Play our heavily story-based game here (with a high reflex sniper scene):  http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-28/?action=preview&uid=29131

 

Red Christmas, notably the game changer of my life. It is the first time I have finally completed a game for Ludum Dare right on time. Never in my life have I got that much positive review for any games that I have made throughout my life.

I really have to admit; I suck at programming, I suck hard at music composing, and I suck even harder with graphic (I made none graphic for this game; my friend did). I almost think that I am going to quit game making after all these years of trying and failing to complete a single game (none of my game ever took over prototype phrase). As this is my last year before my college life starts (I am going to have financial issues paying for my college fee), I have decided to make a single last game for this Ludum Dare.

However, with my game getting more and more popular, this really gives me the motivation again… I have decided to pick up game development again.

How do you end up with this idea?

I really do not have any ideas 4 hours into the competition. I had a crappy idea later and tried working on it. It was originally called ‘Deception’ where you can only use 1 deception to distract the enemy and then use only 1 bullet to finish them off and then pick up another 1 bullet from that enemy. But the AI is too difficult to code and I gave up halfway. I really have given up all hope up to the point. I am not going to make another game this time for Ludum Dare. I suck at game development.

But, luckily, my artist friend, Isaac joined in and he has decided to help me with the art. He suggested something about zombies, but I don’t remember well, but basically it’s going to be humorous with tons of killings. We initially was going to make a game purely about the gameplay and level designing only as we think this is what everyone only wants to play.

However, I suddenly had an idea of making a game where you are the sniper and you only have 1 bullet to save 1 life. After that, it develops from just that into more and more stories. This is where I have finally decided to just make a game which is heavily story based by that point.

Also, it didn’t started off with a second “Christmas” theme in my mind. I actually took some time off with my family to go shopping… That is where I got the inspiration from, a Christmas song came on. It is called “The First Noel”, which I have used for this game afterward. I named the game only on the 2nd day as “Red Christmas” because, well yeah, bloody Christmas.

What is your initial feeling about the final product?

Well, I only have half confidence about this game actually, when it was released. Because from my experience, many people likes game that is full of action and addicting to play. I am ready to get shit-stormed with many bad comments such as: “The cutscene looks really bad, the texts are boring, the gameplay is frustrating and not fun, the game is too short… 2/5”. I felt very down afterward, thinking about whether the decision that I have made to make a story-based game is good or not.

What is your reaction after some comments?

Holy shit. I shit my pants. WHAT?? OMG. People actually like my game?? Let’s see…

“Great story-driven experience! You used the theme very similarly to me but with a much more serious approach. Shooting that guy with a quick reflex is tricky but extremely satisfying when you pull it off. ” ~ SonnyBone

I cried.

Finally. Finally I have made a good game! Never in my life someone had praised for my game! Although I admit that I have cheated by using some other people’s music (they are Creative Commons though), but… GAHHHHHH I feel so happy!

I don’t know what to say any more. I am at lost for words. Thank you isn’t enough to satisfy how thankful I am to those who have commented on my game:

“Great story..!” ~ KumoKairo

“Good story, good job ! ;)” ~ Ekilibr

And many more who have commented on my video; THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENT!!

Your comments have made me realised how much game development has grew inside my heart. I loved game development too much to put it down. I promise, I will pick up game development again and make another awesome game for the upcoming April Ludum Dare #29!!!

What I have learnt from this Ludum Dare?

A lot, so many that I really wanted to cry.

1) Not all people likes only game that only focuses around gameplay and level design.

2) Game development teaches you to self motivate and self expressing through visual and interactivity.

3) I can only make good story games, and I suck at making action or any other gameplay-focused games.

4) Not to give up halfway, you still have the chance even if you have lost few valuable hours. It’s a huge comeback for this game to finish on time even though I have lost a lot of progress. Oh, and also even 3 more hours for debugging, that’s more than enough.

5) Do not over-stressed yourself for making the game. Last Ludum Dare, I spent only 12 hours of sleeping throughout the 72 hours jam. The game ended up buggy, unfinished, and not many people likes it (only 1 people like it so far…).

6) Take some time off to relax and get some inspiration. Going off with family for a shopping is where I got the Christmas inspiration from. It really adds extra emotion to the game. Without the Christmas theme, I don’t think the game’s story is anywhere far this good. Losing some time for relaxing isn’t bad at all, and I actually still had few more extra hours for debugging!

7) I do not suck in game development. This game finally tells me that only if you do not put more love and creativity into the game, that is what makes it suck. I have seen a game with shitty graphic and buggy as hell, but was really fun to play with!

8) There is no defined rules of what type of game is good or not. Not like if a game that only focuses on the gameplay rather than graphic itself is the best… it all depends on many different factors.

9) I have finally decided to pick back up game development again!

In reality, before this game, I was about to give up game development and go for something else like building up my Youtube channel, become an Accountant or just go with Computer Science. Right after this Ludum Dare, I feel like I have finally understood what I wanted to do with my life: Game.

I realised I can’t live without game development. My life was getting more and more depressed. I feel more and more lonely day by day. I never smiled ever since and I got more and more serious face. I had no one to talk to. No one could ever understand how I really felt. Even after my uncle’s passing, I hold on to my tears until when nobody’s around. Death… was the third theme of this game.

However, ever since the game was out yesterday and when I see so many good comments, today I went to work and I felt much more energetic and happier than before. I smiled on the way walking to the bus station. I was too busy thinking about the future promoting plan for Red Christmas. That was when I realised how much game development and Ludum Dare have changed my life for the better. I realised so many things… so many that I just have to write a journal for my game today on Ludum Dare.

Thank you Ludum Dare, for making me realizing so many thing… I have learnt a lot throughout this journey.

It has been a great journey.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!