Harvest Dune by rrsmtz

[raw]
made by rrsmtz for Ludum Dare 52 (JAM)

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Description

Explore a strange and dangerous planet, where the valuable substance, melange spice, is worth more than life itself.

Use scouts to find spice to harvest, and defend yourself against raiders in the desert. Rumor has it there are even larger threats out there…

Controls

Steer with "A" & "D" or the left/right arrow keys

Commands can be made with buttons on the sidebar or with keys, described below: * Send a scout with "S", then left click * Place a turret with "T", then left click (costs 10mg of spice) * Call in an orbital cannon with "C", then left click (costs 50mg)

Development

Made entirely from scratch during the weekend by Reed, Naomi, & Rory

Programming: C# with VSCode and Vim

Art: Aseprite

Music: GarageBand

SFX: GarageBand + Royalty-Free SFX

Developed in Unity v2021.3.16f1

Inspired by one of our favorite series ;)

Rating

Please rate 'Audio' only based on the music and USE of sound effects, as some the sound effects are royalty-free

Ratings

Overall 102th 3.966⭐ 106🧑‍⚖️
Fun 158th 3.813⭐ 106🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 146th 3.726⭐ 106🧑‍⚖️
Theme 87th 4.231⭐ 106🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 395th 3.649⭐ 106🧑‍⚖️
Audio 88th 3.905⭐ 97🧑‍⚖️
Mood 62th 4.132⭐ 104🧑‍⚖️
Given 57🗳️ 92🗨️

Feedback

mrnotcrazy
09. Jan 2023 · 18:57 UTC
I like it! Are there any plans to add Sandworms?
🎤 rrsmtz
09. Jan 2023 · 18:58 UTC
Keep on playing ;)
Creamsicle42
09. Jan 2023 · 18:59 UTC
Great game idea, The sand worm started to come just as I hit a massive spice pool, and the carrier got me out literally a quarter second before it showed up, leading to a very suspenseful game.
samvaran
09. Jan 2023 · 19:35 UTC
this is so cool! love the sound of the sand worm alarm :D
amkingTRP
09. Jan 2023 · 20:12 UTC
That was really effective. The whole atmosphere is spot on.

I think there's actually the basis of a more indepth game here (expeditions out to the sand sea and trying to survive to get back to base), but obviously there'd be license/copyright considerations.
Glaupe Cabral
09. Jan 2023 · 20:45 UTC
Hello, muad'dib, here's a big Dune fan. I was thrilled when I saw your game, so thanks for doing it. I found the gameplay very nice, just did not learn how to defend myself from the fremems, but you are to be congratulated. If you continue developing the game will send me the updated versions, I will love to play and give feedback. Oh, take the opportunity to play our game too and tell me what you thought: https://ldj.am/$318266
MattH
09. Jan 2023 · 21:50 UTC
Fun little game! Fairly intuitive and made me play a couple of times. Great Job!
asfdfdfd
09. Jan 2023 · 23:19 UTC
Love your gameplay loop and SAAAAAAAAAAANDWOOOOOOOOORRRRRRMMMMMMMM!!!!!!
LDJam user 317693
10. Jan 2023 · 01:16 UTC
Pretty cool, the sandworm is terrifying, I can tell you that. Very interesting to see a game based off Dune!
megalukes
10. Jan 2023 · 01:30 UTC
Wow, that was such a nice entry. Loved the idea and how it was done. Movement and controls were really in sync with the concept and atmosphere. I played it multiple times. It's hard to find balanced games because of LD's time constraint but this one was really well done. Congrats!
maymay
10. Jan 2023 · 01:31 UTC
Really great game!! I love how well the pieces fit together, and how it also is accurate to the dune lore at the same time :) The sound design is fantastic as well. I would love if there were more levels, or a way to replay the game on a different random map
Wizorbe
10. Jan 2023 · 01:34 UTC
A very interesting take on the Harvest theme. The gameloop is interesting, but gets cut too short by the worm. It adds tension, but there is nothing you can do about it so it just becomes frustrating, instead of adding thrill. Overall, a very cute fangame.
lacunahag
10. Jan 2023 · 02:18 UTC
Woag! really makes me like I'm harvesting space drugs in the desert under Harkonnen rule. I'm impressed with the balancing: it's just hard enough that it took me a few tries to win and is just frustrating enough that I didn't rage quit. The sound design is absolutely perfect. 5 star game for me.
artman
10. Jan 2023 · 05:34 UTC
Great game! THE SPICE MUST FLOW.
Kenguin
10. Jan 2023 · 05:37 UTC
Very well made with a cool concept! Love a dune reference haha. The gameplay is quite good though the number of scouts available feels a bit excessive and you can essentially see everything around you at no penalty if your apm is fast enough. Other than that, very fun to play
CameronPenner
10. Jan 2023 · 05:49 UTC
Very cool! I love Dune, so this was a really cool game to play since it already felt familiar. The controls were intuitive, and it was a good enough challenge. I failed the first attempt, and then found a massive spice patch on my second try! I got evacuated JUST as the sandworm burst into the air. Very satisfying ending! The only thing I would have done differently is to make the scouts ornothopters instead of helicopters :)

Well done! And thanks for making a web build, it was very easy to just hop on the page, and try the game.
naomiajacobs
10. Jan 2023 · 06:06 UTC
Hah @cameronpenner I didn't even know ornithopters were different from helicopters! I always read that and thought it was just a weird alt scifi word for helicopters. TIL they have wings - so cool! We could have made some sick animations for them, thanks for the suggestion :)
error
10. Jan 2023 · 07:02 UTC
Pretty cool and themey game. Found it tough to get enough spices before dying. But nonetheless a great entry.
Kilirane
10. Jan 2023 · 09:16 UTC
I really liked this game! Normally I would have found it a bit slow. But it's consistent with the Dune universe after all. This plays in favor of the tension, especially late in the game when I become greedy when the sandworm spawn. Good work!
wastedsince99
10. Jan 2023 · 13:22 UTC
Awesome! I'm a big Dune fan, loved this little game! Graphics were simple, but in a good way. Audio was nice, not confusing or overdone. It was easy to learn but "hard to master", took me a few runs to collect enough spice to justify extraction before being eaten by the worm. Great entry!
Ben Toosey
10. Jan 2023 · 13:54 UTC
I found it quite tough to start off with, got killed by raiders very quickly most of the time, but really enjoyed it, great entry :)
Phillip Scott
10. Jan 2023 · 17:52 UTC
I liked this entry planning turrets and learning the map was quite fun the sand worm looked great (the screen shake was a little crazy :)) and I liked the tense feeling of will I make it or not!

Art and sounds were or point too.

Great Job
![image_2023-01-10_175215054.png](///raw/123/b3/z/55f07.png)
Kostas Nik
10. Jan 2023 · 19:11 UTC
Great Colors and ambience music that make you feel like Dune. DID NOT EXPECT the sandWORM! It was an awesome feeling! I avoided all the spice in first playthrough, hehe .
VaizAragorn
10. Jan 2023 · 19:39 UTC
I've been a disappointment in my life before, but never felt this sad when I couldn't get enough spices. Thanks for the awesome game, it was fun playing and pretty unique. Keep up the good work!
blobo
10. Jan 2023 · 20:21 UTC
I recorded myself playing the game, (but it's my first recording of the jam, so I didn't balance the audio until the end of the video. Whoops!!)

I hope it's enough feedback, ha!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4O6Zf77W3I
zubspace
10. Jan 2023 · 21:37 UTC
Very great atmosphere. The short visibility, the dangerous work and the matching music is really unique. Getting the required amount of spice is not that easy, but on the third try I scouted out a large spice pool and was narrowly saved while raiders were after me and the maw of the sand monster opened up under my feet! Rescue in the last second! Love it!
naomiajacobs
10. Jan 2023 · 21:43 UTC
wow awesome @100th-coin thanks for the video review! It's very fun seeing someone play it live
Mololo
10. Jan 2023 · 22:15 UTC
I loved sending scouts it felt peaceful. Managed to win after a few tries. The gameplay was great and the art as well. Good job!
Copito
10. Jan 2023 · 22:58 UTC
innovative and atmospheric, i really enjoyed this one.
profan
10. Jan 2023 · 23:39 UTC
Definitely my favourite so far, the view when the worm came for you was incredible and this was definitely a game where the screenshake was well employed! Overall a really well rounded entry, never felt like I had a hard time understanding what was going on (at least after I understood that the pools were.. spice pools) and the art, music and overall mod really came together :)

Wonderful work.
LeoRototo
11. Jan 2023 · 03:00 UTC
So frustrating ! 6 play and i managed twice to harvest enough to leave, but the sandworm always catch me before i can escape :'(

Excellent game tho !! very very good game, nice feeling, nice ambiance simple but nice working gamplay, i love it, good job :)
rustynoob
11. Jan 2023 · 03:39 UTC
So it is possible to harvest enough spic. Nice game. I really enjoyed it. The atmosphere was nice.
Lil_Chyn
11. Jan 2023 · 04:07 UTC
Really enjoyed the game
Tvorojok
11. Jan 2023 · 05:02 UTC
It's so minimalistic and very expressive. I didn't have enough literally 10 spices to get out. Directing at the highest level!
Killian0213
11. Jan 2023 · 05:05 UTC
I loved it ! It really transported me to the desert!
CuteSquirrel
11. Jan 2023 · 05:12 UTC
I saw one of your wip posts, and was really envious. When the theme was announced I really wanted to do something with spice harvesting, as I'm a big fan of the Dune universe. But as this was my first game, I wasn't sure if I could make something fitting, so I hope for a theme in upcoming Ludum Dares where I can do some Dune stuff.

Anyways. Excellent game. Well explained. Nice controls. Really loved the scouting mechanisms (although spamming it feels wrong). Took me 3 attempt to win, and would have loved for there to be more levels.
Music is awesome, art is awesome. Theme is 5/5.

Loved it.
Stefan Laimer
11. Jan 2023 · 06:25 UTC
That was a wonderful little game! Great job!
bardicmischief
11. Jan 2023 · 07:28 UTC
I loved that you casually added quotations from Dune. The soundtrack is simple, but effective because the sandworm alert made me freak out and I desperately tried to get away... well, just like in the book and movie. I would prefer a slightly faster-moving vehicle but that is just my personal preference. Don't think it could help me to escape from the sandworm, though...
chompdev
11. Jan 2023 · 08:13 UTC
Very fun! I like how all of the abilities can be used multiple times and work well in tandem. Scouting is fun and a good way to keep the player engaged while crawling through the desert. Strategically deciding whether to set up some turrets before mining is an interesting option. The ending is very fun and tense, and left me wanting more! :)
procrasteroid
11. Jan 2023 · 09:52 UTC
Beautiful art, the music is perfect and sets the atmosphere wonderfully.

Above that though, your tutorial was brilliant at easing players into the mechanics. Great job!
Crygos
11. Jan 2023 · 10:57 UTC
This game is awesome! The sound and artwork works perfectly and I like the exploration. Only wished for the vehicle to move a bit faster overall.
digital bacon
11. Jan 2023 · 11:57 UTC
Nice game. Love the graphics, and the worm made me jump the first time I saw it. Well done!
DeathBySnail
11. Jan 2023 · 13:04 UTC
oh hell yeah a dune entry! Got out juuuust before the worm, felt epic. Great mood, love the use of sound. And the worm looks ace.
Annie Owl
11. Jan 2023 · 15:12 UTC
On my first run I spent all my spice on purely located turrets and single man nukes and was barely using the scout, so when It was the time to evacuate I had meager 200 spice. But after figuring out how to place the turrets properly, I've barely managed to escape my death! :sweat_smile: It was fun, great job!
LDJam user 246128
11. Jan 2023 · 18:00 UTC
Amazing gameplay loop, great choice of sounds and music, beautiful artwork, well done! Would've gladly played more if it were longer.

Also cool in-game tutorial gradually showing more stuff to do.
nardandas
11. Jan 2023 · 18:40 UTC
Really well balanced game. Even after retrying I barely got out! Great job on that!
SciDev
11. Jan 2023 · 19:56 UTC
I haven't read dune myself, but it's really cool to see a game explicitly based on an existing story.

Also the harvester is really satisfying to pilot, because of the fact you synchronized the steps to both the music and the stepping sound.

All in all, nice work and good luck in judging!
digitaldude555
11. Jan 2023 · 20:35 UTC
Wow you made a game thats straight up cinematic in just 3 days, everything goes so well, all the mechanics are utilized and game has nice depth to it, the sound and screenshake are very effective in making you fear the sandworm. Amazing.
muhuk
11. Jan 2023 · 20:41 UTC
The spice must flow. Tried twice, died twice, fantastic entry.
OldDog
12. Jan 2023 · 01:05 UTC
![Snipaste_2023-01-12_09-03-38.png](///raw/316/b3/z/56324.png)

this game mood is amazing!!! I like the style very much ,,but control feeling are not very well : )
Togis
12. Jan 2023 · 01:48 UTC
Amazing game, you really manage to capture the essence (or should I say the spice) of the novels.

I really had fun!
paci
12. Jan 2023 · 08:12 UTC
Really cool to see the dune universe come to life for a jam! The game is fun to play and very stressful when a worm is on his way!
JUMPirate
12. Jan 2023 · 10:12 UTC
A good prototype of exploring and collecting mini-game. It's a pity that the process is a bit short, and the game is over as soon as I enter the flow.
JUMPirate
12. Jan 2023 · 10:23 UTC
When the sandworm appears, the shaking is too strong, which makes me dizzy...
LDJam user 142503
12. Jan 2023 · 10:26 UTC
Cool game,sand worm is amazing!
kastaff
12. Jan 2023 · 15:10 UTC
Wow very nice game ! The gameplay is easy and quick to learn ! Art is cool but I would have add a little bit of details on the map. I think this game would benefit to have a little story telling with 3-4 levels (first one with some raiders and less spice one the ground, and the last one with the worm and more spices.) with also upgrades between levels.
But nonetheless a very good entry, and good balancing of the mechanics !
Jonqs
12. Jan 2023 · 20:17 UTC
Nice entry. The dune mood is really well done. Congrats !
LDJam user 314356
13. Jan 2023 · 00:06 UTC
Nice game. Fun and short. I'd prefer something with own setting, but this is fine as well (why not make it about Dune if you want?).

I completed for the second ending (this was my plan all along!), gonna live in the worm's stomach from now on.
pazzi
13. Jan 2023 · 00:53 UTC
The worm almost gave me a heartattack- good thing I had just enough! Awesome game!
![Capture.PNG](///raw/800/e4/z/56523.png)
kikiriki367
13. Jan 2023 · 02:43 UTC
Lower the sound effects just a bit to level with the music.... AND DUCK I LOVE THIS AND THAT WORM! ITS TIME TO WATCH THE MOVIE FOR THE 20th TIME!!! FOR HOUSE ATREIDES!
Blue Pin Studio
13. Jan 2023 · 05:24 UTC
Awesome! At first i thought i kept losing to the worm but it turns out i was actually successfully escaping! Managed to get 600 spice as my best run. Really cool!
bellatrion
13. Jan 2023 · 11:39 UTC
Wow, was not expecting that sandworm! xD
It took me 5 attempts to manape to get an escape, otherwise I was always a bit below the required 400mg :c
Very well done, the music, the heaviness we feel in player movement, the atmosphere, everything around that sandworm... Congrats!
SmelJey
13. Jan 2023 · 14:35 UTC
Omg, this is amazing. Arts and sounds are fantastic, I also like the gameplay. It's a bit simple, yet good for the game jam format. Great job!
mharring
13. Jan 2023 · 22:24 UTC
Nice game! I thought the spice pools were rocks, so I avoided them at first. The mechanics were fun, although the game felt a little cut short by the sandworm. The sounds and music fit well though (although the sounds were a tad loud). Overall nice entry!
osh.studio
14. Jan 2023 · 06:13 UTC
Wow, impressive. Atmosphere and mood were really good, and it felt like I was always so close to reaching the goal without it being unfair, managed to get it in the end. Really fun :)
Ategon
14. Jan 2023 · 22:51 UTC
Pretty nice take on the theme. The fact its balanced to make people always experience the giant sand worm is great. The low visibility mechanic worked really well to add to the game vibe, the gameplay was straightforward, and the sounds and art complimented the game nicely
Almax
14. Jan 2023 · 22:56 UTC
One of my favourite games so far! Once I saw "Dune", I said to my self "This better be good!". And it was. Fantastically intense mood - especially when the worm appears! And a solid balance of mechanics. There's really not much to fault for a jam game. Nice work!
Lone_Wolf
15. Jan 2023 · 00:14 UTC
10/10, well rounded and polished gameplay, great take on the theme, perfect atmosphere, and was fun to play.

Many harvesters were lost, but I eventually made it out with 450mg, hopefully boss will pay me extra for that
Bloodfin
15. Jan 2023 · 04:36 UTC
Really fun game you made here, love the back and forth scouting and using the tools to try and defend the digger. Would be interested to see how you could add some variety to the gameplay in the future to keep it going longer but overall really fun game great job!
sslees
17. Jan 2023 · 00:07 UTC
This is amazing! I haven't beat it yet, but it's fun enough to keep trying. Love the terrible noises and screen shake when the worm is almost there...
someone
17. Jan 2023 · 00:15 UTC
Fun game. Good atmosphere.
I thought the spice pools were rocks at first.
I got swamped by way too many attackers and couldn't build turrets fast enough on my fist attempt. Eventually just made it out with 476.8 after several tries. I like that that extraction just isn't worth their while if you don't make enough. Makes the game much more tense.
lsdlx
18. Jan 2023 · 00:25 UTC
Nice atmosphere! Had fun playing it, couldn't beat it but it's a great experience trying
The screen shaking is very effective, loved it!
Well done
dod108
19. Jan 2023 · 13:59 UTC
Well done. My only issue is that the graphics could be better without mixing pixel sizes (but the style is surprisingly consistent despite that). Maybe adding another mission with higher spice requirement after succesfully completing one could be fun. Anyway, good game.
F1Krazy
19. Jan 2023 · 18:05 UTC
This is great! I wasn't expecting it to be as challenging as it is, especially with the sand worm giving you a strict (and I mean *strict!*) time limit. The increasing screen shake as the sand worm approaches, and the fact you don't know exactly when it's going to strike, really adds to the sense of panic as you try to extract that last bit of spice. I liked the challenge, but was sadly never quite able to juggle the mechanics well enough to survive.

My main complaint is that the turrets aren't effective enough at dealing with the raiders. You have to build multiple to actually stop them, which you can't do effectively because you can only build one at a time, and they move so quickly that they're already taking lumps out of your health before the first turret is even built.

There's definitely scope here to make this a full-sized, multi-level game, with the first levels being a bit less punishing and easing you into the mechanics more. I'd like to see that.
Tomssuli
19. Jan 2023 · 19:38 UTC
Awesome game! It captures the Dune mood perfectly with the music, sandstorm, the screen shake and the relentlessness.

Gameplay was good, although it could have been a little bit longer with a little bit bigger spice quota so you could had been looking around for awhile longer and tried to balance the spice usage with couple more locations.

Graphics could have used a little work, the harvester animation and carryall looked a bit lazy art compared to other objects and backgrounds.

You also get points from me for theme as the term "harvesting" in rts games actually originates from Dune (as you probably already knew)

Nice work overall!

ps. Being barely saved from the worm felt crazy! :sunglasses:

![dune2.png](///raw/a34/d1/z/56a71.png)
ChevalBancal
22. Jan 2023 · 12:22 UTC
Really liked the game. The graphics reminded me of FTL. The audio quality was a bit weak compared to the rest of the game. Good job !
zimny11
27. Jan 2023 · 13:21 UTC
Great mood! Music and sound effect are also really good. Go to 556 mg :) Well done with the game!