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MetaForm: First Steps into Game Development

MetaForm
A browser game made in HTML5

The Jam Theme & My First Idea

I (TinchoLC) decided to join the jam after the theme was announced. As soon as I read it, I knew what I wanted to do: something not too complex (since this was my first time making a game), but still with a special twist.

The concept was a game where you randomly switch (During development we realized it worked much better if the player had control, making gameplay more strategic and enjoyable) between three different shapes, and every time you transform, the entire color palette changes. This way, I could design the levels in white and gray, and they would still feel complete and visually appealing just by shifting the colors through code.

I dedicated the first day to testing the movement and, more importantly, learning how to use Godot. Most of my time went into exploring the engine and figuring out the basics.

By the second day, I started thinking about menus, the game logo, and other details. But I realized that if I worried too much about design, I’d end up spending two or three full days on visuals without programming anything.

That’s when I asked AmbuGames for help (which turned out to be the best decision I could have made).

The First Sketches

Before anything else, I want to share the drawings I made the very same day I explained the project idea to Ambu. These sketches were the first attempt to put on paper what I had in mind.

From "My Game" to "Our Game"

As time went on, we worked so closely and in sync that the project stopped being “my game with their help” and truly became our game. Together, we designed levels, picked the best color palettes, tested mechanics, and refined the experience step by step.

 Menu Design

In the image, you can see the original concept i proposed and how Ambu later stylized it, making everything look much cleaner and more polished. 

 Level Sketches

Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5

 A Last-Minute Speedrun Mode

Near the end of development (in the last 4 hours...), while watching a friend play, I realized that every level could actually be completed very quickly if approached as routes. That sparked the idea to add a Speedrun Mode  It turned out to be a great choice: soon after, our game was accepted on speedrun.com, which made us incredibly happy (https://www.speedrun.com/MetaForm)

 Final Thoughts

This project has been a journey full of learning, creativity, and teamwork. From the first sketches to the last-minute features, we’re absolutely delighted with the process, the game itself, and everything we achieved together.

We know the game is small and nothing too surprising, but we’re truly happy with the work we put into it and proud of what we created.

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