UDK Learning University

ArchieVision

Hello,

My name is Lee, and I would like your guys opinion of what we are doing over at ULU. I will give a little background.

About 1 year ago, without any prior game design knowledge, I set out to learn all I could about UDK and game design. It was a struggle to say the least. With tutorials scattered, and virtually impossible to find. My learning of UDK had hit a road block. I found allot of tutorials on YouTube, but they were either out date, or just crappy quality.

So I started UDKLearning, To organize the best tuts and have a central place for everyone to come to get the information they needed. It started off slow but it grew to have a following. Then I started getting emails and PM's from everyone asking if I would make some Tuts. So I did. They were received well, even though I had allot of technical issues with audio.

Still I kept at it and founded ULU. A General forum for people to come to and learn what they could and ask questions about UDK and Game design. It took off. I even went as far as starting an experiment with creating curriculum from existing tutorials and information. Also the Final would be a completed game released as open source so all others could learn from what we had accomplished. The team derived from that grew to 30+ in over 2 weeks, and we outgrew our forum.

So, I purchased a Hosting site and Domain and we built another site more suited for what we were doing. Then we found a free source school portal that we could use to organize the classes we had going and the ones that were to come. Well, long story short we are now starting Uscript, High Poly modeling, and Advanced Level design classes.

BTW, all assets and code created in the classes will be used in the game. We have built the classes that way so as to manage our time as best we can.

Our students are really eating this up, and really growing in their knowledge of Game design. So, I would like to get some input from you professionals out there as to what direction I should take this once we finish the game? Should we do a paid for School? Should we charge by the class? Or Open a store for our students to use to sell assets, and tutorials?

Since you really do not know what these guys have been up to, I will give you some vids and pics of what they have been doing.


Assignment 1.1 Build a complete level from the UT assets.


Our top Student Level From Assignment 1.1 and now our level design instructor.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsKL3vc9G14"]ULU Feature - Zero713 Assignment 1.1. - YouTube[/ame]

LinkonLores Level
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=g96DbqlrnxA

Alexiotronics Level
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPQ9KnUsKB0&feature=related"]ULU Feature - The Woods - Alexotronic - YouTube[/ame]


Some random pics from other assignments.























http://udklearning.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=64&d=1318049521

http://udklearning.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=66&d=1318462065

http://udklearning.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=68&d=1318471178

http://udklearning.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=69&d=1318471179

http://udklearning.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=70&d=1318471180

cdevens

Archievision: You said you couldn't find any organized tutorials? Epic's UDN has over 100 tutorial videos for all topics UDK. That being said, I like what you are doing and I think forums help people grow leaps and bounds. I think the maps that were made with the UT assets look good, but if you are talking about starting a pay school, I think the asset modeling needs to be kicked up quite a bit. There are lots of similar sites with classes being taught from industry professionals. Unless your target platform is mobile, the assets could use some work, they don't really look next gen. If these are student work, do you have any work from the instructors so we can see what they are being taught? I know tone doesn't really come through in text, but I mean this in a helpful way, not negative at all.

ArchieVision

No problem. I get what you are saying. The pics are from the students assignments for low poly modeling with only diffuse textures. We have broken down the 3d art class into several different modules. So to teach one step at a time. Next will be UV Unwrap, and normal baking. Then we will move on to Specular, Ambient Occlusion and then creating normals from textures. Then we move on to Modular buildings. It is still a work in progress. We are also creating tutorials as we move along. Also, we are not using a sculpting program yet. We are still debating on which one to use.

The Next Gen stuff will be taught later in the classes. We also

As far as the instructors works. I will leave it up to them to post their works. They are all really good at what they do. But, what they have is theirs, and I do not want to step on any toes by posting them here.

The UDN is a good resource. But it is written in a way that most non professionals cannot follow easily. There are allot of things in there that are confusing or skip vital steps in the way to do things.

Thanks for your candid comment. I really appreciate it.

Lee

cdevens

Lee,
That all makes sense. I wish you the best of luck with this. My two cents on the sculpting package....ZBRUSH!!!!! That program is amazing. On top of the fact that I already think the program is superior and has tons of functions that mudbox does not, every update that pixologic puts out has some new mind-blowing innovation. I absolutely love the program and strongly recommend it!

ArchieVision

Thanks for the advice.

ArchieVision

Hello,

I was asked to provide works from my Instructor of 3D Modeling at ULU. He has agreed to let me post some pick of his unfinished AK-47 model he is creating for the game. He wanted me to iterate these are a WIP.









http://udklearning.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=82&d=1318714736

http://udklearning.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=83&d=1318715468

No textures just basic 3DS Max materials.

Thanks,

Lee