Game
Hensen Hopper
5 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

OKAY, here's it ACTUALLY finished! Quite happy with how this turned out, actually! I've drawn this sprite in 3 layers, the wings, the elytra, and the body, which will make animating this thing a lot easier when I get onto doing that.

Finally working on the sprite for the beetle enemy!!! I need to get off my computer and do some stuff right now but I thought the idea of posting a headless (I haven't done the head yet) beetle screenshot was hilarious so I'm doing that first lmao.

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.

We've updated the trending section of the Game Jolt Shop! http://gamejolt.com/#shop

Snag a new avatar frame and a sticker pack or two!

Remember, every purchase supports our creators and our community!

Support creators, shop on Game Jolt! #broadcast

I drew a concept sketch of the beetle enemy based on a real-world species called the grapevine beetle. This enemy will NOT fire bullets at the player but instead moves back and forth in front of other enemies blocking your bullets from hitting them.

We have a question and we wanna know: What's the coolest easter egg you've ever seen in a game? Complete the quest and you'll get 100 Coins!

I added an animation and sound effect when the player collects the heal-up drop. In the lore, this flower is going to be Hensen's favorite food which is why the sound effect is a crunch like he's bitten into something.

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.

This week's Fan Art Friday celebrates #CronosNewDawn

Accept the quest in your quest log to get started.

GJ Pro-Tip: Not sure what to make? Check out the game's Steam page for inspo: https://bit.ly/cronos-steam

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!