It hasn't been the greatest of starts for me for this years Giant Bomb game jam. I have spent the last week or so eagerly anticipating jumping into the fray, thinking of different design ideas for each theme that was listed and brushing up on my old Game Maker skills. I decided to "upgrade" from my Game Maker 8.0 "pro" version to Game Maker Studio, simply because from Tom Francis' videos. It was obvious that Studio was much friendlier for code n00bs like myself.

I woke up this morning in sunny old Blighty at 08:30 and the first thing I did was check on the Giant ROM 2 thread page, and was relieved to see the theme set as "What Hideo Kojima does next..." I had some pretty cool ideas for what I wanted to do with this, however best laid plans and all that.

I'll start from the beginning, as I wasn't actually home when I woke up this morning. I started the day with my girlfriend and an awesome breakfast and perhaps the single greatest suggestion from my better half in regards to the theme. I wont spoil what she suggested, as I want to incorporate it into my final game somehow. As soon as she said it though, I dropped my pen and paper that I was furiously getting my initial ideas down and laughed and instantaneously got annoyed at the fact that a) I hadn't thought of it and b) how it didn't in anyway blend with what I was thinking. We'll see how I go with that.

The day continued on with my continuing not to work on the game Jam, as I went to my girlfriend's friend's kid's birthday party. It was fun, and I got to meet some new people and talk about video games with like minded folks. I felt bad for having to leave early, due to my concern about getting a start on the game Jam. I knew I was going to need every second I could get if I wanted to get something done that was half way presentable to the Giant Bomb duders in 9 days time.

So I get home and family are round. I had to make my excuses, made hot drinks and set myself upstairs. I feel bad for not spending time with family, but at the same time, I really don't want to let myself down and fail this jam. Family ordered everyone Pizza Hut and then, armed with a Meat Feast, a 10 hour Mega Man 2 theme video and a giant cup of tea, I got to work.

3/4 hours later, I continue to chip away at coding, art and design. Two of those things don't come naturally to me, and I am already having my doubts about my design ideas.

It's only natural for me to get cold feet about my game design, that's just the kind of guy I am. I had in mind to create a game that I would enjoy playing (my tastes tend to line up with Jeffs and Brads, if that helps you out at all), but the deeper I get in (and I am not that deep) I begin thinking ahead and plan to make compromises which may or may not make the game the game that I would enjoy.

Tomorrow I am travelling, due to last minute business requirements but I am hoping to "borrow" a laptop and work from that while I am in the hotel. Thinking about the game I want to make because that is the game I want to play, I get really excited. I think I'll spend a little time tomorrow just getting down a list of all the little video game design touches that "turn me on" and try and distil them into simple ideas that are easily implementable (damage numbers are one of them).

In conclusion; not the greatest start but despite the short time limit, I would equate this more to a marathon than a sprint. Just need to pace myself, set realistic goals (give up on a pretty looking game, focus on good feeling gameplay that doesn't break) and have a good time while enjoying the scenery. I'll see you duders tomorrow, hopefully with something a little sexy to show off.

I wanted to do a write up of my other ideas for the other themes, as I thought some of them were pretty fun/funny, but I'll save that for another day. I am going to back up my work onto a transportable USB and grab that laptop to make sure it works. Later, duders!

Listening to...

Scars on Broadway - Scars on Broadway

Mega Man 2 Theme (I think the video is Dr. Wileys castle music. I prefer the menu music but whatever it's all good)

Pitch Perfect 2 OST (you may laugh, but tell me this song doesn't get you pumped to WIN! WIN! WIN!)

What I did today that wasn't terrible (maybe)...