Just a Game Development Blog

Here I will post updates on any and all my game projects. I will also post download links.

[scarletknightmare-games]

Prototype Update

So I finished a large section of work related to the prototype. I’ve been enjoying working on this and am well on my way to finishing these little phase. What I wanted to write this blog post on however was how I was dumb and tried to jam this whole section in a week of production. So it’s been a learning experience to evaluate how long a phase actually will be and keeping myself from being overwhelmed just by looking at the amount of work I need to jam into a due date. 

The best way to keep objects like this from dying on the operating table is to know your limits, and not shoot to high. I’m not a pro, I’m just working by my lonesome. So I can in fact afford to go at my own pace. This is also why I want to remain vague until a reasonable time . 

[scarletknightmare-games]

About prototypes

I figured I should try to write something here often to keep my head in the game. Don’t worry though once I have something to show for it I will start posting that too.  But in the mean time I will I guess do some ramblings here and there. It’s something right?

Staying on topic of Project Phoenix I wanted to talk a bit more about the prototype, and how its old prototype failed. I mentioned this in the last log and didn’t get into it then, so let’s get into it now. The old prototype for this story was a 2d adventure game style of play, it would feature usage of RPG maker’s combat system. So what made it fail? Honestly it wasn’t exactly the prototype’s fault, it was mine. To put it simply I just didn’t vibe with it. And when I say that I mean it in the way that this just wasn't the type of game I wanted to make. I’m not even sure it’s a game I would play. It went into the JRPG style that I don't actually play a lot of. It’s not a style I know very well, nor is it a style I enjoy that much. So it would have been a mistake to make it that way.

So what have I played that I can make? Well in the case of the Owl and The Rat I made it a horror RPG because I am a fan of 2d Horror RPGs like The Witches House, Ib, Mad Father, etc.  Looking at the engine I have (RPG Maker MV) I decided that I should make it worth my while and use it again.  I was in a slump about this until I had a dream that I was playing the story featured in Project Phoenix, but as a visual novel. Now, visual novels? yeah I’ve played plenty of those. 

I’m actually excited to see what this prototype looks like when I’m done. I’m enjoying the development of this project so far and hope I can see this to completion. 

[scarletknightmare-games]

I’m in ADHD Hell haha

So a lot has happened ever since my last entry. But I want to just get right into it.

It is insanely difficult to do projects that require so much time and effort when your ADHD gremlin brain wants to jump from project to project. I get inspired, I start work, and after a time I get distracted. So perhaps I should stop announcing that I’m working on something until I get this under control.

Well I seem to have *something* going. It’s a completely new project, technically I have attempted to do this project before but the prototype proved it to be unworthy of time. However; I am now attempting it in a completely different style that I think might do it some good. We will have to see if this new prototype shows some promise. If it does I will go into more detail. I am hoping keeping blog entries consistent might help hold me a bit more accountable instead of just making one and disappearing. I also have some more systems in place that will hopefully keep me from accidently dropping it. 

I’m not joking, it just keeps happening. I don’t even notice this until I check this blog.  Anyway once the prototype is done expect more updates and vague allusions to what the next project is. I want to have it done at a minimum before February ends. 

Yeah yeah, pro-developers do their prototypes in one week max (if I recall correct) but in my defense there’s only one of me and this isn’t my career. I’m just a hobbyist really. Life happens basically. 

As far as production goes I am probably about half done? I’m in the lengthiest stage so it’s hard to place. 

Anyway please forgive my bluntness, I just figured I should kick this off with some honesty. Welcome to what I hope will be a complete project; Project Phoenix. If this prototype fails just like its predecessor however this will be a very short saga. 

[scarletknightmare-games]

Dev Log- I’m not dead, Just Busy.

So, I’ve been busy lately but I’m trying to get back into game development. I have options in front of me as to what I want to create and I’m a bit tied between making a small game and making the new game + feature for The Owl and the Rat. Personally, I feel more motivated for the later so it may end up being what I end up doing.

Basically, for the new game + feature, it spiritually works like a sequel. It would carry over choices you made and pick up wherever your ending left off. There’s more to the story that I want to tell, and some choices that I didn't get to see to fruition in the base game that I want to use here.  In other news, I updated The Owl and The Rat! I improved the graveyard map so that it would more closely match the style of the other outdoor maps that I have in the game. I also added a new hint to a puzzle since I realized that in-game I didn’t really properly hint at this answer. I also did some minor bug fixes. So if you're using The Owl and The Rat version 1.0 go ahead and download version 1.1. If this is important to you you can copy the save folder in 1.0 and paste it in 1.1. (The save folder is in the “www” folder). 

[scarletknightmare-games]

Dev Log: Pre-production

It has no official name yet but I’m working on my next game now! I regret not making logs for The Owl and The Rat so I’m going to try to record progress for this one. The goal is that when production begins this only takes a month or maybe 2. So understandably it’s going to be much shorter than The Owl and The Rat.  The genre and overall feel I’m going for with this one is Surreal and symbol heavy. That’s all I can disclose this early in.

-SK Ps. If you’re playing the Owl and the Rat please do send bug reports here. You can also follow to make sure your game copy is up to date. If you want you can black list #dev log and anything else that isn’t on topic of interest. Also if you’re playing it I want to say thank you for your support! I hope you like it!

[scarletknightmare-games]

The Owl and The Rat

Genre: Horror / Puzzle / Survival Engine: RPG Maker MV Release Date: 9/09/2019 Latest Update: 11/19/2019 Current Version: 1.1

Synopsis:

Desperate to remember her own identity Deandra pursues a lead on two girls she only knows she used to be close to. The journey takes her to the cursed mountain where she’ll face not just who she was but what came before. Surrounded by illusions and deception she, however, must be careful which truth she accepts. Who will you trust?

Download Link:

|Mediafire| The walkthrough can be found here

[scarletknightmare-games]

Alright guys, I’m about to officially launch The Owl and The Rat, my first official game! I kind of wish I documented my progress as I made it. I’ll be sure to do that with my future projects.

I originally had this blog be for this game specifically but I decided I should instead just make it a game developer blog where I just post things related to my works.  I would like to thank all my beta testers for the work they did! It was getting increasingly difficult to spot my own errors after having played my game so many times. 

I’d also like to thank everyone who created resources that I used. It’s super cool of them to let people just use this stuff they made for free.  I might eventually put The Owl and The Rat on steam but there’s a $100 fee and I don’t have that kind of money laying around to put a game I intend to be free on there.  This project took 7 months to do, My next projects are actually going to be shorter by intention since I’m trying to build a bigger and bigger portfolio of finished projects. This is actually kind of a hard choice for me to make because every other project idea I have is larger in scale.  Anyway, I’ll soon post the download link, I’ll give it a walk through afterwards. I’ve already gotten started on writing that one. I hope you enjoy it !

[scarletknightmare-games]

Portfolio

Here I will be listing the names/ info/ and links to every game I'll make.

The Owl and The Rat

Information Post W/ Links

Quick Rundown:

Genre:Horror/ Puzzle

Engine: RPG Maker MV

Release Date:9/09/2019

Last Update:9/09/2019

Synopsis:Desperate to remember her own identity Deandra pursues a lead on two girls she only knows she used to be close to. The journey takes her to the cursed mountain where she’ll face not just who she was but what came before. Surrounded by illusions and deception she however must be careful which truth she accepts. Who will you trust?

[scarletknightmare-games]

About Me

Hello, I am a hobbyist and game development just happens to be one of many things I enjoy. Here I will post about my works from download links to update logs. If you want a list of everything I've made that is finished and ready to play go ahead and check out the "Portfolio" tab.

If you have a bug report to make don't hesitate to send a message.

Tags I'll use on my posts:

#[Insert name of the title here]: Predictably I will be using the name of the game in the tags for every post corresponding to it. I'll include links to these posts in the portfolio page. If a project is not close enough to finished to have its name announced I will refer to it by a project name.

#info: Official post with the download link to a certain game including screenshots and a synopsis. When finished I will edit in a link to the walkthrough as well.

#walkthrough: This post is a walkthrough to one of my games. I'll include hints and answers in these. I will have them all under spoiler warning.

#update log: This post is just an update on either a project in progress or am update on an existing game.

[scarletknightmare-games]

Synopsis: Desperate to remember her own identity she pursues a lead on two girls she only knows she used to be close to. The journey takes her to the cursed mountain where she'll face not just who she was but what came before. Surrounded by illusions and deception she however must be careful which truth she accepts. Who will you trust? Genre: Puzzle/ Horror Platform: PC (possibly mac if I can get bug testers) Engine: RPG Maker MV Price: Freeware Image credits: Software: Photoshop CC Brushes by Vesner & Redheadstock Fonts:Requiem & Quick Hand