Game 04 - Gravity Game: Analysis

I'm very happy with how the game turned out. It's a little shaky on the level design, by which I mean that I kind of hectically introduced new mechanics without full exploring the previous ones. I did try to keep this to a minimum and given the time frame I think I did quite well.

Like I said in the previous post, I lost a bit of momentum part way through making this game because I think I got a little hazy about where the game was actually going and I didn't have a clue about how to mess with the music like I did. It actually turned out to be easier than I'd anticipated although it wasn't exactly the effect I wanted. Ideally I would've had something similar to the aether soundtrack with instruments and melodies jumping in and out based on the direction the gravity was facing. I still don't even know if that's possible in Game Maker.
If I hadn't gotten sidetracked I would've played with the bouncing cubes some more for sure and just generally experimented with how the gravity affects other objects and perhaps other players too.

The game still has that annoying bug where you can get suck on the corner of a wall. Could never work out a fix for that.

I'm happy with the aesthetic and feel of the game. It could have done with more juice but that's more of a 'once you have all the mechanics and levels down' kind of thing anyways.

Although I think this prototype was a success I don't think it's something I want to make into a full game. I feel like the core mechanic just isn't compelling or interesting enough to consider spending a large amount of time polishing. On the surface it seems like it has a lot of possibilities but now I'm not so sure.

Anyways, on to Game 05 =]

Game 04 - Gravity Game: COMPLETE

LINK to 'finished' game 
WARNING: Contains Flashing Lights

1 day late. 

I lost some motivation on this game somewhere in the process of making it but I'm glad I stuck with it. It's actually turned out quite nicely. A lot more could be done obviously. These are all prototypes after all. 

I'll properly analyze the game tomorrow. I'm too tired tonight.

Then I'll start work on my next game. Spelunky mixed with Gods Will be Watching set on a sinking Ship.

Music:

"Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Game 04 - Gravity Game: Fixed It

 LINK to GRAVITY GAME!

I fixed the lag bug. It was what I thought it was. Easy fix.

I also added a tutorial-esque level as well a fullscreen and camera scrolling. The game looks pretty nice I must say. It'd look nicer with more work and lighting obviously but I'm happy with it so far.

I need to redo the player character. I always seem to leave that really late.

The game desperately needs audio/music/sfx to bring it all together. I'm to scared to ask anyone on newgrounds if I can use their stuff since the game will probably get less than 10 plays. More than this blog gets =P


PS. I think I just saw a 2-headed moth

Game 04 - Gravity Game: I'm Like Turtles

LINK to the Game

I've worked on this game every day in small chunks. Today I attempted to implement some real time lighting but I couldn't get it to work. Then I realized that it wasn't really necessary so I just implemented some fake lighting instead. I've got a kind of neon club aesthetic at the moment which is why lighting is important.
It's also why music is important which is why I need to get some music.

I have different walls light up depending on the direction of gravity the player is experiencing. I'd like to vary the music slightly too but currently this is not an option. Acapella Club Music?
The rate at which you change gravity directions may be too high anyway (unless I change the way I'm currently designing levels).

 I've redone a load of art and animated some stuff too.

There is currently a big problem with the game. The longer you go without switching gravity direction, the lower the frame rate... This obviously wasn't programmed in and I'm currently not sure of the cause (although I do have an idea of what the problem might be). Nevertheless, enjoy.

PS. If you get an error that means you've won! I haven't implemented any other rooms yet so it just gets stuck when it tries to move you on to the next one currently.

Game 04 - Gravity Game 0.1: Back to Game Maker

Download Link to Gravity Game 0.1

Controls:
Arrow Keys - Move and Jump (It changes depending on which direction gravity is pulling you)


I've compiled quite a large list of games I'd like to make now so I just decided to start on the one I wanted to make the most right now. That game is 'Gravity Game' (name subject to change).



I felt like the platforming sections in the side-scroller parts of Super Mario Galaxy were under-explored, or at least, could be explored further. I'd like to see what I can do with this idea.

The film 'Patema Inverted' was also an inspiration. The way they both rely on each other to 'stay afloat' is a super nice metaphor for their relationship.







I've spent about 3 hours so far trying to make the platforming feel nice and implementing the gravity changing areas. This 'level' is merely a place to test things out, it won't be in the actual game =P.

I have an awesome plan for the aesthetic of this game but it'll be difficult to implement.

 You might be able to guess where I'm going already

PS. this is not the final art style. This is programmer art =P