Game
Hensen Hopper
2 months ago

I'm going to set myself a goal to release the first beta/demo of Hensen Hopper by the end of this year. I'm going to try to use static backdrop images rather than tiles for the backgrounds in this game, which presents a bit of a challenge in one aspect...


Tile-based design worked really well for Deathly Descent because the levels themselves are large and varied. In that case, I needed the kind of modularity that comes with a tile-based workflow.

This is unnecessary for Hensen Hopper because the player moves in a very limited space, the camera focuses at one point in the scene, and I don't plan for there to be many unique maps. For this reason, it's probably optimal to use a backdrop image for the level, this will also allow me greater control over what is placed where in the scene.

The only hiccup I can foresee will be the fact I can't simply slap this backdrop into the GUI as a panel, I'll need to place it below Hensen and the enemies in the scene which means I'll ALSO need to figure out a way to scale the image according to the display resolution so, no matter what resolution and aspect ratio the player is using, the backdrop is placed optimally.

Figuring out how I'll do this might actually be worth the time I have left before I need to get ready for work. I DO have a backdrop script already that handles the backdrop change between the profile selection menu and other menus in the main menu scene. I suppose re-analyzing that script and seeing whether I could adapt that to handle backdrop scaling iff the backdrop isn't under the GUI canvas would be a good start.

To Do Before The Demo/Beta:

  • Figure out how I'll handle backdrop scaling (on it!)

  • Draw a backdrop for the main scene

  • Create button art for the main menu buttons

  • Search for a good font for the main menu buttons and in-game text

  • Add collision animation and sound effects for enemy bullets

  • Enemy and player defeat animation

  • Build interactive pause and death screen menus

Game Dev
Game Dev General
3D-2D games 2dgames
Indie Game general
2


0 comments

Loading...

Next up

I've gotten the defeat animation for the enemies in this game working! Next thing I need is a good sound to complete the effect. I quite like this animation as-is but I'll probably tweak it post-beta. The first beta should be out by new years day!

Very small change, but I added a darker-green border to the edge where the grass meets the dirt. I think this gives a bit more definition to the transition between the two zones.

I spent a really long time on this, I've been here since literally 3 in the morning (it's 7AM as I type) but I really like how it came out!!! The backdrop I had done before didn't feel like it fit with the aesthetic so I re-did it completely.

Our 2024 Advent Calendar has opened! Day 28: @Silentfaith is a great Creator and comic artist who also codes fan games! Accept the quest and give them a follow to get Coins and a seasonal sticker!

I don't know how well you can see it in this video, but I've coded a dashing mechanic for Hensen Hopper! I plan to have dashing consume a "dash charge," a kind of ammo you can get as you play in the form of enemy drops.

Happy #WIPWednesday!

Are you working on a game?

Making some art?

Practicing a song?

Something else?

Tell us in the comments!

Working on getting the itch page for Hensen Hopper set up which means creating a separate cover image for the game on itch (different aspect ratio there). I want to publish that with first beta build of the game so I DO need to get a move on with it.

It's kinda incredible how much simply changing the text font(s) will, by itself, complete the aesthetic of a game, especially in the menus.

I love TextMesh Pro so much!

Happy #WIPWednesday!

Are you working on a game?

Making some art?

Practicing a song?

Something else?

Tell us in the comments!

The new heal-up drop in Hensen Hopper. May not be a cameo of something in one of my earlier games like I may or may not have directly stated I was going to make it in a post I made the other day.