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Devlogs

Bring Out Your Ghosts

Field Notes
A downloadable game

What Went Well

I don’t have a lot of ideas swirling in my head like everybody says they do; it’s more just thoughts of impending doom most of the time. However, I had wanted to do something creative involving cryptids for a while, but I wasn’t sure which direction to take. I wanted to submit this game as a part of the The Bring Out Your Ghosts Jam but I just didn't have anything in a presentable state. Although I started working on this at the beginning of the jam, I still don't have a clear direction. My research has mostly consisted of Reddit posts and YouTube documentaries. Which, has been unfortunately, the biggest resource on cryptids.

I just started learning Twine and coding in general a couple of months ago. While I hope to move on to different game engines eventually, Twine has been really great to learn. This is the second game I have ever worked on, and while it is a hot mess, just like the first. I can visibly see the progress in this one that I did not in my first game. So far, I have had one friend play the game in its current state, and he seemed very frustrated by a lot of aspects, so I want to fix those before I put anyone else through that.

I am also really starting to enjoy Twine, now that I have found so many resources to help facilitate the learning process.

Challenges

I was really slowed down by things that I didn’t think I would be. The biggest being WRITING. I am not a great writer by any means. I want to keep trying and eventually put something together that isn’t awful. I also want to make a clickable navigation map, and I have struggled a bit, but I am getting closer, I can feel it.

Lessons Learned So Far

I think my biggest struggle will always be writing, and my own self-doubt slowing me down. I think I could benefit more from taking some pressure off myself and stopping rushing things so much. I have really churned out some sloppy work that I am not very proud of. I have also learned more about the Twine interface, so it is becoming easier to organize my story.

Next Steps

I really would love to keep working on this game, and any feedback anyone is willing to provide, I always appreciate. I don’t have an anticipated date for release as of now, but I am hoping that within the next couple of months, I will have something to show.

Feedback Inquiry

  • I have thought about incorporating a resource management system, similar to survival games, in addition to gathering evidence. Would that make the game too complicated? 
  •  Should I do separate quick cases of cryptids or one longer case? 
  •  Should it be more horror or mystery-based? What kind of things should be incorporated?
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