Starlight by PixelFeet
Mac OS/X Note: If you are a Mac user and you are receiving the error "Starlight can't be opened because it is from an unidentified developer," please follow the following instructions: 1) Control-click "Starlight" and choose "Open." 2) Choose "Open" again on the next warning that appears. If any other problems arise, it would be great if you could let us know.
Starlight is an experimental story-based experience in which you play as the Cosmonaut, a mysterious being that exists within our solar system. As you play, you'll discover more and more of the universe as the Cosmonaut understands it and follow his descent into madness as it fades into nothingness. For the best experience, play with the sound on.
DISCLAIMER: This game is in no way scientific. But it's just about the story, so that's fine, right?
For this jam, we wanted to do something a little different. Since our game from April (Winter is Coming) was so mechanics-focused, we decided to write a story-based game. And then we decided to have recorded dialogue. And thus, Starlight was born.
Credits:
- Zack Walsh: Game Design & Art
- Joshua Jackson: Programming & Art
- Nathan Kelleher: Voice Work
- Jonathan Carpenter: Music
Tools:
- Engine: Unity
- Art: GIMP
- Sound: Audacity
- Music: Studio One
Default Controls:
- Look: Mouse
- Move: WASD, Arrow Keys
- Interact: Mouse 0, Space
- Continue: Enter
- Exit: Escape
- Scroll: Mouse Wheel
Progressing:
- Interact with each of the necessary planets to progress the story.
- These planets are not marked and require that you find and interact with them of your own accord.
- You must be near a planet and facing it in order to successfully interact with it.
Thanks for playing Starlight!
Starlight is an experimental story-based experience in which you play as the Cosmonaut, a mysterious being that exists within our solar system. As you play, you'll discover more and more of the universe as the Cosmonaut understands it and follow his descent into madness as it fades into nothingness. For the best experience, play with the sound on.
DISCLAIMER: This game is in no way scientific. But it's just about the story, so that's fine, right?
For this jam, we wanted to do something a little different. Since our game from April (Winter is Coming) was so mechanics-focused, we decided to write a story-based game. And then we decided to have recorded dialogue. And thus, Starlight was born.
Credits:
- Zack Walsh: Game Design & Art
- Joshua Jackson: Programming & Art
- Nathan Kelleher: Voice Work
- Jonathan Carpenter: Music
Tools:
- Engine: Unity
- Art: GIMP
- Sound: Audacity
- Music: Studio One
Default Controls:
- Look: Mouse
- Move: WASD, Arrow Keys
- Interact: Mouse 0, Space
- Continue: Enter
- Exit: Escape
- Scroll: Mouse Wheel
Progressing:
- Interact with each of the necessary planets to progress the story.
- These planets are not marked and require that you find and interact with them of your own accord.
- You must be near a planet and facing it in order to successfully interact with it.
Thanks for playing Starlight!
Ratings
| Coolness | 51% | 3 |
| Overall(Jam) | 3.00 | 522 |
| Audio(Jam) | 3.43 | 204 |
| Fun(Jam) | 2.25 | 713 |
| Graphics(Jam) | 2.85 | 594 |
| Innovation(Jam) | 3.04 | 379 |
| Mood(Jam) | 3.60 | 139 |
| Theme(Jam) | 2.93 | 486 |
I just played through, I think it's really well done. I enjoyed the parallels in our games - exploring space, pressing space bar a lot, pluto references. On the other hand, our moods were obviously very different, and I think you really created and communicated the emotion well. Also, it's the first LD game I've played with voice acting, which I thought was a great touch.
I played your game as well and I thought it was fascinating just how similar they were, despite the obvious differences. Of course, I can't really say much that you haven't already, so I'll just say "thanks" again. The first rating means so much and I'm really glad you liked it. -Josh
For constructive feedback, I'd say that the transition texts should be able to be closed by the click of a button, instead of I having to wait for it to disappear (maybe I'm a fast reader). The interactions with the plants should perhaps also be cancellable.
For a game with such focus on voice recording, I think a higher quality recording device would've helped the game a lot :)
@Caliber_Project: Nathan and Jonathan will be pleased to hear it!
@Reyn: Sounds like you found Neptune. Neptune's a bit of a joke. Everything else has dialogue all the time, though.
@PixlWalkr: No doubt it's large. That's probably why most people don't record dialogue for their games. Thanks for playing despite it!
@taviandir: Great ideas! We wanted to implement a lot of them but we just didn't have time. And the recording device, well, I'm told we originally had access to much higher quality equipment, but because no one showed up to open the doors for Nathan we ended up having to make due with a headset. It's always something.
@udo: They do indeed exist! But they aren't crucial to the story; we didn't want them to be. They were just a little bit of extra story for anyone who wanted the mindless task of finding them. (Also we needed it to be sort of scientific.)
It would be great if there was an arrow to show you where's the sun, so you don't get lost.
I liked it overall.
It'd be nice to have the asteroid belt, so I could find Jupiter more easily. I never bothered to wander any farther out than that, it just gets too big.
I wonder if there's any good way to make it more navigable without making it easy?
Also, the beginning dialog takes too long, I need to be able to click to continue after 5 seconds or so.