burnout. : a runner game about depression and the others by Tuxic

[raw]
made by Tuxic for LD 39 (COMPO)

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burnout. is a game about burnout, depression, and the others. When you're depressed, there are things people say that hurt more than they help, no matter the intention.

In this game, you're running through every day hoping to get to the end of it. But your fatigue is limited, and each day it will get worse. If your fatigue reaches 3h, it's game over. If you make it through 30 days, it's a less bitter game over.

To jump from platform to platform, just press the space bar. Warning : the jump is "static", as in it will always be the same. Because when you're depressed, things seem to be the same over and over again. So plan your jumps ahead.

Platforms are text messages you receive during the day. They might be completely neutral (you don't care), good for you (your fatigue doesn't lower), or bad (your fatigue goes down faster).

Once your fatigue runs out, it's the end of the day, and the next one starts. Until you either run out of power or patience.

There is no way to quit a running game until you either lose or lose a little more. Depression doesn't stop like that, what were you thinking?

Made with Unity3D in a very ugly fashion. Music done on LSDJ, SFX on sfxr. "Art" scribbled in Photoshop CC2017.

Links

Ratings

Given 5🗳️ 3🗨️

Feedback

Hels
31. Jul 2017 · 12:27 UTC
Cool little concept for a game! Really dig the aesthetic. It became a little easier once I figured out you can continuously jump in air, which I'm assuming is a bug, based on the fact that it's not in the gif at the top of the page. But even then it remained soul crushing and hopeless! Which is a good thing!! because that's like, the idea
🎤 Tuxic
31. Jul 2017 · 13:48 UTC
@hels thanks for the review, I guess my mission is accomplished :) the jump is indeed a bug, but I left it here as a cheat for people who didn't want to play with the platform timings! See it as an easy mode!
seurimas
31. Jul 2017 · 23:43 UTC
Solid little game! I appreciate the well-picked texts for your message. Also a very interesting take on the theme I hadn't even considered.
Syv
01. Aug 2017 · 17:33 UTC
I really love how you took the theme. I love this game for it's simplicity and great vibe. Great game.
notApollogising
01. Aug 2017 · 17:37 UTC
A really innovative and great concept, but it suffers from poor execution. Still, great music, great mood and easily one of my favorites of this LD.
DoctorAlpaca
01. Aug 2017 · 17:53 UTC
Really cool interpretation of the theme. However, the gameplay itself and the actual presentation is lacking.
Stepan Shabalin
01. Aug 2017 · 17:56 UTC
Oh, sorry, but I have a Mac.
Knarfux
01. Aug 2017 · 21:32 UTC
Love what you did with the theme. A meaningful game, with a clever way to deliver the message.
prettylucky
02. Aug 2017 · 05:24 UTC
Nice take on the runner genre! I had a friend pitch an idea like this one to me before, but I like your interpretation better. I felt like the phrases were things the character might have actually experienced. I know you left the jump static on purpose, but I'd consider changing it to a standard jump (longer you hold it, higher you go).

Cool concept though, solid execution!
jahndis
05. Aug 2017 · 04:45 UTC
Thought the mechanics delivered the message well. The only thing I might have done differently is have less upbeat music/sfx. Just to emphasize depression a little more. Well done!
blinry
12. Aug 2017 · 13:55 UTC
Interesting interpretation of the theme! Found the jumping bug pretty late, but even with that, I didn't manage to get through the day :( I like the time slider below the platforms, and the messages are well written! Music and sound fits well. The jumping mechanic alone didn't feel very innovative, and the random generation of the platforms felt unfair sometimes. I'd love to see more gameplay elements in this game! Thanks for making it! :*

I enjoyed your descriptions on this page! :)