Ludum Dare 56: Tiny Creatures

Ludum Dare has always been an excuse to lean something new. One year I just learned how to move a character, and make some platforms to zoom across. Another year I made portals that you could jump into. Another year pick ups and counters. This year? I wanted to learn the basics of creating an inventory. 

The idea was simple, find "tiny creatures" scattered around the islands and wake them up. Waking them would drop their icon in your inventory and when you filled the inventory that meant you found them all. 

I also worked on the 2d in a 3d space game design, which I've been trying to do for a while, and interaction with the creatures in the environment which, while simple, was a first for me. 

And all of the textures, bridges, islands, sprites.... all done by me during the 72 hour LD jam. 

What did  I take away from this? The big thing is if there is something you're trying to learn try getting to that the first day. Sometimes it will take time to learn it, sometimes you'll have to fine tune it or trouble shoot, and giving yourself time to do it gives you the best chance of completing it. I started the inventory system on the last day and had to trouble shoot for a while because I was switching from a 2d tutorial to a 3d environment. Once I figured that code out it was simple to implement, but figuring out that bit of code took time, which meant less time polishing at the end to make it look better. 

Once LD voting is over I'll be updating with the better graphics and textures, until then enjoy "Critter Wranglers" as is.