Really excited to be entering the jam for the first time. Setting my goal at finishing a game, ideally within the competition requirements.

Engine: MOAI (lua environment, specifically the HTML5 host)

Language: lua

Tools: GIMP, maybe blender, sfxr

Good luck to everyone!

So, a first trashy algorithm is in place – a crossword randomizer! Can you find the hidden words? (ludum, dare)

4 hours in, after wrestling with a small platform bug, managed to get interactive crossword solving online, along with a basic asset…

Now I need to flesh out the rest of the game, which will be something like a text adventure with a crossword solving mechanic. Especially worried about writing the narrative…

After wasting lots of time on chrome compatibility (now I know how to make it chrome compatible, but that will probably a post-competition port), I’ve got a playable build for firefox up at http://frozensummer.uni.me/

The build has the visual novel + crossword mechanics I planned, but it’s only the standard plot. Now I can focus on writing the hidden plot (which is Beneath The Surface…), and making some more sounds and graphics.

The game is done and also works on both chrome & firefox…

Only bug squashing remains.

Mini Post Mortem:

The good:

– The crossword mechanic really allows interesting flow control

– The visuals are better than I thought I could get with no drawing skills whatsoever

– The narrative works well with the mechanics

The bad:

– The writing is a bit over the top at times

– Didn’t have time for music, only SFX