Whoo lordy have I missed working on the game! After a long 3+ week vacation, it feels so good to return to work. Just in this one day back on the job, I've been able to do quite a bit that I'm so excited to share with you!

Recent developments and changes

• After receiving some good feedback about the game from the testers, it has been decided that the Immunity ability will be replaced by an ability called Transform. This ability's cost and time span has not been determined yet, but here's out it goes. The ability is simple; in a tight spot and a narrow window? Use Transform to shrink yourself to a third of your size and squeeze through those tiny cracks. (I should really make a 70's TV ad video like that. Hey, good trailer idea) To see how it works, you can see a quick video showing briefly how it works and what it looks like. Find the video on our Twitter.
• Level creation has been halted as I sort out GUI and the works. This will continue once I sort out more of what I need from Steam and figure out more compatibility for a level editor.
• The music system has been smoothed out more and that annoying button has been moved to a separate menu. That menu will soon be the settings menu. The music system will also be smoothed out to allow a playlist of in-game tracks. I do not think adding your own music to play in the game will be an option right now.
• A really cool game mode idea has come up where the clock isn't for individual levels, but for a whole run. For you speedrunners, you can race to see how quickly and efficiently you can complete the whole game. As to when this will be implemented, I'm not sure right now, but the idea is so good that I can't possibly pass it up. If I have to implement it after the game's initial release, then so be it.
• The UI is slowly being converted into a GUI. Here's a chunk of the UI we have so far. Only the top bar is done for now as I'm still working on assets for the bottom with the abilities and whatnot. The Dust counter has also been moved to the bottom of the screen. You'll see once I finish the GUI within the next few days so keep posted on Twitter about that. The art assets aren't quite final yet, but will slowly be smoothed out and perfected.
• Speaking of level editors, I'm not sure when it will be completed. It has been pushed to the bottom of my list for now to create, but the game is being setup to be compatible, one piece at a time. As promised before, if it needs to be made post-release, then so be it and I will roll out free updates of fresh levels or community levels.
• Finally, it is possible that some key things in the game, such as abilities and Dust (specifically Dust) will be seeing some renaming to fit more in the scope of the game. Somethings may be renamed, somethings may not, or the whole name of the game could change. (not that major) Just looking into some tweaks.

Overall, quite a lot has happened and I'm really proud with the direction of the game. Just need to smooth some more wrinkles and implement some more key stuff, but I think nailing this out to be done will be a fantastic achievement. I really do have to take a minute and thank all of you supporting the game, helping out, giving feedback, and rooting for me. It really feels awesome to know that I can deliver a product for you all that you're all excited about. Even something as simple as adding the game to your wishlists or keeping up with forum posts or just liking forum posts make me really happy. I've been monitoring the interest of the game and I am so happy with what I'm seeing that I truly can't wait for release. You all have been great and look forward to getting this game into your hands. Keep posted on my Twitter or the Templarius Games Studios Twitter for updated information in realtime.

[ 2017-08-01 08:49:42 CET ] [ Original post ]