This is my first time doing a Ludum Dare. I am not planning to submit anything, but I want to use the world’s game development vibes as the kick in the seat to get started. However, I don’t think I’m going to actually submit anything.

It sounds like a bit of a copout, but the reality is that I found out about Ludum Dare yesterday, don’t have any experience, and don’t have any preparation. I don’t draw, I haven’t worked with 2D graphics in the last 20 years, and I haven’t worked with any game toolkits or sound libraries before. Ever. I don’t “think” like a game programmer or a game designer so to speak. I also made plans this weekend. But… I can prepare for next time.

So what am I going to do?

My goal will be to simply learn all of the foundational programming information that’ll set me up for Ludum Dare another time. I’ll sit down with Python and PyGame (for the first time!!!!), learn how to draw some graphics, learn how to create an executable, and basically do all of the stuff that everyone else normally does on the warmup weekend. Or, I might use Processing. I haven’t decided yet.

Code: Python and PyGame. . Maybe Processing if Python totally fails me.

IDE: TextMate and the Terminal (any suggestions for improvements are welcome)

Graphics: … what? Graphics? Maybe I’ll use OmniGraffle and line diagrams. The main character’s going to look like a UML diagram.

Sound Effects: BFXR and Logic Pro

Chances are I won’t be able to do anything of significance, but I will be able to tell myself, “Next time Ludum Dare rolls around, you have no excuse.”