Hello!

As you may have noticed, I’m late.  This is due to a vacation.

Right now I am in a hotel, installing Flash onto my dad’s laptop.  I will TRY to make a game in the little time I have (good thing the theme is what it is).

Anyway, if I have time, I’ll use Flash, GIMP 1.6, and Audacity.  I have nothing but the source code of my old game FLIPTRIS.  I might use this to speed up the progress.  This means I will have to enter the jam, rather than the compo.  Aw well.

I’ll be sure to have fun on my vacation.  I hope I can come up with something decent in the little time I have.

If I weren’t on this trip, I’d definitely be super ready and eager to join, but right now I’m already tired and not too tuned in haha

Good luck friends,
- Zanz

Hey there developers and gamers!

I had a lot of fun with Ludum Dare last weekend.  It’s always a blast to make a game that turns out pretty good!

What went great:
– The theme.
I feel like the theme gave me a lot of room to be creative and come up with something the rest of the developers didn’t.  I love the freedom of that.  Kudos to the Ludum Dare team for making that possible
– Flash.
I know what I’m doing when I’m in Flash.  I spent half my life learning Flash xD
It crashed twice, but thankfully it has autosave, and I didn’t lose too much.  Tip: The debugger decides to crash every few tests…
– Not using a chunk engine.
It’s true.  The original engine I made had the start of a chunk engine.  It didn’t make sense.  It was awful!
– Streaming.
I LOVED streaming, not just because it motivated me, but because I got to meet some really neat people in the chat.  I listed everyone I could remember in the “EXTRA” section of my game menu because it was so fun.
– My idea.
I had a good idea right from the start.  It’s really important to get the basics down in your game before you go and add goats or something.  That’s what I learned from this experience.  As quickly as I could I built a working game with a unique concept and simply gameplay.  Afterwards I added all the less-needed features, like music and a menu…
– Time management.
48 hours to make a game.  It seems impossible, but when you start doing it, it’s surprising how fast you work.  At least for me.  I was able to get done what I had to get done in the time I had to get done doing it (twitter reference).

What went not-so-great:
– The details.
It’s not really expected to have a detailed game during Ludum Dare, but I feel like the features I did have weren’t pushed to the right spot.  The regenerating stamina was too slow, the leveling up was boring, and some other things (like the particle size).  I’m sure it would make the game less glitchy if some of my rendering wasn’t messy too.  Hopefully I’ll get around to fixing it up and making it a finished game!

Overall I think I did a great job, and I had fun!  I like a lot of the games I’m rating too!  Great job everyone else
Here’s my submission: Dragon Boss

Later,
- Zanzlanz

Hi again!  Since my I’m In post is far away from the top of the page, I’m making a new post with the files that I’m going to use to help me make my game.

These are the Flash files.  They are written entirely in AS3 code, with the exception of the textures.

Last Ludum Dare: http://zanzlanz.com/dump/2012/LudumDareEngine.fla
This Ludum Dare: http://zanzlanz.com/dump/2012/LudumDareEngine2.fla

I haven’t had enough time to make my new engine actually… work, so I’ll just post what I have so far.
Good luck and have fun in Ludum Dare!

Hi there!  I am Zanzlanz!  Glad to see you here at Ludum Dare!

So, I made a game for the last Ludum Dare, but it didn’t turn out as well as I hoped for.  I want to redeem myself, indeed.

However, there’s one thing that must happen in order for me to join for sure.
Some of my friends must join.
I talked to GhostID, Jawn, and Josh-EXE.  Josh-EXE is most likely to join, but I haven’t gotten a yes or no from the others
I really really hope I can get GhostID and Jawn to participate this time… otherwise it could end up being a pretty boring compo for me.

So I THINK I’m joining…
If so, it’ll be the same as last year.  I’ll use my basic tools:
- Flash CS5.5 Pro (Yes, it’s legally bought!)
- BFXR
- GIMP
- FL Studio 10 (Also not pirated!)
- Audacity

And I’ll stream with
- XSplit (http://twitch.tv/Zanzlanz)
- Audio Repeater 1.13 (So I can talk on the stream if I have to)

Other things:
- Spotify, iTunes, or Pandora to listen to music.  Most likely just Spotify.
- Can’t stay on the computer after 8…
- Water.  Cookies and milk… all that jazz

Also, I’m working on a simple tile engine to help me out.  I actually am quite unsure how far it will get though.   I’ll post the files on Friday.  Make sure I don’t forget.  Please.

Anyways!  Hope to see you this weekend!
Your buddy,
- Zanz

This just really shows how much is put into every hour of Ludum Dare!

Hi again!

If you’ve already played my submission (I’d Change the World for You) and you had problems running it because of lag, even after the first fix, then I’d like to invite you back again because I have a SECOND lag-fix update.
(You might have to refresh the page to reset the cache)

The Submission Link

Thank you so much for playing!

Try out the post-compo version – if you get all 5 stars, you’ll get a new game mode based off of the joke theme!

Hi there!  If you’ve already played my submission (I’d Change the World for You) and you had problems running it because of lag, then I’d like to invite you back because I have a lag-fix update.  (You can still play the laggy version too, but it doesn’t make a difference).

The Submission Link

Thank you so much for playing!
Also, if I win in any of the categories, then this will be an amazing 16th birthday present!

Hi friends (Gosh I wish I knew all of you.  Imagine the kind of games we could make if we combined our powers?)

So I’ve looked at a few of the games so far and I’m impressed!  This is my first time taking part in a full Ludum Dare competition.  I hope I do well, and of course I hope everyone else does too.  It’s quite a bit of work to finish in 2 days, am I right?

I was able to influence two of my closest friends (Jawn and GhostID) to join Ludum Dare this time.  It helps so much having friends by your side.  It’s nice to see the Ludum Dare competitors grow.  As a side-note, I was a bit disappointed that Notch didn’t join this time.

Anyhoo, how, and way,
Here’s my Ludum Dare submission.  I must say, I underestimated how long it would take me to finish.  It kind of makes me think, if there were no cats on the internet, would we all be this productive every day?

I’d Change the World For You

Yep that’s the title.  It’s a bit long, but it’s the best I could come up with.  So check out that link to open the submission page.  It’s a relaxed platformer, so I think it should be fun for all ages and people.

Wish you guys luck! ;D
- Zanzlanz

Screenshot of part of the level.

Nifty!

Here’s the first picture of my first full Ludum Dare game.  In this game I’m not focusing on difficulty, but instead just a fun platformer (with quite a twist).  The character doesn’t evolve, but instead the terrain does

Hope you all do great on your games! 

- Zanzlanz

Hey there!  I am Zanzlanz!  (Don’t forget it!)

Not including the last two miniLDs, this is my first Ludum Dare!
Hopefully I can fix my computer before it starts though.  I might have to reinstall Windows >.<

Well anyway:

IDE: Adobe Flash CS5.5
Programming Language: AS3
Engine: Personal
Graphics: GIMP
Music: FLStudio 10
Sound Effects: Bfxr and Audacity
Live Stream: XSplit – Twitch.tv/Zanzlanz

I’ll use Spotify to keep me motivated

Hi everyone!

Some of you played my game “Lab Lights,” the game I created for the miniLD #36.
Well if you haven’t seen it yet, it’s a difficult puzzle game where you push around batteries, crates, TNT, and magnets with a main goal of lighting up all the lights in each of the 23 levels in order to get to the last room and turn on the generator!

You may play it on my site here:
http://www.zanzlanz.com/GamePage.php?n=Lab%20Lights

Here’s the link to the miniLD entry:
http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/minild-36/?action=preview&uid=11407

Screenshot

So here’s what my feedback was like:
When I put it on Newgrounds, it got daily 3rd best flash submission and later front-paged for a few days!  A rush of reviews and comments appeared.  Many people loved the difficulty of the puzzles.  A few people mentioned how rare it is these days to find good puzzle games this hard.  A few people compared it with “Chips Challenge” and “Shove It.”  MDeathM (on Newgrounds) says, “All in all, a phenomenally challenging and engaging puzzle game. Thank you for this creation.”  These words are very nice and I can only thank Ludum Dare for challenging me to make it.
To my surprise, Ryry67dude (on Newgrounds) made an hour long let’s play of it (and rage-quit at level 17) the day after the release!  Here’s his video:
http://youtu.be/8GMa8hw5aJ8

Unfortunately though, not everyone enjoyed the difficulty level of it.  Many people got stuck on level 2 or 7.  Some players mentioned I fried their brains, heehee!

Since I recognize how hard these puzzles are (I describe it as brutal), I made a full walkthrough of all 23 levels.  Here’s the video:
http://youtu.be/XMvwN4WGut8
(You should subscribe to me as well )

Lastly, some people said I should make a sequel.  I was thinking about it lately, and I think it would be a good idea.  I have some new gameplay elements that would be cool to add (Lasers and mirrors, differently sized boxes, teleporters, and boulders).  If you have any ideas, I’ll be happy to hear them

Thanks for listening to my rambling, and thank you Ludum Dare for another fun experience!  If you want, you can rate and review the game in the comments on this post.
- Zanzlanz

I just wanted to make a post to say “Thanks” to Ludum Dare and everyone who has joined it.

I find it a very great way to bring together developers into one fun event.  It really encourages me to make games – ones that I would have never made if it weren’t for Ludum Dare.  I learn a lot too, making these games.  I get more efficient and come up with cool ideas each time!

I probably wouldn’t have joined Ludum Dare if I didn’t see so many other people involved in it.  If it was just a small event with a couple people, that would be very encouraging at all, so most of you who are reading this, thanks!

Last competition, miniLD #35, I made my first shooting game!  Who would have thought? xD  This was also my first released game using almost complete BitmapData (No more movieclips in Flash for me!)
And this time, for the miniLD #36, I made my first real puzzle game.  Seriously!  All of my other games were arcade, survival, and maze games.  It doesn’t use ANY movieclips this time (apart from the Newgrounds loader), which means I’m officially a programmer… not a scripter. 

Hope you guys will like it.  It’s called “Lab Lights” and once I make another 11 impossible levels, I’ll post a link to it

Thanks again!
- Zanzlanz

Yesterday I finished my game for the MiniLD #35 (my first Ludum Dare!).  It’s called Human Apocalypse.

It was my first “violent” game, unfortunately.  (More specifically, run ‘n’ gun arcade game).  You’re a zombie in a human apocalypse and you have to try and flee from the humans and avoid getting caught!

It’s an infinite terrain with the following features:
- There’s bricks that you can break by shooting at them.  The humans can break through blocks also!
- There’s TNT which you can blow up (But be careful if you’re too close!).
- There’s water which slows you down.
- There’s health power-ups that restore 1/10 of your health.
- There’s a secret block that I added last minute.  It’s Notch’s Minecraft head!  (It has a .0075% chance to spawn.  I found one once!)

Here’s a screenshot:

It’s made in Flash (My first finished game using bitmapData!!).  I also added a shadow to bricks and TNT to make it have depth which is nice.

Now that I’ve actually had a good chance to play it, I’ve found that having a strategy is the best way to survive.  My strategy is to go back and forth in an area right from the start, breaking all of the blocks and shooting anything that’s in my way.  Once the humans come and start breaking the blocks, I’ll have more room to move around!  Using your enemies to work for you!  How cool?  Also, using that method, it’s easier to find hearts.

All in all, I’m very proud of it and I think it’s a pretty fun game to play.

But that’s not for me to decide!  It’s for YOU to decide!  Play it here and have fun, please:

ZANZLANZ.COM

I really REALLY want to join the next Ludum Dare competition, but I’ve never made a game in so little time before.

Also, I’m not sure the difference between a MiniLD and a normal LD.  I hope it’s the same thing, because during the summer is the only time I can join it.

I hope my skills in Flash don’t fail me now!  I may make some good games, but it takes forever to get some things to cooperate with me.  I absolutely hate doing collision physics because it’s a lot of frustrating trial and error.  I also don’t want to spend my entire time working with the world render-er.  Am I allowed to reuse code I’ve already made before?  If so, then my originality will need to be key.  Also, I want to stand out from the rest which might be hard.  There are hundreds (thousands?) of brilliant programmers here, and if I am to stick out, I need to be strong.

As you can see, this might be a bit fun for me to participate in.  (In other words, I’ll be a reck!)

I wonder who I’m posting this to.  Will everyone see this, or just people viewing my profile? O.o

- Zanz

UPDATE:
It’s been 2 miniLDs now, and I’m feeling more confident that I’ll rock at the full Ludum Dare.  I doubt I can get first place in anything though; I’ve seen some of these submissions and they’re absolutely amazing.  I think I know what to focus on though.