Game Development

Over the years, our server has been racking up costs, and the now-unsupported software it was running on finally gave out.

All online services have now been migrated into permanent offline features. We made sure nothing was lost.

• The Level Editor now saves levels directly to your disk […]
• All community-created levels […]
• All-time high scores have been immortalized […]
• New high scores are saved locally […]

The game Dual Snake on Steam is free and was released in 2018.

Hey folks, I just pushed a new update for my little chaotic project A Survival Game (a survival card game with clueless stickmen). This time I focused on pacing and new systems:

Shorter Map → players were walking too long before hitting events. Now chaos kicks in faster.

Expedition Boat 🚤 → new system to send stickmen away for loot (high risk, sometimes no return).

Radio 📡 → call for resources (or just static). Simple mechanic but adds a nice “desperate communication” flavor.

+4 Stickmen → bringing the total of new recruits to 8 since last updates.

Shop Upgrade 🛒 → cards finally have descriptions, because apparently stickmen can read.

Visual polish ✨ → more effects, outlined texts, flashy cards.

Better Save System 💾 → now more reliable across HTML5, mobile, and desktop builds.

On top of that, I experimented with monetization:

PRO Mode DLC ($2.50) → lets players customize runs (extra cash, days, stick levels). Basically legal cheating.

Mercy DLC ($1) → adds 4 cards including one that lets you roll back to your last save after a bad decision.

Dev thoughts

The biggest design call was shortening the map. Initially I wanted long runs for tension, but players got stuck in “walking simulator” mode. Compressing it made the game more chaotic and fun — curious to see if players miss the old pacing.

Also, adding the radio was fun because it’s a very simple UI change, but thematically it feels huge (players love pressing buttons that might do something).

Questions for you

Have you ever shortened a game/map for pacing reasons? Did it improve retention or just upset players?

Any tips on balancing optional DLC in a small indie project without making the base game feel lacking?

👉 If you want to check out the game: A Survival Game on Itch.io

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/35297209

I'm looking for an engine/framework to make a 2d "RPG" (no leveling, etc, akin to Link to the Past).

I actually went to University for games programming, so I understand how games work, how to code them, etc etc. I work as a Test Automation programmer for websites, and I am doing some development on JS as well on a music toy. I am experienced with C#, C++, Java and JS.

The problem I've had in the past is that the frameworks promise the world, but everything I want to start working on is hidden beneath folders and folders of stuff, and the entry point to customize the correct parts seems obscured. Or, working on OpenGL etc are too basic with basically nothing out of the box.

I just want something that will say : here's your main, here's your player character, we've taken care of the collision detection and inputs and rendering, there's no gravity. Paint the tiles on this screen, and get going.

Like the level of expertise, customisation and entry point needs to be clear (or at least there is a guide to get started that I don't have to spend hours and hours on) and the business side is cut and dry and won't cost me to start deveoping. (flat X% after $Y in sales)

I don't mind having to learn a new scripting language as long as it's not drastically different to the object oriented languages I know already. (ie : nothing in Lisp)

After my previous post on this community, i read all comments and found lots of useful materials on gamedev.

For the firts couple of weeks i was completely involved into gamedev, learning, reading documetation, making project for hours every day. Next week i started to get bored with it. I was still making progress, but i just wasnt involved in it enough. Next week i got completely bored with it, and just left it. I tried to get back on track a couple weeks later, but wasnt successful.

I just cant find myself doing some work, like learning something new, for longer than two weeks. When i was younger, i tried to self learn programming, but couldnt to continue to learn for long. Now i know how to program, not because i personally was interested in it, but because i was taught it. Even if i will somehow learn to develop games, i dont think i will be able to work on same project for months or even years, which is always required to make good games.

Earlier i mentioned that i was bored, which is not what it seems it is. Making games is fun, and i want to do it. I just have a weird feeling, which i cant really explain what it feels like, and it prevents me from just opening the editor and continuing to work on a project i was doing last day, for unkown to me reason. Every time i boot my pc, i just look at that icon on the taskbar for a solid two minutes, until i decide to do nothing. Same thing at the next day, and a day after that, and then i just forgot i was actully doing that. I dont know why, but two weeks seems like the maximum i can spend on any big project, even if i am interested in it, and i know i have enough skill and time to complete it in reasonable amount of time.

So, what can you recommend me to do, to get me involved into game development, to get interested in it enough to actully commit enough of my time to make great projects?

Old one started to struggle at 5000 sprites, new one runs above 170FPS with 10000 spites (as long it doesn't need to switch context too much between shaders and textures), although it can tank to 60 if per-pixel collision detection is needed. Hit-box detection is already done, the likely issue is that in this example, it needs to pull the collision shapes too much (bit arrays, each line is aligned to 64 pixel wide to speed up checks as much as possible by ANDing together chunks, then check the result for non-zero value).

Hey fellow game developers! I wanted to share a quick story on how a little bit of luck and strategic timing helped me gain some traction for my game.

My Steam page had only been live for about 4 days when I reached out to IGN to ask if they would be interested in posting my trailer. I made sure to emphasize that it hadn't been shared anywhere else yet. To my surprise, they got back to me with a positive response and agreed to feature it!

They posted it, and the visibility from IGN gave my Steam page a significant boost. After that, I decided to take it one step further: I posted about the IGN coverage on my social media (Reddit, TikTok, X, Instagram), and it helped even more to spread the word. In just two weeks, I saw my wishlist count go from practically nothing to over 1200+ wishlists!

Here is the link for anyone interested in wishlisting it: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3896300/Toll_Booth_Simulator_Schedule_of_Chaos/

I’m still in the early stages of development, but this boost was incredible, and I wanted to share it with the community to hopefully help others who might be in the same position.

Don't be afraid to reach out, and remember: visibility can make a huge difference! Keep developing and good luck to everyone!

A realistic open-world survival experience. After a harrowing plane crash, you find yourself stranded in the wilderness. Battling freezing temperatures and hunger, you face an unknown virus that slowly paralyzes muscles, leaving its victims motionless and at the mercy of the unforgiving cold.

Steam link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3054440/Short_Snow/

A realistic open-world survival experience. After a harrowing plane crash, you find yourself stranded in the wilderness. Battling freezing temperatures and hunger, you face an unknown virus that slowly paralyzes muscles, leaving its victims motionless and at the mercy of the unforgiving cold.

Steam link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3054440/Short_Snow/

I finished this first game of mine about three months ago. Back then i was too anxious to post it. I would love some feedback on it generally. i am aware of some bugs, and generally know how to do it better nowadays, but i didn't want to touch the code anymore. I'd describe myself as Gamedesigner first, coder second, and artist last. so i would be especially interested in how the game feels to you.

Thanks to everyone who took time out of their day for this :3

Hi everyone, I've been working on this FPS for a while now and felt ready to share the first details about it.
This is my first devlog and I realize in hindsight that the script I wrote didn't really outline all the things I've done for this game but this is my first devlog, and this is the only way you can learn, right? :)

As I explain in the video, I did everything I consider to be hard and laborious first, which includes level design, rigging and animating characters, so that I can focus on my strengths towards the end.

So there's basically no gameplay yet, but that's what I'm working on now.

My goal for this game is to release before the end of the year (which should be pretty easy) and maybe even enter the upcoming Next Fest, tho I think focusing on getting the game done instead of a good demo is better in the case of this game.

Feel free to ask any questions.

Hi, i hope you a re doing well. Here is the link https://store.steampowered.com/app/3054440/Short_Snow/

This is simulator game, but also the life simulation type of game.

Wishlist now on steam to support me: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3896300/Toll_Booth_Simulator_Schedule_of_Chaos/

About the game: Manage a Toll Booth on a desert highway. Check passports, take payments, and decide who gets through. Grow fruit, mix cocktails, sell drinks, and dodge the cops, all while the chaos spirals out of contro

Thanks for reading

What Really Happened to Anthem? (Part 1 2011 - 2017)

Hey fellow coders and gamers! Looking for a quirky, challenging survival game with a twist? I just dropped a major update for A Survival Game — my Godot 3.5 powered indie project that mixes cards, chaos, and stickmen mayhem!

What’s new?

🎉 Scrap Crafting System: Collect junk and craft unique items like a ball weapon and an auto rat killer!

🐀 Dynamic Rat Invasions: The more stickmen you have, the bigger the rat problem!

🦇 Batcrocs Invasion: Yep, monsters in your bunker!

💾 Better Save System: Now fully stable across HTML5, Windows, Linux, and macOS.

🎨 Visuals Overhaul: Flashing cards, paper-style menus, colorful text borders, and floating feedback!

👥 4 New Stickmen: More characters, more drama, more laughs!

🐞 Bug Fixes & Polishing: Smooth gameplay guaranteed.

Why check it out? It’s free to play online (HTML5) or download on your platform of choice

Open source inspiration for Godot devs (I’m happy to share tips!)

A crazy blend of strategy, survival, and humor that’ll keep you hooked

🔥 Play now: https://danielgamedev14.itch.io/a-survival-game 🔥

Drop your thoughts and feedback! Your suggestions might just inspire the next wild update. Let’s survive (or hilariously fail) together! 💀🧱

Hey fellow devs! I just launched a brand-new update for my indie card-based survival game “A Survival Game”, built entirely in Godot 3.5 and now fully compatible with HTML5, Windows, Linux and macOS.

🔧 What's new in this update? 🛠️ Scrap System (New Crafting Mechanic): Scrap is a new resource dropped during events or by the Trader. You can use it to craft two new items (for now):

A ball weapon

An auto rat killer (yes, I have rats invading the bunker now)

🦀 Trader Improvements: Now has a chance to give you scrap, not just points.

🐀 Rat Invasions Revamped: Dynamic rat attack system — the more stickmen you have, the higher the risk. They no longer just pop in randomly!

🦇 Batcrocs can now invade! Totally normal behavior for a survival game, right?

💾 Save System Overhaul: Now supports persistent saving across HTML5, Windows, Linux, and macOS — including DLC saves.

🃏 Visual Improvements:

Flashing card colors

Blue & yellow text borders

Floating feedback texts

Paper-like menu effects

👥 4 new stickmen added – each with their own (very weird) traits.

🪲 Bug fixes + minor rebalance + onboarding help for new players.

🎮 Tech Stack: Engine: Godot 3.5

Language: GDScript

Export Targets: HTML5, Windows, Linux, macOS

Save system: Custom JSON-based with fallback protection

Build pipeline: Manual export (itch.io optimized ZIPs and .app bundles)

🔗 Play here (HTML5 & download options): https://danielgamedev14.itch.io/a-survival-game

Would love to hear feedback from other devs! Whether it’s UX tips, performance ideas, or feedback on how I handle events and saves in HTML5 — I’m all ears. :)

Let me know what you think or what you'd add next!

Hi! My name is Daniel, I'm a 14-year-old indie developer, and I've already released a game called "A Survival Game" on itch.io, where I'm always learning and improving. Now I'm starting a new project:

A survival (or simulation) game with dinosaurs!

The focus could be something like:

ARK-style survival (crafting, gathering, dangerous dinos),

or Jurassic Park Tycoon-style simulation (managing dinosaurs and visitors),

or even something unique to my style.

💡 I already have ideas for mechanics, gameplay style, structure, and how to program everything, but I have one difficulty: I don't know how to model or animate.

So I'm looking for someone willing to help me with:

3D models (low poly) and dinosaur animation

The project is very light, and my idea is to make something fun and creative, and I can release it on itch.io with full credits for those who participate.

📩 If you: Enjoy dinosaur games,

Know how to model or animate (even if you're a beginner),

Or want to create alongside a motivated programmer,

Contact me! Let's talk! 😄

I have no real experience in art but yet i want to make projects like video games. What are some free ways to make 2d assets and packs for free, how do i learn, what style should i study, where do i find reference images/poses? etc.

I know i could use pre-made assets but i really want to try my hand at art.

Im trying not too make this post too long but feel free to add onto this if you wish.