Dear me from the future,
A lot has been done, so here’s a video that covers everything since the last update.
So What Are We Looking At?
Recapping what the goal was for the month, we’re working on getting a vertical slice created for the game. Basically we make one of everything. So the stated goal for the last month was 1 level, 1 tileset, the ability to add cut-scenes, sad baby cow collectibles, a cine-kill, and end state, and minor stat tracking.
Proudly, I can say I accomplished all that and more… [big asterisk goes here]. In addition to those features/mechanics, I’ve added the ability for camera to spot and track you, the ability to be unseen in the dark or while crouched, as well as a title screen and I’ve set the game up to play the 1BlackPixel logo bumper. Although there is still a long way to go and many of these assets are likely going to be replaced in the end, I’m very proud of where I am today.
About That Asterisk
This progress is great and has gotten me through a lot of big questions on how everything would work. HOWEVER, the code is a mess and I can already see it getting very confusing in the not too distant future. The term ‘technical debt’ comes to mind. That said, broad strokes first, make it exist, we can make it good later.
I think one of the best examples of this are the scene transitions. To make the transitions smoother, we have a ‘main scene’, and within this scene we load in the levels. When it’s time to load in the next level, we load it first then delete the old level. This means the instance of Steve persists from level to level and is just re-positioned to the new start/reset point.
To that effect, I’ve created a dilemma when I load in a level by itself to test it… there is no Steve. And I can’t just add Steve, ’cause Steve is supposed to be in the main scene not the level scene.
- Main Scene
- <— Steve Goes Here
- Level Scene <— I Just Want To Test This
- <— Steve Does Not Go Here
This isn’t a huge problem necessarily. I’ll likely just make a level select scene that can transition me (and Steve) to whatever level I want to play. On the other hand, it is one of what may be many in the future. So, my money is on a rant in the next update.
It’s Looking Nice, But What’s Next?
Continuing on with the vertical slice I’d like to:
- A second level.
- Refine the transition between scenes and make a test system.
- Maybe the overworld, a view of the building you run around!
- Make security bots that patrol, spot Steve, and chase/shoot(?).
- Turrets with similar features.
- Swinging/flickering lights.
- Better chemical pools and chemical falls.
- Create a save system to track scores and levels played.
- A pause menu
- And maybe some camera effect.
—
Maybe if I’m really bold, more levels, but its already a lot without that. By the end of this next month, my goal is to have the game easier to add to if possible. Not that it isn’t already enough work to add the features. I’m hoping, as I get everything in, where each piece fits will start to feel more apparent.
If you’re just here for the game update and not the ‘personal journey’ part, I’ll see in you the next update.
Don’t Y’all Wanna Talk About Me?
Lucky for you I’m not feeling particularly chatty this time.
Already this is probably the longest I’ve stuck with one game, which is awesome. The more work I do the more I think one year is a bit ambitious, but what I have is looking great and I’m feeling great about it. I simply wish there was more time day-to-day. Per the rules laid out I’m enjoying making the game, I enjoy playing what I work on, it’s not perfect, and I’m sharing it with friends.
Where I think I can improve: I need to get back into consuming more game design content. I’ve taken a long break from the podcasts and the books, and partly because I’m learning new things for work as well. It’s fun in its own right, but requires its own portion of my time. Another thing I can improve on, I STILL need to embed myself in the indie game dev community. I could benefit from talking with people that ACTUALLY know what they are doing. Mini-goal for the month: find a site to meet and chat with game developers… and post something… anything… preferably NINJA Steve related.
In working on things around the game, mental health is a struggle. Progress is slow but steady, and sometimes you find yourself in the one step back category, and that’s okay. On that note, I’m hopeful and enjoying myself in the moment, and can’t ask for more than that.