next »

[Ninja Dodo]

I may have spoken too soon with the 30 fps... or maybe I did something to slow down my PC, or both! In any case, further optimization proved necessary and some adjustments to both rocks and particles seem to have done the trick.

Here's the latest update:

http://www.ninjadodo.net/temp/guppy/guppy_v23_1.zip

[Ninja Dodo]

Couple more tweaks:

http://www.ninjadodo.net/temp/guppy/guppy_v23_2.zip

Optimization and minor changes to particles and rocks. Also decreased the zoom out range for 2P co-op a bit.

[Ninja Dodo]

New version:

http://www.ninjadodo.net/temp/guppy/guppy_v24.zip

I've had some useful feedback recently which (among other things) suggested players were getting eaten before learning the controls.

Previously the first predator only appeared after one minute unless you score a point... Since this proved insufficient, I've taken out the 1-minute spawn so now there are NO predators until you've mastered the controls enough to pick up a fly (on first playthrough, ie hiscore lower than 2).

Added lilies in the first level so it's easier to hide from predators and I made the hitbox on flies bigger so it's easier to grab them.

I had previously created split-screen for co-op if players separated too far, but had taken it out (in version 13) because I wasn't happy with it. I assumed players would just stick together and zooming out to 1024 would be enough...

Based on some recent player feedback that seems to have been a foolish assumption, so I put it back with some tweaks to smooth the transition, plus the player higher in the level gets the top screen and the other the lower.

Works better now.

Also the second player is now a light shade of grey to avoid confusion.

[Ninja Dodo]

I created an Indie DB profile for Guppy. Updates will still go here first, but it's another way to track it.

[Ninja Dodo]

I've been experimenting a bit with some water-colour backgrounds:



I think this could work with some nice parallax...

[sabajt]

glad to see you're still working on this, your games are always interesting.  keep experimenting with the water color!  looks good so far and i'd love to see this turn into a full featured game even if that just means filling out the backgrounds

[Ninja Dodo]

I make up for my lack of speed with persistence.

I haven't done much with this project lately, but I haven't abandoned it by any means. I'm experimenting with backgrounds and sound effects, and I'm working with a friend on getting music in there as well (later).

I have more ideas for Guppy that I may still implement, but it depends on time and inclination. I can promise at least one update very soon though.

... and thanks! I was on the fence about the backgrounds, so it's good to get some feedback on that.

[Ninja Dodo]

New version:

http://www.ninjadodo.net/temp/guppy/guppy_v25.zip

- added pause button (P)

- added backgrounds (with parallax)

- added scoring for LOST and BUBBLES

- MENU now shows hi-scores under mode names

- FOLLOW: removed starting predator (until 1st point)

- improved camera hand-over from split- to single screen.

- other tweaks and fixes


Removing the starting predator in Follow means this mode is a little less unfair until you score your first point (by surviving one minute), but it's still arguably the most difficult since once predators start arriving (one every point) you have to both evade them AND keep up with the big fish, with few lilies around to hide under.

For the next version I'll try to have sound.

[Ninja Dodo]

Since the visuals have changed a bit recently I made

. This is also a small preview of where the music for the game is going. Though the game has no sound yet, it will soon...

As I was capturing I ran into an error in "Follow" mode I'd missed in the last round of testing so I uploaded a quick fix for that as well:

http://www.ninjadodo.net/temp/guppy/guppy_v25_1.zip

[Ninja Dodo]

Another minor update (tweaks and fixes):

http://www.ninjadodo.net/temp/guppy/guppy_v25_2.zip

[Ninja Dodo]

Small update:

Download: http://www.ninjadodo.net/temp/guppy/guppy_v26_1.zip

I've ported the game from GM 8.0 to Studio and made a few adjustments, the most significant removing LOST-mode. It was not working in its current form and while I have some ideas on how it could work, they would require a lot more time do properly so for now it's out. I've moved BUBBLES-mode to where LOST was in the Menu Cave and closed the lower right tunnel.

Also posted it on Steam Workshop.

[Ninja Dodo]

Tiniest of updates:

http://www.ninjadodo.net/temp/guppy/guppy_v26_3.zip


v26.3

- re-did LEFT/RIGHT button prompt

- remove player now on DELETE key


v26.2

- optimization

- re-enabled pause

- LEFT-CLICK makes LEFT/RIGHT key hint appear (browser)

- moved ripple & food to SHIFT + CLICK


Also: made a HTML5 version.

[Goran]

Still one of my favorite games. More updates please!

[Ninja Dodo]

Another update.

I'm adding music to Guppy! Here's a preview:

[Ninja Dodo]

There's also this:



I'm trying this out since Studio allows exporting to Linux.

I have a version working on Ubuntu 12.04 virtual machine, though a friend was unable to get it to run on Debian, which is not encouraging. I may have to just wait for YoYo Games to improve Linux support for this to be viable as there's not much I can do on my side to increase compatibility, other than submit bug reports.

Still, it's kinda neat that it works at all.

[Ninja Dodo]

Aaaaand, it's done.



Version 27

- added dynamic music by Kejero

- main menu, options, credits

- custom resolution (fixed height, but enables diff aspect ratios)

- bunch of other tweaks

Download: http://www.ninjadodo.net/temp/guppy/guppy_v27.zip (Windows)

It's been mostly finished for a while, but I didn't want to release it without music and sound. I added basic sfx for ripples and such, but the music took a bit more work. Kejero created a set of layers which I integrated so they adapt to context, like whether other fish are close or if you're being hunted by a predator. Really happy with how it turned out.

Also, I released the game on Android!



I've been experimenting with porting to different platforms for a while, but mostly this one. Even though it was originally developed for PC I found the left and right alternating worked surprisingly well with a touch interface.

If you get a chance to try it let me know what you think.

There's some stuff in the Windows version that's not in the Android version, like 2 player co-op and the different game modes (Follow, Bubbles, the Menu Cave). I'm considering adding the other modes to Android later - not going to rule out minor tweaks or updates - but for now they're out.

And with that I'm wrapping this up.

[Ninja Dodo]

Here is the Linux version if anyone's interested in trying it out:

http://ninjadodo.net/temp/guppy/guptest141213_ubuntu.zip

I've tested it on virtual Ubuntu 12.04.3. It does not work on Debian ("GLIBC_2.15 not found" apparently) but since Debian is not officially supported by Game Maker Studio this is not unexpected (also it didn't work last time). It's possible future updates will be more widely compatible.

[edit: further tests suggest it works for most people]

[Ninja Dodo]

Minor update

Download:

Windows: http://www.ninjadodo.net/temp/guppy/guppy_v27_1_win.zip

Linux: http://www.ninjadodo.net/temp/guppy/guppy_v27_1_ubuntu.zip

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.ninjadodo.guppy

Added gamepad support (L1/R1, Triggers, or dual analog) and music now adapts to player 2. Gamepad support is Windows + Android only as I'm having trouble testing it on Ubuntu.  Might work if you have it set up correctly.

I've also released the game on itch.io. If you want to support Guppy but don't care for Google Play, Samsung or Amazon, get it there.

[Ninja Dodo]

Also HTML5 version finally works properly in Chrome: http://gamejolt.com/games/arcade/guppy/13182/

[Ninja Dodo]

In addition to Game Jolt, HTML5 version is now on Kongregate. The disparity in ratings is interesting.

If you follow me on twitter (@ninjadodo) you might already know that I am also looking into porting Guppy to the Mac. It has been somewhat of a laborious process getting it set up, being previously unfamiliar with Apple hardware, but it seems to be working.



In other news: Guppy is now on Steam Greenlight. I'm putting it up there mainly to see what the reaction is. If this is something you would like to see on Steam, please upvote. So far it's 483 yes out of 2500 or so, 82 ask later and largely positive comments.

Given that the Windows and Linux version of Guppy have thus far been free, I am on the fence about whether a (possible) Steam version should be paid or free. If I were to add a price (similar to the Android version) I would make a few improvements and minor additions.