tried to talk me into having 3 months off! Ha, I said, I would go crazy. Well the question was 'what are you going to do then'?
Turned out that I had a HND (most of a Degree) that qualified me for the course Games Design For Industry BA Top Up. I had always wanted to make video games for a living and so I applied, got on the course, worked like my life depended on it and came out with a 1st. If you're thinking 'why d'you have to say it like that and tell us the grade you loser'? Here's the thing, that HND was supposed to be a Degree in Computer Graphics and Games but, in my youthful wisdom, I played games more than studied them and failed. Then I went back to do the last year again and just couldn't hit my stride, so failed again. Imagine getting another chance to sort that mistake out... That was not going to happen again.
Having completed that course I and a friend I met there, Ethan, have set up Sofa Ninja Studios and are working on a game that was born on the course called Serial Link. I am very proud of where we are and I cannot believe that I have the chance to do this for real. We have a playable demo and will hopefully run a kickstarter early this year. Its a mature (code for violence and swearing) shooter where the player gets to shoot and use powers gifted to him.
Have a look at one of the latest videos although there has already been more development. I did warn you about the content...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv9R5ktCiA0&t=46sLinks to an external site.
I took to the game design and logic (cant call it coding, its Unreal blueprinting right now...) very well and feel that this is where I am meant to be. I am learning C++ and would like to make the transition to 'proper coder' this year if I can. Being in business for myself taught me the value of self discipline and being intrinsically motivated and so I carry those lessons with me into my new career. With my beautiful family behind me, Im ready.
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Chronicles of a Sofa Ninja 
4 thoughts on “SMART: Design Patterns”