Evaluation

Now that I have finally completed the magazine, it is time for an evaluation. First of all the research, I thought I have done really bad and poor quality research at first so I have gone over everything and redone the research completely, if not just added more to it. If there was more time then I would have further improved my research and begin to go through in a lot more detail. Also I would have taken more screen shots and images, plus more detail on work.

I have to admit I am happy with all the prototypes of covers I have done along many different image manipulations. By doing this I have further extended in showing what I am capable of. Also this has helped me get a further understanding and more use out of Photoshop. I would have done more though due to given time.

Putting the magazine together was fun but time consuming. Sorting out all the columns, typing out entire reviews, previews and tips takes a lot to do too. For the reviews I had to go back to old games and replay them, getting to a certain point where I know they are easy to review and point out all the good and bad bits about each game in particular. Previewing includes plenty of research on new coming games. The research can be obtained by looking at various websites for information and watching videos to soak in the gameplay and details. Finally the tips were by playing the games, finding the easy way to accomplish tasks and give helpful advice through experience.

I have done several sections within the magazine, News, Intro, Online section, all sorts. I am happy with the amount of contents included, although it took me a few months, I managed to finally put together a magazine with lots of different features. Although I am hoping if I get a next time, I will round up a team to severely help increase the amount of contents, thus more of everything will be included. As having a team can show teamwork, can get a lot of work done within the day, the magazine would have a lot more done within the month and could also be monthly too.

The online section is more of a guide of what can be done if the magazine became successful. I do think it is a good way to show that the online section is ready if the magazine becomes successful. I am considering thinking of continuing the production of the magazine if the audience enjoys the magazine and are willing to read, communicate and enjoy the magazine after every month. I could have improved this by advertising the magazine around the internet, mainly focusing around Nintendo gamers, this way I could have built up, even a small audience ready for when the magazine becomes available. I would have also included a forum for the readers to interact with each other.

I have made a leader board which I thought was a good idea for again, when the magazine gets some audience. Each month will be coming up with new challenges and tasks for each member to participate to make the top of the board, or even in fact an entrance onto the board. This shows the competitive side of people and also can show determination and commitment. Singles out the best players to form groups. I could have improved this by advertising the leader board and rounding up submitted scores.

The news section, I had to wait until E3 for this section. As disappointing as E3 was, I managed to gather a group of information and turn the whole section about E3, mainly about the new Nintendo Wii U. Also a feature or selected new games for the upcoming Wii U. Due to the news section, it requires all the up to date information so I wasn’t able to start until the beginning of June which was cutting it close for the deadline.

I have also done an art gallery of some of my image manipulation which helps show what I am capable of. I also needed to do a few for another project so why not throw some in. This also helps to show what can be shown within the magazines plus people will be able to submit their own art if they either want to demonstrate what they can do, have a kick start in the art career or just for fun.

Overall I think my progress through magazine has been steady and consistent. Also I think it was a good experience to write out a whole magazine on my own, although next time I would gather a team that are willing to help out and get their work published. I could have also done with a video camera so I could have put up some videos for the magazine and have more of a timeline to learn more about all the features about InDesign. Overall I have enjoyed this.

Updated covers

I have now updated the front and back covers. What I have done is make the text stand out more with a simpler, yet eye catchy white with curving effects. Also the back cover now features just one character. Here are the final versions.

Overview of what I have managed to do so far

So far I have managed to:

Design the front and back cover: I have done some Photoshopping for the front cover using various Nintendo characters. By doing this I have managed to draw attention to what is inside the magazine by looking at the cover. The only thing is that the font is boring and needs work, plus the back cover is a bit everywhere, so I will be going back over them. I do think the covers work though.

Introduction and contents: These sections are very basic, the introduction is only for introducing and talking a bit about what the magazine is about. I do want to edit the contents a bit to make shortcuts to the designated page.

Previews and Reviews: I have gone over several released games and reviewed them after completing them. Also I have done several previews of upcoming games, I only need to do more previews but I am going to wait due to E3 which is between 5th-7th June. I would have liked to video some games but I do not have the required equipment.

Hints and tips: I have done a section for hints and tips, this will help players who are stuck on current games, given on the amount of time left and needing to tidy up and do a layout on the magazine, I would have done some more games and bigger amounts of hints and tips but unfortunately I am one man doing a whole magazine.

Art gallery: I have got several of my art and placed it within the magazine. I am thinking of doing a slide screen of each image on two separate pages. This will increase the amount of different methods I have done to create the magazine.

Leaderboards and online section: This is where the fans will be getting involved. This will allow me and the fans to interact, have fun and also set up clans, making new friends is a good option too. The leaderboards are there for competitive players.

I have also done several screenshots of the games that are getting reviewed, previewed and the hints and tips section. I am also tempted to do multiple screenshots and turn the images into a scroll through which can show several screenshots in one space.

So far the magazine is coming along nicely, but quite a few edits is needed and alot needs to have been gone through so I better get started.

Experiment with Indesign movements

I am now experimenting with moving images across screens. First of all I have set the animations on a different layer. Then I made my object within the layer. I then tested out with making a motion path with my pen tool after selecting them both together. After creating a motion path I then set the circle to on click and turned off on page load.  Here is a screen shot of what I did with this.

Next I have decided to include a sound within my circle so I then placed in a sound, moved it off the page and tested out that the sound was working. When this is all fine I then proceed to the next step. 

Finally I then clicked back on my circle and made a button out of it, so when I click on the circle, it will begin moving and make the sound effects. This is just a simple way to make an animation.

Paper Mario 3DS Preview

The brand new Paper Mario game is getting released on the Nintendo 3DS, no release dates have been confirmed unfortunately.  Great news though that Paper Mario has gone back to the way it originally was, an RPG! The first two Paper Mario games were amazing, Super Paper Mario was kind of a let down as it does’nt follow the elements of the orginal two. Anyway that is enough about that, I am sure you want to know about the new release title.

First of all, the system is back to turn based fights, which is what Paper Mario is all about. By the looks of some of the special moves Mario can use, such as cutting out the enemy or using a fan to blow away the enemies, Mario has a huge range of special moves to perform and help out during battles. Mario is also seen walking around with a Toad with green spots. Maybe a possible ally? No others have been spotted following Mario, neither has any allies been seen during a fight, so maybe they return, maybe they don’t only time will tell.

First strike is back again which gives you a chance to attack your enemy first before the      actual battle starts, giving you a good advantage within the fight. Also there appears to be a lucky slot during battle, if you match all three then you get a bonus, as seen getting three coins spews out loads of coins for Mario to collect.

Overall Paper Mario seems to be an amazing title, even among the top ten of all 3DS games, will it live to these standards though? Only time will tell. Paper Mario games that are RPG have always been amazing and this games looks like it is no exception. So be prepared for any information that will be given out.

Luigi's Mansion 3DS Preview

A sequel to Luigi’s Mansion has been wanted by fans for several years now. Fans can now rejoice as Luigi’s Mansion 2 has deffinately been confirmed to be released on the Nintendo 3DS, sadly no release date has been given as of yet. Professor E. Gadd asks Luigi to begin searching mansions (thats right, not just one this time) to capture ghosts and obtain more treasure. By the looks of it, Luigi has an updated version of his Poltergust. By the looks of it, the mansions are even bigger aswell, they include many different aspects in rooms. The room that caught my eye the most is the Egyptian room. Seeing a mummy rise from the sarcophagus has really made me want this game more.

Capturing ghosts seems to be different too. Instead of doing the flash with your torch, you seem to need to charge your torch and release for a huge flash of light, which will ofcourse, stun the ghost. Their health will be displayed and this will be your chance to vacuum up the ghost. When this happens you hold down the vacuum and move the control stick in the  opposite direction the ghost is trying to run away. When the ghosts health reaches zero, you have pretty much caught the ghost.

Overall Luigi’s Mansion 2 looks like it is shaping up extreamely well, brilliant graphics,  brilliant sound, plenty of rooms and mansions to explore. Deffinately looks a lot better than the original. I for one cannot wait for the release of this game. So get watching videos, read up about the game and get excited too!

Fire Emblem Shadow Dragon Review

Fire Emblem Shadow Dragon

Console: Nintendo DS
Genre: Strategy
Multiplayer: 1-2
Wi-Fi: Yes

Shadow Dragon is a remake from the very first Fire Emblem which was exclusively released for Japan. Shadow Dragon gives us a chance to play an up to date version of the original with added extras. The main character within this game is Marth, prince of Altea. Your kingdom is under attack as you try to fight your way out for survival, losing a comrade or two just to help you survive. After you escape, you manage to flee to Talys, which Marth manages to stay for a few years. A group of pirates attack which leaves Marth and his small army to defend the small country at all costs. After the pirates have been defeated, the king of Talys tells Marth that it is time to retake his lost country and gives him some soldiers to aid Marth in his quest.

Throughout all of my playthroughs I have always used atleast one Berserker. I find these the best class of the game. There are so many other classes such as Swordmasters, Ballistas, and even Manaketes (stone wielders that turn into dragons). Each class have their own unique play styles, tactics and special abilities. Thieves play the role of, well breaking into doors and chests. Generals usually block most attacks with their huge defence, Berserkers swarm the field with their high power plus high critical hits and speed. Healers usually stay at the back and either use distant staves to heal far off comrades or may have to go close. Mages deal magical damage which are very powerful but usually lack defence.

Each stage usually requires thinking and strategic planning to conquer the map. With some maps, depending on your Berserkers stats, you could just send out the Berserker and he will clear the whole field. I have managed this on several times and it feels good taking out an army with one character. Experiment with each class, predict your enemies, even heal regularly to keep your characters safe. Keep an eyes on your weapon usage too, each weapon only has a certain amount of uses before it breaks so it is advised to bring plenty of each weapon of choice to keep your characters fuelled for battle.

Another amazing feature is forging. Once per map, you have the option to forge one of your weapons, making them more powerful, more accurate and more deadly with criticals. Another example with the Berserker is that I forged a Hand Axe to maximum strength and increased the critical rate to 30. Berserkers also manage to have a plus 20 bonus critical due to their skill so you will be landing a critical hit once every two attacks. You can also do arena training to increase your levels even further. There are so many new features included in Shadow Dragon.

You can make a team of five from your profile and connect to your friends and challenge them to a battle, you must seize the castle and keep the castle until the turns run out. Or you could defeat all your opponents characters. This feature is also used online with random battles too.  There is nothing better than seeing your friends face when you used a forged Hand Axe and do ridiculous damage with the Berserker.

Overall one of the best games on the DS that has been released. The graphics are great, the sound tracks are brilliant and the gameplay is addicting. The only thing about Shadow Dragon is that it is a rare game so if you find it cheap, buy it! You will not regret it.

Overall score: 94%