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Video Games

GameBoy Jam 2 – Development Log

GameBoyJam-Logo

I decided to participate in GameBoy Jam 2. I decided to make a puzzle platformer game set in a office. As the jam goes on I will state the rules clearer for what the game is. This is because I will know what I will be able to implement depending on how much time there is remaining.

Update Friday November 1st 2013
I decided to use GameMaker as it is the easiest engine to make 2D games with. Plus I also have the most experience using GameMaker and it will take too long for me to implement a game on Unity. I started today by creating art assets for the game. I tried to make as many as possible but due to me being at work, not much was done.

Update Saturday November 2nd 2013
Today is my first proper day for the GB Jam. I did not get much done yesterday so I created some temporary art assets to use for the game. I then made the controls for the player so they could move, jump and shoot the portal gun.

I then started working on the actual portal and after a few hours I got it working. I was surprised I got it working so soon but happy nevertheless. Below is a picture of how much progress I have made so far on my game.

GameBoy Jam Screenshot
GameBoy Jam Screenshot – 11-02-2013

Update Sunday November 3rd 2013
I was feeling optimistic today after everything went to right yesterday. I first tweaked the portals so that they would not push the player into a wall. I then created some optional collectable objects for the player to achieve a higher score. I also created some environment hazards for the player to avoid (spikes on the floor). I really did not manage to do much work today as I was mainly fine-tuning my portal system from yesterday. Tomorrow I hope to have the robot AI created and a simple GUI for the player to see their lives and score. Below you can see a example of the portal system working.

Screenshot Of GB Jam Game
Portal System On GB Jam Game

Update Monday November 4th 2013
Back at work means I got less time to work on the GB Jam game. So I tried to work on the game during any possible break I could have. This meant cutting my lunch shorter than normal but hopefully this will pay off. I started to work on the robot AI. I first made the robot patrol the area and make sure it does not fall off platforms. I then made it a bit more interactive so that it notices the player. Tomorrow I am going to make it chase the player.

Update Tuesday November 5th 2013
Continuing with the robot AI, I made it chase the player. Then suddenly it does not want to chase the player anymore. Now I am trying to debug the game and find out what is stopping it from chasing the player. After fixing the robot chase error, I created a new error. This time the robot decides it does not want to stop whilst it is chasing the player. So now it keeps getting stuck in the wall now. I am going to try and fix it tomorrow.

Update Wednesday November 6th 2013
I fixed the Robot AI issues so that it chases the player. The robot now does not get stuck in the wall anymore (99% of the time) and when it does, it manages to walk out of it. I then created some simple menu screens for the game so that the player knows when they have won or lost.

Update Thursday November 7th 2013
Managed to do no work on the game at all.

Update Friday November 8th 2013
Another day, another chance I did not get to work at all on my game.

Update Saturday November 9th 2013
First thing I did today after getting ready was work on my game. I tidied up all the menus with the limited art skills I have. I then designed and created level one for the game and, to be honest, I am quite happy how it turned out. It is fun to play but it does not use many of the portal effects. I created another level that utilized more of the portal effects. So far it is going good. It is going a lot better than earlier in the week as you can see by the screenshot of my working directories below.

office-working-directories
Working Directories During GB Jam

Update Sunday November 10th 2013
Today is the final day. As I created two levels, I decided to add some sound effects and background music to the game. After adding the sound and music, I decided to export the game. I exported two different versions. One with the original screen size and one that is twice as big.

I will make a new post about the game and how I felt I did during the GB Jam. But one thing is for sure, next time I am going to try and work with someone who knows how to do art and/or music because I just am not that good in it… yet.

You can download the game by clicking on the link below.
Office

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