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[AdamButcher]

UPDATE 24/11/08

So I finished my first ever TIGS compo entry.



"Planets Form'd" is an abstract top-down horror explore-em-up, with a (hopefully) gripping and original storyline.

Latest Version: http://www.adam-butcher.co.uk/works/interactive/planets-formd
Windows OS only I'm afraid.

I was kind of experimenting with making a game/short story/short film all rolled in to one, and I'm pretty happy with the result. Let me know what you think! Hope you finish it!

PS. Sorry it's such a big filesize- it's a lot easier for me if MMF plays wavs rather than mp3s.

FIXES: 30/11/08
-Made the end portals more obvious
-Fixed some faults with the installer
-Made the controls better: same acceleration but you come to a stop instantly

19/10/08
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Hey all,

I was unhealthily inspired by the competeition theme and thought I'd make my first TIGS compo entry. Unfortunately, I didn't check to see whether my chosen Commonplace Fragment had been grabbed by someone else, so, like chutup, I am working with:

201. Planets form'd of invisible matter

Sorry about the doubling up, but I'd already made considerable progress with the engine so it would be foolish to stop now.

My game will be a kind of abstract top-down horror explore-em-up. It's going to be my first simple arty game, very short but with a (hopefully) engaging narrative.

I like to keep things secret. Will let you know when it's done.

[William Broom]

Cool! There shouldn't be a problem about doubling up since yours is top down and mine is sidescrolling.

[AdamButcher]

Is it finished? It is!

[brog]

I really like the concept and the feel of it.

But I couldn't make it past the first screen.  The controls are a bit too fiddly for me, I died several times when I thought I'd decelerated to a stop but actually I was still moving slowly.  My main problem though, is that there's no clear sense of goal or direction.  This might be something you wouldn't have picked up, because as the designer you will always know where the goal of the levels were.  I felt like I'd explored everywhere there was to go in the first level (although I couldn't be completely sure because my map kept getting reset) and there was no obvious direction to be headed in.  If the map didn't get reset this probably wouldn't be a problem, because I'd be able to see anywhere I hadn't explored and check there.  As it was, I didn't know where to go so I gave up.
I hope there's something you can do about this because I'd like to play it some more.

Also, the installer tried putting it in C:\"Planets Form'd" which is invalid for one reason or another - not sure if it's the ' or the "s.

[AdamButcher]

Ah yes I can see how the goal thing would be a problem- although my two play-testers seemed to find them ok.

Try looking for something that makes your yellow dust behave strangely, it's in the big area after the first tunnel. I could make the effect more obvious, but that'd remove the subtelty. When you find it, let me know what you think.

As for controls...I guess I didn't mind em! Could make it so it's on/off speed wise?

[Zaratustra]

can't find file 'kcfile.cox'

[AdamButcher]

Never seen that error before on an MMF game...

Here, try this attached file. http://willhostforfood.com/?Action=download&fileid=42341

Put it in the same directory as the game? Or system?

(Clearly I'll have to update the installer soon)

[brog]

Okay, I finished the game.  I think that effect could do with being just a little bit less subtle, so you're more likely to notice it when you don't know what you're supposed to be looking for.

Second to last level got a bit frustrating too.  Getting sent back to the start is grr.

Still, overall it's pretty cool, I liked it.

[agj]

Dammit. Too frustrating. The controls, the barely visible specks of dust (I didn't even realize it was spitting them at first, because I couldn't see them), the wiping out of the dust every so often. I'm squinting at all times.

Oh well, I got all that off my chest. Sorry. I love its aesthetics, you did an awesome job. I was able to beat the first level (only thanks to the clue you provided here), and when I realized what the 'level' was about, it was a great 'oh!' moment. It looks like this is great stuff, just... too punishing.

[AdamButcher]

Well, it sounds like you need to turn up the colour contrast or something on your screen- the dust should be pretty visible.

As for controls- I'm considering changing it...

[agj]

My screen is pretty decently calibrated, since I work with graphics. :( But now that I think about it, it could be LCD ghosting, rather than contrast, what's causing the problem.

[Sparky]

It's nice to see you and Chutup handling the similarity of your entries in such an amicable fashion. I think the partial overlap is good, if anything. It's been  interesting to see two people's approaches to a similar idea. Cheers!

About the controls: I thought the movement speed and player size were a good fit for the tight, winding passages. I like the general idea of having a somewhat drifty, potentially dangerous movement system in a game where the walls can kill you. I also think being able to move backward while firing worked well. I'm not sold on the particular system you chose, though. It seemed a bit arbitrary.

[AdamButcher]

Hey guys,

Tried to fix some of the problems you mentioned, thanks for the feedback. Just a little after the deadline...

See details above

[Melly]

Oh man, this is fantastic.

My favorite of the compo so far. It's so atmospheric, especially in its simplicity.

I'm not sure if there is an alternate ending. I'll try it now.

Getting my vote for sure.

Edit: Yeah, I don't think there is an alternate ending. Maybe.

[scytos]

Amazing.

I agree with Melly, you managed to make a simple game with almost no graphics but with a very nice atmosphere, using only sounds and shapes you have to discover. The story is very Lovecraftian, I liked it. I had predicted the ending the level before, but not in the way you implemented it, which I thought was quite clever. I did spend a good time searching for the exit in the first level though, it's not very obvious, especially because the cave is big (in the other levels it's just at the end of the maze). Also, this game is quite hard, but I think "hard" fits with this game, so that's ok.

Excellent work.