But I have made some progress. I did decide to use the html/php framework from last Ludum Dare to create a different game. Basically its akin to using an engine, I had basic movement and npc implemented last ludum dare, and I’m building off of that.

This is a different style of game in that rather than have to perform any sort of combat (can’t find a good way to do combat with this engine/framework) it has you answering who wants to be a millionaire style questions.

The tie to the theme is thin at best but meh.

All that is missing now is 30 additional questions. The game was already cut back in scale and I think this is the smallest amount I can do to give you a decent test of this style of game.

Unfortunately I’m running out of time to complete the questions and that will be my goal in the morning for about 3 hours before work (and to submit it)

No screenshot because it is just text.

It has been a while, last time was LD35. This will be a real test of time management for me, I work this weekend so my hours will be limited and must be focused in scope.

I think I am going to use the php engine/framework from my past two LD entries. (It's a trap)

I will post a blank version of the basic php in the next day or two, that will contain the basic movement, dialog, and map location information.

I have been thinking about this game engine thing quite a bit lately I'm intrigued by the fact that the entire game can be contained in a single web page. The last two times I have hit limitations with it, but I'm hoping to be able to engineer better ways around them.

The big problem has been combat, The last two times when I have been working on including combat it has gotten complicated and complex fast. In A Growing Prince I had really intended for it to be more of an adventure game. I ended up spending so much time working on a combat system that was scrapped I ended up with a shell of a game that doesn't really work. There is actually no movement/location system in A growing Prince, the movement buttons just serve to reload the page. There is no different between consuming a fruit, or fighting a monster. No variation in combat or game play. Basically just reload the game until you level is above 250 guarantees a win. I did later release a post-compo version that adds a bunch of the features you would expect, and a take on a combat system.

I later addressed a lot of these issues in my LD35 entry Its a trap. It has an actual movement and location system in place (you actually move around a map that has been populated, and change maps). It has a basic dialog system in place (One sided but its a start). The problem looking back at it today is the idea of it is stupid, and not...fun. I remember not liking the shape shifter theme much and having switched games late in the process from Construct 2 to php.

My goal for LD41 is the continue to evolve the php game engine and to really focus on making a game that is enjoyable to play with it.