... well, maybe. I guess we'll know in a week :)

This post is not an ad or promotion in any way, but stems from a deep-rooted frustration: despite many tries, I never seem to get far enough along in my jam entries to actually submit a reasonably complete game. I don't mind failing to submit - every attempt has proven an incredibly valuable learning experience - but I'd like to prove to myself that I'm up to the challenge of meeting ldjam compo constraints, as a solo developer. And that will require a submission.

So, poking around lesser known engines a couple weeks ago, I discovered GDevelop and now I strongly suspect that it may be the ultimate weapon for solo ldjam participants. It's easy to learn and has some decent tutorials to reference over on youtube.

Most folks can likely pick up the basics in a couple of hours, and make a game on their first day. Despite the "no-code" paradigm, it's easily the most efficient self-contained pipeline for game development that I've tried to date.

To avoid proselytizing, or appearances of such, I'll just leave it at this: if you struggle to submit for jams like I do, a few hours on this engine might just be worth the investment. Good Luck!

There was so much variation of the theme "grow" [to grow, growing, let it grow, ungrow, grow up, etc) (tbh I even had suggested one XD) I found it really funny XD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh04guHSE7c

I can't believe the jam is just a week away!

In the spirit of giving back to this community that has taught me so much, I finished writing a tutorial on How to Write a Sprite Packer.

In this tutorial, we learn how texture atlases are used to draw images in games, write a sprite packer from start to finish, and export our data in a way that can be incorporated into any engine.

If this sounds up your alley, come check it out!

A lot of fun themes this time! When's the next round, folks?

I should warn you, I'm rating this in quite a selfish manner. For every potential theme I ask myself:

Will it be fun on every stage of the jam? Will I enjoy making my own project, reading about others' process, and rating all the games?

And only if the answer to all three is a definite YES do I give it a [+1].

So here is my justification:

Collapse [+1]: Old, but lots of definitions, so a lot of different games.

Rock, paper, scissors [+1]: Cool mechanic with a lot of potential.

Alchemy [-1]: Single definition, will result in lots of similar games.

Strange creatures [-1]: Seems like a lot of art, not a lot of gameplay.

Edge of the world [0]: There might be something here, I just haven’t found it yet.

Repair [0]: Again, only one definition, and although the palette is a bit bigger, still does not spark too many original ideas.

Build your own path [0]: Might be fun, might result in out-of-scope disaster and a lot of unfinished games.

Single resource [0]: Very broad, has a mechanical feel to it. Can be fun.

Momentum [-1]: Feels like physics thing, and that usually requires time, and tweaking, and downloadable builds.

Leave something behind [-1]: Can be fun, but is as old as a world, so I feel like I’ve already played that a million times.

Connected [0]: Same problem, a bit broader in terms of ideas, so scores an extra point.

Combinations [-1]: Seems like we’ll have a 1000 puzzles. Not ready for that rating.

Isolated [-1]: So broad it’s a bit of an overkill for me.

Stronger together [0]: Don’t mind it, but every time I see it, my brain starts playing ‘Happy together’, and I’m not ready for a full weekend of this.

Sanctuary [0]: It’s okay. If it doesn’t get too religious, then some problems may occur.

Folklore [-1]: Just let it go. It’s not happening. We tried, it didn’t pan out.

I might reflect on it a bit more later and change something, so if you want to correct me in the comments, I'd love to have a discussion.

There are some excellent themes to choose from this year!!

I'm a professional developer and I'm IN for LD55! It will be 28th or 29th consecutive entry.

Typically I use a custom engine, and I've also used Unity but this will be the first in Guh-Dough. Today I'm learning live trying to get basic movement, camera and interaction. Will be 3D game.

Will be using Go-Dot 4.2.1 and Gee-Dee script. Who needs to see sharp?

Join the stream and ask "What LD tips do you recommend?"

Daahrien

With the intent of heavily focus it on story and emotions. Let's see what I come up with when the theme is decided.

I will use:

• Engine: Unreal Engine 5.
• 3D: Bought Assets.
• 2D: Photoshop.
• Audio: 3rd Party (legally licensed).

Focus of the game:

• Story. I will show my story writing skills in this condensed limited environment. What better place!
• Simple but enjoyable gameplay. Time is limited. I have to use it wisely.
• Military grade Polishing.
• Surprises!
• Visually / Auditively attractive. Even tho not making the assets myself, I will unite them together beautifully.
• Voice acting. Only me? I don't know yet.

If you wanna see what I'm cooking in the big game dev pc (spoiler: it is the same pc). Come follow me on X:

Daahrien

I've been using the github copilot quite heavily lately. What's your opinion on using copilot during LD compo?

Should I disable it, or is it ok in your opinion to use it?

Used to be so good at finishing these, but haven't finished one in ages.

Will just be making a C++ game I think, will probably get some pixel access with GDI and go from there....

6 years and counting!

This will be the 18th since the new Ludum Dare site launched 6 years ago! It's hard to imagine!

I'm going to be using Unity again, I've spent the past 10 months or so learning Godot in the background, but as a C# dev I can't in good conscience use Godot due to Godot 4+ not supporting Web with C# yet, I'll likely fully switch when that happens but for now It's going to be Unity! Tools are the usual:

2D

• Aseprite
• GIMP
• Paint

3D

• Blender
• MagicaVoxel
• Kenney Asset Forge/Shape

Audio

• Tenacity
• Lovely Composer

Join Me On Twitch!

I'm going to be streaming the whole weekend on Twitch! https://twitch.tv/Snowdrama

Gonna be hitting the Extra cateogry but need to make sure i down tools by the end of Monday. Last LD I tried to work on the game after the comp and never found time to go back and finish it. Which is a shame as it was an interesting game but there's always been something more important to work on.

Will be working in Unity in 2D. Thinking about doing some hex and turn-based since that's where my head's been lately. But we'll see how the theme goes.

Working solo as my collaborator for the weekend has sadly become unavaiable.

but how can I generate invite code? I want to make a team with my friend this time, but he still doesn't have an account here. Is it possible to create it now? unrelated pig

So naturally one of these is gonna win isn’t it

Figured I'd check the Ludum Dare website to see when the next one was coming up. Turns out it's in 3 days! Whoops! Well. I guess i'm in? ^ My votes for this year