LudumDare / GMC Jam Blog – [0 hours of sleep, 6 hours awake]

Ludum Dare 20 is officially on…this is gonna be a great 48 hours. I am celebrating by having  the first strong coffee of the day. Then I will take some time  to do some planning.

As for the theme, well it totally screws any plans I had in mind, so my game will only be using this theme lightly. I was hoping to use the theme to decide a unique element for my gameplay, but I don’t think this theme quite works in that way – it seems more gimmicky than anything else n_n

But, that’s fine. Let’s do this! Screenshots soon!

Good luck to everyone here and over at the GMC jam!

-Tv

[0 hours of sleep, 4 hours awake]

So I just woke up, I’ve got a stash of food, had a shower, setup my work area, and I’m ready to go!

I’ll be using:
-Game Maker for development
-PhotoShop for graphics
-FL Studio for audio

The Game Maker Community is hosting a 72 hour game jam with a non-compulsory theme (Insanity, just announced) so I’m entering my LudumDare entry into the GMC jam as well.

I’m planning to do a heavily graphic-based kinda action/arcade shooter. The theme will decide on what direction the game takes.

Will blog all progress and have screenshots up often.

-Tv

With LD approaching, I decided I should learn how to make my own music for this one. Last LD, I entered for the first time, and got some scores I was happy with (including #6 in graphics), however I hadn’t realized I needed to make my own music, and so scores suffered there.

I have previously installed FL Studio 8, and played with it a bit, but haven’t devoted much time to it. I want to be able to make some basic tracks (ambient and electronic) for my next LD entry.

Anyone have tips, or an exceptional tutorial for FL Studio 8?

Thanks!

I’m pleased to announce that Volatile, my Ludum Dare entry, has been reviewed on the popular Game Maker Blog!

You can find the review of Volatile at this link! It’s quite in depth and certainly accurate.

Thanks Phillip!

I am so happy to announce that my first Ludum Dare entry is finished.

Volatile is an experimental RTS. Discover the map for production bonuses, construct Mines, Towers and Missile Pods, and blast the AI away!

I didn’t get to add everything I wanted, or polish it perfectly, but I’m happy with the state it ended up in.

I will be working on the game more soon, to properly finish it.

Play Volatile here:

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-19/?action=preview&uid=2063

Thanks for the challenge! I’ll stick around and play some other entries too. All feedback appreciated!

-Tv

Been working on the AI, and it’s going well. I think I will make it in time for the deadline

Here’s what it looks like when the AI is let loose:

I might even have some time left to polish a little, or add some basic tutorial.

-Tv

I can confidently say I think all that I have left to do is the AI now, and then everything should fall into place..! I have 4 hours to do it, should be enough.

On the path to completion now.

-Tv

Just woke up, an hour late. Only have 5 hours left and a lot of code to write…oh well I’ll give it a go and if it’s not finished I’ll still submit it =)

I decided I absolutely need to sleep now. In the past 35 hours I’ve had 4 hours of sleep, and that sucks, especially given I’m going out tomorrow, 2 hours after the comp finishes =/

I somehow managed to get some last minute work in, having coded an attempt at the missiles, the only form of combat that has time to make it into the game. Tomorrow morning (in 5 hours when I wake up) I need to code AI, finish combat, code game win scenario, and add building deaths. If I can manage to fit that in within a 6 hour period, I might actually have a playable game.

And with that, I bid you goodnight. Here’s hoping 5 hours rest is enough!

-Tv

So it’s 11:44pm, nearly midnight, I’ve been working on this since 9:00 this morning…I am exhausted after getting only 4 hours sleep last night, and working 15 hours on it yesterday…I have tidied up a lot, and I have left 2 massive tasks: AI and combat.

Whether I can be bothered to finish them is another question…

Still some placeholder graphics...

IDK, I want to to finish but I want to sleep as well…Any encouraging words?

-Tv

Both are now 100% functional…the building placement is based on whether a hex cell has been discovered and whether the player has the funds. The selectable icons change color in real time to reflect whether funds are available, etc. Mines now produce resources at a steady rate, variable based on their level.

I still have to code:

• Combat
• AI
• Music
• Donation function

And I need to add some graphical effects, redo some graphics, add a logo, and add an icon.

Hmm, maybe not as much as I expected, but the AI will be the deciding factor on how much sleep I get. I’m being sure to keep my expectations of the final product not too high, but I am hoping I can stay awake long enough to add some polish to the gameplay.

-Tv

So I’ve been working hard to get some gameplay elements out of the way…I’d really rather not pull an all-nighter again but looks like it’s heading that way. I’ve had 4 hours of sleep in the past 32 hours now.

Buildings can now be created, and all their stats have been defined. I’ve tried to code it so that the AI won’t be hell…haha, we’ll see. Progress:

Some graphics are place holders only!

I might code some missiles, and actual gameplay now that this is done.

-Tv

Volatile is moving along at a steady pace now, I’m now into coding the first unit (and maybe only, not decided). He can, so far, move around (while flaunting a particle trail) and reacts to right clicks and double right clicks, which are used to move and discover a group of new cells respectively.

I’m really trying to incorporate discovery as a strategy component into the game, which is now an RTS (as opposed to turn based). I’m not sure how well the gameplay will turn out, but hey, this is all pretty experimental for me anyway.

Now I’m deciding what to get for lunch…maybe chips and ginger beer? Would be good to get some exercise =)

-Tv

Yeah, it doesn’t look as good as some of the delicious breakfasts I’ve seen posted already, but meh, I’m starving:

Burnt my toast =/

And yes, I’m still on my lounge =)

-Tv

2 hours in this morning, have been working on the building graphics and effects…Happy with HQ, the top right left building; missile pod needs work still.

Also, cells can now be selected, and some basic stats are retrieved and drawn. I also extended the fog of war so enemies are hidden unless their cells are discovered…Initially the HQ is exposed though, so all players know where each other start (though it’s pretty obvious anyway).

-Tv

Alright, 4 hour nap is over =)

Got a lot of work to do in the next 15+ hours, hopefully will have solid gameplay by tonight.

Breakfast pic later when I’m actually hungry.

-Tv

It’s 4:30am, I’ve been working since 1:00pm (15h 30m), and I need to sleep now. I’m thinking 4 hours should do it.

I’m happy with the progress  made today, and that I’ve managed to stay relatively focused. As my first LudumDare, I’m really quite enjoying it =)

It’s more technical stuff beneath the hood at the moment, but here’s where I will be starting from tomorrow:

A lot more complicated than it looks.

So, 8 coffees and 15 hours later, I can say good night. Or good morning. Good day. Whatever.

-Tv

Way too much coffee, I feel sick now =/

Might need to catch a few hours sleep soon…it’s now 4:00am here. Hmm, one more hour…

Well it’s 3:20am here, and I am still somehow awake, maybe a little on edge too.

Spent about an hour on the main menu…I didn’t want it to look trashy or rushed, so:

Can't think of an even mildly interesting caption, I blame coffee.

I need to get back into the game code now, I think.

I’ve been working on Volatile for 14 hours now, probably about 9-10 of actual work.

-Tv

I forgot to post my work area. Yeah, it’s ah…real advanced…

Yes, the paint is peeling off from overuse

And working hard to remind me that I could be sleeping right now (1:11am), my humble companion:

I can officially say I have now posted a picture of my pet online.

-Tv