Ange Andrianavalona. Author, Illustrator, Painter

// This page is avaible through the following link : www.bge.aandria.com //

Description |  Features |  Screenshots |  Download |   Credits |  Controls |  Level Submission |  Support

Game Blender is a sub-application of Blender, the popular open source 3D application, used to make games using Blender.
The Blender Game Engine is growing fast and is now one of the best prototyping tool available (pre-production, short demos).
It is free and open source, appropriated for the development of indie games, and benefits from a strong and fast-growing community.

That template that I have developed and released really makes it easy to produce a quick and cost-effective materialization of your ideas.
If you have any doubt about its possibilities, please consider downloading and giving it a try.

News

11.04.2009
The AAA Game Company Twilight 22 project to Develop BGE Into A Full Production Game Engine chose the 3rd person template to build out their game further.

This news is really exciting because the (very talented) team members and I will work together to contribute to the future of that template, push it a step further and make it available for the community.

Until then, you can already enjoy the current version that brings a lot of new features.

Using the Blender Game Engine as a prototyping tool

The Blender Game Engine is the perfect prototype or even full production toolsf for commercial Indie games (platformers, casual games, etc…).

Features

• All in one package (model / sculpture / texture / animation / scene / logic editor)
• Cost-effective (fast and easy to use, that means quick prototyping and feedback, gain in terms of productivity)
• Bullet physics engine
• Reliable modeling/texturing tool
• Strong community (support, help, feedback)

The Blender Game Engine can also be used for :

• educational software with interactive 3d- to learn chemestry, physics etc
• architectural visualizations
• simulations for TV news
• military projects – simulators
• small 3D visualisations

Hire me

If you are interested in a better insight into the use of this game engine template for prototyping your or your clients incoming projects, don’t hesitate to contact me. This includes character designs and illustration requests. I am also available for remote work.
Apart from working with the Blender Game Engine, I’m a published writer, illustrator, character designer, and consultant in creativity.
And, you know what?

Educational resource

I have developped and released that Third person template for the benefit of indie developers, and the Blender community.
It is intended for both beginners to use for educational purposes (logic basics, introduction to Python, flexible settings control…) and advanced users as a production tool.
I hope it will help artists to continuously push themselves to create more creative and complex work.

Note : The graphical aspect was not the main objective of this template’s development process.
The character and platforms are just used to provide a working example : neither modeling/texturing nor animation was polished.
Also, this is a work in progress so a lot of things can still be cleaned and improved (scripts, logic bricks).
Please take that in consideration.

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Player

• Servo motion moves
• Mouseview : camera rotating around the character
• Character only rotates (using mouse) when moving.
• The camera rotates independently when movement keys are not being pressed.
• AutoJump (can easily be disabled. Instructions in the _ReadMe)
• Ledge hanging
• Swimming ability
• Money/health/power count flexible script

AutoJump

Ledge hanging and Swimming ability

States

• Death state (red cube = Game over message)
  Red platforms will kill you -> Death State -> Game over message -> Scene restarts
• Swimming state
• Ledge hanging state
• & many others (still growing list) …

Camera

• Slow Parent Mouse control
• Automatic character active camera
• No collision camera setup
• The player becomes transparent if the camera is too close (Alpha Ipo)

Level creation

Educational resource for beginners

• Friendly names are used for sensors/controlers/actuators better understanding
• Scripts are well commented and understandable for beginners

Notes

• Character controls
  You can change your character’s speed by modifying speed_fw, ForceLimitYMax_value « Character_moves » script l.58/59
• AutoJump
  You can adapt the auto jump function to your level design by changing the value of the ‘high’ sensor.
  (Deciding whether the auto jump is activated or not (stairs = no jump, cliff = jump)
• The ground
  is defined by using a ‘ground’ property : you can jump only on surfaces that use a ground property
• Walls
  are defined by using a ‘wall’ property : this property is used for camera collision
• Edges
  are defined by using an ‘edge’ property : this property is used for character hanging
  You should consider using edges like ‘Ghost’ and hide them through the Outliner
• Dead zones
  are defined by using a ‘kill’ property
• Big_prize (Victory condition)
  is defined by using a ‘big_prize’ property
• Big_prize condition
  If you can get more than 850 rubis (money_count) you will get a big prize.
  This value can be changed by modifying the Min value of the Property sensor “big_prize_condition” connected to the Main_character.
• About the coin collection script
  The example provided shows money count, but this script can also be used for health up, damage, power up, level up.. (just adapt, change properties, etc…).
  You can also open a locked door when all the items in a room (you need to add a counter or a script) were taken, or all the enemies were killed, etc…

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Test Levels
Early screenshots.
Those levels were created for testing purposes.
It took less than 20 minutes to create each one of those.
If you want to submit your own levels, please read the relevant section.

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Important
If you want to share a download link to the template, please link to the current page instead so users can have a quickguide,  a simple explanation and support before using it.

Terms of use

By using the 3rd Person Template you agree with:

1. This 3rd Person Template is provided « as is », entirely at your own risk.
2. Developers doesn’t accept any claims regarding quality of 3rd Person Template or any standards conformity.
3. This 3rd Person Template may be used in any commercial way only if it is a part of artwork or project. Single reselling or redistribution of this 3rd Person Template is prohibited.
4. This 3rd Person Template may be freely modified or elaborated.

* The character used in that template may not be used in any commercial way. It is available for educational purposes only.

Note

Please scan the files before using the template : I’m always careful with it and check more than twice before uploading, but a virus scan is never a waste of time.
I highly recommand that beginners start from using the basic template to understand and learn the fundamentals.
The advanced template is intended for the users who are already familiar with libraries, linking and groups, or those who have the skills to understand a little more complex setup.
The difference between the two versions is the use of librairies and groups. You can learn more about it by watching the following video.
Note : The advanced template is not such an advanced and complex one, but I just had to differientate the two versions.

For more informations, you can also consider getting a copy of the Blender GameKit 2nd edition or reading the Apricot project’s wiki.

I hope you will find it useful. Don’t hesitate to leave a comment or ask for support on the BlenderArtists thread.

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Thank you for using this template.
I spend a lot of my spare time on the development of that template, so if you like it and want to help please consider buying me a coffee or a beer.

*** A drink is always appreciated ***

Even though I (Ange Andrianavalona, known on the forums as Cray) mainly created that template alone, I got valuable help from the Blender community.
Thanks to the people who contributed by submitting a script or answering some of my questions.
I also used great resources previously provided by this community.
Please see the Full_character.blend or library.blend _ReadMe for more informations and contributors list.
If you use this template, please give credit.

I am a character designer, if you need a better one feel free to contact me.
The same applies to the artworks.

Basic character created for the template

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How can I submit my own levels?

The user’s levels will be featured on that page on a distinct category.

• Provide a zip and keep the exactly same structure as the template.
  I mean, if you created new platforms, new textures and used it on a new level, the structure of your zip would be :
  • props folder -> new_platforms.blend
  • textures folder -> nature folder -> sand.tga
  • levels folder -> level_sahara.blend
• Those files will be host by myself. please virus scan your files 10 times before submitting anything.
• Provide 2/3 of the best screenshots representing your level
• Provide a _ReadMe explaining the particularities of your level, the point of attention.
  What did you spend time on? What should the player/tester/developer watch carefully?

If you need more informations, please ask in the official thread at BlenderArtists.

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For any other question, please ask in the official thread at BlenderArtists.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I use my own character with the template?

• In chars->Full_character.blend, append your Armature+Mesh to the template (library.blend or level.blend)
• I assume that you know how to copy the logic bricks that you need from the actual setup to yours
• Delete the template armature+player mesh
• Move your armature to the center of the collision box
• Parent the armature of your new character to the Main_character collision box, and set

How can I add the character setup to my own game?

Append or Link the group « Full_character » contained within the chars->Full_character.blend

How can I add new groups to my levels/librady.blend?

• Start a new blend and save it in the appropriate folder (props, chars…)
• Create an object (and his children if needed)
• Group all those objects (Ctrl+G -> Add to New group)
• Those informations can also be found in the Object Panel (F7) under Object and Links.
• Open the library.blend or your level.blend File->Append or Link (Shift F1)
• Find your .blend->Group (Right-click for multi-selection)
• Be sure to select append or Link (according to your needs) and Relative Paths, then Load the Library.
• To add this group to your level : Space in the 3d View->Add->Group

How to create my own level using the level template?

My character is bouncing at the game start and I don’t know why.

Check that the lower point of your armature is inside the collision box.

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