2D platformer... thing...

Lately I've been putting together a 2D platformer.

I had this idea for a game that revolved around a single item. In this case, a table. I know, it sounds odd. The idea was that you'd find a multitude of uses for a single object, rather than having a whole ton of objects with single functions. It sounded great in my head.

So I started working on it. But, the more I built the prototype, it just wasn't nearly as fun in practice as it sounded in my head. I built out the first function of the table (blocking) and was starting to work on other functions (as a parachute, a springboard, a weapon, etc, etc) only to find that instead of making each of those functions cool, it felt like each of them were really forced. So instead, I made a gun and put that in. At that point, the whole concept was shot(get it?)

I guess that's the beauty of prototyping though. You can flesh out a concept enough to judge it without having to commit fully to developing something.

Either way, I learned a ton about Unity's new 2D tools, a lot of what-not-to-do's (specifically with physics) as well as a lot of better practices. Even with a failed prototype, we succeed if we learn something right?

Honestly, after the first thing I built failed (years ago), I felt pretty crummy. But now, it's a lot easier to focus on all the things I've learned in the process. Even a project that I consider to be an abysmal failure, I still feel really good about the things I've picked up along the way.

I still really like the idea of the character and the "item" having independent movement. It kind of reminds me of smashTV where firing wasn't tied to character position or facing. Sadly, the table just wasn't fun. *shrug*

(And before you ask, NO. I was not going to steal graphics from Castlevania. Alucard just happened to be the most complete spritesheet I could find with a quick google search. It allowed me to play with animations and such)

You can check out the prototype here: 2DGameTest

(wasd/space for movement, ijkl control the table. I know the controls feel awkward, but it was intended for dual joysticks, and it was just a proof of concept prototype, you understand.)