Well, I choose to took the challenge as a double-experiment: it was my first LD as well as my first Java game (or something like that, called Mars Rover). I wanted to learn more Java while making a quick game. I can say the experiment wasn’t a total failure, just a half-failure, ’cause I’ve learned more about the Java language. The other half (the main one, should I say), in contrast, was a horrible failure. I started the game Sunday 1:00 PM (GMT -2) and “finished” it by 7:00 PM. I was locked in my bedroom trying to avoid external noise but it was terribly hot (and just now, writing it, I remembered I have an air conditioner \u00ac\u00ac). So I released the game with the minimum features needed to play it. I didn’t know the best way to work with good performance 2D graphics in Java, so I ended doing it like a normal desktop app with some 2D drawing in the background. The original idea was to have some nice icons for drag-drop instructions and nice sprites and tiles for the rover and scenery, as well as sfx and bgm. I think I had enough time to implement it after my submission, but I was really tired (I know, you guys worked almost the 48h we had and aren’t complaining… shame on me).<\/p>\n
For the next LD:
\n – Learn how to make real games in Java (BEFORE the contest) OR
\n – Use Python with Pygame OR
\n – Use Ruby and learn Gosu OR
\n – Use JavaScript with some pre-made games lib
\n (I’m much more comfortable with those 3 languages)
\n – Think about the themes BEFORE voting ends
\n – Turn on the air conditioner<\/p>","time":"December 15th, 2009 9:33 am","title":"Double-Experiment, Half-Failure"}