Ziggle Wings Devlog #1: Our First Flight for Score Space Jam #35!

Hey glowbug chasers! 🌟 It’s Madara here, buzzing with excitement to share the first devlog for Ziggle Wings, our cozy, task-based insect-catcher game that just launched for the Score Space Jam #35! This game blends my love for quick, task-driven gameplay (think cooking game chaos) with my designer’s idea to chase glowing insects in a dreamy night sky. Together, we’ve crafted a chill yet thrilling vibe where you snag butterflies, bees, and dragonflies under the stars. Let’s dive into how this glowing adventure came to life!

The Spark of Ziggle Wings

The idea kicked off when I was daydreaming about cooking games—those fast-paced, “check the list, nail the task” moments that keep you hooked. My designer suggested swapping recipes for bugs, imagining a lantern-bug catching glowing critters. We mashed those ideas together for Score Space Jam #35, and Ziggle Wings was born: a game where you complete tasks like “Catch 3 Bees” or “Snag 2 Dragonflies” by clicking glowing insects in a moonlit world. It’s simple, satisfying, and perfect for chasing high scores in 60-second bursts.

What’s in the Jam Build?

• Click to Catch: Use your mouse to grab insects as they zip across the screen. It’s snappy and feels like swatting fireflies with precision!
• Task Frenzy: A task list at the top tells you what to catch (e.g., “Catch 3 Butterflies”). Nail it, and the next task pops up, keeping the action flowing.
• Nighttime Vibes: The game’s all about that cozy, starry aesthetic—think purples, blues, and glowing bugs dancing in the dark. Gentle breeze sounds and twinkly music (built with Unity’s audio tools) make every catch feel magical.
• High-Stakes Fun: You’ve got 3 lives and a 60-second timer. Catch the wrong bug? Lose a life. Run out of time or lives? Game over! But nailing tasks racks up points and unlocks new challenges.

Bringing It to Life

We built Ziggle Wings in Unity for the jam, keeping things simple but polished. The insects use basic AI to dart around randomly, making each catch a fun challenge. We tuned the task system to feel like a to-do list you want to crush—clicking a butterfly at the perfect moment is as good as flipping a pancake just right. The trickiest part was balancing the timer: too long, and it’s boring; too short, and it’s stressful. After some playtests, 60 seconds hit that sweet spot of “one more try” energy.

Early on, bugs would sometimes vanish too fast, so we tweaked their spawn timers to give players a fair shot. The glowing lives system (those 3 shiny hearts) was a last-minute add to make mistakes forgiving but keep the pressure on.

What Players Are Buzzing About

We tested the jam build with a few friends, and they loved the cozy chaos. One said, “It’s like a starry checklist I can’t put down!” Another hit a high score of 150 by chaining tasks like a pro. Some folks wanted more insect types or trickier tasks, which we’re saving for post-jam updates.

What’s Next for Ziggle Wings?

• New Bugs & Tasks: Maybe fireflies that glow brighter or tasks like “Catch 2 Bees in a row.”
• Power-Ups: Testing a “super glow” to slow bugs down for easier catches.
• Polish Pass: Smoother animations and maybe a leaderboard for Score Space bragging rights!

Play It Now!

Hop over to Ziggle Wings on Itch.io to try the Score Space Jam #35 build! It’s HTML5, so you can play right in your browser. How many points can you rack up in 60 seconds? Drop your high score in the comments, and tell us what tasks or bugs you’d love to see next. Your feedback will shape the next flight!

Thanks for joining our glowy journey. Keep chasing those wings! 🦋 Madara | #ZiggleWings #ScoreSpaceJam #IndieGame