LudumData

GROW by Japes

[raw]
made by Japes for LD34 (JAM)
Grow your plant from a humble shoot to a mighty redwood!
(or oak, or pine, or palm....or something)

Click near the seed or the tips of shoots to grow branches or roots.
Roots collect water.
Hold ctrl and click to sprout leaves and collect sunlight.
Hold alt and click to enlarge sections of the plant.

Roots/branches/leaves cost water and sunlight to grow.
Cost depends on:
1. how for the segment is from the seed
2. how much stuff you already have

Mousewheel to zoom, arrow keys/WASD to move camera.

Make sure your trunk and branches are strong enough to support your weight!

Full screen recommended - your resources and income rates are displayed in the top left corner.

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UPDATE 16/12/2015
I've added a post version that shows a ghost image of a potential shoot/leaf on mouseover, and shows the cost to build something before you actually build it. I think this makes things a lot less confusing.
Next up will be feedback on how much each component contributes to your income.

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UPDATE 29/12/2015
Another update to the post version, I've tweaked the cost/income formulas and the cost overlay is now red if you can't afford to grow at a given node.
Post Version https://japes.itch.io/grow
Original URL https://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-34/?action=preview&uid=38385

Ratings

Coolness 57% 3
Overall(Jam) 2.52 1059
Fun(Jam) 2.07 1070
Graphics(Jam) 2.36 949
Humor(Jam) 1.71 843
Innovation(Jam) 3.00 603
Theme(Jam) 3.34 777

Feedback

Catblocker
14. Dec 2015 · 16:15 UTC
I feel like it lacked gameplay. I'm just clicking at a plant and hoping that something will happen.
LudumFans
15. Dec 2015 · 01:48 UTC
Same that catblocker...
ChiPassGames
15. Dec 2015 · 14:17 UTC
Some sort of HUD would help the player know what is happening a lot. Interesting concept... could make a nice mobile game for when you have idle hands but can not be fully engaged.
liquidmedia
15. Dec 2015 · 22:31 UTC
The game runs but just adding roots or branches other than mouse click nothing seem to do and thing
DinnerInTheDark
15. Dec 2015 · 22:32 UTC
I would love to see more happening in this game, it feels a bit unfinished.
local minimum
16. Dec 2015 · 13:13 UTC
I think the game would have benefited from an interactive tutorial explaining how to build a plant and some stronger feedback about the resource economy I figure was at the base of the game. Like a clear meter for water uptake capability and a clear meter for energy production. Do green stems produce energy for instance.
🎤 Japes
16. Dec 2015 · 18:00 UTC
@local minimum I agree completely, would've done so if I hadn't run out of time. See the post version :)
Mikaza
16. Dec 2015 · 18:50 UTC
Very creative but need more informations about gameplay
Moosefly
18. Dec 2015 · 15:40 UTC
The jam entry was a bit lacking, but it had the potential and the post version is already a great base for a game. As ChiPassGames said a mobile version could be interesting: a tree that you can mold how you like when you have a spare minute or two, when not, it'll just gather light and water to be used later! Well done!
Crowbeak
20. Dec 2015 · 04:45 UTC
Janky plant is janky!

It's too bad I have to judge based on the compo version, because the post-compo version is much better. It really shows off what you're trying to do, making a much better showing of this game's potential. You've got the start of a good idle game here.
Captain Awesome
22. Dec 2015 · 05:11 UTC
I disagree with all the previous commenters, I liked your game a lot. My only complaint is the cost increase. Why does it eventually cost me 30 sunshine to make a new leaf? LOL, I worked hard to gather that sunshine don't price gouge me like this! :)

I wanted to see if I could grow my tree to the top of the screen (without breaking it), but I think it would take a really long time to gather that much sunshine.
bitdecaygames
22. Dec 2015 · 05:53 UTC
I like the gameplay, it's very zen. Two pieces I would have loved to see are: some sort of indication of how much things cost (without knowing I'm just clicking around hoping I can do things), and for the water / light to gen while the window loses focus. I understand why I don't get gen once the window loses focus, but I see this game being more like a bonsai tree than something to dedicate my attention to. I actually like having this as something I can come to in play sessions of a couple minutes at a time.

Overall, though, a cool idea and pretty well done.
🎤 Japes
22. Dec 2015 · 09:14 UTC
@Captain Awesome thanks! The cost algorithm obviously needs some tweaking, this is a common complaint. At the moment your distance from the seed increases cost way too much. Also size of roots/leaves doesn't increase their production but I will change that too.

@bitdecaygames this is also a common complaint :) the default unity behaviour is for things to pause when it loses focus so it wasn't a deliberate thing...will fix.