Bio-Inspired Flight - Games Project

A 3D drone simulator game for a Software Product Engineering module in my second year of University. 

For a Java-based module in my second year of university, I led a team of 3 developers through a project. Our client was a PhD research group with a brief to create a tool for their drone flying outreach workshop.

Summary: Due to the requirement of creating the project in Java, using popular game engines like Unity/Unreal Engine was ruled out. Combining proprietary systems and assets, Processing 3 and Android Studio, we created a drone flight simulator complete with 'bio-inspired' attachments to add an extra gameplay layer.

My Contributions: 

• Software Architechture
  

With the task of integrating proprietary systems and existing APIs such as Processing 3 and Android Studio, a good architecture would be needed. Using my knowledge of game systems and SOLID development principles, I mapped out the original design for the project's different systems.

• Game and Physics Engine:
  

Of the systems highlighted above, I was responsible for building the visitor pattern-based engine that handled game physics, gameplay mechanics (boosts, collisions, interactions), and user input; each acting as 'visitors' to alter the game state in their own ways. The repository can be found here. This was designed due to the pattern's innate ability to expand functionality, essential for optimised gameplay engine design. 

• Asset Creation:
  

I also created 3D assets for the game, allowing me to develop my modelling techniques in Autodesk Maya. 

• Project Management:
  

I was also responsible for managing the Agile development cycle and communications with our client. I led meetings for initial requirement gathering, feedback sessions, and general updates surrounding the project. Through consistent communication, we were able to gain invaluable insights into our products, iterate appropriately, and fulfill requirements (both functional and non-functional) as efficiently as we could.