Project Theta (RPG devlog) Chapter Thirteen: Decisions

Hello Everyone,

*I've been playing Smash Bros, and I don't think we need another rant today, so we'll skip rambling for now.

• So What's the Progress?

I made choices. Yes, choices. You can check them below in a, Choice : Explanation, format. I have a section for art, music, theme, and code/design.

• Regarding Art

Art Style Chosen: The simple/cute one

Explanation: I like it more is probably what it came down to. They both had advantages and disadvantages, but in the end, I just liked the cute one more. I felt I could get all of the necessary details in while also keeping the simplicity, so that's why I chose this one. This is probably one of the decisions that is the most possible to change so if I change my mind...so be it. I will likely use them somewhere in the game though because look at them...they're great for everything.

Art Finish Date: August 20

Explanation: I think all the art I can think of needing should be done on August 10 or something. But we all know, I forgot something when planning, that's why I'm adding some time to make sure that I get everything done. Hopefully this date can be moved up a bit so I can start coding asap, but I think August 20 is realistic.

• Regarding Music

Music Finish Date: August 25

Explanation: I think the music I make can be done in a matter of weeks, but the sfx and stuff that I need to find will take a little bit longer. Thus there is some more room timewise than for art. I think that, like the art, I can get what I think I need in a short amount of time but want that buffer for stuff I've forgotten or want to add later.

• Regarding Theme

Theme Chosen: Still Other world like

Explanation: I chose it at the beginning so I'm going to stick with it. I don't think sci-fi or dystopia really encapsulate what I want (though likely there will be some overlay in the end). I feel that the theme of another world really gets at what I'm envisioning. This gives me more room to work with, say, monsters and systems in the game.

Tone Chosen: Light with a twist

Explanation: I feel like dystopia would make the game to hardcore, but I'm not making a game about farming and pets. I want the game to be cute and bubbly on the outside, with a twist that makes you have to think while playing. I don't want it to be obvious what the right choice is in the game. Instead, I want to make the game to make you consider what your choices entail for all the people in the world, and then decide from there.

• Regarding Code/Design

• What's Important?

 - Smooth controls

Explanation: If I have to choose between smooth movement for 30 minutes of gameplay versus 2 hours of bad controls, I would take the former. It takes a few hours, but the rest of the game is better for it.

 - Balancing

Explanation: Do I need one? Look, I love to make hard games, but I need to make sure that I'm nice to the player and don't make this game too hard or punishing.

 - Narrative

Explanation: I want the player to feel like they are a part of a larger world and have them be in the player's shoes. I think a strong narrative can do that for me. So even though I'm not the best story maker, I want to make a good narrative in the game.

• What's Not?

 - More Characters

Explanation: While it would be great to have 20 characters, I can only write so many stories, code so many attacks, and scale so many players. It's something that adds a lot of work and doesn't add much to the game. After all, most players won't play the game 20 times, even if there's a different story and mechanic. Plus, I'm not an endless idea fountain for attacks.

 - More Enemies

Explanation: This game won't be super long. Therefore, I don't have to worry about keeping new shiny enemies for the player every 30 minutes. I can stick to 5 - 10 or so and make it through just fine. Making new enemies takes time and balancing. I can't just make 30 different types.

 - Quantity of Gameplay

Explanation: I don't intend for this game to exceed an hour worth of gameplay at all. I mean maybe if you do every little thing, but making the game longer isn't a goal I have. I intend to make a short game that is as high quality as I can produce. If I can add to it, believe me, I will. But not at the cost of quality for my game.

Hope this gives a better idea of my planning moving forward

• Links and stuff

Last Devlog here

Discord https://discord.gg/jVNzRNd Join if you have suggestions or questions (or comment them here)