Mini-Map

[marouen-lamiri]

As a user, i want to be able to view a mini-map on the HUD

[SP: 8] [Priority: 2]

[Emmanuel-Tsapekis]

Dan, you should push what you have so far so that we could discuss the direction of your work.

[smileyWolf]

Sorry guys for the delay, was very busy with projects due and finals.

[smileyWolf]

First Draft

Here is how I think should the mini-map look like. I remember someone wanted it to be bigger. Let me know what you think.

[smileyWolf]

Task breakdown (in hours)

• Discuss the component and visual-part of the User Story.* (1h)
• Research different types of Mini-map implementations.* (3h)
• Consult and determine, with the team, the final functionality required for the Mini-map.* (1h)
• Implementation (further broken down) (1~2 days)

( * ) Steps already performed before writing the Task-breakdown. Reason of my delay are the projects and finals for other courses.

[smileyWolf]

Implementation Breakdown (in hours)

• Setting MiniMap's camera (position, width, height, depth, e.t.c.) (1h)
• Make the camera follow the Fighter and that he is in the center. (3h)
• Write the script for the MiniMap to be under the HUB. (1h)

[smileyWolf]

Initial Mini-Map from Equipping-scene (rotating/following the Fighter.) 0cda58490af0347fa5198eee369f8d1b9b7d5fb7

Here is how it looks like:

Check it and let me know if you are OK with the way I did it.

[smileyWolf]

A Fix aef6048af2f00de2ccb05a811ea0926ecf8f2762

• I forgot that in our group-discussion we decided that the Mini-Map should not be under the Fighter item, so I had to change and put it under the HUD.
• Also, had to add a Script that follows the Fighter.

Here is just an image of how it looks now; I disabled the terrain since its texture does not allow to see the Mini-Map properly.

[smileyWolf]

After the fix ffeff9891477bf3f44c491b075cd9c0fe167c17a

Here is how it works after testing it.

Fighter enabled - Fighter followed and centered in the Mini-Map. Sorcerer enabled - Sorcerer followed and centered in the Mini-Map.

[smileyWolf]

Demo Steps

1. Left-Click on the terrain to move the Fighter (the default enabled character when game started.)
2. Notice the Mini-Map moving in direction of the Fighter centered to the Mini-Map and the player icon rotates with the Fighter.
3. Press the 'e'-key.
4. Left-Click on the terrain to move the Sorcerer.
5. Notice the Mini-Map moving in direction of the Sorcerer centered to the Mini-Map and the player icon rotates with the Sorcerer.
6. Kill enemy
7. Notice how the red dot representing him on the Minimap disappears.
8. Walk into a wall.
9. Notice that the Minimap correctly represents the walls of the dungeon.

[smileyWolf]

Black-Box Testing

Tests #	Inputs	Expected Output	Status
Follow Fighter	Left-Click in any location on the terrain.	The Mini-Map's projected picture changes related to the Fighter's position centered on the map.	Pass
Follow Sorcerer	(while controlling the sorcerer) Left-Click in any location on the terrain.	The Mini-Map's projected picture changes related to the Sorcerer's position centered on the map.	Pass
Track Allies	None	Allies' positions are tracked on the Minimap as blue dots	Pass
Track Enemies	None	Enemies' positions are tracked on the Minimap as red dots	Pass
Stop Tracking Enemies	Kill an enemy	Dead enemy's indicator disappears from the Minimap	Pass
Rotate Player Icon	Make player's avatar change the direction he/she is looking at	the player's icon rotates on the Minimap in accordance with the avatar's rotations	Pass

[Kishor0122]

Feedback

Hey guys, here are some things I think should be changed for the mini-map. I think it should be a bit smaller, circular instead of square (not important just a personal preference) and have a better contrast between the background and the things on the map. It doesn't need to be a be a bird's eye camera view or show the terrain. Something minimalistic that shows the area, the walls, and the character/enemies would be sufficient. Character can be marked by an arrow indicated direction, and enemies can be small red circles

[Kishor0122]

Feedback

Kinda like this, but maybe with different colours/design for a more fantasy feel

[marouen-lamiri]

Answer To Feedback

This is some interesting feedback, for the size, the shape and the contrast will be changed as soon as possible. For the minimalistic approach, this is much harder to change since the map we have is dynamically generated when the player starts game-play, we will discuss it with the team in our next meeting and see what we could do to change this. We will notify you afterwards and see the best approach for this User Story.

[Emmanuel-Tsapekis]

Final Rework of minimap @Kishor0122

I believe the minimap is finalized and is circular, semi-transparent, has black lines to show dungeon walls, red dots for enemies, blue dots for allies, and a directional player icon to represent the rotation of the player him/herself. Is there anything else you'd like to see in the minimap? Let us know

[Kishor0122]

Feedback

Looks good! Has all the essentials for a mini-map. Things to consider for the future (not sure if these are already in place) would be to also show doors, cave/dungeon entrances etc. on the map. Also special enemies and bosses should have a different appearance (different colour/different size etc.). For now though it's good for me and I'm signing off on it.

[Emmanuel-Tsapekis]

Task breakdown (NEW ver2)

• Research ways to accomplish the various needs of the Minimap:
  • Create lines dynamically to represent the map walls (0.5h)
  • Create Spheres dynamically to represent the characters' posiitons (1h)
  • Make objects (lines and spheres) appear in the Minimap, but not the main camera (1.5h)
  • Circular Minimap (3h)
  • Semi-transparent background (1h)
• Implementation
  • Create lines dynamically to represent the map walls (2h)
  • Create Spheres dynamically to represent the characters' posiitons (0.5h)
  • Make objects (lines and spheres) appear in the Minimap, but not the main camera (0.5h)
  • Circular Minimap (1h)
  • Semi-transparent background (1h)
  • Create directional player icon in Blender (2h)
  • Set up player icon to follow rotation of tracked player (0.5h)