LudumData

Negation by gasgiant

[raw]
made by gasgiant for Ludum Dare 45 (JAM)

#Fixed game breaking bug that sometimes prevented next level from loading and subtitles desync

#Added HTML5 port (though Windows version looks a lot prettier)

#Changed default quality setting for Windows build (it was "very low" before and ruined the lighting)

If you stuck on the first puzzles you can use Walkthrough below! Or use manual level transitions by left ALT + 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 0!

Negation is a logical operator that, well, negates anything it is applied to.

You're about to experience this many times on many layers throughout this short puzzle with original concept, voiced narration, surreal imagery and music.

Ivan Pensionerov - code, design

Igor Vaiman - narration, music, design

Walkthrough (spoiler alert!)

This is a walkthrough of the first few levels, that may help you if you don't know what to do!

Level 1

Apply negation to the lock with LMB on the door to open the door. You have 3 slots for your negations. Use keys 1, 2, 3 to clear the slots and undo negation.

Level 2

Collect the word LOCK. You can negate not only single objects, but the concepts of them as well. Negate all the locks on the door, by choosing the word LOCK in the right part of the screen with the mouse wheel and clickng RMB. Note that twice no means yes, so if you have negated some of the locks individually they will appear after negating the concept of locks!

Level 3

Collect the word TEAPOT. Pick up one of the teapots from the pile using F key and place it on a pedestal, to disable the machine locking the door. Then negate that teapot and negate the concept TEAPOT to clear the way to the door.

1.png2.png3.png

Youtube https://gasgiant.itch.io/negation
Youtube https://github.com/gasgiant/negation
Youtube https://gasgiant.itch.io/negation
Original URL https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/45/negation

Ratings

Overall 136th 3.943⭐ 46🧑‍⚖️
Fun 371th 3.511⭐ 46🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 30th 4.25⭐ 46🧑‍⚖️
Theme 83th 4.114⭐ 46🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 487th 3.648⭐ 46🧑‍⚖️
Audio 151th 3.802⭐ 45🧑‍⚖️
Humor 264th 3.338⭐ 42🧑‍⚖️
Mood 130th 3.932⭐ 46🧑‍⚖️
Given 45🗳️ 37🗨️

Feedback

🎤 gasgiant
07. Oct 2019 · 22:15 UTC
If at some point new level don't start, please use manual transitions by left ALT + 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 0!

Edit: bug causing it fixed
Tommyflower
08. Oct 2019 · 08:52 UTC
This is the kind of genius game that is not for all :D You feel a bit lost at the beginning. But this is how you would feel I guess! After a while you get the hang of it. But the interface is a bit messy and it takes a while to locate all the information you need and how to use it. Original concept!
Skyeward
08. Oct 2019 · 11:32 UTC
I'd love to see a guide of this, love a good puzzle game but I couldn't work this one out. Really feel like this would be my jam too, kudos for implementing the voice acting and a super unique idea.
Daitse
08. Oct 2019 · 11:35 UTC
Loved the game ! Played up to the 7th level. Confusing at first but addictive ! The narrating is a nice bonus !
Noshiz
08. Oct 2019 · 12:16 UTC
Very original concept, I really liked it! It was quite hard though and I was stuck on a level for a long time. Also, the camera speed felt a bit slow. If you could implement some sort of a hint system (not something that gives you the full solution) that would be amazing. Great game, really good entry.
🎤 gasgiant
08. Oct 2019 · 12:33 UTC
@tommyflower @skyeward @noshiz Thanks for playing our game! I've added walkthrough for the first few levels, you may give it another go, if you wish!
Nathaniel Jensen
08. Oct 2019 · 19:48 UTC
Wow! I loved it! Puzzles are great, I wish there was more! My only gripe is the profanity. I feel it was not necessary.
blobo
08. Oct 2019 · 21:56 UTC
Oh wow, i wish i was better at puzzles. Really cool level design from the levels I was able to clear. Nice work!
nj_vs_valhalla
08. Oct 2019 · 22:59 UTC
@nathaniel-jensen thanks for your comment! I tend to agree with you about swears. When I started writing the script it felt like a good way to add some character and emotion, but ended up soundind cheap. English is not my mother tongue and this is my first time writing and narrating a script for a game and I hope I'll be wiser next time!
Ojwk
09. Oct 2019 · 01:04 UTC
It was cool to figure out what exactly I was supposed to be doing. Very cool!
Mertios
09. Oct 2019 · 01:13 UTC
Interesting concept. However, I couldn't figure out how to remove the locks. It said to use the scroll wheel to negate a concept, but that didn't do anything...
Kooshy
09. Oct 2019 · 02:27 UTC
That moment when I realized how to get past the wall of teapots opened up this game for me (which was great level design by the way - it ensures that the player understands both logical negation and how it applies to gameplay before requiring it in more complex puzzles), and then things just kept getting more and more surreal up to a fantastically surreal ending. Love it! And the philosophical reflections at the beginning of each level were interesting - they seemed like they should get old, but they really didn't. It just kept things feeling like they were in place.
Unlockingcube
09. Oct 2019 · 02:43 UTC
Okay,first off. You guys NAILED IT. I loved all of the logic puzzles, the voice over, the visuals. Just one thing that got me. I moved all the tea pots when you could pick up the ability to remove the concept of them.. I had no idea I could pickup power ups. As a result it took a me a long time to figure out the next puzzle as it was impossible. After realizing you could pickup concepts the game was so cool. good job again guys!
coffeecup.winner
09. Oct 2019 · 04:23 UTC
Awesome puzzle design and atmosphere. You did a great job!
Swanijam
09. Oct 2019 · 04:42 UTC
WOW I LOVE THIS A LOT. like a lot. so much. Beautiful art, beautiful sound design, wonderful amazing narration, and the most thought provoking and brilliant take on theme i've seen yet. This is definitely my favorite entry so far. I have decided that you win the jam
MattWagar
09. Oct 2019 · 05:04 UTC
This is actually the best game of this jam. You did it. Congrats. The debate is over. No need to wait for results in 20 days @ludumdare we already found the best game.
🎤 gasgiant
09. Oct 2019 · 07:48 UTC
@mertios Thanks for playing the game! You need to choose word LOCK using scroll wheel and press RMB to negate it.
atraxgames
09. Oct 2019 · 16:26 UTC
Great Idea. Also first time i'm being killed by a bunch of teapots in a game.
QuantumSno
09. Oct 2019 · 16:26 UTC
LOOOVE IT
Steffo
09. Oct 2019 · 16:28 UTC
I fell down the stairs at the end an embarassingly large amount of times.

Great job with the game, though! :D
Glukoosi
09. Oct 2019 · 16:29 UTC
It took me a while to figure out game mechanics, otherwise really great job :)
TC5550
09. Oct 2019 · 19:52 UTC
Really cool concept! The controls are just a bit hard to learn
Sam Machell
09. Oct 2019 · 19:52 UTC
really nice idea conceptually and in terms of puzzles, it plays well. i wasnt super convinced with the writing and narration... but i like what it was attempting :D
BoxedMeatRevolution
12. Oct 2019 · 00:33 UTC
Wonderful game! I love the puzzles and I want more! And yet, what you've released feels remarkably complete for a ludum dare game. The atmosphere and the story were impeccably done, and the puzzle progression was perfect.

Great entry!
Lakrits
12. Oct 2019 · 01:30 UTC
I've no idea what's going on but I dig it.
Flying Dog Fish
12. Oct 2019 · 11:29 UTC
Cool game. If only the high pitched sounds in the background weren't hurting my ears.
Yhi
12. Oct 2019 · 14:44 UTC
Woh ! Awesome concept and design (graphics, voice, music). I would like to see more levels of this !
PROJECTaroid
13. Oct 2019 · 20:00 UTC
Cool concept and game mechanics. Enjoyed playing the game.
Meta-link
14. Oct 2019 · 11:14 UTC
Amazing game ! I loved the concept, the narration is on point (the voice add a lot here) and the puzzle are really good !

Good job ! :slight_smile:
Mr.MadCat
14. Oct 2019 · 13:32 UTC
Really cool idea. Took a bit to warp my head around it but it was really fun.

Well done.
rams3160
24. Oct 2019 · 16:45 UTC
Interesting Concept and game. I enjoyed the philosophical elements. I Agree with others that this game could've gone without the profanity, i didn't get much from the effect but still very cool!
Digital_Pie
28. Oct 2019 · 22:58 UTC
really cool concept and very well executed, really enjoyed it and I liked the narrative, really good game overall