So this is my Post-Mortem for my LD32 compo game REVENGE OF THE CLONES
The Concept
I actually came up with the idea before the compo started (THOUGHT CRIME), I’d looked at the top 4 entries and tried to think what I’d do for each of them. My first idea was for Companion, it was going to be a meadow running simulator where you ran through a field with a partner but with obstacles like buzzsaws that would separate you, somewhat violently. I thought unconventional weapon was a bit rubbish to be honest but then I hit on the idea for Revenge of the Clones. What if you made a platformer where you can’t jump? What if instead of jumping you created an exact copy of yourself and propelled that forward instead? What would happen to your last copy? The more I thought about it the more I liked this idea and, luckily for me, that’s the theme we got!
So Revenge of the Clones is a platform game where instead of jumping you fire a gun that creates an exact copy of yourself and propels that forward, like a jump! Your old clones will then attack you (and each other) so you better distance yourself from them quickly! Later levels include switches you must get your clones to step on.
What went right
I think the concept is a good un! I’d never done a platformer before either so that was interesting. The concept allowed a pretty open ended scope to how many levels I would actually have, once I’d actually got the basics down i could make levels easily. The last level for example was made about 2 hours before submission on a whim because I thought I needed an end point! It’s a lot harder than the previous levels but I enjoyed doing the ending and think it’s one of the best things about the game!
Animations were also a big plus, I’m not great at art but I used Spriter to bone up my guy which let me create animations quickly and easily and import them to Unity:
I used a program called ‘Gif Screen Recorder’ that allowed me to have regular updates to Twitter too which was good since I’d organised a group of Ludum Darers and it was fun sharing what we were doing. So when I did something good I chucked it on twitter like particles:
And when I messed up that also went on twitter like this unfortunate animation mishap:
What Went Wrong
The platforming is suuuuper floaty and a bit wrong, I couldn’t change it after I’d done my initial couple of levels since I’d need to replan all the jumps! Truthfully I should’ve nailed the platforming first but I was overly enthusiastic! The collision detection on the edges is also rubbish, you often get stuck on the corners. Reading peoples feedback I’m kicking myself for not tightening it up!
THE NAME. I’d been calling it Attack of the Clones all day so just chucked ‘Revenge’ in their so George didn’t sue me but the day after I thought of all the names it could’ve had! Clone Gunman is probably my favourite.
Anyway, thanks for reading.
