This weekend I'll be entering for the first time since LD33 (on the old site!), and I'll be coming with lots of new skills and a new philosophy.

In my previous entries I would make games with lots of features, leaving the final product unpolished. This approach is not only poorly suited to game jamming, but it's also hard for people to appreciate all the features of a game that they're only going to play for a few minutes, anyway!

This time I'm going to try and focus on making a simple yet polished product, with fun as my top priority.

I'm also bringing some of my new skills to the table. I'm going to try to use Java to implement some simple web features, so look forward to that!

The technologies I'll be using: GameMaker Studio 2 FL Studio 20 Paint.net Java with Spring Boot(if I get to it). AWS to deploy my web features (again, if I get to it).

My excitement to participate again is palpable, and I look forward to seeing what everyone else creates. Good luck!

In the end, almost 70 of you played my compo entry Super Survival Ball, the true ultimate ball game, and it was met with a very positive reception that I am deeply grateful for. Here are the final judging results for it:

Not quite what I was hoping for, but I'm pleased that my best category was fun, as that was my goal.

That's not why I'm writing today, though. As those of you who played it know, I ambitiously added an online leaderboard feature that allowed for everyone who played the game to face off for the high score. And now that judging is over, it's time to recognize those extraordinary players who not only played my game, but excelled, and showed themselves to be ball game champions by scoring over 1 billion points!

Keep in mind that players were able to enter any name they wanted, so I don't know who these people are.

1. SodaKing, 10,522,729,190 | The only player with over 10 billion points is SodaKing, a true master of bouncing balls. Godspeed, SodaKing.

2. Me, 9,148,285,150 | This run was my attempt to dethrone SodaKing. I stood no chance.

3. Cae, 4,148,655,450

4. Tempii, 4,080,410,810

5. Me again, 3,274,112,780

6. TheCamel, 2,721,956,360 | This one is a friend of mine from work.

7. Zanthous, 2,225,085,980

8. Me again, 2,040,812,750 | I had to play a lot in testing, obviously.

9. Endurion, 1,325,558,680

10. Rille, 1,175,148,370

11. Tempii, 1,075,712,900

12. Tempii, 1,010,866,240

Thank you to Tempii, in particular, for playing so many times.

Those of you who think you can dethrone these champions can still play here: https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/46/super-survival-ball

In total, 53 scores were submitted. Thank you so much to everyone who played and rated, this was a great time. I hope to see all of you again in October.

I've been working on my compo entry since the theme was announced, but my internet was down so I couldn't talk much about it. It's back now so here's a screenshot and an invitation to watch the development live over at http://twitch.tv/quinn_patrick

I've never gone this hard on a Ludum Dare before. I feel like I just ran with the bulls. But my compo submission is live as of a few hours ago. I firmly believe it to be my best effort in a game jam thus far, so be sure to give it a play.

https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/47/looping-condor-3000

I can't wait to play all of your games. I will definitely be livestreaming my judging experience, hopefully starting tomorrow. Follow me on Twitch at twitch.tv/quinn_patrick to see when I go live.

I've been entering these things since I was in high school (most of my entries are on the old site), so come by my livestream and check out how I do things. Let's learn the theme and despair together!

https://www.twitch.tv/quinn_patrick

Liek if you cri everytim.

My compo entry, Brubnar the Barbarian in the Deepest Dungeon is ready to play!

https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/48/brubnar-the-barbarian-in-the-deepest-dungeon

My hot-blooded shoot 'em up about delaying the end of the level for as long as possible is finished! Give it a go!

https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/50/$284655

| | | |-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------| | | |

More of a liability, really.