DevLog: Week 9 Project Development

Week 9 was dedicated to technical synthesis. Under tutor guidance, I focused on compounding my previous modules—event-driven triggers, DOTween animations, and state logic, into a cohesive 3D prototype: "Coin Game: The 30-Second Challenge."

The goal was to prove that my individual systems could work together in a high-intensity, performant game loop.

Technical Highlights:

• System Integration: I integrated the Game Manager (State Machine) with a UI Manager powered by DOTween. This ensured that the transition from the "Start" state to "Active Play" was seamless, with UI elements animating based on game events.

• 3D Spatial Design: Using ProBuilder, I greyboxed an environment specifically tuned to player movement metrics. This allowed for rapid iteration of the level layout to ensure the 30-second time limit felt challenging yet fair.

• Optimized Collection Logic: I implemented an efficient "Coin" system using ScriptableObjects for data (point values/types) and a decoupled trigger system for collection. This ensured that adding new coin types required zero changes to the core C# code.

• Polishing the Loop: I added "Juice" to the prototype by layering camera shakes and haptic feedback triggers, ensuring the short-form gameplay felt responsive and professional.

Reflection: The Developer Workflow

This week demonstrated the value of the "modular" approach I’ve taken throughout this bootcamp. Because my systems were decoupled, I could build a fully functional 3D prototype in a single session. It shifted my focus from "how to code a feature" to "how to balance a game," a critical step for any aspiring Gameplay Programmer.