MOUSE+MAZE+JOURNAL-FINAL+SUMMATIVE


 * __ Fina __****__ l S __****__ ummative Decis __****__ ion: __** For my end of the year summative project, I have decided that I am going to create a game of Mouse Maze.


 * __ How is it going to work? __** The game that I am going to create is going to be a maze. The player is going to be a mouse. The player must use their computer’s mouse to move around the screen without touching the walls, a moving obstacle or any of the mousetraps.

For this project, I am assuming some creative liberty, to make it “interesting” to play!! I have decided that the player will be moving a mouse around the screen. At the beginning of the game, the player will have the option of which mouse they would like to be. They can also give their mouse a name. Throughout the game on some levels, there will be mousetraps that they must avoid in the middle of the maze. The player must also avoid all walls and flying cats. The goal of the game is to reach the block of cheese at the end, moving only by using their computer’s mouse, and avoiding all of the walls, mousetraps and flying cats. I am going to have a sign in page, where the user will be required to enter their name. After completing the game, the following will be stored in a text file:
 * __ Paul’s Creative Variations: __**
 * Name
 * Player’s Age
 * Date of Playing


 * __ How many levels will the game have? __** The game that I am going to create will have 3 levels. The first level will be simple, with only walls and a block of cheese at the end. The second level will have only mousetraps and walls. The final and third level will have flying cats, mousetraps and walls. The players will receive 1 minute for the first level, 2 minutes for the second and 3 minutes for the third. If they exceed their time limit, they automatically lose.


 * __ What happens if the player reaches the block of cheese? __** If the player re aches the block of cheese at the end of the maze, they may proceed onto the next level.


 * __ What happens if the player hits a wall or a mousetrap? __** If the player hits a wall or a mousetrap, they will return to the first level, at which time they will have to start all over again!


 * __ Possible enhancements if time permits: __**
 * A sound effect when the player hits the walls.
 * A sound effect when the player hits a mousetrap or flying cat.
 * Congratulatory music if the player beats the game.
 * A splash screen to welcome the user.

=JOURNAL OF DAILY ACTIVITIES:=

Day 1: May 30th, 2011


 * Started to plan out my project.
 * Read over the project rubric/handout sheet.
 * Began my proposal: Due Wednesday
 * I have a pretty good idea of where I am headed! Start coding tomorrow?!?!?!!

Day 2: May 31, 2011
 * Finished up my proposal, which is due tomorrow.
 * Feel I have a pretty good handle on where I am headed.
 * I began a little bit of coding last night (designing my maze, etc...)
 * Added in some walls.
 * Chose pictures for the cats and the mouse.
 * I continued coding for the better part of today's class...got quite a ways!!
 * Tomorrow, I will just continue coding :D :D

Day 3: June 1, 2011
 * Continued to code.
 * Submitted my proposal to Mr. Swaine
 * Figured out how to get the picturebox to follow the mouse's location!!
 * However, having the picturebox on mouse control has affected my collision detection.
 * I will have to look into how to use collision control while using mouse control to move the picturebox.
 * For example, the picturebox is able to pass through walls using my existing code, which allows the user to move the picturebox with the mouse
 * Tomorrow, I will continue coding while trying to figure out how to fix this issue.

Day 4: June 2, 2011
 * Continued to code.
 * Trying to fix some bugs that have arisen because of using the mouse to move the player.
 * The wall collision scenario is not working the greatest.
 * Ensuring that the player starts in the same location each time the game is played.
 * Ensuring that the cursor is above the player.
 * AND MORE.............
 * Looking good, though! Definitely on track to finishing well on time.

Day 5: June 3, 2011
 * Figured out how to start the game by ensuring that the mouse starts in the same spot each time.
 * Have the player click on the mouse!
 * Continued fixing bugs, and fixing up the one issue specified above.
 * Continued coding!

Weekend:
 * Continued to code.
 * Continued to fix up bugs that were in the program.
 * Trying to figure out why the forms are not loading in the correct sequential order, as prompted.
 * The breakpoint reaches them?!?!?!

Day 6: June 6,2011
 * Continued to code.
 * Continued to fix up bugs that were in the program.
 * Still trying to figure out why the forms are not loading in the correct sequential order....I will check with Mr. Swaine.
 * Reviewed how to use the "date class" on VB.....implemented it into my login portion of the program.
 * Have the program writing player information to a text file.
 * [] (USING THE DATE CLASS IN VB)

Day 7: June 7,2011
 * Continued to code.
 * Managed to make the program return the user to Level 1 in the "original" state.
 * Added functions in to make the code look prettier.
 * Trying to figure out how to make the flying cats "reappear" when the user visits levels 2 or 3 for the second time!!

Day 8: June 8, 2011
 * Continued to code.
 * Figured out how to fix the program so that the cats reappear and so that the character starts at the beginning again.
 * Almost finished!
 * Looking at adding sound effects to the program when the player hits a wall.

Day 9: June 9, 2011
 * Continued to code.
 * Researched how to add sound effects.
 * Fixed some bugs.
 * Tested the game!

Day 10: June 10, 2011
 * Continued to code.
 * Continued trying to add sound effects.
 * Did more testing and debugging!!

Weekend:
 * Continued to code.
 * Did more debugging.
 * Created a form for the user to pick their mouse.
 * Added sound effects for when the player hits a mouse trap, or when the user completes the game!!

Day 11: June 13, 2011
 * Continued to code.
 * Got the form working for the user to pick their mouse.
 * Added sound effects for when the player hits a wall.
 * Trying to figure out why I get an error, where the user types a name in for their mouse.......INTEGER??????????

Day 12: June 14, 2011
 * Continued to code.
 * Figured out how to fix the message box that appears, preventing the integer error.
 * Trying to determine how to fix the cursor, so that there is no offset? I will keep trying, but Mr. Swaine said not to worry too much about it...bug in Windows?!?!?!
 * Working on enhancements to make the program better!!

Day 13: June 15, 2011 //**NOT IN CLASS....SCRIBING EQAO ASSESSMENTS.**//

Day 14: June 16, 2011 //**NOT IN CLASS....SCRIBING EQAO ASSESSMENTS.**//

Day 15: June 17, 2011
 * Continued to code.
 * Tidied up my code.
 * Fixed up/tidied up my comments.
 * Going to add finishing touches this weekend!!

Weekend:
 * Continued to code.
 * Continued to tidy up/fix my code.
 * Added some missing comments.
 * Fixed up some design issues/appearance.

Day 16: June 20, 2011
 * Last day to work on assignment.
 * Tested EVERYTHING.
 * Checked for any bugs.
 * Added a few more comments, where required.
 * Fixed up some appearance issues.
 * Fixed last minute items.
 * Submitted to Mr. Swaine.