So, instead of having my postmortem on Monday after the Game Compo, I'm doing it right now on Friday. I spent a lot of time this past week working on getting ready for school and other commitments starting next week, so I don't have too much new done.
To The Spirits
My game was titled To The Spirits. It was about a guy who has lost the love of his life, and has to traverse through the spirit and the normal world to get to her. This fit in with the theme of "Connected Worlds" because the spirit and normal world were connected! The game can be played at redwolfplayer.itch.io/to-the-spirits
What Went Well
I think my use of the theme went very well. I also think the mechanics of the game went well. To traverse through the world by climbing and dodging enemies. Another thing that went right is the puzzle I did in between each level.
What Could Have Been Better
Well to start off I had no sound in my game. Probably should have tried to get that to happen but I ran out of time. Also my graphics weren't the best in the world, but I'm a programmer so I didn't expect it to be that good with 48 hours of work.
All in all I had a lot of fun! It was exciting to try and complete a game in 48 hours, but I think it was a really good experience and I'm excited for next time!
Best Regards
Friday, August 29, 2014
Friday, August 22, 2014
What A Week
This has been an extremely interesting week as far as getting work done goes. I got stuck in the point of feeling like I got everything and yet nothing done so far. So now time for my weekly breakdown!!
Tower Defense Lyfe
Should probably think of a name for this game at some point...but oh well. This week I got two base things done. I am able to get the towers drawn based on certain conditions, and I also have an invisible radius set up for collision. The other thing I got done was getting the enemies to move! Not only move, but move in a time based line! May not seem like a huge deal, but I'm happy about it.
So the thing I'm working on currently is getting the tower to attack during collision. Something that shouldn't be too difficult, and should in fact be similar to getting the enemies to move. After that, I'll want to be able to place towers wherever I want! I also need to start working on getting the scaling down so that everything looks a little better, but oh well. Something to think about.
Unity Random Moving Shapes and Stuff
So last week I said I wanted a small prototype of all my mechanics across all three viewpoints. Welllll, sometimes these things don't happen. To get everything I wanted just for the pure top-down view, I had to step into the world of 3d modeling. So I downloaded Blender (a pretty good free 3d modeling program that people have recommended) and learned how to make my levels the way I want, and how to get other things to happen. So I now have everything done for top-down mechanics short of switching levels when someone reaches the end.
Over this next week I'm going to start working next on the side platforming view type thing and try and get those mechanics done. We'll see what happens after that!
Business Mapping
So after a lot of research, I found Google Geochart. This will basically color in the states like I want. The only big problem with that is that it's a web-based design. So I basically have to rethink what I'm doing, and see what happens!
Starting new design work for that will hopefully begin this week.
LudumDare
On the other side of gaming, the Ludum Dare starts today!! It's the 30th one, but it's my very first! I'm really excited to get to know what the theme is, as well as start developing the game and finishing it within 48 hours! I'm sensing a lack of sleep, which is why I've been making sure I sleep a lot today. On Monday I'll do a postmortem of my experience on this blog, so make sure to watch out for that!
Best Regards
Tower Defense Lyfe
Should probably think of a name for this game at some point...but oh well. This week I got two base things done. I am able to get the towers drawn based on certain conditions, and I also have an invisible radius set up for collision. The other thing I got done was getting the enemies to move! Not only move, but move in a time based line! May not seem like a huge deal, but I'm happy about it.
So the thing I'm working on currently is getting the tower to attack during collision. Something that shouldn't be too difficult, and should in fact be similar to getting the enemies to move. After that, I'll want to be able to place towers wherever I want! I also need to start working on getting the scaling down so that everything looks a little better, but oh well. Something to think about.
Unity Random Moving Shapes and Stuff
So last week I said I wanted a small prototype of all my mechanics across all three viewpoints. Welllll, sometimes these things don't happen. To get everything I wanted just for the pure top-down view, I had to step into the world of 3d modeling. So I downloaded Blender (a pretty good free 3d modeling program that people have recommended) and learned how to make my levels the way I want, and how to get other things to happen. So I now have everything done for top-down mechanics short of switching levels when someone reaches the end.
Over this next week I'm going to start working next on the side platforming view type thing and try and get those mechanics done. We'll see what happens after that!
Business Mapping
So after a lot of research, I found Google Geochart. This will basically color in the states like I want. The only big problem with that is that it's a web-based design. So I basically have to rethink what I'm doing, and see what happens!
Starting new design work for that will hopefully begin this week.
LudumDare
On the other side of gaming, the Ludum Dare starts today!! It's the 30th one, but it's my very first! I'm really excited to get to know what the theme is, as well as start developing the game and finishing it within 48 hours! I'm sensing a lack of sleep, which is why I've been making sure I sleep a lot today. On Monday I'll do a postmortem of my experience on this blog, so make sure to watch out for that!
Best Regards
Friday, August 15, 2014
Concepts: Check
Hello there world! This week I have a nice amount of work done, even though I went on vacation!
Tower Defense
For Tower Defense (really need a name for this at some point) I came up with the theme I want to tackle. I guess the best way to put it is "absurdity." Some really crazy shit basically. The mechanics of a tower defense will all be there of course, but I want the towers to make people say "whaaaa?". Same with the enemies that will travel the paths in the maps, I want them to stand out and be funny. Something people would want to download.
For next week, I want to have basic movement down for the enemies, as well as basic attacks down for the towers. I'm also hoping to start on some art, but that's a stretch goal for the week. I basically want a crappy looking prototype.
Unity Project
I decided on a game! I have no idea whatsoever on what to call it, but it's a basic geometric type game, but playable through three different viewpoints. It's a little hard to explain, but that's what I want for next weeks goals!
Basically for next week, I want some prototypes for each of the three visions. Since it's in Unity, I think it won't be too hard? But I only know some basic movement stuff for Unity so we'll see! In the end I'll probably export this for web or something like that, that way I could show it off easilly.
Travel App
So the last thing I'm working on is a travel application. I was a little mysterious about it but now I'm trying to be a little more open. The app will basically track your general location (think city, not address) and if you've been in a certain area for more than a specified amount of time, then it's marked off on your travel map! There's a lot more to the app that I have to work through, which I'm excited about. So far I basically have the UI designed.
For next week, I'm going to be studying Parse API and Google Maps API. I'm hoping to be able to use both of these things in my app. I'm also hoping to get around to some of the base code I'll need for the application!
In Other News...
So next weekend is the newest Ludum Dare challenge! For those who don't know Ludum Dare is basically a really popular 48 hour game jam, where, well, I make a game in 48 hours according to some theme. So next Friday I'll be working on some small game (probably using LIBGDX) for that competition. This means I'll either wait til Sunday after the game is submitted for a blog post, or post it earlier on Friday. Who knows! Either way that's all for this post!!
Best Regards
Tower Defense
For Tower Defense (really need a name for this at some point) I came up with the theme I want to tackle. I guess the best way to put it is "absurdity." Some really crazy shit basically. The mechanics of a tower defense will all be there of course, but I want the towers to make people say "whaaaa?". Same with the enemies that will travel the paths in the maps, I want them to stand out and be funny. Something people would want to download.
For next week, I want to have basic movement down for the enemies, as well as basic attacks down for the towers. I'm also hoping to start on some art, but that's a stretch goal for the week. I basically want a crappy looking prototype.
Unity Project
I decided on a game! I have no idea whatsoever on what to call it, but it's a basic geometric type game, but playable through three different viewpoints. It's a little hard to explain, but that's what I want for next weeks goals!
Basically for next week, I want some prototypes for each of the three visions. Since it's in Unity, I think it won't be too hard? But I only know some basic movement stuff for Unity so we'll see! In the end I'll probably export this for web or something like that, that way I could show it off easilly.
Travel App
So the last thing I'm working on is a travel application. I was a little mysterious about it but now I'm trying to be a little more open. The app will basically track your general location (think city, not address) and if you've been in a certain area for more than a specified amount of time, then it's marked off on your travel map! There's a lot more to the app that I have to work through, which I'm excited about. So far I basically have the UI designed.
For next week, I'm going to be studying Parse API and Google Maps API. I'm hoping to be able to use both of these things in my app. I'm also hoping to get around to some of the base code I'll need for the application!
In Other News...
So next weekend is the newest Ludum Dare challenge! For those who don't know Ludum Dare is basically a really popular 48 hour game jam, where, well, I make a game in 48 hours according to some theme. So next Friday I'll be working on some small game (probably using LIBGDX) for that competition. This means I'll either wait til Sunday after the game is submitted for a blog post, or post it earlier on Friday. Who knows! Either way that's all for this post!!
Best Regards
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Getting Sh** Done
There are some days where you just need and/or want to get shit done. Maybe you want to tackle a huge part of the design process for a game, maybe you want to start on a huge piece of graphical content, maybe even record a new piece of audio for a game.
Or maybe you want to start a completely different game.
This has always been my biggest problem with making games and even just software, the ideas. I get so many ideas in my head or I have people send them to me and I just run with it, I don't even have a second thought I just start working.
I think that's why I started this blog, is to prove to myself that I can get shit done and stick with the project I choose. But even only what, four weeks in? I'm already wanting to move on, and do something else other than the Multi Game. To be fair, I think it's because deep down I know Multi Game is a pretty bad idea. Making crappy games that have been made a million times isn't going to make me a better game designer. Instead, I need to sit down and get some shit done.
So now it's a fun announcement time, I have three completely separate projects that I'm going to start working on.
The first one is something I've been wanting to do for awhile, a Tower Defense game. This will be made using libgdx for Android devices, with a possibility for web at some point as well.
Second is another one for Android, an application that someone came to me with that I'm not going to divulge much on at this time.
Lastly, I'm going to start working on a game using Unity 3D. What is the game genre? No idea. What is the story? No idea. Art style? Nope. I have no idea yet what I'm going to make for the Unity 3D game.
So why am I doing these three things? For specific reasons.
For the Tower Defense, it lets me use something I've gotten to know a decent amount, while still being able to learn a couple things to make a cool game.
Why the hidden Android application? It's going to let me escape the game world for a little while, and work on something different that isn't just a game.
Why the Unity 3D project? Because I don't know Unity. I barely know C#. It will be a huge learning experience where I will learn how to use something that is growing more and more in the industry (from my perspective).
These are my three projects. Every week I will post updates to all three of them. Some weeks may be more focused on one than another, or maybe I'll post some random game design thoughts I have during that week. Also make sure to look for me on Reddit. After I get somewhere with these projects I'll be posting to FeedbackFriday and ScreenshotSaturday on the /r/gamedev subreddit.
So a lot going on in this post, in short I'm going to start some hard work now.
Best Regards
Or maybe you want to start a completely different game.
This has always been my biggest problem with making games and even just software, the ideas. I get so many ideas in my head or I have people send them to me and I just run with it, I don't even have a second thought I just start working.
I think that's why I started this blog, is to prove to myself that I can get shit done and stick with the project I choose. But even only what, four weeks in? I'm already wanting to move on, and do something else other than the Multi Game. To be fair, I think it's because deep down I know Multi Game is a pretty bad idea. Making crappy games that have been made a million times isn't going to make me a better game designer. Instead, I need to sit down and get some shit done.
So now it's a fun announcement time, I have three completely separate projects that I'm going to start working on.
The first one is something I've been wanting to do for awhile, a Tower Defense game. This will be made using libgdx for Android devices, with a possibility for web at some point as well.
Second is another one for Android, an application that someone came to me with that I'm not going to divulge much on at this time.
Lastly, I'm going to start working on a game using Unity 3D. What is the game genre? No idea. What is the story? No idea. Art style? Nope. I have no idea yet what I'm going to make for the Unity 3D game.
So why am I doing these three things? For specific reasons.
For the Tower Defense, it lets me use something I've gotten to know a decent amount, while still being able to learn a couple things to make a cool game.
Why the hidden Android application? It's going to let me escape the game world for a little while, and work on something different that isn't just a game.
Why the Unity 3D project? Because I don't know Unity. I barely know C#. It will be a huge learning experience where I will learn how to use something that is growing more and more in the industry (from my perspective).
These are my three projects. Every week I will post updates to all three of them. Some weeks may be more focused on one than another, or maybe I'll post some random game design thoughts I have during that week. Also make sure to look for me on Reddit. After I get somewhere with these projects I'll be posting to FeedbackFriday and ScreenshotSaturday on the /r/gamedev subreddit.
So a lot going on in this post, in short I'm going to start some hard work now.
Best Regards
Saturday, August 2, 2014
August 2nd, The Flights are Real
Alright so I missed posting yesterday. This was because I was doing a bunch of preparation for my flight today. Packing, saying goodbye, all sorts of good stuff.
However that doesn't mean it's what I was doing all week. Throughout the week I got a bit done here and there with Multi Game. Mainly that I wrote up quick the card game War. It was a fun process that let me learn a little bit about Libgdx and Android pushed together in a happy little application.
Now, my job is over and I'm heading home. What this means is I'm going to have a lot more free time to work on my own projects. Besides the Multi Game, I've also been going through CodeEval to brush up on my C++ skills so that hopefully I can jump into a nice C++ game engine in the future.
That's all I have this week. In future updates I should have a lot more things to post since I'll have a lot more time to work!
Friday, July 25, 2014
7 / 25 / 2014 Update: Not Much to Update
So it's been a really slow week. I'm in my last couple weeks of teaching and it's been a lot of effort to get everything wrapped up. I also happened to purchase a Nintendo 3DS so I've been paying that a little bit too much attention.
However, this does not mean I haven't made any progress! I spent a decent amount of time working on getting setup done for what I want to do. The next project to be worked on is called The Multi Game. It's a collection of all of your favorite games all in one place! I have a few small minigames that are nearing completion for it.
This next week I'll be working on getting games done for The Multi Game. I'm hoping to make a decent amount of progress, but since it is my last week of teaching I have no idea how busy I'm going to be.
Best Regards
However, this does not mean I haven't made any progress! I spent a decent amount of time working on getting setup done for what I want to do. The next project to be worked on is called The Multi Game. It's a collection of all of your favorite games all in one place! I have a few small minigames that are nearing completion for it.
This next week I'll be working on getting games done for The Multi Game. I'm hoping to make a decent amount of progress, but since it is my last week of teaching I have no idea how busy I'm going to be.
Best Regards
Thursday, July 17, 2014
One game closes, three more open.
Hello World! New Game!
Today I get to announce the awesome publish of an amazing and addictive game called Color Frenzy! This is a small game me and a friend decided to make and put up, including things such as achievements and a leaderboard all powered by Google Play Services....which was an absolute pain to work with. But hey, I even made a post about it on Reddit's /r/gamedev Feedback Friday board(Google that stuff, it's cool). I'm really excited to start getting feedback from it.
In Other News...
Now that I finally have a small game out, I'm doubly motivated to start working on other stuff. I currently have three projects in the planning stages, and working on deciding what to pursue harder first. Two of them are Android games, one a medium sized project and one a bit larger. The last one is a game made using Unity, but I might save that for after getting more experience with making games in general. Or maybe I'll just hate my life and try and make three games at once. Who knows. Either way, by next week Friday there will be a definite answer on what I'm working on, as well as hopefully a better website and blog design >.>.
Best Regards
Today I get to announce the awesome publish of an amazing and addictive game called Color Frenzy! This is a small game me and a friend decided to make and put up, including things such as achievements and a leaderboard all powered by Google Play Services....which was an absolute pain to work with. But hey, I even made a post about it on Reddit's /r/gamedev Feedback Friday board(Google that stuff, it's cool). I'm really excited to start getting feedback from it.
In Other News...
Now that I finally have a small game out, I'm doubly motivated to start working on other stuff. I currently have three projects in the planning stages, and working on deciding what to pursue harder first. Two of them are Android games, one a medium sized project and one a bit larger. The last one is a game made using Unity, but I might save that for after getting more experience with making games in general. Or maybe I'll just hate my life and try and make three games at once. Who knows. Either way, by next week Friday there will be a definite answer on what I'm working on, as well as hopefully a better website and blog design >.>.
Best Regards
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