LudumData

Babysitting Astronauts by BrandonCimino

[raw]
made by BrandonCimino for Ludum Dare 47 (JAM)

Version 1.1 released!

Our itch.io page will host the most recent build, as well as downloads of previous builds.

If you'd like to play our Ludum Dare 47 submission build, it can be downloaded from itch.io, or will continue be hosted on Newgrounds.

You are an AI on a space station. Not only that, but it is the first von Braun wheel, where the station itself rotates to simulate gravity. Unfortunately, the crew aren't the brightest bunch, and get bored easily. It's up to you to keep them on task for as long as you can!

Whenever the crew gets bored and start to wander off, click them to repremand them, sending them back to their station. If they start tinkering around, they will start to send this whole operation spinning out of control, literaly!

day<em>1.png night</em>1.png

Youtube https://github.com/brandoncimino/ludum-dare-47/tree/ludum-dare-47-final-build
Youtube https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/767894
Youtube https://brandoncimino.itch.io/babysitting-astronauts
Original URL https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/47/babysitting-astronauts

Ratings

Overall 1509th 2.85⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Fun 1603th 2.325⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 932th 3.225⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Theme 410th 3.95⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 660th 3.725⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Humor 854th 2.625⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Mood 1429th 2.579⭐ 21🧑‍⚖️
Given 50🗳️ 14🗨️

Feedback

Akmon
06. Oct 2020 · 00:29 UTC
Wanted to play a game but actually I felt like a real noob becouse I do not know where is download button on github xD
MatchaFlavor
06. Oct 2020 · 03:52 UTC
Consider uploading to itch.io to make the game more accessible. I had to download the source code in order to play the game and that isn't very convenient for people trying to play and rate games, some of which aren't even familiar with Git. Publish as if you know average people are going to play it.

It just seems to me the gameplay is clicking on the little guys to keep them working ad infinitum, which isn't exactly compelling gameplay. It's actually more fun to watch the ship get torn apart by not doing anything :joy:
mbrezu
06. Oct 2020 · 17:46 UTC
Neat idea! Wish there was some sound.

Some more visual feedback of what is going on would be useful. For instance, something like a progress/fill bar for each station.

Loved the animation of the station going out of control!
Lees-Pac
07. Oct 2020 · 02:47 UTC
ok the art style for this game is kind of sick but unrefined, gameplay wise the game is lacking I understand the general direction the game is going but I feel that the game needs more stuff in general.
FireSlash
07. Oct 2020 · 08:03 UTC
Everything's *really* dark, which makes it hard to see what's going on.

The instructions in particular are black on black, so I had to rely on the ones on this page.

Overall seems to work as intended. I'd love to see more overarching goals though, and a stronger difficulty curve.
microgravitydan
07. Oct 2020 · 14:57 UTC
I wasn't quite sure if I was playing right. I assumed the thought clouds were boredom and clicked on each astronaut that showed one. I also noticed that clicking on thoughtless astronauts changed their colors and I don't know if that meant anything. The ring spun out of control pretty quick even when I kept the clouds away, so I feel like I missed something.
Nicole Aretz
07. Oct 2020 · 15:19 UTC
Hi @microgravitydan Thanks so much for playing our game!

The clouds appear sometimes when they change what they are doing, the color change is a visual feedback that the click has been received. When they are working (or dead), that's the only change a click makes. If they are misbehaving or are about to, they return to work. The left side of each room is for work (causing deceleration), the right side for mischief ;)
lamonfly
07. Oct 2020 · 20:03 UTC
Watching the ship rotate out of control is real nice, not sure about just pressing on them to keep them from moving. Doesn't feel like much is happening but the game art and animations look really nice.
Jordan Kelly
07. Oct 2020 · 22:33 UTC
It's an interesting premise, it'd be nice if the crew had more legitimate reasons to bumble around so you had to gamble on letting them act up. As it is, I will continue to rule this space station with an iron fist. :D
Ale
11. Oct 2020 · 03:51 UTC
I like the concept, and the graphics, lighting, and animations (especially the abrupt spinning station) look great. I couldn't really figure out the gameplay though. I couldn't tell when people were bored or if they were in the right place or not.

Maybe assigning different character sprites for each worker and their station, and making it more clear when they need to be clicked will help. Also, the random-ish color change on click is misleading IMO.
Jam373
12. Oct 2020 · 15:18 UTC
I really Like the concept and the visuals but it needs to be more clear what clicking them actually does. You have different colour states for the characters but its unclear what each one represents (if anything).

I think this idea could really go somewhere if expanded on. Audio would make a massive difference. Also I had an idea while playing that each station should actually be in control of a different function of the ship (like FTL). So for example if the astronaut in charge of lighting decides to wander off, the lights go down!

Reminds me of Spaceteam too if you've ever played that. (Would recommend it, might give you some more ideas for this game!)
Oshawatt123
13. Oct 2020 · 09:48 UTC
A really neat game! I just really struggled to know what the colours meant, and had no motivation (score, etc.) to continue playing. Really awesome graphics and hectic gameplay when it starts to go wrong! XD