Something that I've noticed after dozens of ludum dares and jams is that I always end up doing a frenetic game, or at least something that the player have some sort of urgency to finish it. That usually comes due to a timer, countdown or just a progressively harder gameplay.

While that may be fun for 2-3 minutes, it really loses its bright after that. And because of that, it makes it very hard to work on a post jam update, for example.

So for this entry I'd like to not follow this path. Maybe even doing a turn based game. But I'm having a hard time figuring it out... Any tips?

That is game you have to save earth's polar ice caps from melting And I will be using unity

Cross-posted at my website: https://www.gbgames.com/2022/04/01/ld50-a-game-about-urban-decay-ldjam-ld50/

Ok, so after I published my first round of ideas for the theme Delay the Inevitable, I started to really like the idea of a game about urban decay.

A reverse city builder?

I thought about a city block that would slowly get potholes in its streets, broken windows, crumbling building foundations, etc. You need to fix things, and you have to prioritize what gets fixed because there aren't enough resources to go around.

On top of it all, your fixes won't restore things beyond a certain point, so everything gets worse, but you can at least slow it down.

But as I looked up urban decay to see if there was anything I could use to inspire the mechanics or theme, I realized that a lot of urban decay is the direct result of white supremacy, systemic racism, and redlining.

I think it would make for an excellent educational game topic, but I don't think I have the ability to gain enough expertise on this topic to treat it with the justice and sensitivity it deserves in 48 hours.

I tweeted about it, and Jayenkai suggested I could still use the urban decay concept in a non-realistic world:

https://twitter.com/Jayenkai/status/1510081955509022724

So now I am thinking about where else urban decay could apply. An ant hill? A rabbit burrow? A castle dealing with dragons, wizards, and angry villagers? An open office space?

I'm about 2 hours into the compo, and it is getting late. I think I'll draw some concept art and then go to bed.

I've spent my evening making a pile of leaves and stairs that feel like they're gonna be odd in gameplay.

All I can say is this game would go best with Corpseacopia's theme from Atomicrops.

...actually y'know what? The self-deprecation wasn't necessary. I was thinking the game would go at run n' gun speeds but the system I have (Manually pressing a button to move up stairs) might be better for the aesthetic.

You can plug things into other things!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4adYENlLBw

In my first event, Ludum Dare 40, I was indifferent about the theme, and I came up with a basic idea in half an hour, give or take.

In my next participation, Ludum Dare 49, I was not a fan of the theme, and decided to make a game anyway; with incredibly disastrous results.

But this time, I actually do like the theme! I'm actually feeling pretty optimistic for once, even if I haven't decided on my idea yet. The fountain drink I bought in a hurry before the jam likely helped.

Time to do this!

I'm cementing my idea for the game storyline and mechanic based on this theme. I like where the creativity is taking me! But the bulk of the code will have to be tomorrow -- it's 11ish pm and my brain wants a good rest before crunching out algorithms and data structures in C++. Here is a rudimentary slopped-together movement prototype: I hope you all are feeling the creative sparks as well! Until tomorrow~

It is 05:10AM in the Netherlands right now, I just found out what the theme is. First things first: a strong cup of coffee is needed before I can think of fun ideas :smile: :coffee:

Good luck everyone!

Character controller done...basic mechanic working...bed time

Hey! Starting with @andygbt right now (05:30am) in Lucerne with no knowledge at programming!! Trying our best :)

think i've got a good idea, after doing actual real brainstorming

but i woke up early today cuz i was excited (even tho it was hooours b4 theme drop)

so no coding til tomorrow for meeee, time to relax and let my idea simmer in my head after i wrote it down and did some lil thumbnail sketchies

Unfortunately, the bones have lied to me. My fortunetelling suggested that things would go perfectly and I'd have the blessings of Apollo, god of art and creativity, on my side. Two and a half hours of brainstorming later, I can confidently say that's not true, at least not yet. Most of my ideas felt far too simple, the kind of little minigame that could be implemented in an hour or two. Nothing felt fleshed out enough.

So I guess my idea is to do multiple tiny things? The idea is that a bunch of stuff is happening at once, and you have to keep jumping from task to task maintaining things and keeping them functioning. I'm still not thrilled with it, but it's been long enough that I think I just need to go for it. Maybe I'll have a prophetic dream of exactly what to do - Apollo also being god of prophecies - but until that happens, I think this is the plan!

Hey all we are looking for another player who is either looking for another group to join or mash ours together. We have a few ideas but can't really choose. The more ideas and discussions the better! Please message me!

This is my second LD, last time it was super fun! hehehe! I hope to be able to finish something but I have no idea what to do with this theme... still brainstorming! :joy:

Theme dropped at 9 here, and I have worked till almost 12.I am going for a 'point-and-click' mixed with an 'eye-spy' game. We will see if it pays off... Time to go to bed and get some sleep. I will come in fresh tomorrow with vigor, and try to get as much done before my wife gets up as I can (we have plans for tomorrow). Going to try and add as many 'levels' as I can, but if I don't have them in the game by Saturday at 9pm, it isn't going in the game. the rest of the time will be for art and sound. Here is what I got so far:

Schedule/time allowance" friday-saturday - adding items, clickables, etc. for the game. SIMPLE mockups for each scene Saturday from 9- Sunday after lunch - Art. Need final art, as well as animations for actions lunch till 5 - Music/audio 5 til end: playtesting, bug fixing, and taking screenshots for the game page

Challenges - Each scene will take a lot of care to add. Need to make sure I have the pausing/timing down.
I have never made art like this for a game before. A first time for everything, right? audio. Will use SFXR for a lot, as well as 1bitdragon, but will need MORE. (actual radio sounds?)

Gameplay things Things to keep you awake in the car: Radio Window AC Cigarettes' lighter

Things to keep you awake at work: Coffee Phone call snack making a paperclip catapult Paper Airplanes Noticing your Boss walking by Headphones with metal music

Things to keep you awake at a restraunt Food Drink Crying baby Putting the jukebox on sugary Desert

Things to keep you awake BEFORE you go to bed Videogames Phone Feeding your Pet Getting your clothes ready for tomorrow Washing dishes/Cooking lunch to take with you

Then, you go to bed, and you win!

On a lose screen (different one for each scene), players can opt into hints (incase they are struggling)

Gameplay will consist of trying to click on things that can keep you awake as fast as possible, with an animated (5-6 frame, or 2-3 second) scene playing for each item clicked. Need 4 things per scene to go to the next scene,

This little guy is going to have some fun!! testatk2.gif

Cya in 48 hours?