Publishing my first recreation utilizing pico-8
TL/DR; Play/Download a copy from itch.io
I had all the time wished to create video games. The truth is its one of many causes I went down the event path. For numerous causes I by no means invested sufficient time (most likely an excessive amount of time taking part in them) and went into writing code for companies.
In hindsight that was most likely the suitable transfer from a monetary perspective, because it appears most recreation builders are typically pretty underpaid and the drama within the recreation improvement area makes highschool teen drama look tame.
I had tried a couple of instances to make a recreation and all the time failed for one cause or one other.
I made a decision I might enhance my probabilities, by limiting the scope and sticking to a quite simple rock/paper/scissors premise and decide to transport it the second it was adequate. It sounds conceited however I’ve turn into fairly good at hitting deadlines over time, even when they’re self imposed.
I picked pico-8 because the engine just because I do know I work higher with constraints and the restricted dimension and capabilities of it will guarantee I might not try perfection since I do know I shouldn’t have the talents to succeed in it anyway. I’ve been an expert developer for 10+ years so code syntax is just not my largest concern, however figuring out methods to architect issues, take care of the artwork and sound.
By sticking inside what pico-8 gives I believed I might obtain this, the place I had beforehand failed with instruments like Sport Maker.
A number of days in the past I completed and printed the end result. You possibly can play/download a copy from itch.io or if in case you have pico-8 get a copy off the bbs.
The premise is pretty easy. Decide your spell and forged it, with the enemy doing the identical. Its rock/paper/scissors with every spell having strengths and weaknesses. For instance lighting is highly effective, however is defeated by protect, whereas protect protects from the whole lot besides acidball which can go by way of it.
I initially wished the whole lot to be deterministic with the AI, and customarily it’s, nonetheless I shortly realized what I suppose many recreation builders have that this isn’t excellent. As such a few of the AI is random with the intention to produce extra enjoyable moments.
The large factor for my was discovering in lua top notch capabilities, so you possibly can throw round completely different ones at runtime which makes assigning completely different draw/replace capabilities very easy. As such it was a couple of 2 min job to start out a title display with directions. It additionally allowed my to create display transitions which was one thing I had huge points with beforehand.
So can verify fundamental sounds results add a LOT to the expertise. Much more than I used to be anticipating.
I took a crash course in studying the the fundamentals of music idea to get any kind of music in… however then caught to 1 observe performed on the intro. That is simply my largest ache level, as I’ve by no means been musical, and know nothing about it. One thing to enhance on.
Whereas I’m not tremendous pleased with the whole lot about about it, I’m very completely satisfied I completed and shipped. A lot so I’m beginning to toy with new concepts as there are recreation concepts I’ve had for a very long time that I wished somebody to implement.
Appears some folks performed it too, at the very least in keeping with the itch.io stories. Not a breakout success, however definitely much more folks performed it than I ever anticipated!
I’m nonetheless very impressed with pico-8 and the way simple it’s to work with. I can see why folks use it now, permitting you to nail down the core mechanic for distilled enjoyable, after which construct out on that. The very fact I used to be in a position to go from
September 18th 20203 – I believe im truly going to decide to ending one thing in pico-8. I discover I work greatest with constraints and never a clean canvas. As a result of it’s so constrained it’s a must to lower all the way down to the barest factor doable.
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September twenty sixth 2023 – Revealed.
Is nothing in need of wonderful to me. Now to deal with one thing a little bit extra advanced, and grind out recreation improvement for a bit. Possibly sooner or later I could make one thing folks actually need to play.