14 KiB
Master's Thesis Completion Game Plan
Deadline: February 15, 2026 (31 days remaining as of January 12, 2026)
📊 Current Status Assessment
✅ COMPLETED (Approximately 60% of thesis)
- ✅ Abstract (Polish & English) - publication ready
- ✅ Introduction (Chapter 1) - 102 lines, well-structured
- ✅ Literature Review (Chapter 2) - 76 lines with proper citations
- ✅ Game Engines Characteristics (Chapter 3) - 142 lines, comprehensive
- ✅ Interview Analysis (wywiady-analiza) - 264 lines, detailed qualitative data
- ✅ Game Implementation Experiences (implementacja-gry) - 192 lines, good technical depth
- ✅ Profiling Tools (narzedzia-profilowania) - 200 lines, thorough NVIDIA Nsight justification
- ✅ Unity and Unreal bullet-hell games implemented and working
- ✅ 8 developer interviews completed
⚠️ NEEDS WORK (Critical - 40% remaining)
- ⚠️ Chapter 4: Methodology - only 55 lines (needs 100+ more lines)
- ⚠️ Chapter 5: Performance Tests - only 57 lines, mostly TODOs (needs actual data!)
- ⚠️ Chapter 6: Capabilities Analysis - 72 lines (needs expansion)
- ⚠️ Chapter 7: Results Comparison - only 52 lines, mostly stubs (critical!)
- ⚠️ Chapter 8: Conclusions - only 42 lines, all stubs (critical!)
- ⚠️ Performance data collection with NVIDIA Nsight
- ⚠️ Figures, tables, and graphs for performance results
- ⚠️ Bibliography verification and completion
- ⚠️ Meaningful appendices
🎯 Week-by-Week Game Plan
Week 1: January 16-19 (Days 1-7) - PERFORMANCE DATA COLLECTION
Goal: Collect all performance metrics using NVIDIA Nsight
Monday-Tuesday, Jan 16-14 (Days 1-2): Nsight Setup & First Tests
- Install/verify NVIDIA Nsight Graphics on testing machine
- Create standardized test scenarios for both Unity and Unreal games
- Document hardware specifications and test environment
- Run first round of frame captures for Unity bullet-hell game
- Document test methodology in Chapter 4
Expected Output:
- Test environment fully documented
- 5-10 Nsight frame captures from Unity game
- Methodology section expanded to 150+ lines
Wednesday-Thursday, Jan 15-16 (Days 3-4): Unreal Profiling
- Run equivalent tests on Unreal bullet-hell game
- Capture frame data at different difficulty levels (low, medium, high bullet count)
- Export GPU metrics (frame time, draw calls, memory usage)
- Screenshot key Nsight analysis views
Expected Output:
- 5-10 Nsight frame captures from Unreal game
- Raw performance data in spreadsheet/CSV format
- Screenshots of Nsight UI showing key metrics
Friday-Saturday, Jan 17-18 (Days 5-6): Data Analysis & Visualization
- Create comparison tables for key metrics
- Generate graphs: frame time comparison, GPU utilization, memory usage
- Analyze draw call efficiency between engines
- Create LaTeX tables and figures
Expected Output:
- 5-10 publication-quality graphs (PNG/PDF)
- 3-5 comparison tables in LaTeX format
Sunday, Jan 19 (Day 7): Write Chapter 5
- Write detailed methodology for performance tests
- Document test scenarios and conditions
- Insert tables and figures into Chapter 5
- Write analysis of each test result
- Target: expand Chapter 5 to 200+ lines
Expected Output:
- Chapter 5 complete draft (200+ lines)
- All figures properly referenced
END OF WEEK 1 MILESTONE: Performance testing complete, Chapter 5 drafted
Week 2: January 23-29 (Days 8-14) - ANALYSIS & COMPARISON
Goal: Complete Chapters 6 and 7 with in-depth analysis
Monday-Tuesday, Jan 20-21 (Days 8-9): Capabilities Analysis (Chapter 6)
- Expand Section 6.1: Graphics capabilities comparison
- Unity's URP vs Unreal's rendering pipeline
- Shader systems (ShaderGraph vs Material Editor)
- Lighting and post-processing
- Expand Section 6.2: Physics engine comparison
- Expand Section 6.3: Audio systems
- Expand Section 6.4: Animation systems
- Expand Section 6.5: Scripting and workflow
Expected Output:
- Chapter 6 expanded to 180+ lines
- Concrete examples from both engines
- Integration of interview insights
Wednesday-Thursday, Jan 22-23 (Days 10-11): Results Comparison (Chapter 7)
- Section 7.1: Synthesis of performance test results
- Create master comparison table
- Statistical analysis if applicable
- Section 7.2: Multi-criteria analysis
- Comparison matrix (performance vs features vs ease of use)
- Section 7.3: Use case recommendations
- Indie games
- Mobile games
- AAA games
- Section 7.4: Limitations of research
Expected Output:
- Chapter 7 expanded to 150+ lines
- Master comparison matrix table
- Clear recommendations for different use cases
Friday-Saturday, Jan 24-25 (Days 12-13): Conclusions (Chapter 8)
- Section 8.1: Main research findings
- Answer all research questions from introduction
- Verify hypotheses
- Section 8.2: Practical recommendations
- Section 8.3: Scientific contribution
- Section 8.4: Limitations and future work
- Section 8.5: Final reflections
Expected Output:
- Chapter 8 complete (120+ lines)
- Strong, evidence-based conclusions
Sunday, Jan 26 (Day 14): Methodology Finalization
- Revisit Chapter 4, expand with final methodology details
- Add statistical methods if used
- Document any tools/scripts used for analysis
- Ensure reproducibility
Expected Output:
- Chapter 4 finalized (150+ lines)
END OF WEEK 2 MILESTONE: All core chapters complete (first draft)
Week 3: January 30 - February 5 (Days 15-21) - POLISH & INTEGRATION
Goal: Polish all chapters, add supporting materials, first full thesis review
Monday-Tuesday, Jan 30-28 (Days 15-16): Bibliography & Citations
- Verify all citations in bibliografia.bib
- Add missing references (especially for tools, Unity/Unreal documentation)
- Ensure all figures and tables are cited in text
- Check citation style consistency
- Add DOIs where available
Expected Output:
- Complete, verified bibliography
- All in-text citations correct
Wednesday-Thursday, Jan 29-30 (Days 17-18): Figures, Tables & Appendices
- Create/collect all missing figures
- Ensure all images in tex/img/ directory
- Polish graph aesthetics (consistent fonts, colors, labels)
- Create meaningful appendices:
- Appendix A: Interview questions template
- Appendix B: Detailed performance data tables
- Appendix C: Code samples (if needed)
- Appendix D: Nsight configuration details
- Update lists (list of figures, list of tables)
Expected Output:
- All figures publication-ready
- 3-4 meaningful appendices
Friday, Jan 31 (Day 19): First Full Compilation & Review
- Compile full thesis (try to get LaTeX working or use Overleaf)
- Read entire thesis start to finish
- Check for logical flow between chapters
- Note sections that need clarification
- Create list of issues to fix
Expected Output:
- Complete PDF of thesis
- List of 20-30 specific improvements needed
Saturday-Sunday, Feb 1-2 (Days 20-21): Comprehensive Revisions
- Fix all issues from review list
- Improve transitions between chapters
- Ensure consistency in terminology
- Polish introduction and abstract
- Check all cross-references work
Expected Output:
- Significantly improved thesis draft
- All major issues addressed
END OF WEEK 3 MILESTONE: Complete, readable thesis draft ready for feedback
Week 4: February 6-9 (Days 22-28) - FINAL POLISH & SUBMISSION PREP
Goal: Final refinements, proofreading, submission preparation
Monday-Tuesday, Feb 6-4 (Days 22-23): Advisor Review
- Send thesis to advisor (dr inż. Michał Chwesiuk)
- While waiting, proofread abstract again
- Check Polish language correctness (grammar, style)
- Verify English abstract
- Check formatting requirements for WUT
Expected Output:
- Thesis sent to advisor
- Self-review of language and formatting
Wednesday-Thursday, Feb 5-6 (Days 24-25): Final Revisions
- Incorporate advisor feedback (if received)
- Final proofreading pass
- Verify all formatting requirements:
- Margins, fonts, spacing
- Page numbers
- Headers/footers
- Title page
- Ensure PDF metadata is correct
Expected Output:
- All advisor comments addressed
- Perfectly formatted document
Friday, Feb 7 (Day 26): Final Technical Checks
- Verify all citations compile correctly
- Check all figures render properly
- Verify all cross-references
- Spell-check Polish and English sections
- Generate final PDF
Expected Output:
- Final, submission-ready PDF
Saturday, Feb 8 (Day 27): Print & Bind (if required)
- Print required number of copies
- Bind thesis (check WUT requirements)
- Prepare digital submission files
- Backup everything (thesis, source files, data)
Expected Output:
- Physical copies ready (if needed)
- Digital files prepared
Sunday, Feb 9 (Day 28): Buffer Day
- Final checks
- Prepare any additional submission materials
- Rest and prepare mentally
Expected Output:
- Complete peace of mind
Monday, Feb 15 (Day 29): SUBMISSION DEADLINE
- Submit thesis via required channels
- Confirm receipt
- Celebrate! 🎉
Expected Output:
- THESIS SUBMITTED ON TIME! ✅
📋 Daily Work Guidelines
Recommended Daily Schedule
Weekdays (Mon-Thu): 4 hours focused work
- Choose your most productive time block (morning OR afternoon)
- Minimize distractions during this time
Weekends (Fri-Sun): 8 hours per day
- Morning session (4 hours): Heavy writing/data analysis
- Afternoon session (4 hours): Technical work (LaTeX, figures, coding if needed)
Total Time Commitment
- Week 1: 40 hours - CRITICAL (Performance data collection)
- Mon-Thu: 4 hrs/day × 4 = 16 hours
- Fri-Sun: 8 hrs/day × 3 = 24 hours
- Week 2: 40 hours - CRITICAL (Analysis writing)
- Mon-Thu: 4 hrs/day × 4 = 16 hours
- Fri-Sun: 8 hrs/day × 3 = 24 hours
- Week 3: 36 hours - POLISHING
- Mon-Thu: 4 hrs/day × 4 = 16 hours
- Fri-Sat: 8 hrs/day × 2 = 16 hours
- Sun: 4 hours (lighter)
- Week 4: 28 hours - FINAL TOUCHES
- Mon-Thu: 4 hrs/day × 4 = 16 hours
- Fri-Sat: 6 hrs/day × 2 = 12 hours
Total: 144 hours over 31 days (average 5.0 hrs/day)
Productivity Tips
- Start each day by reviewing yesterday's progress
- Set specific, measurable goals for each session
- Use Pomodoro technique (25 min work, 5 min break)
- Keep a daily log of what you accomplished
- Don't perfectionism block progress - done is better than perfect
- Backup your work multiple times daily (Git + cloud)
🚨 Critical Checkpoints
Checkpoint 1: January 19 (End of Week 1)
Must have: Chapter 5 complete with real performance data
Checkpoint 2: January 26 (End of Week 2)
Must have: All core chapters (4-8) complete in first draft form
Checkpoint 3: February 5 (End of Week 3)
Must have: Complete, reviewable thesis document
Checkpoint 4: February 9 (Day before deadline)
Must have: Final, submission-ready thesis
📊 Progress Tracking Template
Daily Log Format
Date: _______________
Hours worked: ________
Completed:
- [ ] Task 1
- [ ] Task 2
- [ ] Task 3
Blockers/Issues:
- Issue 1
- Issue 2
Tomorrow's priorities:
1. Priority 1
2. Priority 2
3. Priority 3
⚠️ Risk Mitigation
Potential Risks & Solutions
-
NVIDIA Nsight data collection fails
- Mitigation: Start testing TODAY, not later
- Backup plan: Use Unity/Unreal built-in profilers, clearly document limitations
-
LaTeX compilation issues
- Mitigation: Test compilation early (Week 3)
- Backup plan: Use Overleaf online LaTeX editor
-
Advisor unavailable for review
- Mitigation: Contact advisor NOW to schedule review time
- Backup plan: Peer review with colleague
-
Writer's block on conclusions
- Mitigation: Write conclusions incrementally after each chapter
- Backup plan: Use interview quotes and data to support points
-
Time overruns
- Mitigation: Stick to schedule, use timers
- Backup plan: Buffer time built into Week 4
🎯 Success Criteria
By February 15, you will have:
- ✅ A complete master's thesis (80-120 pages)
- ✅ Original performance testing data comparing Unity and Unreal
- ✅ 8 qualitative interviews analyzed
- ✅ Clear, evidence-based recommendations
- ✅ Proper academic citations and formatting
- ✅ Publication-ready figures and tables
- ✅ Meaningful contribution to game engine research
📞 Emergency Contacts & Resources
- Thesis Advisor: dr inż. Michał Chwesiuk
- University Deadlines: Check WUT EiTI website
- Technical Support:
- LaTeX: https://tex.stackexchange.com/
- NVIDIA Nsight: https://developer.nvidia.com/nsight-graphics
- Unity: https://forum.unity.com/
- Unreal: https://forums.unrealengine.com/
💪 Motivational Notes
You've got this! You've already completed 60% of the hardest work:
- Games are built ✅
- Interviews are done ✅
- Most writing is drafted ✅
The remaining 40% is systematic work that you can absolutely complete in 31 days if you:
- Follow this plan
- Work consistently (not frantically)
- Take care of yourself (sleep, food, breaks)
- Ask for help when needed
Remember: Done and submitted beats perfect and late. Focus on completion over perfection.
📈 Visual Timeline
Week 1 (Jan 16-19): [████████░░░░░░░░] Performance Data Collection
Week 2 (Jan 23-29): [░░░░░░░░████████] Analysis & Comparison Writing
Week 3 (Jan 30-Feb2):[░░░░░░░░░░░░████] Polish & Integration
Week 4 (Feb 6-9): [░░░░░░░░░░░░░░██] Final Polish & Submission
Feb 15: [✓] SUBMIT!
Last Updated: January 12, 2026 Days Remaining: 29 Completion Status: 60% → Target: 100%
YOU CAN DO THIS! 🚀