{"assets":[],"author_link":"author\/keybol\/","author_name":"keybol","cat":"LD #23","categories":["LD #23"],"comments":[],"epoch":1335859200,"event":"LD23","likes":7,"metadata":{"p_key":"77741","p_author":"keybol","p_authorkey":"0","p_urlkey":"286592","p_title":"Pretentious Game Post Mortem","p_cat":"LD #23","p_event":"LD23","p_time":"1335859200","p_likes":"7","p_comments":"0","p_status":"WAYBACK","us_key":null,"us_name":null,"us_username":null,"event_start":"1334880000","event_key":"10","event_name":"LD23"},"source_url":"2012\/05\/01\/pretentious-game-post-mortem\/","text":"

Alright, this is my first post on Ludum Dare with my first entry, Pretentious Game<\/a>. Also, this is my very first post-mortem!<\/p>\n

So far, Pretentious Game has got a great score on Newgrounds, Kongregate and ArmorGames and also made it to hot posts on reddit \/gaming and some talking on 4chan. I don\u2019t know if that\u2019s something, but for me I just love reading the comments from everywhere.<\/p>\n

Now let\u2019s start telling the story of the game!<\/p>\n

What went right:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The ending \u2013\u00a0 I think I just made the new maze scare (not really), but instead of shocking the player, I presented an unexpected emotional ending.<\/p>\n

The difficulty \u2013 or should I say, how easy the game is. I even fixed one level to specifically tell the player that they can use mouse too. (I can make a way)<\/p>\n

The blocks \u2013 Games like this has more personality with simpler graphics.<\/p>\n

The music \u2013 It\u2019s a great piece from Kevin MacLeod, you should check him out at www.incompetech.<\/p>\n

The game engine \u2013 This is my platformer engine built around box2d, I\u2019ve specifically modified the jump so it would feel more Mario-like and not floaty.<\/p>\n

The number of levels \u2013 Including the final level, there are a total of 18 levels. Just perfect to get any player through the game and get to the ending.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Monetary gains<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pretentious Game has won weekly 3rd on Kongregate and also got badges, earning me additional dollars from revenue shares. I also have a walkthrough link directed to my site, and I\u2019ve sold sitelock licenses to ArmorGames and Andkon. All in all, after game was done in under 4 hours, I actually managed to gain almost $1,000 from it.<\/p>\n

The Concept\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Is Pretentious Game deep or is it a satire? This is perhaps the question going on in the minds of some players. Ok, if you haven\u2019t noticed, the game is inspired by I Saw Her Standing There and Midas.\u00a0I Saw Her Standing There got 4.2 when I first saw it on Kongregate and Newgrounds, and I couldn\u2019t believe it. I played it and I noticed a very original mechanic and a very good presentation. We discussed it on FGL chat, and a developer said, what a pretentious game.<\/strong> Or something like that.<\/p>\n

Then comes Ludum Dare 23, I so wanted to join this, and now is the time. I am already convinced that I will do a platformer with blocks. The challenge for me is to create something with unique mechanic but blocky graphics that will do great on Kongregate and Newgrounds. I attended some personal event, and after I got home, I noticed there\u2019s only 8 hours left. So I tried doing something easier like This is The Only Level. PinoyGameGeek from FGL advised me to use a good story, and it is when I remembered, I Saw Her Standing There.<\/p>\n

So I did it, I made the story about a blue block and a pink block and how the blue block will do obscure things just to reach the pink block. I used the title Pretentious Game for I was gonna do a very satirical comment at the end of the level. But then, I have thought of this ending where the pink block will just be out of reach seems more evoking. I added the two cute little blocks so the player can easily analyze what is going on, and also how hopeless the situation turned out.<\/p>\n

Why didn\u2019t I get to the satire route? I\u2019ve already made fun of Art Games in Johnny Why Are You In An Art Game<\/a>?<\/p>\n

.. and that\u2019s it!<\/p>\n

Congratulations to all who joined and the founders of Ludum Dare. This is one hell of a fun ride, and I hope to join it again!<\/p>","time":"May 1st, 2012 8:00 am","title":"Pretentious Game Post Mortem","title_was_empty":false}