This was the fourth time I tried to participate in LD and the only time I managed to find time and really do it.
For me, it was a richful experience. Just like the Apperture Science labs, the LD is an enrichment center. 
I’d like to share my experiences. And place some emphasis on things I’ve learned.
So I start with the first point – Prepare!
Everything in life works better when it’s properly prepared. That’s why during the last voting round I’ve tried to think of an idea for each of the possible themes. I found mindmapping very good for such kind of ideas and brainstorming. There were 4 themes I didn’t know what to do with them, so I left them unbrainmapped
And then, the event.
I joined about 18 hours in. So, there was only 30 hours left. And when I did join, it was already nighttime, around 10PM. I didn’t even know the theme at that moment and I was unsure if I should even try. I checked the theme and took half of an hour to think about what I really can do in the remaining time.
I’ve checked my mindmap and I realized that what I’ve written was not easily implemented so I had to think of a new idea. But still, mindmap really did help because I’ve borrowed from another theme.
During the next few hours I really did nothing. I’ve messed around with my tools, but it lead me nowhere. I was again at the point of giving up. So I just went to bed.
I woke up at 7AM. 20 hours left. It’s sunday and tomorrow I need to be on the job.
It was then, sitting at my computer, not knowing if it’s worth it, when the idea came out.
I’m gonna make a logic game.
I like to experiment and I’ve alredy tried to use colors in systematic ways, so I decided – Color is really an unconventional weapon.
And then I tried.
I looked at the blog to see what people were doing, and I’ve seen a picture that said: Ludum Dare is people. It was an interesting point. And that needs to sink in. Ludum Dare is Mark, Tom, Sarah, John, Steve, Kim, Han, Abdul, and you can insert your name here. We are all people, trying to reach the same goal, trying to help each other, trying to finish the challenge. It was only then when I started commenting on the blog, liking posts, giving opinions on the IRC.
Second point I’ve learned – LD is a living organism.
Half of the time I was playing with mechanics, because I subconsciously thought there will be enough time for details. I was discontent with many aspects and I just couldn’t get them right. I spent about two hours trying to correctly import FBX from Blender to Unity with the correct orientation. I’ve looked at videos, but it was always somehow incorrect. I finally managed, but two hours had already been wasted.
The deadline was closing in, some 7 hours left. When I ran the game, it was really not yet a game. I switched my programming into 5th gear and then it all went wrong.
Lesson number three – take time to plan your code.
This is something I struggle a lot at my work. Deadlines are always too close, and then you cut corners and do things you know you shouldn’t do. Expose global references, everything’s a singleton, everyting’s accessible to everything and such. In the last hours, as I realized there’s not much time, my code became spaghetti code.
Lesson number four – deal with it.
I really hate spaghetti code. I like structure, I like laws. And I was at point of deleting lots of code to make it better. But I knew I wouldn’t make it. So I didn’t. I had to live with it.
I managed to finish the programming and basic testing some 15 minute before deadline. Since this was my first LD, I didn’t know exactly how much time I need for submission, so I wrapped it up. Unfortunatelly, there was really no time for music. That’s my only regret.
But I submitted the game. And then waited. Mixed feelings. It is 4 AM, I need to go to work in few hours. I’m tired, but content. I completed the challenge. Granted, my game is not bug free. It even has some balancing problems. But there was a game, waiting there on the server, waiting to be played. By people with souls. By people who were sitting in front of their computers, tired, with mixed feelings. People looking at their screenshots thinking what they went through.
That was it – we are developers – we don’t give up!
Let that lesson be your reward Good luck to everyone who participated.
p.s. I would really like your comments on my game – Stain. Every comment helps me being better.
LET’S GET READY TO RUUUUMBLEEEEEE!!
Don’t forget to play and rate EX-SWORD-STENTIAL CRISIS!
