I think it’s almost time for bed. I am 5 hours from the time I’ve started and I’ve completed 2 levels and started on a third. I have a good idea where I want to go with my game to finish it. I think its definitely doable by the end of compo, even without spending full time on it.

I think I’ll take my tablet and go lay down and try to create some pixel art while I try to go to sleep.

Finally most level assets are into the game, next up sound, music and the actual game level instead of the test level I now have.

Assets in game

I’ve managed to add an energy pickup to the game. I had plans to do several versions and sizes, but time is short and this is all I can do. They are randomly generated somewhere in the sky and randomly find a home on the ground. If they fall into a hole or miss the terrain entirely, they’re lost forever!

CODING ERROR!!! SPAWN RATE TOO HIGH!
ABORT ABORT ABORT

Well, I spent a lot of time working on the core mechanic, and now I have to find a way to make it FUN. Right now, it just feels like a tech demo.

I added two enemy types… they will hunt down the player and occasionally pause to destruct the terrain.

They basically work the same, but one is faster than the other. I will add another of the same type that is even faster AND has a larger destruction radius.

So this is what I spent most of my time on… THE TERRAIN GRID SYSTEM of ZUNZANDA:

The white blocks represent negative space. If you step into these areas, you will fall into the unknown. The other tiles change dynamically based on the neighboring tiles. If a section of ground is destroyed, then the tiles surrounding the new negative space will change form.

The white areas will obviously be invisible in the final game, as seen in the first screen that I posted.

Now I just have to figure out how to handle game progression and make it fun… then add SFX and music. I think I’m gonna have to cut a lot of features out, as usual. I had so many rad ideas and the terrain system just took too long.

AH WELL.

I ain’t goin to sleep, yet. I’ll be up for the next 10 hours or so… then I’ll get about 4 hours of sleep and finish it all up tomorrow afternoon/evening.

Here’s a comparison shot of an example of the terrain before and after destruction in ZUNZANDA.

LOTS OF WORK TO DO TODAY! Slept for waaaay too long and now I’m gonna be in a rush to finish this… although I’m still sorta torn on a few things. Not sure where to take it because I have 2 great ideas, but they both contain serious challenges. LUDUM DARE!!!

So… I fell asleep and woke up 2 hours after the theme was revealed. Whoops. Didn’t plan that.
I’ve been working on the game ever since, and now it’s 10 AM. Didn’t plan that, either.

So here’s what I have so far…

I spent most of my time developing the world tiles and the … un … way that the tiles ‘work’.
The environment is destructible, and the world will reform itself after tiles are destroyed.
The core gameplay will be focused around the destruction and regeneration of these tiles.
Basic character movement is working, and the main character has a walking animation for all 4 directions.

My next move is to create the special abilities of the main character, then I’ll work on the enemies and the overall structure and flow of the game that will lead to some sort of endgame.

Then… SFX and MUSIC.

HOPEFULLY.

See ya’ll suckaz when I wake up… ugh.

I don’t feel like I’ve accomplished very much today… so I’m going to take the time to list what I’ve done. Maybe that will remind me.

1. Finished the zoom feature (in and out via mouse wheel)
2. Added HUD
3. Added health / health bar
4. Added health regeneration via pickups
5. Added 5 additional inventory items along with HUD/counters
6. Added important set piece
7. Created Day/Night system (10 RL minutes = 24 hrs in game)
8. Created dynamic lighting for night
9. Constructed particle system
10. Changed tree / rock sprites to be more cohesive with the rest of the tiles / objects
11. Converted resource-hogging objects to static tiles
12. Tweaked player collision system
13. Adjusted layering system

I still have a LONG way to go if I’m going to implement all of the features on my design doc… especially if I’m going to make time for music/sfx… which is a MUST, imo. So here’s what I have left to do on the design doc…

1. Create at LEAST 12 more inventory objects (code + sprite + counters + player variables)
2. Create stamina system
3. Create tool system (hammer, axe, fishing pole, etc)
4. Create crafting system
5.  Create randomly respawning resources for DAY+1 events
6. Create title screen
7. Create death/lose scenario
8. Create winning scenario
9. Draw a very crucial set piece
10. Create SFX / Music
11. Tie it all together with a story sequence?

Yeah… that ain’t happenin’. I need to find out what features to cut and FAST. Tomorrow needs to be an incredibly productive day if I’m actually going to pull this off. I’ve never really ‘finished’ a Ludum Dare before… all of my games end up as tech demos or incomplete nothingness with no end / purpose. I want this to be different.

I will leave you with the latest screenshot from my game, AB-ALONE

After an incredibly long night of arting and idea-ing… I’ve come up with my idea.

Presenting: AB-ALONE

So what is it? I’m not sure, yet… but I have a dang good idea. The main character is partially animated, and the set pieces are partially drawn. The code is partially started, and my mind is partially blown. It’s late. I’m tired. SEE YOU ALL TOMORROW!