Since this has been my first Ludum Dare, I have come to the realization of a couple things. One, I need a lot more practice programming and two, I need to plan my time better. Although I did not finish my game, I definitely felt like I have accomplished something.

I set out on a mission to join the event for the first time and immerse myself in what is called Ludum Dare. This I succeeded. I did the necessary planning that I thought was needed. I prepared myself mentally for spending the weekend doing nothing but this. I told my family to leave me alone so I could do this. I think this was very successful.

I first started planning out an ant game, to make that correspond to the theme of small world. After going to bed the first night, I didn't feel comfortable with my idea. The AI would have been too hard for my because of my lack of experience. So I decided to change it around. Two small planets that would fire against each other. I also changed from Java to Python. Another bold move.

WHAT WORKED

I managed to get missile launchers to show up on the edge of the planets from where I had clicked. The algorithm was challenging but not too hard. Next I was able to get the launchers to shot. The projectile of the missile could have been better, but time was closing in, and this is the point that I found that the stress started to sink in. I also, managed to get a little bit of an AI working for the enemy planet to build missile launchers and have them shoot. When any missile hit the other planet it would do damage to that planet.

WHAT DIDN"T WORK

The graphics could have been a lot better, but I didn't have any time at all to be concerned with that. It was very 4-bit looking. I didn't get the projectile looking properly, but that would have needed some physics formula. I wanted to get the icons drawn out but didn't have the time.

WHAT I WANTED TO HAVE

I wanted to have so many things, but just concentrated on having the mechanics working. I wanted to implement health on the missile launchers. I wanted better status and icon graphics. I needed a main menu and a game over scene. So Much more.

PLANS

I plan to add on and clean up the game. I might change the language. Python is ok, but I think I might try it in a different language. It’s a good premise for a mobile device, so maybe iOS.

LINK

http://dowscopemedia.ca/projects/ludumdare/ld38