7P9 Bloxels

I created a level of a game using the Star Wars Bloxels. The object is to get to the top and collect all the coins. I first created my level on the board using the physical blocks. Then I took a picture of it to get it on the ipad. Finally, I edited the level in the Star Wars Bloxels app until it looked the way I wanted it to. I created this because it was easy, so I could get it done in the short time I had in class.

During this project, I learned how important the spacing is when creating a level of a video game. When I was first starting on this project, my character kept hitting the bottom of the platform above them, so they couldn't jump where they needed to. In other places the platforms were to far apart, so the character would miss them. I learned how the Bloxels characters jumped, and how to space everything properly.

This project ties to a few of the MITECS standards. One of theses standards in Empowered Learner. This projects is tied to Empowered Learner because I had to figure out what kind of a game I wanted to make, and how to do it using the Star Wars Bloxels. Another standard this project is tied to is Knowledge Constructor. On the MITECS website, under Knowledge Constructor, it says that students "Plan and employ effective research strategies to locate information and other researches for their intellectual or creative pursuits." I had a to do this to figure out how to use Bloxels. I had never heard of them, and had no idea how they worked. I found a tutorial video that helped me figure out how to use the Bloxels and complete this project. A third standard that this project ties to is Innovative Designer. This standard is all about using the design process. I had to test and adjust my level several times before I got something that worked.

A challenged I faced during this project was the spacing of the platforms. When I began making my level, the character would hit the top of one at times, and that would interfere with jumping. At other times, the pieces of land were too far apart, an the character would miss them. I was able to overcome this challenge by adjusting the placement of everything until it worked properly.

If I had more time and could do the project again, I might try to learn how to do a little more with Bloxels. I think I might try to create a character and animate it. I think I would add a story line to make it more fun. I would also like to add a few more scenes.

This project would be useful in a career if I wanted to create video games. I learned how to space everything right so that the character could complete the level. I had to place the hazards and coins so that there was little bit of a challenge getting some of them. It also got me thinking about some other ideas an activities that would be useful if I chose to pursue that path.