Programming Digital Media - Spring 2024
Kooky Nomster
Final Integration Project
Angela Manangan
Kooky is always
bothering my
most loyal customers!
So, what’s the bother?
Head Chef is tired of the commotion Kooky brings to his restaurant!
Original Proposal
“Kooky Nomster” follows the experience of a very hungry and crazy extraterrestrial named Kooky at his first restaurant on Earth. Kooky disrupts the entire atmosphere of the restaurant as soon as he walks in, smelling other people’s food as he walks to his table, grabbing their orders if it appeals to his planet-sized appetite.
Obstacles to Kooky’s “nomming” adventure are puddles of spilled drinks on the floor and tables that’s legs grow to trip him. Players will maneuver Kooky’s actions, ensuring that he doesn’t get caught by the Head Chef.
The game ends when Kooky is caught by the Head Chef three times. The closer Kooky gets to the kitchen, the more difficult it is to avoid the Head Chef’s gaze and Kooky’s subsequent dismissal and ban from the restaurant.
Kooky the Nomster
Kooky is not like other monsters, he’s just here for a good time! Other people are scared of him because Kooky is unaware of personal space and thinks everyone knows how to share. He stopped into the restaurant to make some friends and have good food!
Head Chef
This is not the first time that Head Chef has had a bothersome customer. Kooky has visited the restaurant many times, but this time Kooky is bothering too many of Head Chef’s loyal customers! Now the food isn’t coming out on time because Head Chef has to chase Kooky out!
Loyal Customer - Green
Loyal customer - Green has been coming to Head Chef’s establishment since it opened. Never before has a new customer bothered her as much as Kooky does. She just can’t believe it!
Loyal Customer - Lime
Do you see the look on Lime’s face? He can’t believe that in all the time he has been patiently waiting for his food, Head Chef has been chasing a monster around! Some of us are paying here!
Loyal Customer - Purple
This is only the second time Purple has come to Head Chef’s restaurant and the thrill of this visit is begging her to come back! Is this chase part of the experience? She didn’t know she was paying for dinner and a show.
Loyal Customer - White
This customer was not always white, but when White saw Kooky enter the restaurant, all of the color drained out of his body! Kooky would not leave him alone! He hopes that Head Chef does something about this..sooner than later please!
Welcome
A simple welcome screen to contrast from the “diner” floor background.
Kooky Nomster was supposed to be set in a restaurant, but I flew a little too close to the sun when I thought I could create something that detailed.
The entire game was made using p5.js, Tone.js, and Arduino.
Game Play
Set in a restaurant led by Head Chef, Kooky has been bothering loyal customers. Head Chef must chase Kooky out before he ruins business for the day!
Players must use keyboard arrows to navigate Kooky around the restaurant.
Fun, jazzy music plays in the background as the adrenaline starts pumping!
Originally meant to play with a joystick.
Game lives were to be displayed by three red LED lights on an Arduino breadboard.
Timer displayed to show how long it takes for Kooky to get caught by Head Chef.
Game Over
Kooky (the player) begins the game with three lives. After the third failure to run away from Head Chef, the game is over!
Players can play this game as many times as they want.
Unfinished Progress
- Input Error - The game was meant to be played with a joystick - using Arduino code and hardware.
- Output Error - During final presentation, the LED lights for lives were not working correctly.
- Design Error - The overall aesthetics and design of the game were proven to be too complicated for my skillset. I had to revert to stock images and free sprites.
It would be really exciting to collaborate with other artists and game developers to make a game of this concept, using the original proposal plans.
I would love to see this used as a fun way to teach personal space and sharing.
For a full look into the code used for this game and this class please click here for my GitHub!
More from Angela Manangan
Check out my porfolio, LinkedIn, and Instagram to keep up!
Video games are not my forte, but I decided to dream a little bigger when deciding what to do for this class. Programming Digital Media was an elective for my minor in Digital Media AVATAR Arts. I spend most of my time creating content and copy for marketing and advertising strategies, so I wanted to get out of my comfort zone with this last project.