For my first participation to Ludum Dare, I wanted to make a quick analysis for this WE.

The facts :

I have worked 2*12h on the project. I had the idea in mind since the last round of theme voting.
Everything is from scratch, no framework used.

The goods : 

– The game is short, but complete.
– I have implemented the A* algorithm for the minions.
– I have tried Javascript (“HTML5”) for this kind of developpement, and it is quite powerful.
– The game may be fun, with more levels.
– In general, the code is clean. Some shortcuts here and here, but the code is ready to handle evolutions and changes.
– Work on many browsers, including the iPad.

The bads :

– Graphics : I wanted to make a logo, and better sprites, but I only spent 1 hour to make them. However, the characters are ok, for this time budget.
– No animations.
– Sound : I have made a music and basic sound effect but no time to include it !
– The sprites are loaded one by one, helped by the HTML <img>. I definitly need to develop a media manager.
– I wanted to make more minions types and put actors : explosives, teleporters, fighters, traps… But I choose to finish cleanly and completely with only blockers. The good news is that the game engine is good enough to add them quickly.

The ugly :

– Nothing but now I know I am officialy a NERD when I say to my friends what I do on my WE

Thanks for voting and commenting my entry : http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-27/?action=preview&uid=14085

Hi,

It’s my first Ludum Dare participation, and it’s rating time.

Is there any way to filter the entries by technology and/or compatibility ?
I’d like to quickly see which games I can play (I have a Mac), and which sources will interest me (I don’t have Unity, for example).

Thanks.
Nicolas

PS: Don’t forget to check my entry (JS+HTML5 Canvas, no framework) : Make Way !

Hi,

For the last ludum dare, I have worked on a small puzzle game : Make Way. It was a great experience to make it.

Now, I wanted to show you a new version. There is still lots of work to do (sound, music, more levels), but I think it deserve a preview.

Here is the last version (with better graphics and detailled instructions) : http://nee.free.fr/ld27/final1/

You can compare with the original submission :
http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-27/?action=preview&uid=14085

Thank you for playing !

Hi,

I have just released a “post-compo” version of my game “Super Robot Miner”.

It contains small adjustments (about 2 hours of work), including a much better “Prospect Mode” and (I hope) better instructions. You can also now switch mode with [SPACE].

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-29/?action=preview&uid=14085

Please tell me what you think !
Thanks for all your comments and advices.
Nicolas.

Hi,

When I ran Ludum Dare for the first time, I really wanted to make a complete game from scratch.

I choose Javascript because it was powerful, portable and adaptable.

After 3 participations, I’ve found lots of duplicate code in my entries. So I take some time to gather them all.

So, here it is : The “Jam Toolkit”. Feel free to try it !

https://github.com/Neekobus/jamtk

Featuring :

• ImageManager, SpriteSheet with basic animation support
• InputManager : Smart mouse, touch and keyboard managment. ICade comming soon.
• SoundManager : Basic MP3 play capabilities.
• Storage : Mapped around Cookies.
• AStar : Graph or Grid based pathfinder.
• DomHelper : Some DOM utilities.
• JsonLevelLoader : Basic tool for loading and delegating level building.
• ControllerManager : Basic main controller and framework for customized concrete controllers.
• Looper : Simple wrapper for setInterval, with frame duration.

   

Can’t wait next LD !