The Duellists: Alpha 2

Sep02
by Jay on September 2, 2013 at 4:32 am
Posted In: Uncategorized

Here we go, the all-singing, all-blastin’ update number 2.

screen_duel_nu4

Play it in your Web Browser (Google Chrome and a reasonably decent computer preferred)
Download 3MB .ZIP for Windows (for slower computers and offline play)

I didn’t get to cover quite all the fixes and updates I’d planned due to being sick as a dog over the weekend, but there should still be some fun stuff to get to grips with. It’s essentially the same game with the same content as the LD entry, just given a major overhaul in every department. Here’s the stuff that actually made it in:

  • Updated graphics, lots left to do but you get the idea.
  • Hugely revamped PC AI, should now pose more of a challenge and be more fun to play against.
  • Rebalanced Normal difficulty for more challenge, added easier and harder modes too. Hard more (AKA “Let ‘Em Eat Lead”) will probably kick your butt : p
  • Bullets can now be shot out of the air! (not easily though)
  • The seemingly “random” weapon scatter has been redone. While the calculations are similar, the deviation of shots are now shown in the character’s arm movements and smoothed a little, so you’ll shoot exactly where you’re pointing.
  • You’re now at extremely high risk of a Misfire if you attempt a shot with a red crosshair (not in easy mode).
  • Added a few bits & pieces of a possible soundtrack.
  • Added some new sound effects. It’s all a bit of a mishmash for now and subject to change, but it’s getting there.
  • Added the beginning of the point system, but not the proper scoring yet.
  • Added options to set fullscreen, scanlines, sound etc.

Think of this one as the baseline to build from, now the foundations are in fairly solid shape I’ll be expanding things from there. Hopefully we should have progress on the Team Career and Local Multiplayer modes pretty soon. I’ve got another couple of ideas I quite like now I think of it, but one thing at a time, yeah?

 

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Pixel Pushin’

Aug30
by Jay on August 30, 2013 at 4:03 pm
Posted In: Uncategorized

Following its surprisingly warm reception at Ludum Dare (thanks so much to everyone for such amazing feedback), I’m currently doing some further development work on the Duellists. Currently the most major change is the graphics, as I’ve decided to see what happened if I ramped up the pixel definition by 2 and removed the 16 colour limit. You can see a split-screen comparison with a current test version below:

screen_sidebyside1

I’m quite happy with how it’s turning out so far. I should have most of the graphics converted over by tonight, then it’s back to work on the gameplay. It’s looking like Sunday for the release of Alpha 2, here’s a few highlights of what to expect:

  • Rebalanced difficulty of normal mode, added a very lethal hard mode and a super-easy mode for casual play or for players with limited motor function.
  • Completely redrawn higher-definition pixel art.
  • Better visual cues for players without sound.
  • New animations for flinching/hit, cocking and firing weapons for all characters.
  • Rounds are now limited to 3 exchanges of fire before “Stalemate” is declared.
  • New health/injury system, tied into difficulty levels.
  • New scoring system, tied into Guineas, the game’s currency.
  • Graveyard fixed in the HTML5 version (fingers crossed).
  • Some new sound effects and soundtrack work.
  • Hopefully some other cool stuff.

In case you’re wondering about the currency, it’s just video game play money. I don’t sell virtual currency and I don’t believe in IAP bullshit either. A scoring system based on betting Guineas just seemed to fit with the theme.

Regarding multiplayer, local multi will be coming soon, not this update but maybe the next. Online is going to be much more of a pain but I know there’s quite a few people who’d like to see it so I’ll see what I can do. There’s also going to be an android port (probably for alpha 3) once I get a control system sorted out.

If you have any comments or feedback, as always I’d love to hear it. I want to try and make this as good a game as I can, and every little helps.

 

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Pistols at Dawn

Aug26
by Jay on August 26, 2013 at 10:43 am
Posted In: Uncategorized

Another month, another Game Jam. August marks my first ever attempt at the Ludum Dare 48-hour design competition, and in a nice change from last month’s events, I actually met my deadline this time.

So here’s a new mini-game for you all, a tale of two shady Generals and their ten trusty Seconds, otherwise known as The Duellists.

screen_duel4

More info and a proper game page to come soon, but for the time being you can grab it from GameJolt in both downloadable and web versions. Hope you like it : )

 

 

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GemHEX Beta 2 Update

Jul14
by Jay on July 14, 2013 at 5:39 pm
Posted In: gamedev

select_set_bgTime for the second and final beta test release before the finished version, to hopefully iron out the last of the kinks and give you nice people a slightly slicker and more intelligible version to toy around with. Hope you enjoy it : )

Changelist:

  • Added all-new interactive tutorial to ease that learning curve a little.
  • Added end-of-set score bonuses, victory screen and hiscore saving.
  • Added another ten levels, bringing the total to 30.
  • Further soundtrack work, with a third gameplay track and an end-of-set “victory” track.
  • Gems on the right panel now glow when matched, as a visual aid.
  • Editor tweaks: right-clicking “next” or “previous” jumps between sets.

Download beta 2 (17.9 MB ZIP)

gemHEX info page :: level editing guide

We’re definitely approaching the home stretch at this point. Just need to finish the last of the levels, finish off the last bit of art and animation work and do the last round of voice recording and we’ll be all set. I should be on track for a final release by this time next week.

 

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gemHEX Beta 1 release!

Jul08
by Jay on July 8, 2013 at 3:43 pm
Posted In: Uncategorized

As my current game project’s found itself in a playable state at last, I’ve uploaded a beta version to the site for you to check out. Grab it by following the weirdo banner to your right, or alternatively right here. Just a windows download for now, but the Android port’s not far behind.

As I work on polishing off gemHEX, I’ll be starting work on the next project, inspired by another classic puzzler. And now I’ve got the theme song from that stuck in my head. Tremendous.

I’ve also updated the games page with a few details on past projects and prototypes, with downloads to follow later, maybe. It’s all change around these parts.

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