I think the only unfortunate part of learning more about game design is learning how to make compromises. Not all of your ideas can fit into a realistic scope with limited time & manpower I have huge plans for Starlight River, but I have made failsafe plans just in case I need to shorten the scope. - ThreadSky

grantthena.bsky.social • 82 days ago

I think the only unfortunate part of learning more about game design is learning how to make compromises. Not all of your ideas can fit into a realistic scope with limited time & manpower

I have huge plans for Starlight River, but I have made failsafe plans just in case I need to shorten the scope.

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yaru.itch.io•81 days ago

I feel like learning game design has made me less productive overall, because now I overthink EVERYTHING. Sure, the end result is much better, but I miss the sheer amount of stuff I churned out 15 years ago.

Like all engineering disciplines, it's always a tradeoff between one and the other...

grantthena.bsky.social•82 days ago

I am aiming for a 5 chapter game, with each chapter being a whole level taking 20-40 minutes to beat with story content, boss fights & unique gimmicks.

Starlight River isn't going to be a very long game, but despite that, I'm still only one man.

grantthena.bsky.social•82 days ago

My fallback plan does involve cutting out a chapter in between chapter 3 and the final chapter.

It's not ideal, but I know I can make it work if things come to worst.

grantthena.bsky.social•82 days ago

I would just end up merging parts of chapter 4 into chapter 5 which wouldn't be the worst, but obviously I'd like it to be a full chapter if possible.

It's the only chapter where I only have the level theme & story planned for. While others, I have powers, gimmicks & boss fights already planned.

grantthena.bsky.social•82 days ago

I actually already cut a chapter because originally Starlight River was supposed to have 6 chapters in total.

The 5th chapter being a break in formula, a hub world that contains NPCs & a metroidvania style exploration. Being easily the 2nd shortest chapter only after the first chapter.

grantthena.bsky.social•82 days ago

However, this is easily and definitively isn't going to be in the final game due to pacing & time that can be spent elsewhere

At the moment, the goal for 5 chapters is still going strong, but if it comes down to it, I won't be that upset if I had to sacrifice chapter 4 to make chapter 5 even better

yaru.itch.io•81 days ago

To quote someone smarter than me (Yahtzee Croshaw): "If you're gonna rush something out, do the middle part of the game. Not the beginning or the end, because that's the parts people remember."

grantthena.bsky.social•82 days ago

I'm burnt out on working on Chapter 1, mostly due to the limitations from the the game's tutorial mechanics.

Once I am free and can work on the levels that take advantage of the powers & freedom I really enjoy, I know things will fall back into place. Chapter 2 & 3 especially are going to be so fun

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