Rubist (Likes Gosu/Chingu/Texplay/DevIL gems for game development)
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De-constructing Alpha Channel
Posted by Spooner
Saturday, August 28th, 2010 4:24 am
Well, it is a week now since I started working on Alpha Channel for LD#18, my first such competition. In fact, the first time I tried to make a real-time game in nearly a decade, I think!
I came in with no pre-conceived game-ideas, but was really happy that the theme was one that would give me ideas on how the develop game mechanics. I already wrote a journal of how the steps in development went, but I thought I’d discuss my post-competition thoughts now that I’ve had time to relax and to look at 30 other entries.
Apologies now, in case I go on a bit (I know I will 
)…
Journal via archaology
Posted by Spooner
Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 10:12 am
Since this was my first Ludum Dare, making the game Alpha Channel, I didn’t make an effort to post my progress as it happened. However, through the magic of git, I’ve pulled some old versions up and seen how things developed. Interesting to see how the game progressed and if you have git you could also look at the progress made throughout the development via the repository at github.com (if you were very bored, of course).
I’m using my local time, not that of the competition, in the entries.
Alpha Channel OS X port (v1.1)
Posted by Spooner
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010 5:02 am
Sorted out my OS X port at last! Sadly will only work on OS X 10.6, but that is a limitation of the package system I’m using, not my code. Honest 
Many thanks to Deps for building the application, since I don’t have access to a Mac (incidentally, his excellent entry is even better than mine!).
Alpha Channel Linux port (v1.1)
Posted by Spooner
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010 1:39 am
Sorted out some issues that were breaking the Linux port (CTD and corrupted font). Unfortunately, I had to change the font to achieve this, since a bug in the library I was using to render fonts caused the original font to be displayed completely wrong! I’ve updated the Windows version to use the new font, so every version looks the same.
Linux port
OS X port will be with you ASAP, as soon as a friend on a Mac comes online so I can bully them to build the .app file
Alpha Channel is go!
Posted by Spooner
Sunday, August 22nd, 2010 5:46 pm
Well, I finally went and did it: I entered Ludum Dare! Alpha Channel didn’t exist 48 hours ago; now it does!
I wisely kept it simple and actually felt I “finished” it. Could do with difficultly levels and an intro screen, but other than that, it is actually a game!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmTGW4jAd_M
High scores gladly collected! Who has the stamina to get past level 9999 and roll the clock?
