{"author_name":"Garris","cat":"LD #34","comments":[],"epoch":1450562160,"likes":1,"metadata":{"p_key":"9503","p_author":"Garris","p_authorkey":"33993","p_urlkey":"44721","p_title":"BUBBLEGUM UPPERCUT! A look at my experience.","p_cat":"LD #34","p_event":"LD34","p_time":"1450562160","p_likes":"1","p_comments":"0","p_status":"UPD5","us_key":"33993","us_name":"Garris","us_username":"\/author\/dustoutgames\/","event_start":"1449792000","event_key":"31","event_name":"LD34"},"text":"<p>First of all, <a href=\"http:\/\/ludumdare.com\/compo\/ludum-dare-34\/?action=preview&amp;uid=33993\" target=\"_blank\">here it is!<\/a><\/p>\n <p><iframe width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/NcNWiVF0hF8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n <p style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #999999\">Credit to <span style=\"color: #ff0000\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC7mlbo18pjV00m4t2h25STQ\" target=\"_blank\">Killswitch423<\/a><\/span> for the great video<\/span><\/p>\n <p>This LD has probably been my best learning experience so far. I made it my personal mission to utilize everything I learned from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Fy0aCDmgnxg\" target=\"_blank\">this video<\/a> about &#8220;juiciness&#8221; in games. My <a href=\"http:\/\/ludumdare.com\/compo\/ludum-dare-32\/?action=preview&amp;uid=33993\" target=\"_blank\">previous<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/ludumdare.com\/compo\/ludum-dare-29\/?action=preview&amp;uid=33993\" target=\"_blank\">entries<\/a> have been more focused on engagement and depth of content than on feel and tactility. With Bubblegum Uppercut, I wanted to make something that was more about making something that just feels good.<\/p>\n <p>First up was the character<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-528426\" src=\"http:\/\/ludumdare.com\/compo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/stand_promo.png\" alt=\"stand_promo\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" \/><\/p>\n <p>This thing is my most basic, no frills character yet in terms of the pixel art itself, but the one I put the most thought into how it would move and animate. Rather than detail in the art, I was going for creating a feeling of elasticity and energy. Also the gin helped. I did a bunch of stuff with squashing and stretching that I&#8217;ve never done with a character sprite in a game before and I think it paid off, but give it a try yourself and let me know what you think :]<\/p>\n <p>Next was the set piece. I may have taken the &#8220;give everything eyes&#8221; tip from the juice video a little more literally than intended, but what would this game be without the 20\/20 rose and the panic-stricken falling rose petals? I had originally planned 3 different levels each with its own theme (rose vine, volcano, skyscraper) but time constraints forced me to cut out the other 2. That&#8217;s definitely the next thing I&#8217;ll work on if I continue on Bubblegum Uppercut. What do you think? Would you play more if you could escape an erupting volcano or climb a skyscraper?<\/p>\n <p>Probably the best thing I learned from this Ludum Dare is how great an experience it can be to work with another person in an event like this. The super talented Gregg Wright of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/PageWrightMedia\" target=\"_blank\">PageWright Media<\/a> created the epic music for the game. I can&#8217;t even begin to tell you how useful it is to have someone to talk about ideas with. It give you a chance to not only get feedback on the fly for thoughts and concepts, but it give new perspectives on ideas. Maybe you have the greatest idea in the world. That&#8217;s cool. Share it with someone, and they may have a different angle on it that could make it even better.<\/p>\n <p>And finally, I learn this a little bit more every time I participate, but <em><strong>DON&#8217;T OVERWORK YOURSELF! <\/strong><\/em>My day job and general life situation currently are a lot more stressful than they have been for past events, so I decided to give myself that extra day by entering the Jam instead of the Compo, and I&#8217;m glad I did. Not only did it give me the time to take care of myself (eat, sleep, breathe, etc.), but it allowed me to enjoy the process a lot more. If you want to challenge yourself, and do the compo all alone in 48 hours, by all means, do so! It&#8217;s a great experience. But don&#8217;t think you have anything to prove by doing so. Be honest with yourself, and really put the thought into deciding if it&#8217;s the best choice for you at the moment.<\/p>\n <p>Well, there it is. I hope you enjoy Bubblegum Uppercut!, and I hope some of you found this write-up interesting :] Keep exploring and playing those LD games. There are some really unique entries this time around.<\/p>\n <p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n <p>Thanks for playing!<\/p>\n <p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dustout-games.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Dustout Games<\/a><br \/>\n <span style=\"color: #999999\"><a style=\"color: #999999\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DustoutGames\" target=\"_blank\">Find Dustout on Twitter<\/a><\/span><\/p>","time":"December 19th, 2015 4:56 pm","title":"BUBBLEGUM UPPERCUT! A look at my experience."}