Eventuality

This was my first game ever, and my first step into real programming. Before this, I had minimal Python experience making basic automation software for my day job.

I created this for the Pirate Software - Game Jam 14 and finished up just 19 hours before the deadline. Since this was the very first Game Jam I’d ever looked in, let alone competed in as the concept was unknown to me, I was super pumped that I managed to submit anything playable by the end.

It was a basic Sci-Fi Shooter, where the goal was to eliminate 5 “Elite” ships to win. There are a couple randomised upgrades and 2 fire modes for the Players ship.

This was developed in GameMaker Studio 2 due to the simplistic nature of the game and the fact I already knew I wanted something 2D. I didn’t want to choose a language first, but rather choose the right language for the job I wanted to complete. Primarily I did this because either way I’ll be learning a new language and which one that was didn’t matter.

Art was, and continues to be, a challenge for me as I’m the furthest thing from an Artist you could imagine. I resorted to free assets primarily, and some basics my sister generously provided for me.

Shadowscape

Created for the Pirate Software - Game Jam 15, the theme being a dual theme of “Shadows / Alchemy”.

This theme was a little tricky at first, Shadows is easy enough but Alchemy threw a bit of a wrench. I knew I didn’t want to do what I assumed most other competitors would do - focus on “Potion” Alchemy. Instead, I wanted to include a sprinkle of Transmutation instead that’s not related to the Potioncraft-esque vibe you’d imagine with a theme like Alchemy.

As such, I made ‘Shadowscape’ an RTS based in a Shadow plane of existence that a careless Wizard journeyed into. The story is light and used primarily to explain the themes.

The Gameplay for Shadowscape is your traditional old-school RTS. As Warcraft/Warcraft 2 and Starcraft were my favourite RTS games growing up, I took heavy inspiration from them in creating a simple, quick, and contained experience. The Player simply must escape before the 30 minute mission timer is up. If the timer elapses, the Player fails. If the Player’s HQ is destroyed, the Player fails.

The Alchemy came into play as the player must transmute Magma and Crystals into Anti-matter to fuel the Magic required to create a Portal out of the Shadowscape.

To stay on theme, I also made the buildings “Summoned” into Existence using a building node system. This allows the Player a bit of freedom with buildings, but what the Player must do to win is fairly predictable - creating a small tailored experience of a game.