{"author_link":"\/author\/nidolabz\/","author_name":"Octopus Melange","author_uid":"44658","comments":[{"author_name":"GxBANGER","author_uid":"51726","time":"Apr 21, 2015 @ 10:10am","epoch":1429610700,"text":"Such a cool game, would like to see this worked on a bit more and released on steam."},{"author_name":"ForeverHumble","author_uid":"48290","time":"Apr 21, 2015 @ 1:46pm","epoch":1429623660,"text":"GxBanger....Thanks man....we have a couple of bugs we will start fixing as soon as my son gets home from school...as he is the programmer. We are going to get this level smoothed out for everyone...then we will add a link to itch.io so everyone can play the other levels we finished but didn't have time to pop in at the end."},{"author_name":"ForeverHumble","author_uid":"48290","time":"Apr 21, 2015 @ 1:48pm","epoch":1429623780,"text":"We actually had a bunch done...it's a lil heartbreaking when you run outta time putting stuff in that you worked so hard on creating. BUT PLEASE KNOW NOW!!! WE ARE MAKING THIS GAME FOLKS! We had a lot of fun with this project....8 strangers came together and really put a plan into action. I couldn't be more proud."},{"author_name":"strong99","author_uid":"8175","time":"Apr 22, 2015 @ 8:54am","epoch":1429692540,"text":"Understanding how your pet runs to its food took a while depending on the platforms. He  can't jump, the poor thing :( Wasn't able to get a very high score. Enjoyed it though!"},{"author_name":"nonetheless","author_uid":"36254","time":"Apr 23, 2015 @ 7:25pm","epoch":1429816800,"text":"Will you chew until it bleeds? nice idea but pretty hard to control. Art is very good, great job :)"},{"author_name":"benjamck","author_uid":"50173","time":"Apr 23, 2015 @ 7:27pm","epoch":1429816920,"text":"Fear my hungry pet! Love the take on the theme. Great artwork too. It was fun watching the pet grow when it ate the baddies, but I wish he would stay closer to the player character. He seemed to want to find his own path to the different platforms rather than hop along with the player character. I bet this could be a fun game to play with just a little more work. I certainly know how tough it is to get something finished in the limited time available ;) Good job guys!"},{"author_name":"Traumendes_Madchen","author_uid":"39080","time":"Apr 23, 2015 @ 7:56pm","epoch":1429818660,"text":"Interesting idea but I have to say the beginning of the game is really confusing: there are things moving everywhere, you don't know who you're supposed to control nor what you're supposed to do. A little tutorial would help ^^."},{"author_name":"Octopus Melange","author_uid":"44658","time":"Apr 23, 2015 @ 8:16pm","epoch":1429819860,"text":"benjamck.....thanks. Your right about time....kills you when you want to perfect a few things. I'm just gonna say what i said....we do know are issues and our fixing them as we go along."},{"author_name":"oparisy","author_uid":"50996","time":"Apr 23, 2015 @ 8:40pm","epoch":1429821300,"text":"Nice art and music! I has some difficulties with the camera though."},{"author_name":"DNAteamld32","author_uid":"53051","time":"Apr 23, 2015 @ 8:56pm","epoch":1429822260,"text":"Nice art and good idea! Congrats!!"},{"author_name":"Octopus Melange","author_uid":"44658","time":"Apr 23, 2015 @ 9:33pm","epoch":1429824480,"text":"Fixed the Camera. Sorry about that."},{"author_name":"daredevildave","author_uid":"5182","time":"Apr 23, 2015 @ 10:22pm","epoch":1429827420,"text":"I love the idea behind it. Seemed to be very hard to last more than a few seconds. And I don't think I ever got the pet to eat something I threw he just ran off chomping on everything else. I think with an easier introduction it could be great fun."},{"author_name":"Blobo","author_uid":"52667","time":"Apr 23, 2015 @ 10:30pm","epoch":1429827900,"text":"nice game! really like the concept!"},{"author_name":"Nikteddy92","author_uid":"12659","time":"Apr 23, 2015 @ 10:32pm","epoch":1429828020,"text":"I like the graphic style and the gameplay! Well done! :D"},{"author_name":"Feyd_Rautha","author_uid":"40282","time":"Apr 23, 2015 @ 10:37pm","epoch":1429828320,"text":"I had a really hard time realizing which one was my pet. There are a lot of aliens running around so it took me a while to realize that my pet was the one that just took off and teleported at the start. The learning curve for figuring out where the portals were so that I could position food was pretty steep. Once I got the hang of it, it was pretty fun. But it took a while to figure out what was going on."},{"author_name":"Paulozz","author_uid":"50073","time":"Apr 23, 2015 @ 10:40pm","epoch":1429828500,"text":"Great design idea, and good implementation. It took me a couple of try to understand, but when I got it, i enjoyed it."},{"author_name":"tummyache","author_uid":"7321","time":"Apr 23, 2015 @ 10:44pm","epoch":1429828740,"text":"Really cool concept, would love to see it delved into a little deeper.  I couldn't get a score higher than 9, so it's a little difficult, but it's still really cool.  Wish it was zoomed in more so I could actually see the artwork, because it looks really good but I have to squint my eyes to make it out."},{"author_name":"ForeverHumble","author_uid":"48290","time":"Apr 23, 2015 @ 11:07pm","epoch":1429830120,"text":"Zoom in view....I can't tell you the back and forth on this. Final version will be more zoomed in. We presented a level that allowed for hiscore setting for the sake of everyone trying it out....So we pulled it back some to give you a better view...this"},{"author_name":"richiebranson","author_uid":"51385","time":"Apr 24, 2015 @ 4:10am","epoch":1429848300,"text":"very good interpretation of the theme! Took a bit of time to figure out what to do, but I got the hang of it pretty quickly. I'd love to see this developed into something bigger down the road!"},{"author_name":"A Flat Miner Studios","author_uid":"42150","time":"Apr 24, 2015 @ 4:17am","epoch":1429848720,"text":"As said before, could use a little tutorial at the beginning.  This could be a very fun game with some polish (which it looks like you are committed to, so I look forward to seeing it later)."},{"author_name":"syncxzoz","author_uid":"50852","time":"Apr 25, 2015 @ 3:46am","epoch":1429933260,"text":"this game is so hard... but fun to play... Great!!!"},{"author_name":"Logicon","author_uid":"10322","time":"Apr 25, 2015 @ 3:50am","epoch":1429933500,"text":"Companion"},{"author_name":"surpent","author_uid":"51599","time":"Apr 25, 2015 @ 3:57am","epoch":1429933920,"text":"Nice idea\r<br\/>I want to do battle in this game."},{"author_name":"ciaodavinci","author_uid":"47511","time":"Apr 25, 2015 @ 4:05am","epoch":1429934400,"text":"Nice take on the theme. I enjoyed the art. The camera gave me a hard time since it kept following my pet and leaving me out of the frame (running it on Mac).  I agree that it would be great to make the pet stand out more among all the other creatures."},{"author_name":"morbidcamel","author_uid":"51619","time":"Apr 25, 2015 @ 9:14am","epoch":1429952940,"text":"For a bunch of kids you are potent! Keep doing this and you will be the champions of industry!"},{"author_name":"TeamCalcium","author_uid":"53017","time":"Apr 25, 2015 @ 11:25am","epoch":1429960800,"text":"The art style was appealing, but the controls are very floaty and the camera always randomly shifts between you and the what id like to believe is the pet, but then snapping back at the player. At first its a little challenge to find out what of the objects that move around the screen actually is the pet you were supposed to control, i assumed it looks like the very color intensive pattern of gif animations in the background (on the web version) but i found it afterall. I still liked the idea of using a companion as an unconvantional weapon, and you guys have some good artists."},{"author_name":"TeamCalcium","author_uid":"53017","time":"Apr 25, 2015 @ 11:25am","epoch":1429960800,"text":"The art style was appealing, but the controls are very floaty and the camera always randomly shifts between you and the what id like to believe is the pet, but then snapping back at the player. At first its a little challenge to find out what of the objects that move around the screen actually is the pet you were supposed to control, i assumed it looks like the very color intensive pattern of gif animations in the background (on the web version) but i found it afterall. I still liked the idea of using a companion as an unconventional weapon, and you guys have some good artists."},{"author_name":"Mach60KAS","author_uid":"5788","time":"Apr 25, 2015 @ 4:47pm","epoch":1429980120,"text":"Hey, this game was pretty nifty! It was quite difficult to figure out what was going on at first, but it got a little better after playing a few times. The art was very well done, I love all the little flairs and animated pieces - they make it come alive! The conditions for death and teleport panels still confuse me. The camera work was my only real gripe, it jumped around quite violently if the pet ended up on the other side of the screen (but I know this is just a matter of fine tuning, you;ll get it right!)\r<br\/>\r<br\/>Keep it up!"},{"author_name":"Newt_","author_uid":"34427","time":"Apr 25, 2015 @ 5:29pm","epoch":1429982640,"text":"Stunning artwork, the gameplay could use some work but really really great job and lots of potential!"},{"author_name":"Perjoka","author_uid":"38892","time":"Apr 25, 2015 @ 5:41pm","epoch":1429983360,"text":"nice game, well done!"},{"author_name":"DeadFragment","author_uid":"52749","time":"Apr 25, 2015 @ 5:49pm","epoch":1429983840,"text":"Lots of potential in this idea. Love the fact that the creature evolves, but the buttons seem a bit fiddly and sometimes seem unresponsive, also the amount of enemies on the screen at first seem a bit overwhelming. But great game with a concept that fits the theme well!\r<br\/>\r<br\/>-Neith"},{"author_name":"Kate Kligman","author_uid":"27059","time":"Apr 25, 2015 @ 6:07pm","epoch":1429984920,"text":"Very awesome! Love the music and platform visuals."},{"author_name":"abcdef65g","author_uid":"29151","time":"Apr 25, 2015 @ 8:39pm","epoch":1429994040,"text":"Very interesting concept, the controls for your companion are somewhat hard to grasp, however the whole package is very interesting. The fact the pet can't jump is a bit of an issue, though I understand just how hard it is to do in a Jam, even with such a big team. Great job guys, this team surely has future!"},{"author_name":"RARoadkill","author_uid":"13308","time":"Apr 25, 2015 @ 11:38pm","epoch":1430004780,"text":"really fun concept. I had issues with the creature not being able to get over to me. but still well done"},{"author_name":"Garris","author_uid":"33993","time":"Apr 26, 2015 @ 12:10am","epoch":1430006700,"text":"I love seeing games that use an indirect approach to combat. Using bait to get your pet to attack was a cool idea, and the art was consistent and good-looking. I did find the music a little grating though."},{"author_name":"dos","author_uid":"52499","time":"Apr 26, 2015 @ 2:26am","epoch":1430014860,"text":"Interesting concept, you should definitely work on it more. It could make use of some concept of health. A really solid entry!"},{"author_name":"OnlySlightly","author_uid":"1959","time":"Apr 26, 2015 @ 7:50am","epoch":1430034300,"text":"I loved the mechanic and the audio. It was nice being able to scurry your pet along to fight along side you. The graphics and animation were really impressive."},{"author_name":"emmelineprufrock","author_uid":"22454","time":"Apr 26, 2015 @ 7:51am","epoch":1430034360,"text":"Interesting concept. Wish it was a bit easier to keep track of where my pet was."},{"author_name":"siryakko","author_uid":"49920","time":"Apr 26, 2015 @ 8:20am","epoch":1430036100,"text":"Totally deserved to be distributed in a wider range"},{"author_name":"Mekuri","author_uid":"20130","time":"Apr 26, 2015 @ 11:04am","epoch":1430045940,"text":"A very great idea. I had a hard time keeping track of my pet though, and felt a bit overwhelmed by the monsters.\r<br\/>\r<br\/>I liked the graphics, they were nice.\r<br\/>\r<br\/>I can really see the potential in the game and would like to see where you can take this with some polish. Good job to you all."},{"author_name":"esayitch","author_uid":"16000","time":"Apr 26, 2015 @ 8:39pm","epoch":1430080440,"text":"Loved the concept... and the pet animations when it grows are really great... music is all right... \r<br\/>\r<br\/>The problem is that the pet path-finding was weird at times, and in addition that platforming felt awkward, slow, and non-responsive. If you fix the player movement issues, I think you'd have a really good game :D Great entry for the jam though! Good luck :)"},{"author_name":"Snicklodocus","author_uid":"22794","time":"Apr 27, 2015 @ 1:13am","epoch":1430096880,"text":"Cool idea! It took a while to understand, and the camera moves pretty strangely. I liked the art a lot! Good job."},{"author_name":"phi6","author_uid":"29305","time":"Apr 27, 2015 @ 3:37pm","epoch":1430148720,"text":"The graphics are lush!"},{"author_name":"Pietro Ferrantelli","author_uid":"30677","time":"Apr 27, 2015 @ 4:13pm","epoch":1430150880,"text":"Cool game ! Really enjoyed to play it and graphics are nice. And wait... two 13-years old programmers in your team ?! Still can't believe this, that's amazing :D"},{"author_name":"Null DIES","author_uid":"52933","time":"Apr 27, 2015 @ 4:50pm","epoch":1430153100,"text":"Very nice concept, I like how you have to indirectly control the game, it could be very strategic.\r<br\/>I think the path finding needs a lot of improvement (which might be hard give the teleportation), because the dog spent most of his time trying to catch food only to fall into a portal and try again."},{"author_name":"PIXEL^3","author_uid":"10948","time":"Apr 28, 2015 @ 9:44am","epoch":1430213940,"text":"The concept of this game seems pretty good though the execution seems to fall a little flat. It's hard to control your pet and since your player's hitbox seems to be pretty big (or maybe the enemies' hit box) I get hit sometimes without feeling like I should've. I did find a spot in the middle of the map above the red and green portals that the pet couldn't make it to so by throwing a fruit he'd just run around almost indefinitely killing enemies. Racked up 137 points this way.\r<br\/>It's good that you're starting this over from scratch though, you might be able to clean it up and make something out of it."},{"author_name":"nguyenmv2","author_uid":"51262","time":"Apr 28, 2015 @ 2:13pm","epoch":1430230080,"text":"I like the concept, but the pet would always run off.  I found a way to cheat the game by simply throwing food and having the pet run around forever. Also, I was disappointed about not being able to ride the pet since it seemed to be hinted at."},{"author_name":"Jasonsumm","author_uid":"53045","time":"Apr 29, 2015 @ 11:11pm","epoch":1430348760,"text":"Really impressive stuff! :)"},{"author_name":"Saker Games","author_uid":"43705","time":"May 4, 2015 @ 5:40am","epoch":1430717700,"text":"Nice game. :)"},{"author_name":"Omiya Games","author_uid":"20557","time":"May 5, 2015 @ 3:48am","epoch":1430797380,"text":"I found the mechanic of relying on an AI (the pet) to take out the enemies was really fascinating.  I think a good game can be developed around that idea.\r<br\/>\r<br\/>Personally, I found the pet's behavior to be highly unpredictable.  Because of the impression that I lack the control over this pet, the game ultimately boiled down to dodging enemies (which are FAST).  I think more improvements can be made to the pet AI to make the game more enjoyable."},{"author_name":"zerocreativity1","author_uid":"17115","time":"May 5, 2015 @ 4:44am","epoch":1430800740,"text":"Interesting mechanic, i would like to see some puzzle levels on this."},{"author_name":"CiderPunk","author_uid":"7534","time":"May 5, 2015 @ 1:05pm","epoch":1430830800,"text":"Bit annoying the way your pet gets killed if he's not actively running for snacks, otherwise top effort!"},{"author_name":"Crowbeak","author_uid":"16689","time":"May 6, 2015 @ 11:08am","epoch":1430910180,"text":"I can't figure out a number of things.\r<br\/>\r<br\/>1) What is my pet? Is it the creature that starts out next to me?\r<br\/>2) How does throwing the snacks direct it to do things? The snacks seemed to have no effect on anything.\r<br\/>3) What do I do when I have thrown all three? Running over them did nothing.\r<br\/>\r<br\/>It seems like an interesting concept, but something needs to be done to make what's going on more apparent."},{"author_name":"belowzerogames","author_uid":"37630","time":"May 9, 2015 @ 10:42pm","epoch":1431211020,"text":"Great job on your game , I wish I was a little better at platformers as I only got a score of 5 :-)"},{"author_name":"lochmann-apps","author_uid":"52509","time":"May 10, 2015 @ 9:13am","epoch":1431248880,"text":"Nice one. Keep on working on that, especially the controlls feel a bit strange."}],"images":["ld32\/44658-611c31e980056daf9ec3af5ecb73649f.jpg","ld32\/44658-043d81f2dcdafc49b700b9ad54d0d0f4.jpg"],"links":[{"url":"http:\/\/monokuma.itch.io\/the-hand-that-feeds","text":"Web"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/s\/iwn38d0vcn9i5z4\/TheHandThatFeeds_Windows.zip?dl=0","text":"Windows"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/s\/gt557krr67vq4hx\/TheHandThatFeeds_Mac.zip?dl=0","text":"OS\/X"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/s\/nk79y8rqkxbn6k7\/TheHandThatFeeds_Linux.zip?dl=0","text":"Linux"}],"metadata":{"g_key":"11760","g_author":"44658","g_event":"LD32","g_eventkey":"27","g_subevent":"JAM","g_urlkey":"11790","g_title":"The Hand That Feeds","g_status":"UCHK1","g_place":"665","g_commentcount":"55","g_site2_node_id":"0","g_hide":"N","g_has_icon":"Y","g_rqueue":"0","g_random":"0"},"nds":[],"node":null,"orig_images":["http:\/\/ludumdare.com\/compo\/wp-content\/compo2\/\/444368\/44658-shot0-1429809651.png-eq-900-500.jpg","http:\/\/ludumdare.com\/compo\/wp-content\/compo2\/\/444368\/44658-shot1-1429814881.jpg-eq-900-500.jpg"],"text":"The Hand That Feeds was developed for Ludum Dare 32 by team Octopus M\u00e9lange.\r\n\r\nOur team was made up of complete strangers, brought together by game designer Nicholas Cunningham for this challenge.\r\n\r\nFor Unconventional Weapon theme....we chose our pet.\r\n\r\nWe developed a gameplay where you fight off attacking enemies by tossing snacks for your pet. He happens to love his snacks....I feel sorry for anyone that gets in his way.\r\n\r\nWe are aware of gameplay, control and feels that we still want to improve. We are doing so. In the next few days we will provide you with a link for the rest of the levels that we built during the game jam. The level you are seeing now...is more of a composition of many of the things we accomplished during the jam. We always had intention of presenting you with a more developed demo following the jam.\r\n\r\nOur team enjoyed this experience enough that we're scratching the code and starting again. We will be developing this game to full content...and will bring it to your computers and consoles in the very near future.\r\n\r\nI hope you enjoy this as much as we did.\r\n\r\nBTW>>>>>THESE KIDS CAN FRAGGIN CODE!\r\n\r\nNicholas Cunningham - Game Designer\r\nTom Ward - Music\r\nJonathan Cunningham (13 years old)- Programmer\r\nAdam Matheny - Level Designer and Programmer\r\nJoshua Brown-Culp - Artist\r\nGabriel Martino - Artist\r\nBenn Lockyer - Programmer\r\nWill Rainsberger (13 years old)- Programmer\r\n\r\nControls (Keyboard\/Xbox 360 Controller):\r\nMove = WASD \/Left Thumbstick\r\nJump - Space \/ A\r\nThrow Food - Left Control \/ X\r\n\r\nWe ask that you give it a spin....but what we really want is your feedback.\r\n\r\nWe want to go make this game....for us....for you....we need your help\r\n\r\nhttp:\/\/ludumdare.com\/compo\/ludum-dare-32\/?action=preview&uid=44658\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThe game page has been set up here... and this is where we will post the full demo\r\n\r\nhttp:\/\/monokuma.itch.io\/the-hand-that-feeds","title":"The Hand That Feeds"}