Final Features

Introduction

This week, we focused on putting the finishing touches on our systems, refining microgames, fixing minor bugs, and adding new assets. We also made the final four microgames playable. We fixed most of the bugs that were plaguing us at this point, though there are new bugs introduced as a part of those final four microgames. Read the next section if you want to see the visual changelog, and keep reading on to hear about our ideas and invisible changes.

Visible Changelog

• Added a currency system for the shop. You gain currency by getting points in microgames.
• Added new assets to the arcade for the doors and the final four arcade cabinets.
• Added new assets to the “Parkour,” “PixelBeard’s Treasure Hunt,” and “Monster Takedown” microgames.
• Added new sound effect variations to the intermission screen.
• Added a win condition. You escape by getting a high score on every arcade cabinet.
• Updated UI elements to further ensure they are cohesive and readable across all scenes.
• Updated the arcade door code to require an input to open.
• Updated the sound effects in the “Monster Takedown” microgame.
• Updated the “PixelBeard’s Treasure Hunt” microgame to give feedback on failure.
• Updated the “Play the Bongos” microgame to give player feedback on correct/incorrect beats.
• Tweaked the target scores of all microgames.
• Tweaked the movement speed and animation speed of the player in the arcade.
• Tweaked the intermission screen to reduce the time it takes to lose.
• Tweaked the bongo texture for the “Play Bongos” microgame for readability.
• Tweaked the sensitivity in the “Monster Takedown” microgame to allow for further control (decreased it).
• Tweaked the “Parkour” microgame to allow for instant wins.
• Removed the jittery bat pattern from the “Vampire Hunt” microgame.
• Fixed an issue where purchased arcade assets would appear in all scenes.
• Fixed an issue where a blank dialogue prompt button would be selected when talking to the ticket booth merchant.
• Fixed an issue where target scores would either not appear or be outright incorrect.
• Fixed the pause menu layering issues in all microgames except for the “Pizza Toppings” microgame.
• Fixed the loading issues for the “Pinball,” “Maze,” “Basketball,” and “Ring Toss” microgames.
• Fixed the stretched screen showing the ingredients in the “Pizza Toppings” microgame.

Refine, Refine, Refine

At this point, the only thing left to add is a main menu. Other than that, the game is functionally complete. There is nothing big left to add. From here on out, the name of the game is refinement. There are still bugs and small areas of friction for our systems and microgames. Given that we have two weeks left, we will be taking the final two weeks to iron out all of the issues and deliver a complete experience. While we’re sure that some things will slip through the cracks at the end of it all, we’re also confident that we can wrap everything up very nicely.

Bug Fixing

As I’m sure you’ve noticed, the bugs list on the main game page never seems to shrink. Indeed, every time we take a look at the game, we find new things to fix. Ultimately, this is the nature of game development. Nothing will ever be perfect. However, it is important for us to maintain this list so that we have concrete targets for our development time. Since refinement and bug fixes are almost entirely what’s left, the bug list is effectively our development game plan for the next two weeks.

What About The Art?

I said that the game is functionally complete, meaning that there are no more features to add. However, the art side of things is not quite done. Over the next week, we will be adding the final art assets to the microgames that need it. Additionally, over the next two weeks, we will be putting the finishing artistic touches on what we already have to make the environment the best that it can be. There are very few new assets that are needed, so we are confident that all art-related tasks will be done within the next two weeks.

Final Remarks

There are only two weeks left of active development, which means that we have been developing and getting feedback for about two whole months. We are extremely thankful for the feedback that we have received. It has helped us create a game that we are proud of and will help us finish strong. In these final weeks, it’s critical that we hear the issues that our players are experiencing so that we can deliver the best experience possible. As always, if you have anything that you want to say about the game, please feel free to! We want to hear it all. And, of course, thank you so much for playing our game.