Development Log

Weekly updates on progress on our game!

Final Development & Playtest

June 6th, 2019

For our last week of development, our team worked on preparing the game for it’s final playtest and submission. Conner worked on adding a startup screen to the game, improving the item code to allow potions to carry across levels, and adding additional music to the game. DJ worked on redesigning the second level and the teleportation UI. Zach worked on finalizing the third level, adding story information, and adding end scenes. During playtesting there was no common complaints regarding the game but some of the complaints included requests to improve the teleportation system further as well as improve colliders and item pickups. Had our group had more time to work on this project, there were a variety of things we could have further added to the game such as different items and additional levels.

Play the final version here.
Download the source code here.

Assets Used:
Zelda-like tilesets and sprites by ArMM1998
16x16 DungeonTileset II by 0x72
Crimson Nights Back in Town -- Eight Bit/Loop -- Royalty Free Music by TeknoAXE's Royalty Free Music
Eight Bit Commando -- 8-bit/Chiptune -- Royalty Free Music by TeknoAXE's Royalty Free Music
Royalty Free Music #306 (Delivering Newspapers on Time) Eight Bit/8-bit/Video Game by TeknoAXE's Royalty Free Music
To the Next Destination -- Chiptune/8-bit -- Royalty Free Music by TeknoAXE's Royalty Free Music
8 Bit Wonder Font by Joiro Hatgaya
Whoosh by qubodup
Grunt1 - Death Pain.wav by Aline Audio
Retro Game Heal Sound by lulyc
Bejeweled gems set 2 by Krasi Wasilev


Postmortem Presentation

June 4th, 2019


Beta Development & Playtest

May 30th, 2019

This week the team utilized feedback from the previous playtest session to producing a beta version of the game to be playtested again by fellow students during class. DJ worked on updating the design for the second level and improving the UI for teleportation, Conner worked on adding functional items, adding new UI, and adding audio effects, and Zach worked on design of the third level and added new invisibility functionality.

During the beta playtest, the most common complaint we received was how close you had to get to the enemies to hit them as well as had close you had to get to chests to open them. The current colliders and attack distances will need to be reviewed and adjusted as needed for the final product. From the last feedback, we have opted not to implement diagonal movement in our game due to the animation issue.

Try the beta version here.

Assets Used:
Zelda-like tilesets and sprites by ArMM1998
16x16 DungeonTileset II by 0x72
Crimson Nights Back in Town -- Eight Bit/Loop -- Royalty Free Music by TeknoAXE's Royalty Free Music
Eight Bit Commando -- 8-bit/Chiptune -- Royalty Free Music by TeknoAXE's Royalty Free Music
8 Bit Wonder Font by Joiro Hatgaya
Whoosh by qubodup
Grunt1 - Death Pain.wav by Aline Audio
Retro Game Heal Sound by lulyc


Alpha Development & Playtest

May 23rd, 2019

This week the team worked on producing an alpha version of the game to be playtested by fellow students and visiting guests during class. DJ worked on incorporating the teleportation mechanic and designing the second level, Conner worked on merging the item system prototype and adding the enemy movement code with ranged vision, and Zach worked on animations and design of the first level.

During the playtest, the movement system was highlighted as a point of concern again. Players want the ability to move diagonally. However, doing so would mean removing all animation from our game since there are no diagonal direction animations for our assets. This will need to be discussed further by the team. Another point of complaint was the lack of proper UI elements to indicate things like health. Upgrades to the UI system are planned.

Try the alpha version here.

Assets Used:
Zelda-like tilesets and sprites by ArMM1998
16x16 DungeonTileset II by 0x72
Crimson Nights Back in Town -- Eight Bit/Loop -- Royalty Free Music by TeknoAXE's Royalty Free Music


Digital Prototypes

May 16th, 2019

This week the team worked on producing prototypes of various game mechanics that will be used in the final game. DJ worked on producing a teleportation game mechanic prototype, Conner worked on producing a item system protoype, and Zach worked on a grid-based movement prototype. With the completion of these prototypes, we will begin moving into level creation and further producing game mechanics.

Some common complaints during feedback were in regards to the teleportation mechanic and it’s range. Adjustments will need to be made to the teleportation mechanic. Some other feedback also referenced potentially getting rid of grid-based movement. The team will have to discuss this. There were also some complaints about the UI in the prototypes but the UI from these prototypes will not be used in the full game.

Teleportation Prototype
Item System Prototype
Grid-Based Movement Prototype

Assets Used:
Zelda-like tilesets and sprites by ArMM1998
16x16 DungeonTileset II by 0x72


Design Ideas

May 8th, 2019

World:

  • Top down-Zelda like game
  • RPG, Stealth, Maze, Adventure
  • Collecting Gems/Stones (3 or 5)
  • Inspired by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien
  • Forest to the castle

UI:

  • Camera follows character
  • 3 lives
  • Ammo
  • No fog of war
  • Display potions

Game Mechanics:

  • Elf
  • Melee attacks, start with sword and bow
  • Ranged attacks, limited ammo. Must stop moving to shoot one shot. Slow charge.
  • 3 lives
  • Disappear/Dust them
  • Potions
  • Each gem gives power ups per level. Unique color
  • Stealth/invisibility gem
  • Teleportation, CD 7 seconds 3 seconds during boss fight
  • Fus Ro Dah
  • Gather first 3 gems, 4th level forge them into one.
  • Lures, infighting

Items:

  • Arrows
  • Potions
  • Sword
  • Bow
  • Gems/Jewels

Enemies:

  • Orcs - Sugzar
  • Giant spiders
  • Troll (Boss) - Othrog
  • BBG- Ogdo

Paper Prototype:

  • Showcasing teleport gem vs Othrog who has the Fus gem
  • Teleport mechanics Show health and losing health gaining health back, upgrading health