Species:Chappy by hnjslater

made by hnjslater for LD24 (COMPO)

So I really wanted to do something tile based, maybe to do with timetravel. But then evolution won...

I wanted actual evolution to happen and specifically specisation. The latter didn't come out in the wash but it's not terrible and certainly has evolution in it.

Everyone said to use a framework. So I didn't. I didn't run out of time so much as burn out. I'll probably come back to this and add a couple more levels later. It needs tidying but I hate tidying!

NB I wrapped it up in an applet after the time limit expired as one of my friends' windows laptop was trying to open jars using Nokia Suite. This is allowed under the rules.

Web	http://hnjslater.github.com/species-chappy/
Java (direct)	https://github.com/downloads/hnjslater/species-chappy/species-chappy-1.0.0.jar
Java (github)	https://github.com/hnjslater/species-chappy/downloads
Source	https://github.com/hnjslater/species-chappy
Original URL	https://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-24/?action=preview&uid=16286

Ratings

Coolness	57%	3
Overall	2.93	399

Audio	1.06	623
Fun	2.66	447
Graphics	2.21	633
Humor	2.27	298
Innovation	3.45	140
Mood	2.08	618
Theme	4.03	28

Feedback

NatNoBrains

27. Aug 2012 · 08:05 UTC

A bit short. Protip: Don't use black font on blue background, it's hard to see. Didn't really entertain me for that long... Good try though.

robcozzens

27. Aug 2012 · 08:22 UTC

Great work with the theme! This could pass as being educational.
The level in your screenshot is a good way to illustrate the principal of gradual change.

🎤 hnjslater

27. Aug 2012 · 10:00 UTC

Thanks for the comments, the whole black on blue thing didn't occur to me or my playtester - whoops!

Yeh, I should've done a couple more levels with more evolution and actual formation of species.

LogGiant

27. Aug 2012 · 16:18 UTC

I thought this was a lot of fun. I really liked that there were more evolutions besides bigger hats. I think a sandbox mode with a bunch of islands would be a good addition to this.
I thought the game looked kind of silly, but it doesn't need good graphics to be fun, and if its fun what else matters?

berkano

27. Aug 2012 · 16:22 UTC

Neat! The graphics had a nice feel, and the tutorial at the beginning made it easy to understand. Could have done with a bit of sound!

Kmad

28. Aug 2012 · 07:56 UTC

Really interesting little puzzle game idea, I liked how cross-breeding took effect as populations mixed. Hope you develop it further.

Yann

29. Aug 2012 · 08:07 UTC

Nice idea, unfortunately, I think your game would have gained a bit of clarity with a little more work on graphics and audio.
I didn't clearly see the changes in level 2 between the population of the two left island. When I finally found how to make the population live in the desert, I noticed the Darwin effect and then the game made a lot more sense.
This idea can definitely "evolve" into a solid game (:

Mago

29. Aug 2012 · 19:57 UTC

Fun and interesting game idea. I liked Chappes design :)
I tottaly agree with LogGiant sandbox mode would be a good idea. Too bad there is no sound

hgcummings

01. Sep 2012 · 16:12 UTC

It's a neat idea, and I liked that each level was different and that it wasn't immediately obvious what you had to do (made each level a unique puzzle). Would be good to have had some more levels, but I guess you ran out of time.

monkeymad2

03. Sep 2012 · 01:56 UTC

Liked it, was there meant to be an adaptation to the polluted part of the map or were you just waiting till the things past through it?

🎤 hnjslater

04. Sep 2012 · 23:25 UTC

Nope, just poisonous. It seemed like a cooler level in my head!

frogmaster

06. Sep 2012 · 09:31 UTC

Wow! Very thematic game! And fun! The last level is maybe a bit trival, but, wow, in general: awesome!

Nizan

06. Sep 2012 · 22:49 UTC

Actually rather fun once I figured out what was happening. I think a bit more clarity on when/how they are 'evolving' and it's spot-on. One of my favorite games so far. :)

vilya

06. Sep 2012 · 23:01 UTC

I didn't really get this. Can you do anything other than open and close the bridges between islands?

🎤 hnjslater

17. Sep 2012 · 08:30 UTC

Yep, that's all there is.