{"author_name":"actuallycameron","cat":"LD #36","comments":[],"epoch":1472916240,"likes":2,"metadata":{"p_key":"3242","p_author":"actuallycameron","p_authorkey":"112404","p_urlkey":"38709","p_title":"Pharaoh\u2019s Pyramid Post-mortem","p_cat":"LD #36","p_event":"LD36","p_time":"1472916240","p_likes":"2","p_comments":"0","p_status":"UPD5","us_key":"112404","us_name":"actuallycameron","us_username":"actuallycameron","event_start":"1472169600","event_key":"35","event_name":"LD36"},"text":"

Ludum Dare 36! It seems like it was just yesterday that it was the\u00a035th jam.\u00a0This was my first time building a game for this jam, and I’m really happy with how it turned out. The theme this time around\u00a0was “ancient technology”, which is more of a style\u00a0than a gameplay theme, but it was fun to develop an idea for it.<\/p>\n

My game<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The basic premise of my\u00a0game is that you’re constructing a pyramid before the four-minute timer runs out. You have to\u00a0mine each of the blocks for the pyramid in your two quarries, and then transport them to the construction site. To make things difficult, enemies are attacking your blocks that are in transport. You have to defend with explosive attacks, which cost one coin each.\u00a0Coins are falling from the sky (a gift from Ra), and you can catch them to afford both explosive attacks, and upgrades to your quarries.<\/p>\n

The game relies on the simple mechanics of both time-pressure, and a constant flow of conflict while you’re trying to perform another task. Together, it makes for an exciting gameplay experience.<\/p>\n

What went well<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I’m really happy with how the art turned out in the end. There are still some small details I would have added in the terrain if I had more time, but I’m okay with how it is.<\/p>\n

The tutorial took up a lot of the time, mostly because I had to redo it several times to make it clear how the game is played. While there are still some other details I could add in the tutorial, I’m happy with how it turned out.<\/p>\n

What I’ll do differently in the future<\/strong><\/h2>\n

At the last minute, right before submission, I realized that I forgot to install the Windows and Linux build modules in Unity, so I couldn’t build to all the platforms. I had to quickly perform an update at the least convenient time, which was unfortunate. Thankfully, I intentionally aimed for submission an hour or so early, just in case that would happen…but in the future, I need to make sure to check to make sure every aspect of the engine is functional. That’s almost the number one rule of Ludum Dare, but I still missed it.<\/p>\n

The code\u00a0was unfortunately sloppy. I’ve worked in professional code for years, so a part of me died as I threw away good programming practices to buy more time. There wasn’t enough time to make the code absolutely top-of-the-line, but there were certainly places where it could be improved.<\/p>\n

Gameplay-wise, I think having special events happen later in the game (such as an intense battle happen when you’ve completed half of the pyramid), could make the game not become so\u00a0monotonous after a minute or so of play.<\/p>\n

Screenshots<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Screen<\/p>\n

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\"Screen<\/p>\n

\"Screen<\/p>\n

PLAY HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Visit my website: http:\/\/www.actuallyeverything.com\/<\/a>
\n Twitter: @notactuallycam<\/a><\/p>\n

Special thanks to @crossmark<\/a>\u00a0for creating the amazing music for the game.<\/em><\/p>","time":"September 3rd, 2016 10:24 am","title":"Pharaoh\u2019s Pyramid Post-mortem"}