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[agj]

I got this idea while reading the Commonplace Book, searching for something achievable on a short schedule. Something in one particular entry triggered my imagination, and what I make available to you here is pretty much that. I enjoy creating things just as they were conceived in my mind originally--that is, not really questioning too much if it works, if it will be well received, etc.; in general, I get a higher sense of satisfaction if it works, and if it doesn't, there's always next time. In this case, it was almost like a waking dream, and I tried to put that feeling into the game.

Don't expect a gameplay game; this is a short interactive story, if you will. It's not a text game, either! It's very brief, so I hope you enjoy the few minutes it will take you to finish it.



Download The Lake v1.0 (3.6 MB, Windows)

It's version 1.0 because I might make some fixes or improvements before the deadline, but if I don't have the time, I still consider this version finished.

It was made in Construct during most of Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, so it's a 3 day game, I guess. The music I started making before, though, and the idea had been gestating since before that, but not much else got done.

[reetva]

Good job on making something creepy. This is probably going to give me nightmares.

[george]

Brilliant intro, an intriguing rest of it.

[Gainsworthy]

Sorry folks, didn't think that would be a spoiler.

But, really, anyone else got this problem?

[increpare]

Rowing was nice. Then the boat got to... a tree? Your name appeared, and the game crashed. Anyone else got this problem?

you should probably spoilerproof that.

[Renton]

Rowing was nice. Then the boat got to... a tree? Your name appeared, and the game crashed. Anyone else got this problem?

I think that's how the game ends.

[policedanceclub]

Great job man!

[agj]

Thanks, guys. :)

problem

Could you describe what happened in detail? It sounds like you're talking about the ending, but it sounds like it might have glitched out, as well.

[bicilotti]

Very interesting game indeed.

May I ask you what software did you use to make it?

Never mind, the big C in the game icon tells me it is probably Construct...

[agj]

The first post also mentions it was made in Construct! You didn't need to brush up on your detective skills.

[bicilotti]

The first post also mentions it was made in Construct! You didn't need to brush up on your detective skills.

Touché.

[KniteBlargh]

I really enjoyed this. Good job man!

[DoctorAnus]

I feel a little underwhelmed. The game's aesthetic is very well-realized, with great graphics (although the high tones of the music might be the SLIGHTEST bit annoying), but it is so short and the oneiric elements are so few that it failed to communicate the mood intended, as far as I am concerned. I feel that I am missing something, even though I ran it three times. The tapping controls also personnally got me out of the atmosphere, and getting stuck in the dark waters wasn't very fun either.

Nevertheless, I think you display a very interesting style, and look forward to your next attempt.

[DoctorAnus]

Nicely chilling voice intro too. Good part of the reason I was disappointed (starting expectations were very high!).

[agj]

Thank you! I agree on all accounts--I just didn't have the time to make a more polished and complete game. Just a tiny bit more to discover would have been enough to me, but alas. The game is what it is.

[increpare]

I have several about this. 

Firstly, it seemed like a really worthwhile game to me, and I'm happy to have played it. 

The control mechanic, as other people commented, wasn't particularly conductive to the mood it seemed that you might want to be presenting. 

Also the physics of controlling the boat seemed a bit weird.  It felt occasionally, when I was pointing diagonally, that my boat was sliding a little? (not moving in the direction it was pointed). 

The music was a bit piercing (though I do play this on a trebley macbook).  I can't but imagine that it must have driven you mad when you were testing it (either that, or you wrote it right at the end). 

That said, the ending really caught me off guard...it was pretty-darnedly effective...

[agj]

Thanks! I'm glad it wasn't wasted time.

I don't think that the music is that bad, though the triangle wave was probably not the best option for the high pitched instrument. I believe it does depend on your speakers, as well. But eh, I'm a terrible music composer. The mechanics are SUPER BOAT ROWING SIMULATION! The boat skids around because that's what boats do, kind of. Do you think that instead of tapping, just holding would have been better? I mean holding left and right, not up and down.

[increpare]

I don't think that the music is that bad, though the triangle wave was probably not the best option for the high pitched instrument.

Cool.  I completely respect your right to stick with whatever music you think sounds best.

Do you think that instead of tapping, just holding would have been better? I mean holding left and right, not up and down.

Holding left/right for continued rowing action?  I think it would be worth testing out, for sure.

[Widget]

Also the physics of controlling the boat seemed a bit weird.  It felt occasionally, when I was pointing diagonally, that my boat was sliding a little? (not moving in the direction it was pointed).

The impression I got of the movement was that there were more possible facings for the boat than were represented by sprites. Once I cottoned on that you could be pointing in one of about 3 different directions without appearing to turn, thus producing the 'skidding' effect, I started to get the hang of it.

As for feedback, I got quite carried away with the exploration of the lake so the conclusion of the game really caught me out and left me feeling pretty spooked. Very eerie as a whole, and I think a resounding success. Not sure if I would've felt as involved with a different control mechanism but then there's already a pretty solid consensus on that front 

[PixelScum]

I pretty much echo all of the movement comments, it didn't really help the pace but all in all it was completely fantastic.