Posted June 28, 2025 by bilge ozan design
#devlog #indiegame #indiedev #html5 #gamejam
Hey everyone! I’m thrilled to share the story behind my first game, Speed Dash, a fast-paced space dodge adventure now live on itch.io. This project has been an exciting leap into game development, and I’d love to take you through its creation, inspirations, and the challenges I faced along the way.
The idea for Speed Dash ignited during a late-night brainstorming session, fueled by my love for classic arcade games like Asteroids and Galaga. I wanted to craft a simple yet addictive experience where players could feel the thrill of piloting a spaceship through a chaotic galaxy. The "lost galaxy" theme came from my fascination with sci-fi movies like Interstellar and Star Wars, where vast, uncharted spaces are both beautiful and perilous. I envisioned a game where dodging obstacles and collecting power-ups would evoke that sense of survival against the odds.
The decision to include boss battles every five levels was inspired by Space Invaders’ escalating challenges, while the power-up system (speed boosts and shields) drew from Super Mario Bros.’ power-ups—adding strategy and excitement. The vibrant visuals—yellow spaceship, red obstacles, purple nebulas—were influenced by the colorful aesthetics of retro space shooters, updated with modern particle effects for a dynamic feel.
As a first-time developer, I started with a blank canvas (literally, with HTML5 Canvas!). The journey began with coding the core mechanic: a spaceship dodging randomly spawned obstacles. I used JavaScript to handle movement (arrow keys, mouse, and touch controls for mobile) and collision detection. The galaxy spiral and nebula backgrounds were a fun challenge, achieved with radial gradients and rotating ellipses, adding depth to the game’s atmosphere.
Speed Dash is my debut, but it’s just the beginning. I plan to add more power-ups, perhaps a multiplayer mode, and polish based on player feedback. Your comments and scores will shape its future—drop your high score in the comments or share it on X!
Thanks for reading this devlog and supporting indie devs like me. Play Speed Dash now at [https://your-username.itch.io/speed-dash] and join the galactic escape! 🚀