NOPE by shadow64

[raw]
made by shadow64 for LD29 (JAM)
This is my first time in Ludum Dare and I had a blast!

Originally this was created for the 48 hour competition, but I didn't make the deadline, so here it is - in all it's 3-4 minute glory: NOPE - It's not what you think...

Beneath the Surface: To some, the theme may not make sense initially, but the whole point of NOPE is that the game is not what it appears. Much of the fun is in its surprise, so while I don't want to spoil NOPE, I HAVE created some helpful tips/hints. They are purposefully cryptic, but will all make sense when they need to.

TIP: You will have to use the keyboard eventually.

HINT 1: Get past 3 points for the REAL fun to begin. If you don't make it past that, please don't vote. You haven't truly experienced the game.

HINT 2: No conversation saves a bad marriage.

HINT 3: Press "F" if you're stuck and this hint makes sense to you.

HINT 4: Keep pressing "S" if the game doesn't move on (this will be fixed post-LD).

HINT 5: Crashy crashy. It's not over until you see "TO BE CONTINUED..."

Thank you for playing! If you enjoy it, please leave a comment! I do my best to rate every game from those who do!

Update 05/06: After seeing someone's playthrough today, I discovered that I had made a mistake and some of my fonts were not embedded correctly. They were always embedded, but there is a property that must be changed from false to true that I missed. The reason is because on my machine they were still pulling the local version of the font - my embedding seemed to work. I've corrected the issue as I believe this falls under the "typo" category mentioned in the rules: changing a false to true. Otherwise the builds are identical - nothing else has been changed or added.

Ratings

Coolness 81% 2
Overall(Jam) 3.57 145
Audio(Jam) 3.29 268
Fun(Jam) 3.84 36
Graphics(Jam) 3.18 450
Humor(Jam) 4.31 7
Innovation(Jam) 3.56 137
Mood(Jam) 3.48 186
Theme(Jam) 2.82 530

Feedback

yetanother
28. Apr 2014 · 23:00 UTC
Haha, That was fun! really strange... But fun!
Simon@LD
29. Apr 2014 · 08:21 UTC
Really nice effort for a first timer! One minor remark: it would be better if the music didn't restart every time the level restarts. Nice pun on flappy bird!
rorycooke
29. Apr 2014 · 08:22 UTC
well that was a surprise, FUCK YOUR POTS hahahahhahahahaha
Lars Faust
29. Apr 2014 · 08:24 UTC
Wha...

I almost stopped playing after that Flappy Bird part, but i forced myself through it. I am kinda glad i did, i have to say.
🎤 shadow64
29. Apr 2014 · 09:27 UTC
Thank you! Please help spread the word. I know that the flappy bird part may turn people away, but that's where "Beneath The Surface" comes in! :D

@yetanother, thank you!

@Simon@LD, I hope you finished the game. The flappy bird part is only the beginning!

@rorycooke, so glad you enjoyed it!

@Lars Faust, Thank you for playing! So glad you enjoyed it!
littleball
29. Apr 2014 · 12:18 UTC
Very strange, but work getting past the first bit! Well done
Nizar89
29. Apr 2014 · 12:20 UTC
The Flappy Bird part is maybe too hard, I had to read the other comments to understand that there is more and force myself to see it.

But the rest of the game... Haha, that was fun! Great job!
GamerTaters
29. Apr 2014 · 12:21 UTC
Quite the twist. I enjoyed it. :)
Detocroix
29. Apr 2014 · 12:22 UTC
That was really surprising turn of events! :)
SFBTom
29. Apr 2014 · 12:23 UTC
Heh, lots packed in there for just one weekend. I can imagine a whole game playing out this way!
🎤 shadow64
29. Apr 2014 · 12:24 UTC
@littleball, Thank you!!!

@Nizar89, I'm realizing now that it wasn't easy enough. I tried to make it simple, but people seem to be having trouble. :\ I hope more people like you read the comments and get to the end!

@GamerTaters Awesome! Thanks! Haha.
🎤 shadow64
29. Apr 2014 · 12:25 UTC
@SFBTom Sweet! If it does well in the competition, I would love to actually "Continue" from the to be continued. I already know what would be next, actually. Please help spread the word! And thank you - it was a lot of work, but a ton of fun!
🎤 shadow64
29. Apr 2014 · 12:25 UTC
@Detocroix Thanks! I'm glad you made it to the end! Haha!
jcvsmc
29. Apr 2014 · 12:26 UTC
Love the way it keeps changing!
I was sad when it finished, hope you make more! :)
🎤 shadow64
29. Apr 2014 · 12:29 UTC
@jcvsmc Yaaaay! Thanks for finding out what was "beneath the surface" of this game! I hope I get a chance to!
neekobus
29. Apr 2014 · 12:59 UTC
Ah ah ! Fun.
What happens next ? I want to know.
aaronjbaptiste
29. Apr 2014 · 18:27 UTC
Alright, here's what I think...

This game. I loved it! Seriously, make a full version, keep it similar to how it is, with the quick mini games and humour. I'd buy that, just for the lols.
🎤 shadow64
29. Apr 2014 · 21:34 UTC
@neekobus, thank you! Please keep spreading the word about the game. I will definitely keep working on it, if enough people want to play, and then you'll find out! The general answer is: plenty. The specific answer is: the next step is "alierms."

@aaronjbaptiste, Awesome! So nice of you to say. I hope enough people agree. This was a lot of fun to make - I had a blast, so I'd love to continue if people really want it! I also wish I had been able to finish it for the compo but I'm glad it was done in time for the jam. And that's exactly what I'd do - keep with the pace and the humor. Thanks!!!
BuKaneerz
30. Apr 2014 · 21:56 UTC
Ahah really cool game !
good job (:
NicoM
01. May 2014 · 01:34 UTC
OMFG ITS BRILLIANT, SO MANY SURPRIZES! actually probably the funniest game I've played (ever), great job:)
Andrew Shouldice
01. May 2014 · 01:34 UTC
That first section is addictive and challenging. You should package that as a stand-alone mobile game.
EpiphanyG
01. May 2014 · 12:32 UTC
Great game! Very funny!

I loved the variety. It's great when devs pack so many scenes into their game in such a short time. Yours is especially good as you have different mechanics for each part.

I would love to see a continuation to this. Lots more scenes please! It reminds me a little of McPixel.

Great job! :)
Zccc
01. May 2014 · 14:22 UTC
Ahaha that was pretty fun.
rvmook
02. May 2014 · 03:35 UTC
So random, really funny. Too bad you weren't able to round it up within 48 hours, but I'm glad you took the time to finish it. The shooting part was a bit hard for me, but maybe I just suck at it
🎤 shadow64
02. May 2014 · 07:16 UTC
Wow a few more comments!

@BuKaneerz, Thanks!

@NicoM, That's such an insanely nice compliment! :D

@Andrew, But where would I find the time machine to release flappy bird? :)

@EpiphanyG, Thank you! It was a blast making this. I was pretty excited the whole time. And I'm hoping enough people want the full game. I'd be willing to work on it if I thought there was real interest! There would be a LOT more scenes. I hadn't played McPixel until today after reading your comment. I totally see the comparison! :D

@Zccc, Thank you!

@rvmook, It's a shame. A few things came up that prevented me and also since the game is actually more than meets the eye, it just took a bunch of time. The part you mention should probably be slowed down and there are a few minor tweaks I'd want to make to everything. It's definitely not perfect. :D Thanks for the compliment!
Dreii
02. May 2014 · 08:44 UTC
FUCK YOUR POTS lol! that was a really funny game.
🎤 shadow64
02. May 2014 · 08:51 UTC
@Dreii, Thanks! :D I appreciate you taking the time to check it out. And again, I think AHH LAVA! is a great idea. I'm glad you didn't bow out and kept going to achieve your goal! Also that Valentine's Day game you made (the video you have up) looks SO good!
v_n_j
02. May 2014 · 08:52 UTC
Absolutely the best in humor for me :)
rujo
03. May 2014 · 17:17 UTC
haha.. very funny :D
InfectionTeam
04. May 2014 · 04:05 UTC
I can't stop laughing Hahahhaha WHATEVER MO REEEN
sP0CkEr2
04. May 2014 · 04:27 UTC
that was hilarious - not for kids - but dang fun - great job
BasselGaming
04. May 2014 · 05:14 UTC
That was really funny! really cool gameplay too!
🎤 shadow64
04. May 2014 · 05:22 UTC
Thank you v_n_j, rujo, InfectionTeam, and sPOCkEr2! I'll try to get to your games in a bit. I appreciate the kind words and I hope more people get a chance to enjoy/rate before the voting is over! :D

@sPOCkEr2, Definitely not for kids! Hahaha.
🎤 shadow64
04. May 2014 · 05:37 UTC
Thank you @BasselGaming! I'm glad you had a good time playing it! Please help spread the good word!
hbocao
04. May 2014 · 05:41 UTC
That was funny! And completely random. Nice job! Welcome!
TobiasW
04. May 2014 · 14:12 UTC
I think this video describes the game pretty well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGK8IC-bGnU

Gosh, that was funny. And while everybody keeps saying how "random" it is, the transitions are extremely well made and that's something you seldom see for this kind of game.

Great job! If I make one of my "best of" lists this time (and I plan to), this'll definitely get a place there :D
2HitAdam
04. May 2014 · 17:02 UTC
If only I could give more stars for innovation haha, this is the wackiest game I've played all LD(and that's saying something!) It was heaps of fun though, the FUCK YOUR POTS stage was hilarious. Games with lots of character like this are my favourites and I think you've got a knack for it, so keep it up!
Thorig
04. May 2014 · 19:58 UTC
Laughing so hard! Great entry.
Maschinen-Mensch
07. May 2014 · 11:28 UTC
Great idea! Glad that I kept playing after the initial impression. One of the most original games I've played in the jam. Hope to see the continuation one day. I'm curious to see how many game genres you can fit in there. :)
stqn
08. May 2014 · 00:19 UTC
Can’t get past score 2. I’ve read there’s something after that… too bad :(.
🎤 shadow64
08. May 2014 · 00:58 UTC
@stqn, please keep trying. In the future I will eliminate the death ceiling, but if you can't make it past 3, I'd appreciate you not rating the game. The first part is really not what the game is about, though I understand if you found it too hard that it might affect my score. :\

Here is a video where you can see what happens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuKC_foM-wo&feature=youtu.be

Though I really believe you'll enjoy the game more if you do it yourself.
jacklehamster
08. May 2014 · 23:00 UTC
Interesting little trip. Glad it wasn't just a flappy bird game!
PapyGaragos
09. May 2014 · 19:28 UTC
Hey congrats on your first LD!
Funny game, which was enjoyable from start to end (except maybe for the shooting part: I ended up spamming hoping some shots would connect), with a few "wtf" moments, and a good sense of completness in the existing scenes (even if there was to few for my taste).
I am not sure if this is a good take on the theme though. Without the description I wouldn't understand, and with the explaination I'm just... not sure.
Jupiter_Hadley
09. May 2014 · 20:27 UTC
It looked a lot like a flappy bird remake to me, but I dont think I found the hidden things. I included it in part 17 of my Ludum Dare compilation video series, if you want to check it out :) http://youtu.be/wBne0r55jPY
🎤 shadow64
09. May 2014 · 20:42 UTC
@Jacklehamster - Thanks! I'm glad you made it to the fun!

@PapyGaragos - Thanks. I think it fits the theme pretty well and creatively. I considered doing a cave game or underwater game but that's pretty basic to me - everyone did that. The next level of thought made me think about liars - lots of people did this too. So then I thought, what if the whole game wasn't what it seemed and you needed to get beneath the surface to enjoy it - and what if that were to continue throughout the game. You may disagree, but my game is also in the jam not in the comp, so I'm allowed plenty of leeway on theme. To me, I would've never made this game without the theme, but you may feel differently.

@Jupiter_Hadley - As I mentioned to you on Twitter (and in the description for the game) I really don't think people should judge the game if they didn't get past what amounts to the first 30 seconds. You just have to make it over or under the bird. Flappy is actually WAY harder than this. I'm sorry you didn't get the full experience, though.
Michael Grand
09. May 2014 · 20:44 UTC
Flappy Bird never made me angry. This made me angry XD I'm not docking points for that though! It was obviously the design intent.

I don't want to spoil anything, but there was a point at which I felt REALLY uncomfortable pressing the keys I needed to press >.>

This was an interesting game.
Dreii
09. May 2014 · 20:55 UTC
Hey shadow just read your comment about AHH LAVA! and that valentines game, thanks so much man! I diddnt think anyone would take the time to see that :) Followed you on twitter as well.
🎤 shadow64
09. May 2014 · 21:11 UTC
@Michael Grand - I'm really sorry to hear that. In future versions I plan to rework it because I don't want to keep people out of the experience, but I still don't think it's as bad as people make it out to be. If you click once and then three times in succession it tends to work for me. I also think there needs to be SOMEthing that's a bit of a challenge because the rest of the game isn't.

Hahaha, sorry about the keypressing. :)
🎤 shadow64
09. May 2014 · 21:16 UTC
@Dreii - Oh, no problem! I really liked the look of it and I always read the full description of games I rate. It means I rate fewer games, but I'd rather be an "informed voter" than just trying to game my cool score to get more ratings, you know? To me this is the opportunity to learn and develop a community.
FrameMatt
09. May 2014 · 21:23 UTC
Hahahaha its so good!
I enjoyed it a lot. :D
🎤 shadow64
09. May 2014 · 21:45 UTC
@FrameMatt - Thank you so much! :D
Wertle
10. May 2014 · 05:08 UTC
Very clever and surprising :) I wanted more! Mooooooooooooore! I'm sure you're planning it already ;)
🎤 shadow64
10. May 2014 · 07:20 UTC
@Wertle Thank you so much! Currently, with all of the generous responses, I think I'm convinced that a full game would be supported. I'll be making an announcement soon enough - it'll be with the post mortem. :) Thank you for playing and commenting!
ThingoStudios
10. May 2014 · 17:37 UTC
Totally baffling. I can't tell if you deserve the highest or lowest possible ranking, which means you probably deserve the highest.
🎤 shadow64
10. May 2014 · 19:53 UTC
@ThingoStudios - Thanks! (I think.) Hahaha. Seems like you enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to playing Dr. Pepsi Marriage Consultant! :D
Crowbeak
11. May 2014 · 12:17 UTC
I love the ending.
🎤 shadow64
12. May 2014 · 03:28 UTC
@Crowbeak - Thanks! I had a fun time playing Read Between the Tropes! :)
monsterkillu
12. May 2014 · 12:31 UTC
Surprisingly cool game. Really loved what you've done beneath :)...
DarkUser
12. May 2014 · 13:05 UTC
After the conversation, the game seemed to break. Tried twice, no buttons we're doing anything, pressing S does nothing, the 2 are standing there and there is an F on the screen, music is playing
🎤 shadow64
12. May 2014 · 17:22 UTC
@monsterkillu, Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I'll be playing your game later today!

@DarkUser, I've messaged you on Twitter and I've updated the hints. You needed to press "F" when you saw that. I'm sorry that was unclear. :\ Looking forward to playing your entry!
DarkUser
12. May 2014 · 19:47 UTC
Oh derp lol, just looked like it froze mid-text to me. Feel like starting your letter flicker before you press would sort that out but I might just be daft. Clever game anyway, enjoyed it
klianc09
17. May 2014 · 14:20 UTC
Really great game, this is the type of games I always look forward to in LD.
Humor is it's strength oviously, one of the few LD games that actually made me laugh.
The first part should be easier, so that the later content isn't locked away from people not being good at flappy bird.
But who am I to complain about difficulty in LD entries. :D

Good job!
pinkmonkeyhead
17. May 2014 · 14:35 UTC
The game changing between genres reminded me of my LD27 entry. But this was way funnier. I was almost crying laughing on the fuck your pots part.
🎤 shadow64
18. May 2014 · 01:06 UTC
@klianc09 - Thanks! :D I'm really glad that you enjoyed it and it was able to make you laugh! I've tried to tweak the opening gateway to make it slightly easier, but I've also decided I'm sort of okay with people being challenged out. My mom, who is NOT a gamer, beat it. If they can't do it - I don't know what to say to them. As you know, the game literally has no other gateway after that, so it's a balance that gives back I think. ;)

@pinkmonkeyhead - Awesome! I'll have to check out your LD27 entry. I wanted to change genres but also change POVs. There will be more of that in the extended version I'm planning. :) So glad you found it so funny. It makes me really happy anytime someone says that. Thank you!