Dev Log 1

I have decided that whenever I make a dev log post on the game's discord server, I will also post it here!

Dev Log 1 - The prototype launch

Today will mark my first dev log as releasing the combat prototype was the first true goal for my development with Descent to the Future. I needed to get a project from start to finish out there and what better project to do than a combat prototype. That is until I realized that scope is a hilarious aspect and not really something you can grasp until you begin to actually work on a project. I had hilarious ambitions of making multiple floors with a dozen or so enemies, multiple bosses, several weapon types, and more. However, my inexperience had gotten the better of me...

I wasn't prepared for the large scope from the beginning and the amount of refactoring necessary to keep moving forward with that idea was astounding to the point where I had two options: Push back the release of the project which was going to be more of a demo or pull back the scale and start with a simple prototype and keep my original March 1st deadline I had assigned - I knew how important it was to get something finished and published, I needed that feedback.

So with the scale drawn back a TON, I decided to focus on the core gameplay loop of the sword combat, because if I can get that refined well enough, when I want to start adding the unique mechanics to the game, I wont have to worry about the sword combat as well. I do have lots of plans to improve how the player feels, including things such as jumping/jumping attacks, charge attacks, and a few more things, however those will come with the next release, which should be an actual gameplay demo, however that will take a lot of time.

My first main goal will be the creation of a proper Game Design Document(GDD) and to start planning everything out using my sword prototype as a guide for myself to prepare for the larger scope. After the GDD is done I will then have to finally make the decision if I want to stick with pixel art or move to vector art. I still want to do 2D art, however pixel art is an EXTREMELY time consuming process, especially when you're trying to have animations with more than just a couple sprite frames. However my large reluctance with vector art is my hands shake a bit, so straight lines are very difficult. 

Anyway, I hope everyone enjoys the combat prototype to Descent to the Future!

As an added bonus here on Itch, THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who viewed and played my game, day 1 we broke 100 views and had over 30 plays. It means the world to me that so many of you considered to try my prototype!