Hi, I am just starting out on programming, but I think I know my way around my Game Maker for now.
Just a question, can I use some of the open music and open sprites that I can find around the internet for LD Jam? Assuming that I have the legal rights to use them…
Thanks.
Just bought Game Maker Studio Standard, I think its time for LD 28!
My tools of trade:
1) Game Maker Studio Standard
2) Linux Multimedia Studio (Not sure if I am going to really touch this at all)
3) Audacity
4) GIMP
The final product of the game will be released on:
1) Windows (including 8)
2) Mac OS X
I can’t release it on any other platform because it is just the Standard version, but I guess this is good enough.
My artist friend *might* join me, if he does, that would be great XD I am ready to solo any time though.
I may not have much experience in programming, but I guess I will give it a try for the Jam! 😉
Morning everybody! ^^
Its 8 am here, and I am just awake. So awesome to be an Asian! YEAH!
AWESOME!
Still hasn’t changed my pyjamas yet. XD
Anyway, it’s time for my Jam, I don’t think I have the balls to do Compo yet, at least until I could finish Jam this time.
Anyway, I have an update in my tools, check it out:
The game-making tools:
1) Game Maker Studio Standard Edition. My main game-making tool here. It’s easy and capable of prototyping any sort of games fast. Many of its features are interesting and easy to use. I will be focusing on level designing here rather than coding.
2) Linux Multimedia Studio (LMMS). My second favourite program after GMS for game-making. I love music-making and this tool right here, is a KILLER! Compared to FL Studio, this may not offer much, but at a free price, this program does a lot more than what you pay for ($0). Sometimes I end up using LMMS most of the time! But, unfortunately, I won’t be focusing much on music this time.
3) Audacity. The compliant to LMMS, Audacity is an open source software, yet far superior compared to commercial software. Its simple yet intuitive user interface makes audio editing easier. I use this after LMMS to edit the music track a little, or simply just to convert the music file. I used this to convert all my WAV files from LMMS into MP3.
4) GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP). Not sure if I will be using this or not, since the sprite editor in GMS itself is pretty good enough (at least at pixel arts). However, I think I can use this for editing some of the textures that I might be getting off from some free texture sites, so it should be useful.
5) SFXR. A new addition to the list of tools. I have just found out about this tool, and I think it’s an awesome addition to my tools because it removes my headache to go out and look for free sound FX around the internet.
I think that’s all for my list of tools, should be enough to create a game now. 😉
Here’s what I am planning for the Jam:
1) Only top-down shooter, arcade style or platformer. I haven’t explore to another genre yet, so I am not confident with those, but I guess these three genres sum up most of the 2D games. XD
2) Focus on the gameplay and level design only. I won’t be caring much for the graphic nor the music or sound effect. What’s more important in a game than its gameplay and level itself? 😀 I will do the graphic and music only if I have extra time left.
3) No story or quests. Story is the only thing that slows me down in my game development. I want to get this out of the way, and just keep the theme in the game. I supposed many gamers doesn’t even care about the story in an action game, do they?
4) Coding it at a reasonable pace. I will just code it at my own pace. Coding it too fast will cause more bugs. More bugs meaning more time taken to finish the game. If better, I will follow most of the programmer’s guide too, make some comments, be more organized etc.
Anyway, that’s my plan. I wish everyone good luck in Ludum Dare #28 and Merry Christmas! ^^
“You Only Get One” seem to be a strange theme for me… however, I have already a plan in my head…
SHHH, it’s a secret, I won’t tell, hehehehe 😉
I was planning to go for a puzzle treasure hunting game… however, an idea struck, I am changing the game a little now. (Luckily I hasn’t dug deeper into the game development yet hehehehe.
Now I am going for top down shooter game, its gonna be fun! 😉
One bullet… for everything 😀
Wow, my AI’s logic has become slightly too complicated for me to understand… I guess I should have used 1 targetting variable instead of multiple… now it has become a mess, I need to redo it again 
Lesson learnt: Never use too many variables to compare situation… Reusing variable is simpler and easier to understand.
I was about to make a game that emphasis on gameplay and level designing… However, I ran out of idea on what to do, and my AI logics don’t work well, so I had to change plan…
This time, I will be focusing more on the story and graphical part of the game rather than coding. It is going to be a very short game, but with a pretty decent story. I might also focus on music, sound effect and voice acting if I can finish this earlier in the Jam.
Its a game about guardian angel… one shot… to save one life… This is going to be interesting 😛
Yep, that’s the name of our game! I am pretty surprised no game has taken this name yet (except for that dress-up game, but pfff who cares about that :D)
You had one bullet… to save your beloved one… one second away from losing her… you cannot let it happen… make your bullet count… find who is the one… AND KILL HIM! Make your bullet counts…
This game has a lot of dialogues actually… but since it has the least amount of gameplay (because of my poor lack of experience in programming), I have to make up for it. This game is heavily graphic and story based, but I hope we will still do fine! 😉
It the end of the day for me… after 14 hours of ups and downs, I think we are confident for the end game this time 😉
Yeah, you heard that right, “WE”.
I had Isaac as my artist and Olivia as my composer (although she didn’t accomplish anything just yet, composing is hard).
Here’s the summary of today’s hardwork:
– First few hours in clueless about what to do… but I have forced upon myself some simple game idea first just to get it going.
– Then Isaac and Olivia came to help, I managed to come up an awesome game idea which focuses mostly on story and graphic instead. We started working on it.
– We have managed to turn the impossible into possible. I thought I may lose this Jam because I didn’t create anything my first few hours in, but luckily we did almost 50% progress today… Great Job! 😀
It will be a game about you saving your wife from someone who is about to assassinate her and take the diamond bag away from her. You have one bullet loaded in your sniper, and that’s it. You will only get one shot on the one who will be the killer. However, things didn’t go so well even after you have saved her…
So, that’s it for today, I had to sleep now… need more energy for tomorrow’s battle 😛
We’re almost 90% done… tomorrow we’ll be adding a little bit more features and then polishing it!
Wow, its my first time ever done a game under 3 days! I guess the game was pretty simple, that’s why.
I need to sleep now, can’t type much… see ya all on the last day of Jam! 😉
We have finished the game! ^^ It’s so awesome!
It’s my first time completing a game on Ludum Dare, it feels so great! 😀
Here’s my game’s poster!
Our first completed Ludum Dare game! ^^
It’s a heavily story-based game, so I am proud to present it to you guys! ^^
Here’s the link to my game: http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-28/?action=preview&uid=29131
Play our heavily story-based game here (with a high reflex sniper scene): http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-28/?action=preview&uid=29131
Red Christmas, notably the game changer of my life. It is the first time I have finally completed a game for Ludum Dare right on time. Never in my life have I got that much positive review for any games that I have made throughout my life.
I really have to admit; I suck at programming, I suck hard at music composing, and I suck even harder with graphic (I made none graphic for this game; my friend did). I almost think that I am going to quit game making after all these years of trying and failing to complete a single game (none of my game ever took over prototype phrase). As this is my last year before my college life starts (I am going to have financial issues paying for my college fee), I have decided to make a single last game for this Ludum Dare.
However, with my game getting more and more popular, this really gives me the motivation again… I have decided to pick up game development again.
How do you end up with this idea?
I really do not have any ideas 4 hours into the competition. I had a crappy idea later and tried working on it. It was originally called ‘Deception’ where you can only use 1 deception to distract the enemy and then use only 1 bullet to finish them off and then pick up another 1 bullet from that enemy. But the AI is too difficult to code and I gave up halfway. I really have given up all hope up to the point. I am not going to make another game this time for Ludum Dare. I suck at game development.
But, luckily, my artist friend, Isaac joined in and he has decided to help me with the art. He suggested something about zombies, but I don’t remember well, but basically it’s going to be humorous with tons of killings. We initially was going to make a game purely about the gameplay and level designing only as we think this is what everyone only wants to play.
However, I suddenly had an idea of making a game where you are the sniper and you only have 1 bullet to save 1 life. After that, it develops from just that into more and more stories. This is where I have finally decided to just make a game which is heavily story based by that point.
Also, it didn’t started off with a second “Christmas” theme in my mind. I actually took some time off with my family to go shopping… That is where I got the inspiration from, a Christmas song came on. It is called “The First Noel”, which I have used for this game afterward. I named the game only on the 2nd day as “Red Christmas” because, well yeah, bloody Christmas.
What is your initial feeling about the final product?
Well, I only have half confidence about this game actually, when it was released. Because from my experience, many people likes game that is full of action and addicting to play. I am ready to get shit-stormed with many bad comments such as: “The cutscene looks really bad, the texts are boring, the gameplay is frustrating and not fun, the game is too short… 2/5”. I felt very down afterward, thinking about whether the decision that I have made to make a story-based game is good or not.
What is your reaction after some comments?
Holy shit. I shit my pants. WHAT?? OMG. People actually like my game?? Let’s see…
“Great story-driven experience! You used the theme very similarly to me but with a much more serious approach. Shooting that guy with a quick reflex is tricky but extremely satisfying when you pull it off. ” ~ SonnyBone
I cried.
Finally. Finally I have made a good game! Never in my life someone had praised for my game! Although I admit that I have cheated by using some other people’s music (they are Creative Commons though), but… GAHHHHHH I feel so happy!
I don’t know what to say any more. I am at lost for words. Thank you isn’t enough to satisfy how thankful I am to those who have commented on my game:
“Great story..!” ~ KumoKairo
“Good story, good job ! ;)” ~ Ekilibr
And many more who have commented on my video; THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENT!!
Your comments have made me realised how much game development has grew inside my heart. I loved game development too much to put it down. I promise, I will pick up game development again and make another awesome game for the upcoming April Ludum Dare #29!!!
What I have learnt from this Ludum Dare?
A lot, so many that I really wanted to cry.
1) Not all people likes only game that only focuses around gameplay and level design.
2) Game development teaches you to self motivate and self expressing through visual and interactivity.
3) I can only make good story games, and I suck at making action or any other gameplay-focused games.
4) Not to give up halfway, you still have the chance even if you have lost few valuable hours. It’s a huge comeback for this game to finish on time even though I have lost a lot of progress. Oh, and also even 3 more hours for debugging, that’s more than enough.
5) Do not over-stressed yourself for making the game. Last Ludum Dare, I spent only 12 hours of sleeping throughout the 72 hours jam. The game ended up buggy, unfinished, and not many people likes it (only 1 people like it so far…).
6) Take some time off to relax and get some inspiration. Going off with family for a shopping is where I got the Christmas inspiration from. It really adds extra emotion to the game. Without the Christmas theme, I don’t think the game’s story is anywhere far this good. Losing some time for relaxing isn’t bad at all, and I actually still had few more extra hours for debugging!
7) I do not suck in game development. This game finally tells me that only if you do not put more love and creativity into the game, that is what makes it suck. I have seen a game with shitty graphic and buggy as hell, but was really fun to play with!
8) There is no defined rules of what type of game is good or not. Not like if a game that only focuses on the gameplay rather than graphic itself is the best… it all depends on many different factors.
9) I have finally decided to pick back up game development again!
In reality, before this game, I was about to give up game development and go for something else like building up my Youtube channel, become an Accountant or just go with Computer Science. Right after this Ludum Dare, I feel like I have finally understood what I wanted to do with my life: Game.
I realised I can’t live without game development. My life was getting more and more depressed. I feel more and more lonely day by day. I never smiled ever since and I got more and more serious face. I had no one to talk to. No one could ever understand how I really felt. Even after my uncle’s passing, I hold on to my tears until when nobody’s around. Death… was the third theme of this game.
However, ever since the game was out yesterday and when I see so many good comments, today I went to work and I felt much more energetic and happier than before. I smiled on the way walking to the bus station. I was too busy thinking about the future promoting plan for Red Christmas. That was when I realised how much game development and Ludum Dare have changed my life for the better. I realised so many things… so many that I just have to write a journal for my game today on Ludum Dare.
Thank you Ludum Dare, for making me realizing so many thing… I have learnt a lot throughout this journey.
It has been a great journey.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
The unofficial gameplay video here: (spoiler alert!!)
The official soundtrack video here: (If you really like the soundtrack in this game!)
I hope you enjoyed the game! 😉
Our goals:
Make a story-driven game
Make a professional-looking game
Do not repeat the same mistake on Ludum Dare 28 again.
Introduction:
We made a story-driven game for Ludum Dare 28, Red Christmas.
We are joining the Jam.
I am going to be the programmer and composer, while my best friend is going to be an artist and also the animator.
We had been slowly making games over 5 years because of school life.
My plan:
I am going to make both of us stick a paper on top of our monitor, writing:
“Simplicity is above all designs”
We are going to be spontaneous because we believe that the best idea comes during the crisis, which works during our previous Ludum Dare.
No need to over-work on the game, let ourselves some time off to relax and then come back to work. It definitely guaranteed me some wonderful idea during the last Ludum Dare.
I will also write out the “In case of crisis” document which includes what should we do when we have some problem.
Software I am going to use:
Software my artist friend are going to use:
We have done ALOT today!
Let’s just hope I can finish this game by tomorrow with cutscenes, sound effects and musics
My first two Ludum Dare was completely balls. Too ambitious, too noob, the project is just too big to be accomplished.
However, we got our balls together again and finally made a game for our 3rd Ludum Dare and then 4th Ludum Dare again.
I gotta admit, Ludum Dare gets easier the longer you join this competition/jam 😉
Oh right, as usual, working with my best friend artist, Isaac, whom both of us are sharing the very same account here for Ludum Dare.
Tools are as follow:
Nichii’s tools:
– Game Maker: Studio Professional Edition
– Linux MultiMedia Studio (LMMS) – I am making the music all by myself from now on
– Audacity
– Clip Studio Paint – Maybe for concept and doodling?
Isaac’s tools:
– Adobe Photoshop Element
– GIMP (might not be using it)
We have set to challenge ourselves to finish the game under 2 days instead of the 3 days for Jam. We have also decided to make every single resources 100% original from scratch.
The game shall be as simple as possible, gearing towards only the most important core of the game itself.
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE AND HAPPY LDing!
We did many things on this Ludum Dare, I remember having to text Isaac about the theme only to find that he only just got up from bed. An hour later we started discussing about our game on what it should be like. Isaac wanted to make a story-based game like what we did previously. I was alright with it at first but then we decided to match up 20 keywords for ideas. It didn’t work. AT ALL. So I started looking for ideas.
When suddenly, I saw a game, where you just click cookies. I told Isaac about it but he was skeptical at first. The moment he just clicked the cookie, he couldn’t stop for some reason. In fact both of us couldn’t stop. This had to be our idea. Isaac didn’t like it at first as well but he went along with it. Soon we were on our way. We started with a transit system across universes. Then it felt too cliche. We then thought about an alternate God sending microorganisms to other planets. Then eventually I had the greatest idea. Why not an MMO tycoon. Soon the both of us agreed to this then BAM we are going full speed.
Soon we sort of got bored so Isaac started thinking about nonsensical ways of making this work. Therefore, the illogical MMO crystal was born. Yipee! Eventually our game was finished under 2 days and there you go! MMOGOD 😀
Some pics:
You start off by clicking the Crystal with your own mouse.
As the game progresses, you don’t really need to click them any more thanks to the upgrades.
Oh and btw, Isaac is still clicking the cookie as we speak. He even made a macro for it.
Nichii of Studio Junnav, reporting a late post mortem here 😛
This is our 3rd successful Ludum Dare Jam, with my best friend, Isaac, who is an artist for all of our games.
So, we managed to make a game under 2 days, fully polished and all features were implemented without a problem. We started making the game 6 hours later into the jam because of brainstorming and me needed a bit of afternoon nap to get my energy back up. We were pretty lucky that Ludum Dare started at morning 9am in my country.
Here’s a bunch of stuff that we have learnt:
1) Don’t give in your 100% – This is pretty funny, but weirdly, it did work for us. The explanation are pretty simply as to why we say this: If you put in your 100%, your expectation will be higher; and higher expectation leads to a longer list of features to be implemented. This is something that I have learnt from my college friends, especially on the assignment. Be lazy, and you will be able to achieve it in your own strength without any stress at all.
2) Relax and take some rest if needed – I knew that if I hadn’t took an afternoon nap that day, we could have made a terrible progress. Since I am a director and the programmer of this game, I need every single bit of power of my brain in order to focus in what we are doing. I swear I slept more than 20 hours the whole Ludum Dare. We even took some time off to look at other people’s progress too.
3) Try out something different – If you are making platformer game or a space shooter, you are not learning something new. Always Google search “Game Genres”, take a look at the Wikipedia page, and then choose a random genre you haven’t tried before and then work on it. Who knows that genre might suit your taste? 😛
What went right?
+ We went through the whole Ludum Dare without a single stress.
+ All features in the game were successfully implemented.
+ We have decided to make a full game out of MMO God 😀
What went wrong?
– Nothing actually. I am a positive guy 😀
– Well seriously, nothing actually went wrong, all worked according to plan.
– Well, maybe our game didn’t have the best graphic or not too many features enough, but hey, this is what I have planned for anyway
– Oh, and I think I needed more work on my composing skills, that is all.
The more Ludum Dare jam that we are participating, the easier that it becomes. I can honestly say that we are pretty comfortable making games under 2 days now 😀 We are definitely joining Ludum Dare this December again!
