Status Report: Game Progress

Progress is happening on the Python game. It feels like I am making slow progress, but I forget that I just started this on the 15th of March. So, it has only been 2 weeks. Here is what it looks like right now:

There are animations, levels, a new tileset, new Python functions that interface with the game, layout improvements to the editor and python runtime improvements.

I am working on improving my pixel art skills by watching some tutorials and practicing.

My daughter likes to help me with the art too. Here is a picture of her cat that I "have" to put in the game.

What went well?

I was able to get Tiled to work well for creating levels. I have used this application for years on different projects. It is a great tool and is still actively developed.

Tiled is just for laying out the levels and not for making the art. Thankfully, I found that Aseprite has some new tile map beta features that I was able to use to make the art for the levels more easily.

It is also great to see Aseprite is still being actively developed.

I used both of these tools 7 years ago to make a 4-player space game using Love2D and I even used Tiled 13 years ago to publish an iPhone game. I, unfortunately, can't find a picture of that at the moment.

What did I struggle with?

There are a lot of helpful pixel art tutorials on Youtube, almost too many to choose from. Pixel art does take a lot of time so I have to be careful not to spend too much time on it.

Had to move a some of code I had written in Python into Javascript to make things work better. My Javascript skills are not as good as my Python skills, and I was struggling a bit, but then I remember I have Github Copilot to help me.

Google has seen fit to cancel the Google Code Jam competition after 20 years. I had been participating in the competition for many years. It's disappointing to see a competition like this go away when it creates so much excitement and learning opportunities for so many people. Thanks Google.

Things I used and discovered

  • Tiled - This is a great tool for laying out levels. I used it to make the levels for the game.
  • Aseprite - This is a great tool for making pixel art. I used it to make the art for the levels.
  • Love2D - This is a game engine that I used to make a 4-player space game 7 years ago.
  • Youtube pixel art videos: Brandon James Greer, AdamCYounis, and Pixel Pete
  • Copilot - GPT-3 powered code completion. I used this to help me write code.
  • Killed by Google - A list of products that Google has killed over the years.

How am I feeling?

Next week is spring break, so I am going to step away from the computer for a few days. I may try to do some concept art for the game and more brainstorming, but I think it will be good to take a break from what I have currently been working on and think more about what I want it to be. I still don't know exactly who it is for or who would want to pay for it, but it's fun to work on.