Life can be quite random, ie big fluctuations in work and income. But one thing remains consistent, game dev. My blog has been very quiet this year, due to disruptions such as moving house. But I am starting to get back into the jam of making games again.
Gravity Flux AI Update
One common bit of feedback I got from Gravity Flux, was that playing the game by yourself isn’t much fun. So I thought I would add a simple AI bot game mode. Not using LLMs of course, that’s technical overkill. I am currently writing a simple AI player class that very simply follows the player and other AI bots around and shoots at enemies. Each AI has slightly different characteristics, like aggressiveness and jumpiness. It’s coming along well as you can see in the video above. I’m also going to give them speech lines to speak while in game, and if that works out ok, I might pay a voice actor, which seems a bit out of place, but could make the game feel more alive. With some luck, this next major update should be out before the end of the year! Stay tuned.
No more co-working, just adaptable schedule
I used to organise a regular in person and then online co-working session with the Tas Game Makers. That was a pretty good way of staying focused on the game and putting aside time for it. I may run another in person co-working session one day. But for now, since my availability is so random on the weekend, I’ve taken a different approach of just finding time for the next game dev session. For example I’m often, but not always, free on a Monday and Wednesday night. So I’ve been making use of those time slots. And making good progress! it doesn’t feel as structured and reliable as weekly or monthly, but it’s working okay for now. As said, I might run another in person co-working session(s). Though turnout has been extremely random, despite the regular cadence.
Other games
Wizards with Rockets has been shelved again for now. After trying to apply for a grant to pay for some time to work on it. Not to get upset about it, but the application wasn’t successful. Which is absolutely fine, because it kind of gave me some clarity for what I should be working on. Which is the low hanging fruit with higher impact, such as Gravity Flux patches. I’m also planning a new game, a narrative prequel to Wizards with Rockets, which I hope to utilise Yarn Spinner, made by a local Tasmanian game company. So that may help with a grant application, but also for getting assistance in making a (more) successful game. I’ve got a few games in the works, and planning stage. Always something to work on.
Other game related stuff
Sadly this year I won’t make MIGW due to financial reasons. I have to keep a pretty tight budget on everything. I’m guessing that next year might be more suitable. I’ll likely have a new patch for Gravity Flux out, and the rumor is there will be another Level Up Tas in 2026. So skip this year and focus on industry stuff next year. I really want to do another local game jam, any time soon, as do a few others I suspect. But, the Tas Game Makers board just seem to have difficulty finding a venue. If you want to do an online jam there are always options on itch.io for example. This is a call for help for anyone who can offer us a free venue for a game jam! Even just for the start and end.
Shout-outs
Big shout outs to to new released and upcoming games made at least partially by Tasmanians.
Lighthaze World
I’ve been following Ant’s and Radiobush’s progress for a while on the game. They have been very vocally promoting the game on social media, trade events and their Discord server, which currently has over 350 members. Anyway their game is out now, a casual/cozy 3d puzzle game. While Ant, the lead developer does not live in Tasmania, other developers do. And the game features some Tasmanian elements. WordPress doesn’t want to create an HTML embed! A link will have to do.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1747190/Lighthaze_World/
Nullstar Solus
Launceston Tas Game Member, Dean has been quite a busy game maker, where him and I released a game somehow on the same day in 2022, ShapeVS. Before that I believe he was quite active in the local gaming community, hosting various competitive gaming sessions such as Smash Bros. I’m a big fan of any kind of games that bring people together in the same room. Although perhaps the Internet has killed that a bit. Anyway, Nullstar Solus is a highly polished 2D skill-based platformer where you play as a ship that has to get through levels, akin to Super Meat Boy. My guess is it will do okay, Dean has been very on top of the whole game making process, including marketing, getting the game into the right places.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3094210/Nullstar_Solus/