As the new world order ushers in, take your mind off terrestrial problems with my blog update and game announcement!

It has been a dang long while since my last post, for a quick catch up I returned to civil engineering for 8 months, workin’ for the man to fund games development. So as of July, apart from a bit of travel, I’ve been back into the fray , keeping Maggi noodles shares high and striving to reach the dream of a games developer (professional).

It began while researching ideas to make a mobile game in a short amount of time, (initially around a month or two max – yeah right..). While meandering around the internet, I came upon Tempest by Dave Theurer from Atari. Apparently the original designer was inspired by a dream about creatures crawling out of the ground.

The early prototypes of Tempest were meant to be a 3d version of space invaders, but due to technical constraints the design was changed into what became Tempest, a sort of 2.5d space invaders.

The unique look and frantic action inspired me to create a game using the idea of enemies coming toward the player in 3d space while traveling on circumference of the tunnel.

Here you can see the player movement, a power up weapon and suitcase enemies.

I’ve created a variety of different level shapes with increasing enemy waves, weapon power ups, unlockable deadly/cute animal characters, (who wouldn’t want to play as an augmented rabbit given half the opportunity?). It is being developed for Android, but of course if will be on Apple if it gains interest.

As usual I am developing in Unity and C#, (my white board went through a few iterations of spider webs post-it notes) The 3d assets were modified purchases from the asset store. Also fortunately I also have my talented sister on board who created the players ship, the brief I gave her was: something similar to Roger Ramjets jet, and oula! As you can see in the animation it looks pretty spiffing!

I am also in the process of implementing a purchasing system so that players are able to unlock characters. Actually building an economy into a game is more than a tad daunting. Having spent a huge chunk of time and effort learning programming, Unity engine and games design. And then actually making something that is not only hard to put down, building a meta game that keeps players returning and make a purchase is a whole other beast! Talking to other people who sell there arts or crafts, they had similar feelings, not believing in the worth of their creations usually until getting into the market place and putting themselves out there, they found there work is actually worth more than they give themselves credit for.

So the core gameplay is a stage now where as Winston would say: “Further testing is required” (..I play too much Overwatch)

In other more understandable words, I need awesome people to test the core gameplay, feedback how to make it pop, shimmer and glitter more. Help me get it to the stage where it is thus proclaimed: “FUN!”.

I’m asking you my developer friends, friends of friends and future friends!

So if you are up for a bit of arcade space pew pew pew, and want to keep in the loop on beta testing connect with me on twitter, follow this blog or send me a good ol’ fashioned email!

Follow this blog for updates and get more information, -you wonderful fancy person you!

Email me antspantsgames@gmail.com

Twitter me at @John_Garrad