3 Months Progress - Slow Start
December 28 marked 3 months since I started this blog and started working on this game (not counting the Ludum Dare version). I liked the idea of my LD36, because it would be a chance to do an exploration game where the exploration was a means to an end, not just exploration for exploration sake. I also though that even if it failed I would gain a lot of experience doing environmental art and level design, so it wouldn’t be a waste. Some friends also said it was a cool idea.
After a month to think through, I decided to start making the game at the end of September.
3 months late I haven’t made as much progress as I expected (I guess it’s always like that) but I’m quite happy for what I’ve managed to do. At least I already have a working prototype
- An interface to draw the map freehand with different
- Special landmarks showing up on the map on the right place
- Teleporting to landmarks (sort of)
- A terrible but working UI for the map.
- Some assets for the first area.
Things I should have done
- Thinking of a name. I have one but I’m still not 100% sure.
- Creating a function to evaluate how good the map is.
- Deciding on an art style. This indecision is getting ridiculous.
- Making concept art. I did some, but I should have done more.
- Deciding if that game is first or third person.
I was planning to have a sort of “vertical slice” done by the 6 month mark. I used the word loosely, I wanted to have all systems implemented, UI implemented and all assets for the first area, but I’ll push that goal to the 9 months or 12 months. But this game is mostly content so I hope I don’t take too long to implement everything.
For the 6 months mark I want to have done:
- All the things in the “ Things I should have done” section
- All main systems implemented so everything is playable (they’re not many, just the map and interacting with some objects environment)
- All assets for the demo area done, except animals, people and water. They don’t have to be final, since I like to iterate a lot, but decent enough with the models and at least albedo. To be more specific I want to have all plants, rocks, modular houses, furniture and special landmarks done.
- The graphics for the map at least somewhat decent.
I’m still quite passionate about the project, I would say I’m still in the honeymoon phase. Let’s hope it stays like this for a while. I want to make some smaller games (really small) this year, but I think I’ll wait until I’m 6 months in to do it.
I want to start working less on the game, because I want to take more paid work. But if I can be more focused instead of doing random stuff I think I can still do a lot of progress
(I was supposed to write this post days ago, but it’s been a difficult week. With the end of the year I started thinking about where I am and what I accomplished and I feel so alone, and I’m doubting a lot of my choices)