{"assets":[],"author_link":"author\/nonobattle\/","author_name":"FistBumpGames","cat":"LD #29","categories":["LD #29"],"comments":[],"epoch":1399651740,"event":"LD29","likes":4,"metadata":{"p_key":"81483","p_author":"FistBumpGames","p_authorkey":"0","p_urlkey":"290600","p_title":"Beneath the Surface \u2013 Update and Post Mortem","p_cat":"LD #29","p_event":"LD29","p_time":"1399651740","p_likes":"4","p_comments":"0","p_status":"WAYBACK","us_key":null,"us_name":null,"us_username":null,"event_start":"1398384000","event_key":"22","event_name":"LD29"},"source_url":"2014\/05\/09\/beneath-the-surface-update-and-post-mortem\/","text":"

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

Beneath the surface is an unforgiving pixelart action game.\nThe player takes control of a nameless hero and ventures into a mysterious cave to face whatever lies beneath the surface \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

It was our second LD jam entry and our team consisted of 6 people this time.<\/p>\n

What went right:<\/h2>\n

Theme\/Idea<\/h3>\n

We watched the voting sessions very closely and centered our game-ideas on the themes that were likely to win.\nWe were therefore able to set for a scenario\/idea early and start working on it. This was one point we were able to improve over our fist LD.<\/p>\n

Atmosphere<\/h3>\n

Presentation is an important thing for us and one thing we always bear in mind, when working on a LD entry, is to create a compelling looking game.\nLD is always a nice opportunity to try, incorporate and improve new techniques. This is why we settled with the pixelart look again.\nPart of our team had little to no experience with pixel art but our artists\/level designer did a great job and we are very happy with the final result.<\/p>\n

Music\/Sound<\/h3>\n

Thanks to the bigger team we were able to integrate more and better sound effects.\nOne programmer even disappeared for several hours before deadline and left us out in the cold\u2026..<\/p>\n

Just to come back with a self-composed music theme which adds a lot to the atmosphere of the game.<\/p>\n

What went wrong:<\/h2>\n

Time Management<\/h3>\n

We submitted the game like 15 seconds before deadline\u2026oO\nAgain we were not able to add all the things to the game we wanted and QA\/polish those that are in it.\nEven with \u2013 or because of \u2013 the bigger team we were not able to plan time accordingly.\nBut LD is the best opportunity to gain experience in project management without a real risk (except the time invested)<\/p>\n

Controls<\/h3>\n

Our plan was to create a challenging game because we like difficult, challenging games. It is a coincidence that Dark Souls II was released on the LD-Weekend.\nBut us not being able to play it, due to the Jam, somehow translated into our game \ud83d\ude09\nThe thing that makes the DS Games so compelling for us, is the fact that the player is always in control of all his opportunities to react to a given situation accordingly.\nEvery death can be tracked back to a fault of the player. Its often nasty but never unfair.<\/p>\n

Due to our \u2013 not great \u2013 time management we were not able to put more time into polishing\/tweaking the controls and the animations.\nThis affects our game because we were not able to give the player the feedback and the precise controls that he needed to interact with the enemies as intended.<\/p>\n

What we take away:<\/h2>\n

Things never go as planned and they always take more time than initially assumed! \":)\"\nEvery time invested in player interactions and really tight controls is time well spent!\nSound\/Music design improves the Atmosphere a LOT!\u2026duh<\/p>\n

Final Words:<\/h2>\n

We have worked on an more accessible and improved Post Compo-Version of Beneath the Surface.\nPlease give it a try:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.ludumdare.com\/compo\/ludum-dare-29\/?action=preview&uid=30260<\/a><\/p>\n

Thanks to everybody who played our game and thanks for all the feedback and comments \u2013 We really love the LD-community and we\u2019d love to see you again in four months!<\/p>\n

Best wishes,<\/p>\n

NoNoBattle<\/p>","time":"May 9th, 2014 4:09 pm","title":"Beneath the Surface \u2013 Update and Post Mortem","title_was_empty":false}