{"author_name":"savethejets1","cat":"LD #24","comments":[],"epoch":1346079780,"likes":0,"metadata":{"p_key":"51877","p_author":"savethejets1","p_authorkey":"15315","p_urlkey":"87575","p_title":"On the Origin of Block Post Mortem","p_cat":"LD #24","p_event":"LD24","p_time":"1346079780","p_likes":"0","p_comments":"0","p_status":"UPD5","us_key":"15315","us_name":"savethejets1","us_username":"savethejets1","event_start":"1345766400","event_key":"12","event_name":"LD24"},"text":"

On The Origin Of Block.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Play Me<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I took the name from one of Darwin’s essays on evolution. I really like the name which funny enough I didn’t have until 645 Sunday when I went to submit. Note: There was a minor panic about coming up with a name in 15 minutes while I was submitting.<\/p>\n

I’m glad I didn’t spend too much time initially coming up with a name, but in retrospect maybe I should have spent a few minutes on Saturday thinking of one \ud83d\ude00<\/p>\n

>> Tech<\/p>\n

I used Libgdx for the competition. I hadn’t ever used libgdx before and I have to say that is one really nice engine (api\/whatever you want to call it)<\/p>\n

I use java for my day job so that probably helped out a bit. I think the fact that you can write on the Desktop and use the Hot Spot compiler to reload your code is a HUGE reason I got this done.<\/p>\n

If you check out my source<\/a>\u00a0I coded up my game level to reload when you press T or Y. This reloaded all the assets, including any that may have changed, which again was another HUGE time saver. It meant I could save a change in my TiledMap and then press T in the running debug process and immediately see the results; without having to stop the debug process and restart.<\/p>\n

This solidified a talk<\/a> I watched recently on this matter<\/p>\n

Somebody also took that idea and did this<\/a>, which I think is pretty cool.<\/p>\n

>> Game Play<\/p>\n

One of my initial designs was to have the mouse create a box when you clicked and dragged, for mating the Mobi. (characters) However it wasn’t working at all, and for the life of me I couldn’t figure out why.<\/p>\n

So I probably spent more time than I should have on this, actually I wish I’d given up on the idea sooner because in the end I think I liked the hold a button and collide with a Mobi to mate idea better.<\/p>\n

>> Art<\/p>\n

I was searching the internet for ideas on an art style when I came across a shiloetted mario. I thought it was really sweet, and the fact that I didn’t have to create much art assets really saved a bunch of time. In the end I think it was one of the better decisions of the jam and I’m really happy with how it turned out.<\/p>\n

>> Warmup Game<\/p>\n

This is sooo important, if you didn’t do one and are wondering why you didn’t finish try one next time; It will help tons.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

>> Levels<\/p>\n

I really wish I had more time. I don’t think there are enough levels, and that will probably hurt the game’s rating.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

>> Conclusion<\/p>\n

I had fun and if it does well I would seriously consider fleshing out this game more and releasing it in some other medium. I think it’s a cool concept.<\/p>","time":"August 27th, 2012 10:03 am","title":"On the Origin of Block Post Mortem"}