BPG general update August 2023

Hey everyone!  So while this uploaded prototype demonstrates the core spell-melody mechanic of the game, there is much much more I've been working on behind the scenes. This year has been a "tech-sploration" year for me, testing out new graphical techniques and refining my rendering pipeline to make sure I can a) do cool visual stuff and b) do it without making your GPU sweat. Also, no more "2.5D"! The game is built on a fully-3D framework in GameMaker! This doesn't mean the camera will rotate, but it means I can utilize way more techniques to do cool things.

Loads more work has happened on the back-end as well. I've poured a lot of time into my level editor functionality. The main goal here is to have a system that lets me VERY QUICKLY block-out and iterate my level design WHILE the game is running. It's liberating! I can also edit object variables at runtime which is incredibly useful for puzzle design and things like linking switches to doors. Below is an incomplete list of the updates I've made

Main Updates:

• Switch to 3D framework
• Dynamic terrain shadows using shadow volumes  (really sells the "3d")
• Vertex Colour-based Ambient Occlusion on terrain (also really sells the "3d")
• Terrain drawn in chunks (can be live-updated very quickly, meaning dynamic terrain is now possible!)
  
• Ethereal-looking sprites are created using very cool SDF (signed distance field) techniques. Mainly using this for puzzle pieces but lots more it can be used for!
• Game is now rendered at 640x360 base resolution and scaled up to monitor size
• Smooth camera implemented
• Spell wheel UI upgraded
• New puzzle system (WIP)
• Revised object architecture from inheritence to component-entity based.

Ultimately, I'm building the factory and its pipelines so that when the time comes, the factory is happily churning out content. Please bear with me while I'm placing my proverbial stakes in the ground. I hope to get a new playable prototype out soon, this time featuring the new puzzle system!

As always, join the discord! Growing a community is a slow process, but every new person brings new insights and motivation to the project! Link here: https://discord.gg/XbX4zdYZ2X