LudumData

Null Is Zero by Sunblast

[raw]
made by Sunblast for Ludum Dare 45 (JAM)

ZeroIsNull.png

Game features 5 levels back to back.

Controls: WASD for Up/Left/Down/Right. Z for Undo. R(double tap) for Restart.

Goals of the Game: You control the blue number square and clear the levels by solving the equation featuring the equality operator ("=="), the sum of the numbers should be same on both sides. You can change the value of numbers by using the equals("=") operator, the number on the right side gains the value of of the equation on the left side.

Thoughts on the Jam: I had a lot of fun with this jam and ended up trying a few new things, such as adding sound effects and making a crude level editor. The game takes a lot of inspiration from Baba is You. On a closing note, wish I had the time to add a level selection but in the end there was none. Looking forward to next jam in 2020!

Lastly, thanks for trying the game! //Sunblast

Edit 1: Added some additional information for explaining the mechanics of the game, thanks @cyberstarlight for the tip! :)

Youtube https://drive.google.com/open?id=1oc21x7Jrbv8zeOwC3eoc2ukDOEfEWmv9
Youtube https://bitbucket.org/Mattias92/ldjam45/src/master/LDJam45/
Original URL https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/45/null-is-zero

Ratings

Overall 99th 4.019⭐ 29🧑‍⚖️
Fun 86th 3.981⭐ 29🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 34th 4.222⭐ 29🧑‍⚖️
Theme 230th 3.778⭐ 29🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 614th 3.444⭐ 29🧑‍⚖️
Given 25🗳️ 1🗨️

Feedback

CyberStarLight
08. Oct 2019 · 15:26 UTC
This is really nice!
very smart idea and good execution, the graphics are simple and clear.
It took me a minute to realize how you play, you should add in the description that standing next to a "=" sign turns you into the calculated number.

I hope people play it cause most people don't like math XD
but I like this game, good job! I think it's very smart and unique.
BOOtak
09. Oct 2019 · 17:49 UTC
Very nice puzzle. Thanks @cyberstarlight for explaining mechanics, this is the only detail lacking in the game. Otherwise - really nice and smart puzzle game.
Skyeward
09. Oct 2019 · 17:50 UTC
A nice twist on the Baba Is You formula!
changemewtf
09. Oct 2019 · 17:56 UTC
I love Baba Is You, and I love this! Level 4 was the hardest because I got confused about precedence rules. It was a little confusing to see programming conventions for equal signs in a non-programming context; I definitely don't think it would be clear to a non-programmer that "=" means "right-hand side is set to left-hand side" and "==" means "satisfy this equality statement". But once I figured it out I had a lot of fun. And completing 0==0 to exit at the end was such a cute detail! Very good job on this. Thank you for building and sharing it!
NoobDev
09. Oct 2019 · 17:59 UTC
Really love the visual simplicity of your game. Would love to see a bigger version of the game with more levels. Congratulation on your submission. Good luck for the next one.
framg
09. Oct 2019 · 18:00 UTC
I really like the game but at the beginning is a bit frustrating. Nice idea.
Monish Vyas
09. Oct 2019 · 18:05 UTC
A bit of sokoban and maths together. Loved the concept, perfect adaption of the theme. I wish there were more levels to play.
BrokenMirrorMedia
10. Oct 2019 · 19:30 UTC
A very neat mechanic for a math game, reminds me of Baba is You in the moving blocks around to change the player character (which evidently I am not the first to make the connection to). Art style is clear and simple, and the puzzles are interesting. Not much else to add, though I can imagine it's harder to get a wider audience to play a math game.
QuadApe
11. Oct 2019 · 01:14 UTC
That's a really clever idea and realization, very cool!
🎤 Sunblast
11. Oct 2019 · 16:13 UTC
First off, thanks you all for the feedback and testing!

Thanks @CyberStarLight and @BOOtak for the tip!

@changemewtf Yeah I agree, I think the confusion stems from that I struggled to find a good goal to end each level with. But I suppose it also could be solved with some tips/tutorials at the start.

@framg I would guess you mean the second level? I was considering removing some of the steps required to solve it, but never got around to it due to the time constraints.
coffeedrinkers
11. Oct 2019 · 18:00 UTC
Baba is Null
is
Zero

Great game! Would love more levels! Really cool concept and great puzzle!
Nisovin
11. Oct 2019 · 18:19 UTC
This is a really cool idea for a puzzle game, and it works quite well. That difficulty jump for the 4th level is crazy though, it seems way harder than the first three.
Balance686
11. Oct 2019 · 18:29 UTC
Love it! Great use of the theme. The game is challenging and fun to play. Very well executed! Great job on this!
kaeveris
11. Oct 2019 · 18:50 UTC
Nice concept! Simplistic graphic, cool puzzles!
Purrseus
11. Oct 2019 · 19:20 UTC
This puzzler is really well thought out, works like a charm! The presentation might be simple, but it does it's work and does not distract. And oh, is that moving sound effect satisfying! The puzzles are real brain burners and put their hooks deep into me!

Congratulations to one amazing game!
Franciszek Pyrć
11. Oct 2019 · 19:21 UTC
It's like baba is you, except math (just for nerdy people at Ludum dare).
benjamin
14. Oct 2019 · 17:40 UTC
I loved playing it ! I wish you had more time to design more levels but I guess it's not the easier part :)
draknek
15. Oct 2019 · 11:14 UTC
Nice idea! Level design could probably have been stronger though. Last level has a solution that doesn't involve the blocks in the right area.

I found having to press R twice to reset awkward - in practice I've not found many people accidentally reset in my games.
Suchista
16. Oct 2019 · 21:24 UTC
Amazing idea, I love it! I just wish there were a couple of easier levels in the beginning, because it gets hard pretty much right at the start. But it is fun and looks nice :)