itch.io

10/05/25

• Inline Scoring back in for Classic & Rush (i'm still digging Rush :) )
• Tracks Unlockable @ Classic only
• Select Modes @ Leaderboard
• BETA game Updated

I want to do something better @ End Game re: animations... after that, pending any bugs that might be reported, i'm ready to wrap GEMBOT up!

hi, gamer1867 :)

did you know that there are additional tracks available that are unlocked at scores of 75 and 150 which build upon the original loop while the 3rd track is the full 5:28 song? otherwise, yes. perhaps i should have spaced out the loop, playing it only occasionally. and, i realize now that beyond the Unlocked devlog, i don't mention the additional tracks on the main project page while the notion shows when you achieve a high score in-game.

then, yes, TBM on the drops with the speed preference acting as a multiplier of the base DropSpeed

• Tick# = (DropSpeed*SpeedFactor)*GetFrameTime()

originally, i was going to use Box2D (which i tend to bring into my games unnecessarily :) ) for the Drops but i didn't like the effect where setting Restitution to 0 still allows some bounce so i scrapped that. but, i did end up bringing Box2D into the game where Blink is automated asteroids code. then, he wasn't very efficient in only picking up 1 "target" star at a time so i made him a Sensor and process all contacts he comes across (and now i think he's too efficient... there's always something :) ). that said, this is my first Studio offering as Zaxxan's brought the Geany IDE into the mix and fixed a couple of things thus forcing me into the future where i no longer had reasons to stay with Classic :)

otherwise, the next jam i plan to participate in is Craftpix Jam #2 followed immediately by my favorite 20 Second Game Jam which hasn't yet been posted but should begin early november as it did last year :)

thanks for stopping by and for rating the game which helps me share my work. that's much appreciated. and, i do hope to see you on the discord server; it's where all the cool kids are hanging out nowadays :)

thanks for the thorough feedback, kitaru. and i think we are both in the same space of Space :) 

re: vertical scoring, i prefer the ability to apply strategies with fewer pitfalls than vertical scoring allows. aka, i want to herd cats but not if they have lapped up gallons of caffeine :)

that said, i think you will appreciate today's BETA Update!

10/04/25 BETA UPDATE 

• Runs no longer need to be in sequential order, but are only evaluated 3 gems at a time
  • if you're wondering, i do this (3 at a time) to simulate some of the excitement of Cribbage while you are essentially sliding cards between others which you cannot do in real crib (while it brings similar higher-scoring increments (and then some :) ) 
• GEMBOT now has 3 MODES, each with their own Leaderboards
  • CLASSIC is the original Scoring (Rows Only) with the new non-sequential Runs installed (in all modes)
  • RUSH is the Classic game with a 5 Minute timer and Multi-Decked. 
    • ie, once the Gem Bag/Deck runs out, a new set of 65 Gems will be shuffled (so, yes, you can play, say a Blue 10 against a Blue 10, but hey :) )
    • RUSH has been a lot of high-flying fun in testing. i hope you enjoy
  • STARCROSS is a Classic Game with the addition of VERTICAL scoring (Rows and Columns)
    • i personally haven't embraced this mode but it's in because folks wanted it from the start and once i tested it, i figured i've already coded it so keep it in as an option :)
• all 3 Leaderboards are LIVE as are Local Saves

This is not the final version as there's further testing required and i definitely want to tweak some things. ie, with vertical scoring, my original in-line Top and Bottom scoring indications (ie RUN on top of the involved gems with the POINTS running below) needed to be scrapped where vertical scores along the edges don't afford it. i'll bring it back in for Classic and Rush but, for now, it'll read near the top while involved gems will still be highlighted.

additionally, i want to be able to slide thru the 3 leaderboards from the leaderboard screen (i also want to cap the MaxTrack that you are able to play based on the Mode you've selected making the additional tracks again unlockable for each mode (i think?).

Please report any bugs. i'm nearing the end of development for this as i think we've squeezed as much fun into it as possible, and i need to take a break from coding (i dont want to burn out before the next Jam i want to participate in which begins in ~3 weeks or so). plus i have new leaderboards to conquer!

for those that aren't aware, the BETA version with the above is available HERE!

Thanks, all :)

thanks for the feedback, sockbag :)

i've been experimenting with "un-sequenced" Runs and i'm loving it as it feels a little more Crib and is making for some high-flying fun!

• on that, i still want to limit Runs to consider only 3 Gems at a time. so, for example, 78987 would be 2 Runs as would 12324. and, 54321 would be 3 Runs, while 41234 would be 2 Runs (4123 wouldn't be a run as it's 4 Gems).

meanwhile, i'm not sold on vertical scoring as it makes it a lot easier to score (low scores) and doesn't allow much room for strategy, in my opinion. it's been a lot of being "forced" to take low-point scores for me and i'm in no fear of filling up the 5x5 board compared to a semi-bad run in non-vertical scoring.

regardless, i'll be including multiple game modes (with separate leaderboards) so folks can play how they want to. 

• non-sequenced Runs will be in all Modes as i don't see it as a game/fun-breaking offering while there will remain a Classic non-vert scoring mode, a so-called StarCross mode with vertical scoring, and an Infinite mode of never-ending gems with the Classic (non-vert) scoring where you'll play until the board fills up/you can no-longer Drop (another suggestion from early on and i think that could be fun (tho potentially exhausting? alas, i might be up for a marathon like that sometime :) ).

thanks again!

most have asked for vertical scoring... so, it's being tested @ GB-Test by Virtual Nomad

your feedback would be appreciated :)

definitely different. can put my brain in a headlock but enjoying none-the-less. 

9395's my tops thus far:

it looks like some haunted tower; i can appreciate that :)

dude rode a bubble, i swear!

a sizable update posted yesterday which included an acknowledgement of  your prowess in the devlog.

alas, see the comment i added soon after posting 👀

nice visuals and overall vibe. i would appreciate a progress indicator and maybe a little variation in gameplay as we pass through various "zones" of the run (obstacles and/or maybe pick up some bonus credits along the way) but Magenta Nights was well put together. thanks for sharing some fun :)

As soon as i posted this, i returned to "Testing" and, first game has caused a stir:

I hope you felt that, AJK. It's your turn, now :)

thank you, dz. peeking at the next gem might make a good earnable "powerup". i know it could be a crucial decision-maker so it wouldnt be too common.

thanks for checking it out!

thanks, mookie :) i wonder if your squirrel would do well in space, jumping from gem to gem :)

thank you, spacemad. i'd been wanting to mix cribbage with falling blocks for a long time so it's nice to have finally accomplished that. it's a little scary when you think you have a good idea for fun but aren't sure until others enjoy it, right? cribbage isn't so common and there is a slight learning curve but i'm "testing" it constantly and forget what i'm testing for sometimes, so... :)

and, most of the fancy GFX are attributed to my favorite alien; i appreciate what he's brought to the game!

thanks, wakeman :) 

and, scoring never occurs in columns; rows only ;) 

care to share your initials on the leaderboard? i add leaderboards to most of my games; it's satisfying for me to watch others ascend :)

great concept, vibe and overall fun. my only complaints are: it doesnt feel right to have some blocks suspended while the ones they were falling with were a different color (if they were all the same color, my mind could accept it :) ). and, 2, there is no fullscreen button :) 

still, lots of fun and a well-crafted submission. nice work!

nice game and while the peaceful music kept me as calm as can be, it became the perfect challenge.

my best was ~480 before it was time to move on :)

gembot is now a bit of a headbanger :) 

and, your last score is a beast. ima try to catch it but won't hold my breath

being swept down the drain is what the squirrel gets for passing out in the gutter. alas, i was able to save him!
nice game, mookie!

this is exactly how i would sound as a drummer IRL :) great whimsical twist on a match game. nice work :)

the poor guy (and his buddies) never stood a chance. meanwhile, my only complaint is that upcoming red pieces blend in with the background but i'll consider that a stealth feature of the game. good fun :)

nothing to see when i went to try this out? please let me know here if that changes?

hey, thanks :) yes, it's offset @ FS but i play on my TV and it looks great anyway :)

31 for 2! i was wary of allowing too many scoring combinations that might make it too easy to play but i think i should have added 31 as a goal which could generate quite a few stars.

i should also mention that i do plan on a score-chasing INFINTE mode; i do enjoy playing a single "deck" but also want the option to climb a higher ladder ;)

thanks for the review and for giving GEMBOT a try :)

fun game :) how about adding the fullscreen button?

thanks for sharing!

clever game tho i couldnt get very far :)

i love anything with 2d physics; i'd like to see how it plays with the friction lowered? 

unique submission with a different kind of fun. thanks for sharing!

in commemoration of your being the first to break the 200 mark and best ME...

...i've added a little 🤖something🤖 to the game in your honor.

well done!

Hey, all. if you've enjoyed GEMBOT, please Rate & Follow as we intend to continue development!

I look forward to playing the lot of #FallingBlockJam Submissions and Congrats if you were able to submit one of your own!

excellent. thank you :)

nice variant on the classic and good fun. if you could, please add the Fullscreen button? otherwise, perhaps drop speed can increase over time (or quicker if it already does). i don't mind sweating a little more in my fun :)

thanks for sharing!

i'll be watching for you, AJK!And your notion of "not-so-left-to-right" Runs are on my mind (along with 100 other things for the game) ;) 

That said, we were posting at the same time so make sure to see these notes on the final Jam version if you hadn't yet.

I'm glad you've enjoyed GEMBOT; And, there's MORE coming!

understood and thanks for the response. there's enough #FBJ chatter elsewhere for me to find submissions to play until the flood :)

I know there were early spam submissions but responding to that by setting it to revealing them all at once will guarantee that some get buried vs a flow of submissions over the weekend, IMO (and i want to play them while i have a chance :) )

Either way, thanks for the Jam. i've had some fun and looking forward to more once the blocks DROP!

thank you, lostwords. very kind of you! 

and, i'm glad you're enjoying it. i've been playing on my new phone, too, which was a goal for this jam ~ keeping it mobile-friendly. i have a couple of others that play fine on mobile (and my firestick, too) but this is my best mobile game so far and i'm pleased with the results :)

that said, who are you on the leaderboard? i generally add leaderboards to my games and love watching people climb!

meanwhile, GEMBOT (and all of my other games) are coded in AGK;  it's all i know :)

thanks again!

Sharing this now with a hope to inspire others and their submissions as we near the final days of the Jam.

GEMBOT by Virtual Nomad

Be sure to Drop by (pun intended ;) ) but, don't spend too much time playing until your own Submission crosses the Celestial Finish Line!

I'll see you on the Leaderboard!

Playing GEMBOT straightforward is fun, but not all points are good points!

The Key to the Top of the Leaderboard is squeezing as many Points out of each Gem as possible through planning future scoring opportunities instead of taking an easy 2-3 points immediately. 

Consider this:

While Matching 3 Same-Colored Gems will Score 3 (6 including Stars), lining up a Row of 5 will net 18 Match points (3 Matches scoring 3, 6 & 9 respectively) + 9 Stars (1 for each Gem involved in each Match) for a total of 27 Points.

In this Scenario, each Gem is worth 5.4 points while a lone Match of 3 will value each Gem at only 2 points a piece.

Now, if all Gems in the Row are also in Sequential order, 3 Runs would now be in play Scoring an additional 27 Points!

Keep the above in mind during play; And, keep an eye on the # of Gems yet to be played (and the Colors they might be).

When the game is nearing its end, then is the time to grab whatever Points you can by taking whatever opportunities you've left for yourself; The Final Rungs @ the Top of the Ladder!

I'll see you in the Skies!

~VN

PS: It doesn't hurt to appease RNGesus regularly!

GEMBOT is in development; Your Feedback is appreciated!

As a Jam game, there are things that won't make it into the game before the Deadline, such as:

• Additional Game Modes: Timed and Infinite Play (see 10/04 Update)
• Scoring in all 4 directions and "more than 3" Gems considered? (vertical scoring added in 10/04 beta and will become permanent)
• Improved Post-game Feedback and Animations
• Attention to Profile and High Score screens, et al
  • More Polish. Always more polish!

Your suggestions to add more FUN to GEMBOT are valued; There are no guarantees that your ideas will make it into the game but all will be considered or may provide inspiration toward additional features and improvement! Some things to consider for future versions:

• 31 for 2! (it's in the game!)
• Something Special for scoring exactly 121?

While i've played 100s of times up to this point, there may be bugs  or anomalies that i've missed; Please let me know if something doesn't seem right? 

Thanks for playing GEMBOT!

Fun endless space-runner. my record is 21.7m :)

heya, haider. i've gone fullscreen by choice and see no way to exit the game vs tabbing out and X-ing. and, windowed mode is locked/can't be maximized/resized, etc, while [ESC] only offers [Continue]? 

meanwhile, i'm afraid i've missed this AGK gem until now. if you're up for it, save our progress, and >HTML so more can enjoy? otherwise, very nice :)