This will be my first LD, I’m excited for it.  I can’t decide what I want to make my game in though.  I’m skilled with Java, C/C++, and Python, and I’ve been looking at Unity recently.  I’m thinking about perhaps using Game Maker for this competition though.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

Hello all,

As I am a first timer to LD, as well as any sort of time restricted game jam, I’m interested in discovering best practices from those more experienced in this type of competition.  Any tips or pointers would be greatly appreciated.  Reading through a lot of the introductory posts here, I’ve noticed an overwhelming amount of first timers like myself, so I think this information will be valuable to a large number of participants.

Some things I’m specifically seeking advice on:

• Time management – Specifically, I’m wondering if you’ve found that spending some time thinking through the design of your game before starting work (perhaps even writing down a few things about the gameplay, story, characters, etc.) was most helpful, or if diving right in and prototyping your idea(s) worked better
• Art assets – Personally, art is my biggest weakness.  I honestly can’t draw at all.  I’m planning on either doing A) pixel art or B) a very sparse/minimalist art style, akin to Asteroids.  So I’m wondering how those less gifted with all things art related have dealt with this weakness and how it has worked out for you in the past.  Judging by past successful LD projects, having good art and presentation is immensely important.
• Scope creep (or, overambitiousness) – Obviously, trying to do “too much” in a game in 48 hours would be a killer, but it’s kind of hard to judge or quantify what “too much” would be.  Any past experiences would be greatly appreciated here.

Thanks so much for any responses!  Certainly feel free to pass down any other advice you may have that I have not specifically asked about.

Here is a screen from the beginnings of my game.  A robot who jumps!

More to come later!  I’ve got an idea of how I want the story to go.  Am now trying to come up with interesting mechanics.

But, I’ve got a start.  😛

There’s not much new to see in this screenshot as I haven’t done anything with the art since the previous update, but I’ve made a lot of great progress overall. The main game mechanic (chargeable grenade launcher that allows you to jump higher by shooting the ground) is in place and working well, I’ve still got a few weird movement bugs to work out that I run into occasionally. But for the most part, the gameplay is done. I just need to make many, many more levels.

So, I think that’s what I’ll be focusing on.  Making more levels, basically “finishing” the game.  Then I’ll get sounds and music in there, do something (read: the most that I can) with the art, and be done!  I think I’m at least halfway done now, so I’m making good time to finish by tomorrow night!

It’s been a lot of fun thus far and I’ve learned a lot.  I’m really glad I finally decided to take part in one of these.

The title says it all!  Here are some more of the many amazing games I’ve had the privilege of playing thanks to Ludum Dare.  Go and show them some love, we’ve only got until tomorrow night at 9!

Necro Gaia – lazybraingames

A really fun take on tower defense with a great visual style and sound design.  This game only has 7 ratings at the time of writing, it needs some love!  You won’t regret it.

Space Cabin – trylle

The first thing that struck me about this game is its great visual style.  It’s such a pretty game.  As for the game play, it is a visual adventure game that relies heavily on classic text-based adventure game mechanics.  I love this combination, it makes for a very fun and fresh feeling game.

Shrunkit – MagnesiumNinja

A really fun puzzle-platformer with an interesting mechanic.  The puzzles are well thought out and the shrinking/growing mechanic is fun to play with.  With some more polish, work, and lengthening, this would be a game I’d want to buy.  You should definitely go give it a play.

ascii world – dwrensha

ascii world is definitely an interesting game.  I don’t want to spoil the discovery element of this game; I think that’s what makes it so interesting.  Give it a go, it’s pretty short and you can play it in your browser.

Curse of Grimwood – digital_sorceress

A neat little action-rpg that feels extremely polished for the given timeframe.  Definitely worth a go.

Quantum Entanglement – icefallgames

Quantum Entanglement is a really well designed puzzle game.  The puzzles feel well thought out and the mechanics at play are interesting and fun to mess around with.

That’s all for now!  Please continue to spread the love around the community and rate more games everyone!  And as others have said, it’s always nice to leave a comment saying what you liked/didn’t like about the game and offer some constructive criticism when you rate a game.  It’s how we all can help each other to grow as game developers, and I think it’s what makes the Ludum Dare community so special.

Tags: games, ld23, ratings, review, reviews

… I’m planning on joining in on LD again! My last LD was LD23 “Tiny World”, back in April 2012. This will be my third foray into Ludum Dare, and indeed, Game Jams in general. My weekend is completely free and, barring any unfortunate, unforeseen events, I should be able to complete a game this weekend for the compo!

This time around, I’m going to try making a game in Unity. I have very little experience with it, so it should be a good learning experience if nothing else. I know Javascript and I work as a software developer, so that shouldn’t be the hard part; the hard part, I believe, will be learning how to leverage Unity’s tools and libraries to make an interesting game.

Tools:

• Development: Unity 3D
• Modelling: Blender (or just Unity, depending on time constraints)
• Graphics: GIMP
• Music: Audacity + Keyboard/Guitar
• SFX: SFXR

I’m super excited! My favorite part of LDs in the past was getting to play and provide feedback on all of the wonderful games that come out of the competition. I can’t wait to see what great things you all come up with!

So far, I’ve started about 3 ideas and decided against them.  I’ve also since decided I’m more comfortable working on something 2D for the idea I’ve (possibly) settled on, so I’ll be switching over to making something in Flash with AS3 using Flixel, rather than Unity as I had originally planned.  Either way, I’ve already learned a lot.  Maybe I’ll bone up on Unity over the months between the next Ludum Dare and try a Unity game then.

So then, with 32 hours to go, I’ll finally get started!

I’m in, but I’m completely terrified that I will lack the motivation to follow through to the end and create something I can be proud of.  I was relatively happy with my first two ludum dare entries I made back in 2011 for LD22 and LD23.  I planned on participating in each LD from then on, but was either “too busy”, “too lazy”, or gave up on the rest until LD27, in which I created something I’m embarrassed to show to anyone.  The issue there was that I started and abandoned several ideas and even engines, up until I finally settled on something on the last day.  I also was basically completely learning the engines I was trying to use during the competition.

So now, I guess a year later, I’m planning on trying at LD30.  So, any tips on staying motivated? At any rate, here are the tools I’m planning on using.  Also, I’m looking for suggestions for better recording software for live music.  I’m sick of dealing with Audacity’s quirks.  I’ve heard “Wavosaur” could be pretty good, but any other suggestions?

• Development: Unity, or maybe Construct2 if I give up on that again
• Graphics: GIMP
• Music: Audacity/Wavosaur/??? + Keyboard/Guitar/Drums
• SFX: SFXR

Good luck all and do try to have fun!

Tags: LD30

I’ve got some mechanics that feel ok, I just need to figure out what to do with them.  Also, how to relate them to the theme.  😛  But, I’m at the very least having a lot of fun and learning a lot, which already makes this effort worth it for me.

So, I’ve got a groundwork, now it’s time to figure out how to make a game out of this.