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Devlogs

12 Weeks Development

Lost in Catsland
A browser game made in HTML5
  • Design: Initial UI design and simple gameplay mechanics.
  • Develop: Core game concept of randomly generating kittens with unique features.

Key Results:

  • Implementations: Quick UI design and simple gameplay.
  • Prototype Purpose: Test the core concept of “sucking cats” and random generation of kittens.

Playtest & Feedback:

  • Player feedback: Positive response to the core idea.
  • Team feedback: Suggestions to enhance randomness and playability.

Review and Iterate:

  • Review: Successful implementation of core mechanics.
  • Iterate: Explore code implementation regarding randomness.

  • Design: 3D cat models and their random generation.
  • Develop: Transition from Unity to Unreal Engine.

Key Results:

  • Implementations: Successful generation of cats of different colours.
  • Prototype Purpose: Test the feasibility of using Unreal Engine for development.

Playtest & Feedback:

  • Player feedback: Negative for the low poly art style.
  • Team feedback: Suggestions to use Unreal Engine for development.

Review and Iterate:

  • Review: Challenges with Unreal Engine and C++.
  • Iterate: Consideration of using Blueprint for game functionality.

  • Design: Enhance playability and narrative elements.
  • Develop: Return to Unity for development.

Key Results:

  • Implementations: Decision to revert to Unity.
  • Prototype Purpose: Test the enhanced gameplay mechanics.

Playtest & Feedback:

  • Player feedback: Core gameplay is simple but boring.
  • Team feedback: Suggestions to focus on level design and playability.

Review and Iterate:

  • Review: Unreal Engine not suitable for the game’s requirements.
  • Iterate: Focus on sub-mechanics to enhance playability.

  • Design: Refinement of gameplay mechanics.
  • Develop: Update Game Design Document (GDD).

Key Results:

  • Implementations: Updated GDD and refined gameplay.
  • Prototype Purpose: Test the updated gameplay mechanics.

Playtest & Feedback:

  • Player feedback: None.
  • Team feedback: Suggestions to avoid imitating other games and add unique elements.

Review and Iterate:

  • Review: Need for unique gameplay elements.
  • Iterate: Consider more designs on plots and scenarios.

  • Design: Study similar games for inspiration.
  • Develop: Focus on core gameplay mechanics.

Key Results:

  • Implementations: Game case studies.
  • Prototype Purpose: Understand gameplay mechanics of similar games.

Playtest & Feedback:

  • Player feedback: None.
  • Team feedback: None.

Review and Iterate:

  • Review: Insights from similar games.
  • Iterate: Incorporate learnings into the game design.

  • Design: Integration of art assets.
  • Develop: Limit the game’s scope and focus on core mechanics.

Key Results:

  • Implementations: Exploration of Unity Asset Store.
  • Prototype Purpose: Test the integration of assets and tools.

Playtest & Feedback:

  • Player feedback: None.
  • Team feedback: None.

Review and Iterate:

  • Review: Need to keep a small scope.
  • Iterate: Focus on developing the core system of the game.

  • Design: Integration of art assets.
  • Develop: Simplify game mechanics.

Key Results:

  • Implementations: Creation of a mini vertical slice of the game.
  • Prototype Purpose: Test the simplified game mechanics.

Playtest & Feedback:

  • Player feedback: None.
  • Team feedback: Suggestions to focus on core gameplay.

Review and Iterate:

  • Review: Challenges with time constraints.
  • Iterate: Focus on current development and core systems.

  • Design: Detailed UI design.
  • Develop: Refinement of development plan.

Key Results:

  • Implementations: UI design with a focus on player perspective.
  • Prototype Purpose: Test the new UI design.

Playtest & Feedback:

  • Player feedback: The casual vibe is attractive.
  • Team feedback: Positive response to the UI design.

Review and Iterate:

  • Review: Successful UI design.
  • Iterate: Continue research on the core systems of the game.

  • Design: Redesign of the UFO sprite.
  • Develop: Development of the cat’s AI movement system.

Key Results:

  • Implementations: New UFO design and cat AI development.
  • Prototype Purpose: Test the UFO’s visibility and cat AI.

Playtest & Feedback:

  • Player feedback: The first version of the UFO is ugly.
  • Team feedback: The second version of UFO’s pixel size is incorrect.

Review and Iterate:

  • Review: Need to change the first version of the UFO, as well as the size of second version.
  • Iterate: Use AI software for UFO design.

  • Design: Core UFO cat-sucking function.
  • Develop: Implementation of cat-sucking logic.

Key Results:

  • Implementations: Development of the UFO’s core function.
  • Prototype Purpose: Test the cat-sucking function with juicy visual-sound effects.

Playtest & Feedback:

  • Player feedback: Where’s the cool UI?
  • Team feedback: Need to speed up to finish on time.

Review and Iterate:

  • Review: Challenges with implementing the cat-sucking logic.
  • Iterate: Simplify certain game mechanics.

  • Design: Pixelated UI design.
  • Develop: Determine functionality for the final vertical slice.

Key Results:

  • Implementations: Pixelated UI design and updated gameplay flowchart.
  • Prototype Purpose: Test the pixelated UI and refined gameplay.

Playtest & Feedback:

  • Player feedback: Positive response to the pixelated UI.
  • Team feedback: Need to speed up to finish on time.

Review and Iterate:

  • Review: Successful pixelated UI design.
  • Iterate: Focus on the core functions of UFOs.

  • Design: Finalize art assets and sound effects.
  • Develop: Debugging and polishing of game mechanics.

Key Results:

  • Implementations: Debugging of cat suck function, map fix, SFX fix, and assets fix.
  • Prototype Purpose: Test the final version of the game.

Playtest & Feedback:

  • Player feedback: Energy consumption is too fast, misleading UI, and confusing map design.
  • Team feedback: Poor tutorial and lack of guide. Running out of time.

Review and Iterate:

  • Review: Challenges with map design and energy consumption.
  • Iterate: Adjustments to the map and energy system.

Files

  • Lost In Catsland Web V0.zip 34 MB
    Nov 07, 2022
  • Lost In Catsland V0.7z 35 MB
    Nov 07, 2022
  • Lost In Catsland MAC V0.7z 42 MB
    Nov 07, 2022
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