Hey everyone!
So I was going to post this last night but as I was loading my screenshots I clicked the X on my browser after I finished typing.......grrrrrrrr.
Anyways so I wanted to go over a few things today about what I have been working on. I have been pretty busy with my 30 Day Challenge, but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy working on other stuff.
Point and Click
By that I mean Point and Click controls. I have been using the current WASD Keyboard controls to move the dredge currently. Though that might change in the future.
After testing out my Point and Click controls I decided to experiment with the idea of making multiple dredges controllable by the player. Hell, if your going to build a Gold Dredging Empire you can't possibly operate just one right?!?
This might change a few things about the way I move forward with development. But is definitely a great step in the right direction for making it cross-platform(PC/Mobile).
Multiple Dredges
There are a couple of problems though when approaching the idea of using multiple dredges with my current setup.
To start, right now there is only global counters. By that I mean that all the PayDirt,Gold,Cash and Fuel all have counters fixed for one dredge. So when you upgrade your dredge it doesn't stay it just converts to the next best model.
So to fix that I will need to create unit info to represent each dredge. Paydirt will still
have to be sluiced for each dredge individually, as well as refueling and selling gold for cash.
It could also have a few negative effects if not dealt with properly. For instance currently a player
could leave a dredge in a Sell/Refuel zone and allow his other dredges to operate without ever having to return to the docks. That isn't very cool, which is why I need to setup counters and unit info for each.
This also means my current HUD won't be sufficient for that setup either, needing to be re-designed in a more pleasant way to view all this information.
Dredge Claims
As you can see in the picture above I have also added a rock formation leading away from the harbor. I think it would be wise to restrict this area until Dredge Upgrade 3. At which point the game will unlock the Claims which can be purchased to dredge upon.
That being said it might be wise to make the docks a safe area. By safe I mean relocate my random events(Pirate Raids, Kraken Attacks, Mermaid Distractions, ETC.) to the claims area. This would prevent players from losing too early or just being discouraged by bad things happening too early.
So there is a few things to think regarding Point and Click as it is already changing the way I look at developing gameplay.
Scrolling Background
I've been playing around with ways to make the game feel less static and more dynamic. I think that adding more dredges is one way, but it just wasn't enough. So what I have done was make a scrolling background to simulate water/waves in the game.
I have to settle on a texture that I like for this purpose so for now I have created a default texture at least until I make up my mind.
Though I promise it wasn't as simple working as it should have been.
I really have been pretty busy lately, so do expect some more interesting blog posts over the next couple weeks. I tried to record a video of the Point and Click gameplay but my crappy laptop just stuttered like rain man....
Thank you for reading and don't forget to leave a comment............damn lurkers :)
PS: I hate my new default water texture even more in these screenies........ if anyone has suggestions for that PLEASE speak up.
