The theme was announced at 2 AM for me and I still had to wake up early in the morning, so I slept through it. Finally just freed up and ready to get working on it using Construct 2, which I've been using for the last several years but never released anything to the public.

I actually really wanted this to be the picked theme and thought that it could lead to plenty of creative games... ironically, here I find myself at a loss and with an idea that I have no clue will even be fun. But at least you'll be able to laugh at it, right? So get ready for a terrible concept and plenty of programmer art!

(Oh, and I still have stuff to do this evening, so I'm really going to have to push it now and tomorrow. If anything, it isn't bad to join the Jam for the first challenge, is it? Although Compo would be much more badaass)

Not a bad start! Just trying to get to grips with exactly how Construct 2 deals with its pixels and then I can actually start on the mechanics of the game... although I think I'll try and write them down first.

Don't get too excited, nothing in that image is going to be in the final game.

Or is it?

no.

And I've got just the theme I want.

https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/rhythm-based-twin-stick-zombie-survival-shooter

What a ride this was! I absolutely loved participating in LD41 for the first time, especially given the Compo's limited deadline. I have experience with game development using Unreal Engine 4, which I use for 3D games and Construct 2 for 2D games. However, up to this point I have only released levels for Half-Life 2 level design competitions, so I’m glad to say that this challenge has allowed me to release something complete!’ish; I proudly present:

LD41's Combine 2 Incompatible Genres is actually the theme that I really wanted to be picked initially, with the thought that there would be thousands of interesting concepts one could come up with and create!... But I also found myself having no clue what I wanted my game to be, as you do. Thankfully, I dug up a ridiculous concept from the back of my subconscious - a rhythm-based twin stick game! And what better twin stick game to create than one about fighting zombies?

In the end, the game didn't turn out quite as polished or... complete as I wanted, but I'm still very proud of it and very happy that I got to work on a Ludum Dare submission. Let's hope that next time, I can do even better. Hope you enjoy!

https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/rhythm-based-twin-stick-zombie-survival-shooter