I got the theme last night, and I brainstormed a few ideas, and decided to make a game about a mirmaid that is trying to protect the ocean from a curse that is only lifted by sacrificing humans to Poseidon.

The plan is to make an underwater metroidvania, where you go around and collect crystals that give you new magic powers. Powers necessary to sink human ships and access new areas, all while fighting the monsters that now plague the ocean because of the curse.

I’m starting a bit late because after brainstorming a bunch of things and deciding im going for the Jam(and having no caffeine, juice, or food) I decided to sleep and see if rest would help me think clearer this morning. After scrounging up breakfast I started making placeholder art and drew the above picture. No programming yet, but I have the rest of today to work on that.

Any concept critiques would be appreciated.

EDIT:

I am using Java, LWJGL, Slick2D, JBox2D, Gimp.

I am entering day 3, in a relatively good spot. The game is playable but there isn’t a goal quite yet, 90% of the mechanics, are in the game in some form or another but the game looks like its going to take a turn in gameplay due to running out of time, I’d love to continue to make it like I had originally planned(a deep sea metroidvainia) but alas If I did, I would run out of time before Monday night.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKk2zDWHoxs

Its crunch time baby! My game has come a LONG way in the last 5 hours including:

• Energy Bar
• Shield for Blocking
• Boosting for avoiding Enemies
• Health Bar
• Finished Controller Support(used to have to play with both the keyboard and controller)
• WASD or UDLR both work on keyboard depending on preference.
• Score(because I don’t have time to make the story mode I wanted)

I still have a LOT of work to do before 9 tonight,  I have to finish getting the score actually displayed, add endless enemies and pickups, actually add attacks.  Here’s to maybe finishing my 2nd LD entry! 😀

http://youtu.be/l5DdI6XEbwc

When a curse turns all of your friends into demons,  you leave the proud city of the Merfolk and journey to find a way to lift the curse. Driven by a darkness the friends you once knew now attack you on sight, with a heavy heart you end their suffering. You can’t let anything get in the way of your search to lift the curse.

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-29/?action=preview&uid=8774

The calm of the ocean

NOT IF THE BLOODTHIRSTY DEMON MERMAIDS HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT THAT

After 3 days of sweat and tears(and the blood of  1,000 Mermaids), I finished my 2nd Ludum Dare. I got a little ambitious at first, but by day 2 I realized this and was able to turn what I had into ‘Mermaid Fighter 2014’ in with 11 minutes to spare.  I’ll do a Postmortem after I get some much needed(and arguably deserved) rest.

If You’re interested in playing it, hit up the entry page, It works with both Keyboard and Gamepads! any feedback would be appreciated(I plan on continuing this project post Jam but bringing it back to an underwater metroid-vania vs mermaid fighter)

Good Luck to all the other LD entrants!

Only the voting remains, and if you haven’t had a chance too, go check out my game Curse in the Depths. It was a lot of fun to make and I’m loving all the feedback i’m getting.

The Good

Time Management – Time is always one of the hardest things to deal with. It’s the main challenge. My time management was much better then my previous LDs I was organized and knew what I was doing the moment I had an idea.

Work Habits – This LD I prepared better for the long work hours by making sure I had plenty of water and soda handy so I didn’t need to take so many breaks and it made focusing easier

Breaks – This one was HUGE because the problem is what kind of breaks I would take, this time I took slightly longer breaks then previous LDs but I also did activities that were very stress free and didn’t require thought. Video game breaks, TV, and Movies, or YouTube were replaced with Walks, Showers, and Naps, overall I felt more refreshed when I came back to working on the code.

The Bad

Library Choice – Slick2D I have used multiple times, and I am very familiar with the inner workings. My Problem was that I made the Decision early to not use JBox2D making my collision and combat much harder to program later in the development cycle. This was mostly due to not fully understanding JBox2D, but hindsight is 20/20 and I realize now that I might have been better off using it.

Sleeping – I overslept on Sunday due to overworking on saturday(Sat@4AM to Sun@3AM with an hour long nap in between) and missed around 4 or 5 hours that I had planned a lot of time for artwork. This lead me to only be able to finish the background, the sprite and the HUD in the 2 hours I had left. This meant less content then I had originally anticipated, another enemy and 2 more attacks were in the works but they were left unfinished as I realized I had more pressing features to figure out.

The Ugly

Rewriting – I have spent the last week or so going over most of the engine and figuring out how to use JBox2D. We are currently deciding exactly where to go(Continue with Java, port to C++ for better cross compatability, what libraries to use, etc.)

Overall my 3rd Experience with LD has gone pretty smooth, and I am so happy with the outcome of the game that I am going to continue work on it, and the way it is going, it will see the light of day as a fully fledged indie game!

Tags: post-mortem, postmortem

For those who haven’t played it yet, you should Check it out! the new version just posted has been Updated to have ambient background music and sound effects(Jam version is still posted for comparison purposes)

I also now have a dev blog going over at http://curseinthedepths.tumblr.com/ Which everyone should go check out, and go follow it if you want more updates. We are working on getting a website up and running soon.

Curse in the Depths has moved to Unity in an attempt to make the game as accessible as possible. This has opened up a lot of opportunities including ports to mobile devices or Consoles eventually. Looking to the future of the game, the move over to unity looks like the best move. Although I am only now learning development, I am already getting stuff done. It shouldn’t be long before I catch up to the running Java Version, and with all the Physics tools there will be a bunch of things that I couldn’t do before.

So short story, the last LD I was in was 28, Beneath the Surface. between then and now Ive missed 2 LDs because I got INTENSLY sick the day before and had to rest all Saturday. So I couldn’t even start until sunday/monday depending on when I was feeling slightly better. So FINGERS CROSSED I don’t get sick again!

Like my last LD here are my Tools

• Eclipse – IDE
• Java – Language
• libGDX – Library
• Gimp – Graphics
• openCanvas – also Graphics
• BFXR – Sound effects
• Audacity – Audio Editing
• LMMS – Music (If I can figure it out in time)

I will also be streaming, a few people have already seen my channel in the Twitch Widget in the corner! http://www.twitch.tv/snowdrama

I also Created a countdown widget to use in streams!

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21736488/LD_Widget/index.html

How to use it after the break: 

Ok So here’s how to use the widget:

OBS Intructions 1: The way I personally do my widget is using the CLR Browser plugin, all you need to do is add the URL from above into the URL under the CLR Browser setup

1) install the CLR browser from here:  https://obsproject.com/forum/resources/clr-browser-source-plugin.22/
2)once installed properly add a new source to your Scene
3)Paste the dropbox link into the URL field
4)Set the Width and Height to 500 width 150 height
5)Done! Hit Ok and it should appear in your stream(hit preview to check and Edit scene to resize and move it around)

OBS Instructions 2: There is another way though I don’t find it as Ideal because you must leave a browser window open.

1)Open the dropbox link in a new new browser window make sure the widget is visable(you can resize the window to take less space)
2)Add a new Window Capture
3)Set the window to the open browser
4)Check the sub region button and use the select region button
5)Adjust the region to show the widget.
6)That Should be it! Hit Ok and the region should show up in the stream!
P.S. This should also work for any stream that allows window capture like XSplit

For anyone interested in how it works, or want’s to see my AWFUL code, here is a link to an offline version just extract the 2 files to a folder and open the index file in an IDE or Notepad. Awesomely, if you remove all the variables and logic, its a really nice setup for those interested in making HTML5 games(I actually started making an HTML5 game for the js13k jam and just used the framework for the widget)

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21736488/LD_Widget/OfflineLD_Widget.rar

Hope someone finds this useful! If you decide to use it, leave a comment with a link to your stream! I’d love to check it out!

So I figured I’d start with a Hybrid Post Mortem that covers what I learned preparing for the upcoming Ludum Dare(3 Day Hype!) But to spare you the boring details I will add that to a read more section

For now my game for the MiniLD.

Puzzle Rings! (Temp Name for MLD)

Puzzle Rings is a really basic puzzle game where you have to color a bunch of circles using only one swipe, and never lifting your finger. Its really basic and I hope anyone that tries it out at least finds it somewhat interesting.

http://ludumdare.com/compo/minild-55/?action=preview&uid=8774

Snowdrama LD Weekend Stream!

For anyone who watches Game Dev streams on twitch, make sure to at least stop by and say Hi! I love chatting about things and if it weren’t for the people in the chat I would never have been able to do that 15 hour stream! Yikes! Anyway

I plan to stream the whole 48 hours of the compo(Which depending on completion may be 72 if I move into the jam) So check me out!

http://www.twitch.tv/snowdrama 

Interested in what I want to do with puzzle rings going forward? Click Read More below

Want to hear about the plan for my LD this upcoming weekend? Also Hit Read More at the bottom

Back for more huh? Post Mortem:

So what did I learn from my 15 hours with Puzzle Rings? Well Puzzle games are hard. Before Puzzle Rings I was also working on a strategy game(Pictured Below) both of these made me realize how complicated games that rely on logic more then just simple collision can get. Something that I didn’t do with either games, was plan ahead which was my downfall when trying to add features, my lack of proper data structures made the game hard to change once I got it “Working”

Things I also learned was more about clarity, though I thought at the time, the shape and design of my game’s object were fine, upon play-testing the game with friends showed that it was still super confusing at first glance. What pieces were in play and which ones were already done were so close that most of the time the players didn’t know where to start. It was a good lesson in visual clarity, and in hindsight I should have seen this.

Future of Puzzle Rings

Puzzle Rings will deffinitly get an overhaul before its done, both graphically and gameplay. I plan to add a few nasty tricks and extra challenge to the main game before its done. currently I feel it’s too easy once you know how to play. I will also be adding sounds and animations in addition to a huge change in graphics, to help telegraph how the game works. On the inside I plan to overhaul how the puzzles are made and stored to make it easier to add the earlier mentioned features like impassible walls.

Im in! (again)

I posted before but I feel like I should post this again since I wasn’t 100% sure I was in again.

Here is what I’ll be using. I said this was basically the same as my last LD but last LD I actually used Slick2D and though Slick is nice, I have mostly converted over to LibGDX at this point.

• Eclipse – IDE
• Java – Language
• libGDX – Library
  • JBox2D
  • Box2DLights
  • Freetype
• Gimp – Graphics
• openCanvas – also Graphics
• BFXR – Sound effects
• Audacity – Audio Recording/Editing
• LMMS – Music (If I can figure it out in time)

Anyway im exhausted and I bet you are tired of reading my crap, so anyway… See everyone this weekend!

Jake is a gambler, a heavy one but he’s always had tons of luck, one day his luck changed, and he won a Mansion in a game of high stakes poker. Upon visiting the Mansion he finds himself locked in by a mysterious force, sitting inside is a flashlight and a note “The only way out, is hidden within these walls” and on the back “You’ll need this” with a picture of a flashlight .

After inspecting the flashlight, clearly a children’s toy. He began wandering around the halls. He noticed 3 tables, a Blue, Red and Green table, similarly he noticed the Flashlight could change color to Green Red and Blue.  He changed the color to blue and shined it at all the tables. He was about to look somewhere else, when something sitting on the Red table caught his eye that he swore he hadn’t seen before. Another note from the psychopath this one read: “Now you may be getting the hang of it, Blue to Red, to Red to Green, Green to Blue. ” it finally donned on him, the only way to escape was to play his game. Flashlight in hand he headed deeper into the house.

Whats left?

God…. EVERYTHING I spent today making the Mansion, controls, lights, and mansion graphics. Here’s a List of what’s left:

• Puzzles
• Sounds
• Dialogue
• Collectables
• Anything that isn’t:
  • The Level itself
  • The Player

I just finished streaming the WHOLE first 24 hours of my game development, Time to pass out and get started again in a few hours!

3 hours ago I had no gameplay. Now I have 1 of 6 items needed to beat the game done… Will I make it? MAYBE?!

To Everyone Else: Good Luck and Congrats to those already done!

I’m not sure if it’s already possible but, being able to add formatting to the game page’s description would be awesome, I’d like to put hints on how to beat the game for those who get stuck without spoiling it for  those who want to explore. Anyone know if there is a way now?

Tags: suggestions

It’s been a while but im back for LD33! My last Ludum Dare was LD31 and though it went alright, it wasn’t my favorite theme, I felt it was kind of restricting.

For this game ill be using Unity and all my image editing things as well as HOPEFULLY LMMS for music assuming I learn how to use it (Music has not been my strong suit in the past, in fact only 1 game has had music and it was added post compo)

If you’re interested in following my project, I’ll be streaming it on my Twitch and posting builds and Screenshots on Twitter as well as on my Facebook page

www.twitch.tv/snowdrama
www.twitter.com/snowdramagames
www.facebook.com/snowdrama

BRING IT ON LD33!!

Due to my vacation lasting an extra night, I had to start late on my project… ALMOST A WHOLE 24 HOURS!!!! You ALL know how deadly that can be for a project!

HOWEVER! I’m working diligently on my project no name yet but it looks like I can finish it no problem in 24 hours which will be one hell of a feat for me. Lets hope nothing goes SUPER wrong! (because it totally will go wrong)

Im also streaming on twitch! (As I do when I join the LDJams) So come Join me! I love chatting about random things it helps ease the stress!

Ohh and im using Unity Gimp and BFXR for sounds(Music if I have time)

Hey there ladies and gentlemen! I’m back for my 4th LD! This time we have….

Tormented Dungeon!

A 2 button game about exploring a labyrinth and defeating all the enemies.

Here’s a link to the game if you wish to play it

I’ll be doing a Post-Mortem later this week when I have time, right now its time to sleep I think.

ALSO HEADS UP: if you comment, come back in 24 hours, I respond to all comments on my entry! If you want a response sooner, hit me up on Twitter @SnowdramaGames I try to get to everyone!

Hey guys wanted to do a quick update don’t want to spend too long on it.

Me and Plnrnd are working on a game together called “The Dream Machine” a weird game where you’re trapped  in a dream! If you want to come hang out with us we’re both streaming on Twitch!

https://twitch.tv/snowdrama
https://twitch.tv/plnrnd

Come hang out with us!

A lot of good things are happening  Basic Puzzles are coming along, The game is starting to look really good, the end is in sight only….19 hours remaining till the deadline. Still no sound and the story isn’t set yet so I need to get on that super hard. Unfortunately I have work, the amount of work I’ll be able to get done may vary depending on if I have to put out fires.

Anyway, I’m going to be streaming when I get on after I take a quick pass out session and then it’s back to work!

Follow me on twitter to find out when I’m getting back on:
http://twitter.com/snowdramagames

Follow me on Twitch to see when im online!
http://twitch.com/snowdrama

HEY EVERYONE WE DID IT!!!!

Dream Machine is a first person puzzle game about a guy who was trapped in his garage Check it out here!

As a side note follow me on my Twitch, I’m going to play LD games all week!

This was the hardest Jam I’ve had since I started doing game jams. I worked for a total of 52 hours in 3 days, and was the most ambitious project I’ve ever taken on, as well as being my FIRST 3D game! D:

Let me know what you think of it over on the LD Entry page!!

Thanks to Plnrnd, my partner on this project who did the 3D modeling, for not killing me when I got super annoying haha.

OHH AND HERES ANOTHER LINK, SRSLY GO PLAY!

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