Hi all, I need some help with a preview I wrote for a site. I was wondering if someone would be good enough to give the document that is in the spoiler bit a check over for grammar, etc. I ask as I have been writing voluntary for a site and have been doing fine, but now a new editor have come in decided to rip apart this document.
I was looking for a 2nd opinion on it as I am no writer by any means and have learnt as I have gone along. I know I got a few mistakes in it, but I didn't think it was as bad as it was made out. Any help from people who know more about writing than me, would be appreciated. Thanks
I was looking for a 2nd opinion on it as I am no writer by any means and have learnt as I have gone along. I know I got a few mistakes in it, but I didn't think it was as bad as it was made out. Any help from people who know more about writing than me, would be appreciated. Thanks
Project Spark is a world-creation game, or app, as that seems to be the “term” on tablets, and Microsoft Store. It allows the gamer to become a designer, and what you can create is only limited by your imagination. Unfortunately, the beta is very limited as to what you can actually do, but it is still fun to play around with, and create your own level which you can actually play after you have made it. At this moment in time, the beta is only available for Windows 8.1 users, so this probably had a major Impact on the actual number of people who signed up to the beta, given that Windows 8 is still not everyone’s cup of tea.
When you begin Project Spark you are presented with an introduction that explains the goals of the game – to create and play in a sandbox world. The intro actually looks quite nice with stunning, vibrant colours showing off the universe in which you play. Then you come to a nice, simply laid out main menu, where you can choose what you want to do; play community-created content, computer generated content, or start to create your own masterpiece. Also included is a good tutorial so that you can learn the basics needed to go and create the world of your dreams, then test it out and upload it for other members of the community to play and edit.
Veterans of simulation games that allow you to build your own worlds and cities will feel at home, as the fundamentals are the pretty much the same. You begin with a small map and all the tools that you need to start building your level. You got a paint tool that allows you to add various textures to the land such as grass, trees, snows and rivers, for starters. The editor also makes it easy to create mountains, and this is accomplished by simply dragging the cursor to where you want it, and then use the sliders to adjust the scale and intensity. At the bottom of the screen you will notice a progress bar, this allows you to fast forward or rewind time. This is handy, as you can make changes to your world and if you don’t like it, then you drag the bar left and undo the change, or if you think “I like that,” then you can drag to the right to redo them.
Next you then get to choose what characters you want living in your newly created world. These range from humanoid creatures like Orcs, to animals like squirrels. Once placed in the world, you can then alter their behaviour by using simple “If this…do this” mechanics so that you can get to grips with programming with learning a whole language. So essentially, with just a few clicks you could create an Arctic Squirrel, which has the ability to throw fireballs around the world, which it actually quite cool. Of course there are more detailed options available, but for people starting out and looking for some fun without a steep learning curve, then this is the creator for them.
Then after your level is completed you are ready to explore it and take a walk around. This is done by using the typical third-person controls of WSAD and mouse, but keep in mind that that the default character only has a double jump, roll, and punch available. Enemies can be added and programmed using the same mechanics as the character you create. Of course if you are not great at designing a new world, fear not as the community have created quite a few good games. One that sticks out is the Flappy Bird clone, which is very creative. The visuals are nice, but unfortunately quite generic. While it should not be a deal breaker, the simplistic graphics may not be to everyone taste, but the specs needed are quite low. This beta was run using a Dual-Core I5 laptop with an HD 4000 graphic chip, and the game runs smoothly.
Overall, Project Spark is a very enjoyable experience, and consideration that it is in beta stage, very polished. Sure you are restricted with the amount of stuff available to create a world, but it still gives enough that a creative mind can create a playable world. It will be interesting to see what happens when the game is out of beta, as then we should see some very interesting levels created by the community.
When you begin Project Spark you are presented with an introduction that explains the goals of the game – to create and play in a sandbox world. The intro actually looks quite nice with stunning, vibrant colours showing off the universe in which you play. Then you come to a nice, simply laid out main menu, where you can choose what you want to do; play community-created content, computer generated content, or start to create your own masterpiece. Also included is a good tutorial so that you can learn the basics needed to go and create the world of your dreams, then test it out and upload it for other members of the community to play and edit.
Veterans of simulation games that allow you to build your own worlds and cities will feel at home, as the fundamentals are the pretty much the same. You begin with a small map and all the tools that you need to start building your level. You got a paint tool that allows you to add various textures to the land such as grass, trees, snows and rivers, for starters. The editor also makes it easy to create mountains, and this is accomplished by simply dragging the cursor to where you want it, and then use the sliders to adjust the scale and intensity. At the bottom of the screen you will notice a progress bar, this allows you to fast forward or rewind time. This is handy, as you can make changes to your world and if you don’t like it, then you drag the bar left and undo the change, or if you think “I like that,” then you can drag to the right to redo them.
Next you then get to choose what characters you want living in your newly created world. These range from humanoid creatures like Orcs, to animals like squirrels. Once placed in the world, you can then alter their behaviour by using simple “If this…do this” mechanics so that you can get to grips with programming with learning a whole language. So essentially, with just a few clicks you could create an Arctic Squirrel, which has the ability to throw fireballs around the world, which it actually quite cool. Of course there are more detailed options available, but for people starting out and looking for some fun without a steep learning curve, then this is the creator for them.
Then after your level is completed you are ready to explore it and take a walk around. This is done by using the typical third-person controls of WSAD and mouse, but keep in mind that that the default character only has a double jump, roll, and punch available. Enemies can be added and programmed using the same mechanics as the character you create. Of course if you are not great at designing a new world, fear not as the community have created quite a few good games. One that sticks out is the Flappy Bird clone, which is very creative. The visuals are nice, but unfortunately quite generic. While it should not be a deal breaker, the simplistic graphics may not be to everyone taste, but the specs needed are quite low. This beta was run using a Dual-Core I5 laptop with an HD 4000 graphic chip, and the game runs smoothly.
Overall, Project Spark is a very enjoyable experience, and consideration that it is in beta stage, very polished. Sure you are restricted with the amount of stuff available to create a world, but it still gives enough that a creative mind can create a playable world. It will be interesting to see what happens when the game is out of beta, as then we should see some very interesting levels created by the community.
