pycron

LD20

Mini-LD #26 – Where to Go from Here

I’m officially forfeiting the Mini-LD. I don’t have any chance. I’m not even close to having enough of SpudTech implemented to make a real game.

I’ve put a bit of a spin on my idea, and I’m going to be working on that for the time being.

I’m probably going to sit out the next couple of Mini-LD’s. I need time to relax; doing an LD every month isn’t good for me, I think. I’ll still be on IRC, and I’ll probably post my progress here on the LD blog.

I will definitely enter in LD #21, but until then I’m laying off of LD.

Peace, love, and restfulness,

— Mr. Dude

Mini-LD #27 – I’m Stumped

Wow. I’ve got nothing on this theme. I’m going to have to give this some real thought.

I’m not sure how happy I am with the theme. I really don’t enjoy dialogue-heavy games. I may have to change my own mind on this one.

That being said, I don’t want to just abandon the theme. I’m accepting the challenge to do something other than what I normally do. It’ll be hard, though.

Well, hopefully I can make this work.

Peace,

— Mr. Dude

Mini-LD #27 – My Plan of Action

Well, I thought things over.

I’ve been working on action games and poking at roguelikes for years. Other artistic interests of mine have been neglected. I haven’t written a story in ages. I haven’t really drawn anything in a few years. I’ve been frustrated.

I’m going to challenge myself. I’m making a visual novel with Ren’Py.

I have a plot in mind, but I’m not giving it away. It’s a big break from my usual stuff, though.

It’ll hopefully be an interesting story, and hopefully I can still draw after not having drawn anything in so long. It’ll probably be good for me to step out of making mindlessly violent games.

I’m going to count this among my “I think I hate this but I’ve never  tried it, so I’ll give it a go” experiences. I’ve really been under the impression that I wouldn’t enjoy this type of thing. For all I know, I may discover a fondness for manga. (My game will be drawn in a manga style, which is how Ren’Py games are usually drawn)

I may well have been wrong about myself for a long time. There might well be something I’ve been running from. I’m not sure just yet. Blah. I’ll leave it for this morning.

Peace,

— Mr. Dude

Mini-LD #27 – What I’m Making

After sifting through several different ideas, I’ve got a premise that I like.

I should be able to finish it without too much trouble.

I’ve decided to go way out of my normal development fare. I’m making a furry girl’s love game. Oh hell yes. And the best ending has polyamory. No further spoilers about that.

It’s about a vixen who has a crush on her next-door neighbor. Along with her best friend, she courts the neighbor and tries to win her heart. The game will track how the neighbor feels about the protagonist as well as how the protagonist’s best friend feels about her. The ending will ultimately depend on those two things. However, either opinion reaching an extreme value will give an ending that depends on both opinion values.

The game will be told from a third-person perspective. IE: The protagonist appears as a character on-screen instead of being the narrator. I like writing stories from the third-person perspective. It gives a nice feel to calmer stories, where a first-person perspective is better for action-packed plots.

I’m very happy to be doing this game. It’s a great break from the sorts of things that I’ve been doing. It’s also a good reason to do a bunch of drawing. Also, I get to learn to do actual art in Inkscape. (Granted that I don’t have a tablet, so I’ll have to use a mouse)

I will use a manga style, no gradients, and no outlines. The flat colors and lack of outlines are style elements that I’m very comfortable with. The manga art style is new to me, though, and I haven’t made static character art in quite a while.

The music will be done in LMMS, and sound effects will be made with some clever LMMS work.

I look forward to working with Ren’Py. I’ve been playing with it for most of today, and it’s loads of fun. :)

Peace,

— Mr. Dude

Comments

12. Jun 2011 · 00:20 UTC
Plushie menage-a-trois? Arrroooo! =)
ClassyGoat
12. Jun 2011 · 16:53 UTC
Yeah! Furries rock!

I look fore ward to playing this game. =D

Mini-LD #27 – Not Sure What to Do

I’m really sorry about this. I’m not sure whether to continue in what I’m doing. I don’t know whether I really want to be making a visual novel.

I don’t know why I’m feeling this way. I shouldn’t. I’m really conflicted, though. I don’t know whether to share this kind of thing. Part of me is really afraid of being harassed over it. But I want to share how I’m feeling, and it’s related to game development, so I’ll take that risk. I want people who are commenting to keep in mind that I feel very vulnerable about this kind of post, and that I don’t deal well with jokes about my emotions. Please be gentle. :(

Working on the visual novel, something felt… wrong. I don’t know why. It was more fun than I usually have while making a game. Something felt wrong about it, though. I really hate feeling that way.

I’m looking at the roguelike I had planned. I will probably work on that. I’m really sorry about not being in the Mini-LD. I’m ashamed of myself, but I can’t seem to focus on my entry. Please forgive me. :(

I may or may not finish my roguelike. I may or may not get back to the visual novel. I don’t know what I will do. It’s really upsetting for me, but I can’t help it. I really need to look at what I’m doing, and try to figure out why I’m feeling the way I’m feeling.

I don’t know what to do. I really don’t. I wish I could say with certainty what I will do. I wish I could say what I want out of game development. I really don’t know right now. I’m sorry. :(

Please forgive me,

— Mr. Dude

Comments

RyanMan56
15. Jun 2011 · 17:03 UTC
Hey Mr.Dude,
15. Jun 2011 · 17:29 UTC
Just have fun! Don’t worry! Do what feels good. Remember, Ludum Dare is supposed to be really enjoyable – no stress whatsoever.

Conflicted – Wondering Whether to Enter the Mini-LD

Well… I said I would skip this month’s Mini-LD. But with a recent adjustment to my medication (true story, not a joke), my mood has stabilized very well and I think I can take the stress of a mini this time.

I’m not sure, though. Realistically, I will probably enter. Something will happen and I will ultimately wind up entering. I’m still not just dead certain about it, though.

I dunno. I’m kind of curious about what folks here think. I could not enter and keep working on my shooter or I could enter and take a break from it. I’ve recently redesigned large parts of the shooter (switching from OpenSceneGraph to Ogre, for example), so I need to redo a lot of things. The mini-LD could be a great break from that. On the other hand, I might well be through redoing things by the time the mini-LD takes place. Really not sure. Even then, it could be nice to take a break.

So… I’m looking for advice here. I’m probably going to enter, but I’m not sure.

Peace, love, and a touch of good luck,

— Mr. Dude

Mini-LD #28 – If I Compete, I Will Use…

I haven’t really decided whether to enter into the Mini-LD, but if I do enter, here is what I’ll use:

  • C++ (language)
  • CMake (build tool)
  • Code::Blocks (IDE)
  • OpenSceneGraph (graphics/input/gui library)
  • OpenAL (sound library, if any)
  • Bullet (physics library, if any)
  • Blender (modeling)
  • Inkscape (images/textures)
  • LMMS (music/sound)

That being said, I’m not 100% sure I’ll enter. I’m about 80% sure. Maybe 85%.

Peace, love, and fractions,

— Mr. Dude

LD21

Mini-LD #28 – A Change of Tools for a Change of Heart

So…

I’ve hit a wall with C++/Ogre. It has just. Stopped. Being. Fun.

So, here’s what I’ll use instead:

  • Language: ActionScript 3
  • Compiler: Flex 4.5
  • IDE: Geany
  • Graphics: Inkscape
  • Sounds: sfxr (AS3 port) + media.io (for MP3 conversion)
  • Music: LMMS (If I get to it)

C++ is killing me. Large projects are killing me. I’ve had enough.

My Mini-LD game will be the start of a new kind of work for me. I will move toward making games that are deliberately simple. I want to make games that can be completed within one month. And then, well, complete them within one month.

I’m hoping that I can accomplish that.

My first project will be the Mini-LD game. I will continue to work on it until it is finished. I’m hoping to make either a top-down shooter or an RPG. We’ll see what I can fit into the theme.

Peace, love, and the simplest possible solution,

— Mr. Dude

Comments

Jedi
22. Jul 2011 · 21:12 UTC
If that combination makes development more fun, I think you’ve made a wise decision.

You gotta keep it fun! :)
23. Jul 2011 · 01:33 UTC
Best of luck sir. I shall see you on the frontlines.
23. Jul 2011 · 04:32 UTC
Large projects can be rewarding, but get stressful easily 😛

Good luck with your entry!

My Idea: Warfare

I’m making an RTS. The title is Warfare and it is about two nations (The “Northern Empire” and the “Southern Union”) who are fighting a war due to the fact that each thinks the other is evil. Really, that’s it. That’s all they need.

Each has nine units (3 infantry, 3 ground vehicles, 3 aircraft) that they share and three units (1 infantry, 1 ground vehicle, 1 aircraft) that are unique to them. Each also has a shared defense structure (a machine gun turret) and one that is unique to them. There are several other sorts of structures that both can build, as well.

For the Mini-LD, I’m hoping to have something with a skirmish mode and at least the common units between the factions. Well, here’s hoping anyway.

I’m going to be working on this thing after the Mini-LD and eventually posting it on Kongregate.

Peace, love, and armed conflict,

— Mr. Dude

Comments

23. Jul 2011 · 14:36 UTC
I approve ^_.^
23. Jul 2011 · 15:07 UTC
Woohoo, RTS goodness! And sounds like it’s a pretty ambitious one. :)

Sounds interesting, good luck!

Declaration of Intent… To Rock!

It’s that time again! Emotions will run high, tempers will flare, and games will be made!

I will enter. This is something that I need.

So… what use?

Well, I’m thinking about Panda3D. Will probably do a shmup, but I’m not sure. I do know that I’ll be in the jam.

So, that being said…

Life is meaningless without passion. Without passion, there is no reason to continue. I have my passion, and I hope that you all find yours this weekend. Let’s see some fire out there, some magic, some love. That’s what this is about.

Peace, love, and a sense of purpose,

— Mr. Dude

Tags: blender, inkscape, panda3d, python, sfxr

My Strategy – The Simplest Game Possible

I’m getting really antsy waiting for LD to start (even though it doesn’t star ’til tomorrow…), so I figured that I would post about my strategy.

All in all, I’m going to make the simplest game that could possibly work for the theme while still being fun. This means having only one or two major mechanics, and leaving it at that. This way, I’ll have something that I can actually do in 72 hours (I’m doing the jam, not the compo) and hopefully it will turn out well. Hopefully.

This idea was rekindled in my mind by, of all things, a blog gadget. I recently put a “fish pond” sort of widget on my blog, and have found myself playing with it quite a bit. This reminded me of some of my really simple games. I remembered how fun it is to make a game that only has a few features. The fun that comes from developing and playing something like that is like nothing else.

So that’s what I’ll do for the LD. As simple as possible.

Peace, love, and happy times,

— Henry

Comments

18. Aug 2011 · 15:42 UTC
this is a good strategy
natpat
18. Aug 2011 · 16:08 UTC
Jeez, that fish thing is cool.

My Idea Which Took me Ten Seconds Last Night

I have my game concept. It took my about ten seconds to come up with, so I think it’s a good one.

Basically, you are in a room, which you need to escape from. Each time you escape, you wind up in another room you have to escape. There are obstacles that will kill you and enemies that will also kill you. The room’s structure will get in your way.

The game, I’ve decided, will be called Hazard.

Really, that’s a ten second idea. I like that, me.

Peace, love, and gut-instinct game design,

— Henry

Comments

20. Aug 2011 · 10:04 UTC
But it will end, right?

Ah, crud. I’ve Gotta Declare this One, Don’t I?

I realized that I should declare I file that I am using from another project.

Contents of the file follow the break.

Here it is:

##
 # Rectangle container with collision methods
 #
 # @author Henry Mclaughlin
 #
 # This is a generic rectangle container that has some
 # collision methods, a couple of boolean methods, and
 # properties for many points in itself.
 #
 # It has the following collision methods:
 #
 # \li Check overlap
 # \li Clamp in
 # \li Clamp off
 #
 # It has the following boolean methods:
 #
 # \li Union
 # \li Intersection
 #
 # It has properties for the following points:
 #
 # \li Left, right, top, and bottom edges (single coordinate)
 # \li Top-left, top-right, bottom-left, and bottom-right corners
 # \li Left, right, top, and bottom edge mid-points
 # \li Horizontal center and vertical center (single coordinate)
 # \li Center point
 # \li Width and height (individually)
 # \li Size
 #
 # When a Rect's corners are modified, it moves without
 # changing size.
 #
 # \note There are a \e lot of methods here that are not
 #       documented. This is because you are meant to
 #       use the properties, which \e are documented.
 #
 # \todo Implement clampIn()
 # \todo Implement clampOff()
 # \todo Implement boolean functions
 # \todo Implement overlapList(), overlapAny(), and overlapAll()
 #
 class Rect(object):
     
     ##
     # Constructor
     #
     # Params are complicated...
     #
     # \todo Document the parameters
     # \todo Proper error messages
     #
     def __init__(self,x,y=None,w=None,h=None):
         super(Rect,self).__init__()
         
         if h != None and w != None:
             self._left   = float(x)
             self._bottom = float(y)
             
             self._width  = float(w)
             self._height = float(h)
             
         elif y != None:
             self._left, self._bottom = x
             self._width,self._height = y
             
         elif isinstance(x,Rect):
             self._left   = x.left
             self._bottom = x.bottom
             self._width  = x.width
             self._height = x.height
             
         else:
             x = tuple(x)
             
             self._left,self._bottom,self._width,self._height = x
             
         
         self._left   = float(self._left)
         self._bottom = float(self._bottom)
         self._width  = float(self._width)
         self._height = float(self._height)
         
     
     def getLeft(self):
         return self._left
         
     def setLeft(self,new_left):
         self._left = float(new_left)
         
     ##
     # The Rect's left edge (single coordinate)
     left = property(
         getLeft,
         setLeft
     )
     
     def getRight(self):
         return self._left + self._width
         
     def setRight(self,new_right):
         self._left = float(new_right) - self._width
         
     ##
     # The Rect's right edge (single coordinate)
     right = property(
         getRight,
         setRight
     )
     
     def getCenterX(self):
         return self._left + (self._width / 2.0)
         
     def setCenterX(self,new_centerx):
         self._left = float(new_centerx) - (self._width / 2.0)
         
     ##
     # The Rect's horizontal center (single coordinate)
     centerx = property(
         getCenterX,
         setCenterX
     )
     
     def getBottom(self):
         return self._bottom
         
     def setBottom(self,new_bottom):
         self._bottom = float(new_bottom)
         
     ##
     # The Rect's bottom edge (single coordinate)
     bottom = property(
         getBottom,
         setBottom
     )
     
     def getTop(self):
         return self._bottom + self._width
         
     def setTop(self,new_top):
         self._bottom = float(new_top) - self._width
         
     ##
     # The Rect's top edge (single coordinate)
     top = property(
         getTop,
         setTop
     )
     
     def getCenterY(self):
         return self._bottom + (self._width / 2.0)
         
     def setCenterY(self,new_centery):
         self._bottom = float(new_centery) - (self._width / 2.0)
         
     ##
     # The Rect's vertical center (single coordinate)
     centery = property(
         getCenterY,
         setCenterY
     )
     
     def getWidth(self):
         return self._width
         
     def setWidth(self,new_width):
         self._width = float(new_width)
         
     ##
     # The Rect's width
     width = property(
         getWidth,
         setWidth
     )
     
     def getHeight(self):
         return self._height
         
     def setHeight(self,new_height):
         self._height = float(new_height)
         
     ##
     # The Rect's height
     height = property(
         getHeight,
         setHeight
     )
     
     
     def getBottomLeft(self):
         return (self.left,self.bottom)
         
     def setBottomLeft(self,new_bottomleft):
         self.left,self.bottom = tuple(new_bottomleft)
         
     ##
     # The Rect's bottom-left corner
     bottomleft = property(
         getBottomLeft,
         setBottomLeft
     )
     
     def getBottomRight(self):
         return (self.right,self.bottom)
         
     def setBottomRight(self,new_bottomright):
         self.right,self.bottom = tuple(new_bottomright)
         
     ##
     # The Rect's bottom-right corner
     bottomright = property(
         getBottomRight,
         setBottomRight
     )
     
     def getTopLeft(self):
         return (self.left,self.top)
         
     def setTopLeft(self,new_topleft):
         self.left,self.top = tuple(new_topleft)
         
     ##
     # The Rect's top-left corner
     topleft = property(
         getTopLeft,
         setTopLeft
     )
     
     def getTopRight(self):
         return (self.right,self.top)
         
     def setTopRight(self,new_topright):
         self.right,self.top = tuple(new_topright)
         
     ##
     # The Rect's top-right corner
     topright = property(
         getTopRight,
         setTopRight
     )
     
     def getMidLeft(self):
         return (self.left,self.centery)
         
     def setMidLeft(self,new_midleft):
         self.left,self.centery = tuple(new_midleft)
         
     ##
     # The midpoint of the Rect's left edge
     midleft = property(
         getMidLeft,
         setMidLeft
     )
     
     def getMidRight(self):
         return (self.right,self.centery)
         
     def setMidRight(self,new_midright):
         self.right,self.centery = tuple(new_midright)
         
     ##
     # The midpoint of the Rect's right edge
     midright = property(
         getMidRight,
         setMidRight
     )
     
     def getMidBottom(self):
         return (self.centerx,self.bottom)
         
     def setMidBottom(self,new_midbottom):
         self.centerx,self.bottom = tuple(new_midbottom)
         
     ##
     # The midpoint of the Rect's bottom edge
     midbottom = property(
         getMidBottom,
         setMidBottom
     )
     
     def getMidTop(self):
         return (self.centerx,self.top)
         
     def setMidTop(self,new_midtop):
         self.centerx,self.top = tuple(new_midtop)
         
     ##
     # The midpoint of the Rect's top edge
     midtop = property(
         getMidTop,
         setMidTop
     )
     
     def getCenter(self):
         return (self.centerx,self.centery)
         
     def setCenter(self,new_center):
         self.centerx,self.centery = tuple(new_center)
     ##
     # The Rect's center point
     center = property(
         getCenter,
         setCenter
     )
     
     def getSize(self):
         return (self.width,self.height)
         
     def setSize(self,new_size):
         self.width,self.height = tuple(new_size)
         
     ##
     # The Rect's size
     size = property(
         getSize,
         setSize
     )
     
     
     ##
     # Check whether the caller overlaps another Rect
     #
     # @param other The Rect to check for an overlap with
     #
     # @return Whether the caller overlaps with \e other
     #
     # \note If \e other is not a Rect, then this method
     #       will attempt to construct a Rect using \e other
     #
     def overlap(self,other):
         if not isinstance(other,Rect):
             other = Rect(other)
             
         
         coll_x, coll_y = True, True
         
         coll_x = coll_x and self.left  <= other.right
         coll_x = coll_x and other.left <= self.right
         
         coll_y = coll_y and self.bottom  <= other.top
         coll_y = coll_y and other.bottom <= self.top
         
         return coll_x and coll_y
         
     
     
 
 
 

My Dude – No Texture Yet, Though

I made a model of the protagonist for my game. It doesn’t have a texture yet (hand-drawing in blender!) but it is shaped the way I want it.

Here’s a render:

Glyde, with no texture

238 polygons of untextured, partially rigged glory

End Goals – Promises to Myself

So… Toward the end of the first day. I have a player model with no texture that is only partly skinned. It is displayed on the screen, but it’s not attached to an entity yet.

I have an entity class that holds a model and a hitbox and an actor class that extends it with movement. I have a world that holds entities and a scene that holds a world. I have several utility functions, as well. I also have a data manager that can load models (animated or static) with specific textures.

I have a base application class that can resize its window and update the current scene.

Here’s my promise: I will make this into a game, no matter what. I’m in the jam, so I have a little over two more days.

Here’s what I promise:

  • Complete player model with crappy hand-painted texture and basic animations
  • A player character who can run and jump
  • Terrain that the player can move around in
  • At least three rooms to move through

I am dedicated to producing those things at this point. Everything beyond that is speculation. I will make this into a game, even if it’s a very simple one.

Peace, love, and Sekhmet’s blessings,

— Henry

Argh! Performance Issues!

Well, as it turns out, my netbook’s graphics card’s lack of Linux support has doomed my entry from the start.

I’m really upset about it.

So here’s what I’m going to do: I’ll think of something for tomorrow and do it as a jam entry. It won’t be pretty, but it’ll be a game.

Until then, I’m out. Not forfeiting, not quitting, but letting this game go for now.

I’ll post again in the morning.

Peace, love, and another day’s fight,

— Henry

Playing with Stencyl – A Practice Game

I’ve been playing with Stencyl in the past few days, and I’ve decided that I will make a practice game.

I decided to check out Stencyl because I’ve thought for a long time that I don’t like point ‘n click game development tools. After trying Stencyl, I’ve decided that I was wrong; Stencyl is loads of fun!

So, the practice game.

The premise is this: Two adventurers are delving into a dungeon to defeat a dragon. You switch between the two and try to get both to the exit of each level. The character you aren’t using at the moment is guided by AI and you can give commands to the other character, as well.

There are two characters: A guy who can throw things and a girl who can wall-jump. They are used together to solve puzzles and navigate the levels. Their abilities will factor into the final boss battle, as well. They also each have a sword and a shield.

I’m hoping to have this done by Sunday night.

Peace, love, and inspiration,

— Henry

 

(Edit: Quick spelling fix)

LD22

Ludum Dare 22 – You can Count on Me

I’m in for LD22. Absolutely.

I’ve been experimenting with JavaScript, which will likely be my tool of choice. I will need to find a place for hosting JavaScript apps, though… :/

That being said, I’m in. Absolutely.

Comments

21. Nov 2011 · 21:24 UTC
You can always host it on Dropbox if needed

Something Ambitious for LD22…

I’ve recently been playing with Processing and will probably use it for LD22.

I have an ambitious plan, you see…

I’m going to try to make microgames. My initial goal is 4-5, but if that doesn’t take too long, I’ll keep making them.

I’m going to enter the jam to give myself more time, as I’m not sure how long it will take me to make these.

The microgames themselves will be similar to those in the WarioWare series or the Five Second Frenzy/Fury/Firestorm trilogy. Each will have a short duration and a single, stated objective. I’m hoping it goes well.

Peace, love, and a single, stated objective,

– Henry

Comments

04. Dec 2011 · 12:46 UTC
Just wanted to let you know that your plan is indeed possible :), I did it on last ludum dare 😀

Warmup, you say?

I’m up for a warmup jam. Count me in!

I’ll make some kind of dirt-simple game, probably using Processing so that I can get familiar with it.

Expect something along the lines of “go get the item” or “avoid the thing” rather than an epic thing.

Peace, love, and minimalism,

– Henry