studio_synth
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We are a group of UCF Game Design students working on a research project that involves creating a game that uses a piano as a controller.
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Getting to Know Lead Designer, Francisco Tous II
Today we will be featuring a written interview with Francisco Tous II, the Lead Designer working on "Celestial Symphony." He is currently in his senior year at the University of Central Florida studying Digital Media: Game Design. Francisco also worked on a map for Company of Heroes 2, which has been a top rated map since 2013. Check out the map on steam.
What are some projects you’ve worked on so far?
I made a map for Company of Heroes 2 with a friend, neither of us had really made anything for a game before but we decided to give it a shot and we managed to make a map that the community loves to play. Then I was involved in a project for casual game design where I made a match 3 game, it was probably one of my favorite projects as it was a complete game made from scratch. It might have been simple but it was a game my team and I could say we made.
What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on a research project that utilizes a midi piano as a controller. The idea of using a piano to manipulate planets in sandbox style game is very unique and helps me understand that sometimes you can’t rely on conventions to create a game and that creativity is key. I just finished redesigning core mechanics for the game after finally coming up with a system that is simple yet effective.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I think the best part of my work is trying to come up with the structure of a game. Figuring out core mechanics and overall achieving an understanding of how the game is going to play out. It’s a task that is frustrating as you try to figure out all the kinks in the systems yet rewarding when it all comes together and you can step back and smile as you watch it all come together.
What are some of the challenges you’ve come across so far?
The biggest challenge would have to be implementation of the piano and tying it to game play. Due to the fact it’s a completely different style of control set up, a lot of conventions simply don’t apply. That means that there was quite a bit of time doing what I feel was essentially reinventing the wheel. It also made understanding how core mechanics would work a bit more difficult but in the end it was a good way to break from conventions and really think about how to tackle the issue.
What are you most excited for?
At this point I am probably most excited to see how this game turns out. It is the most unique thing I’ve ever worked on and I would be lying if I didn’t say that this was at the top of my list.
What are your career goals?
My current plan after graduation is to find a job within the Orlando area, preferably in the simulation area so I can get the experience needed for other jobs. The idea is to use it as a stepping stone for now. I am also hoping that I can work on some side projects with those I’ve made connections with.
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Celestial Symphony
Interview with Lily Nghi, Creative Director
We are Studio Synth, a group of Game Design students working on a research project that utilizes a Piano as a controller. The project officially started on August 25th and is currently in Pre-Production. Below is an interview with Lily Nghi, the Creative Director on the project.
What can you tell us about Celestial Symphony?
Celestial Symphony is a game about being able to terraform planets with the use of a PHYSICAL piano controller. The protagonist, Ta-re-nah, has the ability to use the four elements to shape planets, and wants to compose a new solar system after the one she previously lived in was engulfed by a supernova. I got the initial concept after talking with our professor, who focuses on experimental games. The main goal is to have a fun and educational product that she and other professors in UCF’s Games Research Lab can base studies off of.
What was your inspiration?
There are a lot of world building games that I enjoy - Spore and Minecraft were huge childhood inspirations. It also takes a bit from a jam game I helped do over the summer called Musical Memeories. It is loosely based off of Louie Zong’s video Musical Words, and makes objects appear on the screen after playing a piano.
What type of experience is the game going to give to players?
I have a lot of fun mindlessly and randomly getting things made. Of course, we designed objectives for our game to motivate the player to keep going, but I would be fine even without them. I know Celestial Symphony will be enjoyable to just play, especially with a foreign game controller. We also want to make sure that anyone can play, and hope that those who initially do not know how to play the piano can “accidentally learn” during the process.
What are some of the challenges you’ve come across so far?
I think our biggest hurdle right now is trying to figure out how the HUD is going to work. We were solid on the idea of having a piano that the player can see on screen as well. It would convey a lot of information, such as what notes to play next, and what is currently being pressed. However, it does take up a lot of space, so the Design Team is figuring out an alternative. The keyboard may be replaced with music staves. I like the concept, since it definitely conveys most of what the keyboard did, and it will teach players how to read sheet music as well.
What are you most excited for?
Stepping aside from the game for a bit to talk about my team… everyone has a very strong purpose in the group. Above anything else, I want my fellow classmates, who are seniors now, to play the role they want to pursue once they graduate, so everyone can have a strong portfolio piece that they are proud to show off. Everyone is such a dedicated worker: even though school did not start again until a week after Hurricane Irma hit us in Florida, everyone was ready to bounce back and get to work immediately. I am already having a great time collaborating with them and I am eager to watch everybody grow to heights they can’t even imagine from this experience.
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