I tried, but I just can’t get anything going quick enough. I struggled with file I/O so much it wasn’t even funny. I am half convinced that something is broken in the libraries. I’m just going too slow to finish something. It is a shame since it is my favorite theme in a long time.

On the plus side besides learning just how weak my C++ skills have become, I did learn a little something about SDL_ttf. Not much but enough to write a string to the screen, and found some free fonts I could have redistributed with my game.

I spent too much time downloading updated libraries on my slow slow connection. I never did get boost to download. I also spent too much time trying to make my code cross-platform. Even though I have nothing to test whether it was actually cross-platform or not. However, so the whole thing isn’t a waste, I have included a screen capture below. Better luck next time I guess.

Oh, I tired out the compo game loader. It is really cool.

Tower huh? I like it. I think I am going to do a side-scroller (I always want to do those). Where you have one screen per level in a tower, with an entrance and one or more exits (Some exits may lead up, others may lead down woo ha ha). Exits may not show up until you collect a certain number of coins. The hero may or may not have a weapon to kill any enemy creatures on the level depending on time constraints. If the hero gets a weapon I may have a recurring boss on every tenth level or so. If not you just get a congratulations message when you pick the right door on on the top floor. That’s the general idea assuming I have enough time and energy. If I finish I think i will call it “Climb Doom Tower”.

I’m going to try to join the competition, no promises since Saturday already seems to be largely full already.

I’ve still got to decide if I am going to try to make an entry in C/C++, Python + Pygame, or Java.

Here is a link to my entry for the first 48 hour Ludum Dare competition. It was Freighter Defense Force. Kind of weak, but still one of my better ones.

http://www.xmission.com/~sgray/ld48/game48.html

A screen shot is here: