What I did

After the last monthly udpate I did some more posts talking about Midnight Journey (Zelda Souls) and some decisions I made. On May 11th there was a “Software Showcase” at University and I decided that I wanted to show Midnight Journey there and did a small prototype that could show what I wanted for the game.

Unfornately, what I could do was about 50% of what I actually wanted to do. Anyway, it is easier to record a video showing the first playable version of Midnight Journey. So this is what I’ve done, the work of the whole month is in this video:

Basically it’s the programming for all the video, user interface, combat system with healing, cutscenes, character movement, drawing the main character and his animations, drawing an enemy and his animations, drawing a tileset for the background and composing a simple 8 bit music for the Title Screen (It can’t be heard on the video).

What to do next?

While programming/drawing this I decided to change some things…

Character: I’ve noticed that modern games similar to Midnight Journey usually uses 8 directions for movement and attack, and this is really a great idea. So I want to use 8 directions instead of 4. I had this idea when reading this post on medium that talks about animating top down 2D games on Unity, it is a really good resource.

Music: I don’t want it to be 8 bit anymore, I will try to go for a sound similar to the Playstation era (the first) using some synths from the 80s or 90s

Aesthetic: I want to think again the aesthetic that I want for Midnight Journey, while I liked the Ethan for this first view of the game it does not reflect exactly what I want for it.

What does it mean? I will do everything all over again. yay. But I think that how bigger games go.

Now, Really, What to do Next?

1. I want to do this exact first view of the game again but with those changes, as I won’t have a “deadline” this time, I want to get it 100% right this time. I talk about exactly what I want at this other post
2. Practice Pixel Art. A LOT. I want really smooth animations and some effects similar to particle effects. I have to improve on it so I can get the aesthetic I want.
3. Search some VSTs that replicate the sounds of old synths. And try to mess with them.
4. Program a Tile System for Unity. It was really hard to put those tiles together as they are in the video, even if it just a bunch of grass tiles, so I want to program my own tool so I can do it. There are some paid alternatives in Asset Store, but I want to avoid buying anything for this game.

Some thoughts I had while developing this

A thing that I’ve been thinking a lot lately is that I really want to work in the game industry, I don’t have a lot of opportunities where I live (kind of a small city in Brazil) but I’m trying to find one.

So I’m thinking if I really should be working in a game like Midnight Journey that would take like a year to turn into something (but it would be a game that I would be happier with the result) or if I should work on smaller games so I can publish them and have a bigger experience in fully developing games.

Or maybe both?? Midnight Journey is more of a game that I’m developing for myself (probably it isn’t a good idea the same person do programming/art/sound in a regular job) so I’m thinking if it really is a good experience and if it really is worth the time.

What I’m going towards at the moment is doing some casual games, try for a job or some ocasional freelancing and also keep working in Midnight Journey on my free time, as it is something that I do entirely for myself. Kinda confusing to be honest but I wanted to write it down here so I can think about it better.

Next Update:  I will try to do it around June 15th.