Programming for Artists
 
MEL Test 2
 
April 27, 2004
 
 
 
Using the Maya scene file "CatNMouse.mb", design and implement an interesting videogame. The file "CatNMouse.mb" contains two spheres of diameter 10. One is the "Cat" and the other is the "Mouse". If you select the cat and move him towards the mouse, you will find that the mouse tries to run away from the cat. You will also discover the following:
(1) The mouse's universe is bounded by invisible walls and the mouse bounces off of them.
(2) If the cat does catch the mouse, it cries "ouch!" and jumps to the center of the screen.
(3) The whole thing works through expressions and all the code is in the expression editor.
 

 

 
Things to do to make the game more interesting:
(1) Design a 3D cat and a 3D mouse-- or whatever creatures you choose for "cat" and "mouse". (keep the geometry light)
(2) Animate the cat and the mouse. (maybe a simple 2-cycle or 4-cycle animation for each)
(3) Have the game keep score. You may want to draw upon your vending machine skills.
(4) Put a time limit on the game.
(5) Put real walls in place of the imaginary ones.
(6) Make the mouse explode and disappear when captured.
(7) Place more mice into the game.
(8) Put obstacles into the game and have the cat and mice bounce off of them or work around them.
(9) Tweak the numbers in the equations to make them more interesting.
(10) Make the game more difficult as you go along. Maybe the mice move faster? Different levels?
(11) Make the game more 3-dimensional. Have it work in all 3 dimensions.
(12) Have color play a dynamic role. (e.g., Mouse turns redder each time captured.)
(13) Place a bin within the room and corral mice into the bin.
(14) Like Krazy Kat, make the cat fall in love with the mouse.
(15) Find ways to incorporate dialog boxes into the game.
 

 

 
Choose from the above list things that are appropriate for your game. We'll also welcome new and novel ideas, of course, that don't fit into the above list.
 
This is an open book test. You can use other resources found on your computer as well. However, you cannot discuss anything with your fellow students. Each must do the project on his own. Please put your finished work by 6 PM into the transfer folder: /FTPFolder/GeneralClasses/Transfer Folder/Duane/MEL Class S03/MEL Test 2. In a folder with your name, please put a project containing your finished "mb" file and all related geometry, images and MEL scripts needed to make it work. Also put a list of instructions to run it and a separate text file showing the code you wrote. Please test it from the transfer folder to make sure it will run. You may continue to work on it during the week. If you do put a newer version in the transfer folder during the week, please send me an email telling me about it.
 
Thanks,
 
Duane.