For this project, we were given the theme of Physics. To be able to know what I wanted to create, I had to search up what Physics was. It is the natural science that studies matter, its fundamental constitutes, its motion and behavior through space and time,  and the related entities of energy and force. Physics can be applied to anything and the first thing that came up to my mind was the Rube Goldberg machine ideas. His concept of this chain reaction-type machine or contraption was intentionally designed to perform a simple task in an indirect and overly complicated way. Usually, these machines consist of a series of simple unrelated devices; the action of each triggers the initiation of the next, eventually resulting in achieving a stated goal.  I didn't want anything too complicated. Just the idea of having this ball being launched, bouncing on different platforms, and then knocking a set of dominos. I mainly wanted to play with the idea of the physical properties of the bouncy ball that somehow makes its way towards the end goal of the dominos. 

In my game, my version of the Rube Goldberg system consisted of a cannon, the bouncy ball, the platforms, the nicely put dominos,  the bounciness of each platform, the height of which the ball was launched, how it was going to land, and so on. Besides the physical aspects of the system, there's a lot to consider of how this ball is going to bounce on each platform, and somehow landing onto this set of dominos to knockdown. In my notes, I wrote out the basic elements and the interconnections of these. By having this cannon launch this bouncy ball, it will land on the first angled platform and then roll down to the other platforms. As it goes onto the next platforms, it gets the momentum of speed and bounce, to be able to go onto the other platforms. 

I had a set of examples drawn out in my sketchbook. As much as I would have liked it to go the way it wanted to with my sketches, actually building it on Unity was completely different. How the ball bounces, how far it launches, how high it bounces was to the account into this project. There was a lot of trial and error, and having to rebuild to make sure that the ball doesn't mess up anything. I had more trouble having the ball get to the end of the set of dominos. Because if I didn't place the dominos in a certain position, the ball can roll off and knock off the other set of dominos. And when it does it, the dominos won't knockdown in the right direction. It was most definitely a bit annoying because there were a lot of tiny changes that affect the whole game itself. 

If I can get more time with this, I think I would have tried to make this game more interactive rather than something you just watch. I would have tried to add code to it to make it more "exciting." But considering that it's a Rube Goldberg-inspired system game, there's not much to do but watch. Most of his machines also require people to just watch. Knowing my skills and the time is given, I know that I could not have finished something code-heavy game. Not to mention, I would have tried to make it more visually appealing. Maybe add more details, or have a back story behind it. Or try to have it more complicated by adding more features like a falling hammer that starts a chain reaction to get this ball to a certain goal. I would definitely like to give this game another try once my skills improve throughout the semester