Devlog #4

Game Project Development Log 

Devlog #4 | 18th May 2025 

This week I surpassed my previous goal and fully completed a level layout (minus some tidying up). I also incorporated a working title screen and basic scoring, as well as finally a finish line for the level. Thus, while the game is by no means finished, it is testable and working to a basic extent. This means it is playable and I will upload a draft copy to Itch sometime later this week. 

Now the game can be launched from the title screen scene, and there is a short help screen as well as a play option to launch the single level. Eventually in the final two weeks I hope to incorporate a high score option to see everyone’s best attempts at the game. The title screen uses prefabs also from the asset pack I purchased, so they have a cool little animation. There are two buttons on the title screen, one that launches the game, and also one with a little help screen explaining the basics of the game. 

The scoring system is, at the moment, a placeholder for a better scoring system later when the game is nearly finished. It is very simple; the number of presents minus the times you get hit by an enemy is your total score. The enemy’s projectile sprites have also been changed to bombs. Though time is meant to be a really big factor for the total score by the end, I haven’t incorporated it just yet. 

Level layout is short, but requires enough skill to navigate and dodge projectiles. There is a set path to follow, but a couple of separate side areas to go should the player want to maximise the number of presents to collect. There is also a short hidden path around the back that will only be accessible once the enemies blocking the way can be destroyed, which will be via a gun that the user can buy after a playthrough with enough points. With only 2 weeks left for the project, I am running out of time and beginning to think that I may not be able to incorporate it into the game. It will be lower priority compared to fixing up the scoring system, which is next on the list of things to do this week.  

Next up in the coming 2 weeks:

• I obviously have to make the scoring system more complex, and have a high score that writes to a file so it can be viewed even after the game runtime has finished. 
• The finish line needs to be more than just a blue box. I was planning on making it Santa's sleigh but couldn't find a good sprite for it. Will keep looking.
• I need to create a 2^nd level; the new level shouldn’t take too long because I already have all the logic and physics in place. 
• I want to add a bomb explosion animation for when it hits the player.
• Lastly, I want to include the storefront that the player can access after finishing a level. The plan is to be able to purchase a temporary force field, a speed increase, and a weapon to shoot and destroy enemies/projectiles.