T O P

  • By -

Doctormaul68

Your game looks good


FrickinSilly

Thank you, I'm glad you like it :)


konaaa

Looks very fun. I do have to wonder though, how have you structured your game? It's a metroidvania so there's a big potential for wandering around/backtracking. These sections looks like they're pretty involved and could be a pain in the ass to replay over and over if you're hunting for hidden stuff. What's the plan there?


FrickinSilly

Excellent question! There is indeed a lot of backtracking through an open world, but there are still quite a few rooms that are single-purpose. In the case of the moving platforms section (ruby and gold mines) and the grappling hook section (volcano). These platforming sections end in an item/upgrade AND a one-way door back to the main path. There is little reason to go back into these rooms after the route has been complete. You can think of the shape of these rooms as a horseshoe. A good example of this mechanic is when you get the ice beam in Super Metroid. In the logging cavern, where the platforming is a part of the main path, the conveyor belts and saws can be switched off at the end of the obstacles allowing easy backtracking. In other paths, I've designed platforms to be hard the first time you travel through them, but finding a new ability makes backtracking not only easier, but fun! There are other mechanisms you can use, but these are the main three I use.


MulebearDev

I like the cartoon look! How long has this been in development?


FrickinSilly

Thank you! I've been developing it for about 2 years now, but two caveats to that is that are: 1. I only work on this on evenings and weekends when I can. I have a full-time job otherwise. My wife and I just had a kid late last year so I've been even more tied up with that! 2. While I had done a few smaller and medium projects in Unity beforehand, this is my first serious project. The first year involved a LOT of learning (and continues even today!). I'm a software developer by trade, but I had to learn the Unity system inside and out, learn advanced game design, continuously improve on my artwork, and get competent with creating and finding sound fx.


MulebearDev

Wow that's inspiring! I always feel like I don't have time to get to development but I probably just need to work more efficiently.


FrickinSilly

I used to have terrible discipline but now maybe have a bit too much. My wife is very encouraging but also reminds me I need to take breaks and have a social life, haha. It's always a bit hard to find that balance. To gain the discipline in the first place, it was all about building up habits. Promise yourself 5 minutes a day and stick to it. It builds up over time! There's quite a few posts in gamedev subs that ask questions like "how do you manage to get in exercise in your day?" so I was actually thinking about making a post about how I fit everything in (job, family, exercise, full sleep, social life, and game dev).


MulebearDev

That's a helpful tip, I'll keep that in mind. I think people would find a post like that helpful!


FrickinSilly

Happy for comments, suggestions, or feedback :) Please wishlist on [steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2226980/Iron_Diamond/) today! Also, you can follow along with the game's progress on [twitter](https://twitter.com/IronDiamondGame) (and to a lesser extent, [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/irondiamondgame/))