Hi! I know it’s a bit late to reply to this introduction post, but I figured I would anyways! It’s a bit long, but any feedback or advice will be immensely appreciated :)
1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?
For my game development presence, I’m known as Rodulane, a name I came up with a while back for the game Wyvern, but I plan on using it as my alias for my “professional” game projects.
2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?
I have never participated in a game jam before (this is my first), and my reason for joining is to motivate myself to make a game by being part of an event like this. I’ve wanted to work on making games for a while and have recently been learning to develop through Pico-8, and it’s been a very great experience so far! (As such, I plan on developing through Pico-8 for this jam).
3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?
My favorites (which I highly recommend) are Hollow Knight, Celeste, Stardew Valley, Fran Bow, Oxenfree, Circa Infinity, Circle Affinity, Ecco the Dolphin, Terraria, Wuppo, A Dark Room, Wyvern, Data Wing, Thumper, Severed, Bastion, Wave Wave, Million Onion Hotel, Vignettes, Atomik: RungunJumpgun, Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery, Continue?9876543210, Oquonie, Rule with an Iron Fish, and Rymdkapsel.
Each one of these games receives my highest recommendations, especially Celeste which is what introduced me to Pico-8 development. Each game mentioned has influenced me in its own unique way, specifically making me lean toward game development in the minimalist yet psychedelic game genre. I’d like to make something that catches people’s eyes but still has a rich story that is open to be interpreted but that doesn’t have to be interpreted in order to be draw into it.
4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?
I have minimal experience in game development. I have much experience in coding and storytelling but lack much experience in artwork and music.
Over the past week or so, I’ve worked on learning how to use Pico-8, my current engine of choice. The restricted environment it provides really helps me not feel overwhelmed by the game development process, and the community surrounding it is undoubtedly one of the best communities I’ve ever been a part of. My goal with development for Pico-8 is to test many, many smaller ideas and then once something worthwhile sticks, I plan on using another engine to expand the game’s capabilities for it to reach its potential. By developing through Pico-8, I think it’s easier to not accidentally “overdevelop” the games, just because there’s so many restrictions.
5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!
I love “relics of the past!” Although these things are out of my era (i.e. I didn’t grow up with these things since they fell out of widespread use way before me), I’m very passionate about things like Typewriters, VHS, BetaCam, etc. I also love classic bands like the Beatles and Pink Floyd and sort of wish I was alive during those times (but the time we live in now isn’t terrible either!)
Part of what I’m currently studying in university is electrical engineering and product design, and I really enjoy thinking about how I can incorporate “old technologies” into newer ideas. Perhaps this passion will incorporate itself into my development of games as well.
6. What are your goals for this game jam?
To make something! Doesn’t have to be the greatest thing in the world, but something that gets me to work on my game development skills and inspire me to keep on creating. And if I meet a few other aspiring game developers too that support me along the way, that’s a great bonus too!
10. Bonus: Got any question suggestions? Let us know for next year!
Maybe ask something fun like “if you had to replace one item that you use regularly with something that was used regularly ‘back in the old days,’ what item would you switch with what?”
Looking forward to being part of the marmalade jam!