Hello everyone. Great to be back. Unfortunately several life challenges hit me all at once, as my wife had medical issues, we moved house and I started a new job as a guest lecturer at Bloomfield College Game Design section.
Things were further delayed when we found toxic mold in our new house and had to live in a motel for a while.
Regardless, in two weeks (knock on wood) everything should be settled. The repairs should be done on our home and the semester will be over at college. I will be back to making regular weekly updates!
Thank you all for standing by me. I think you will be pleased with the new build forthcoming.
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
Maya Breaker Dev Blog Update 26: Hiatus
August of 2016 will be a break for me. Much work has been done, and testing has begun, but due to personal issues, I will need to stop production for a month. While actual work will resume in September, there are a few things you should know:
1. The game is still being worked on, just by other programmers.
2. My family is moving. My family added a new member this summer, my son. Because of this we need to move to a bigger dwelling. I will be without a home workstation for a period of time, so work will really be impossible.
3. For those who have ordered the original soundtrack, it has been finished.
4. I just need a break. I've been developing for so long, I haven't had time to play any of the new games. I'm totally out of touch with my indie game competition and I need to learn about what gamers are expecting in today's market. So, yeah, I need to play some games.
5. Also, I need to read some books. I have many books on design I've bought but have been too busy to read. It would be better if I read them BEFORE I release my game.
Thank you for your patience. If you want to learn more, I will be teaching a workshop on Game Maker Studio at A Video Game Con in Parsippany NJ September 10th.
1. The game is still being worked on, just by other programmers.
2. My family is moving. My family added a new member this summer, my son. Because of this we need to move to a bigger dwelling. I will be without a home workstation for a period of time, so work will really be impossible.
3. For those who have ordered the original soundtrack, it has been finished.
4. I just need a break. I've been developing for so long, I haven't had time to play any of the new games. I'm totally out of touch with my indie game competition and I need to learn about what gamers are expecting in today's market. So, yeah, I need to play some games.
5. Also, I need to read some books. I have many books on design I've bought but have been too busy to read. It would be better if I read them BEFORE I release my game.
Thank you for your patience. If you want to learn more, I will be teaching a workshop on Game Maker Studio at A Video Game Con in Parsippany NJ September 10th.
Saturday, July 9, 2016
Maya Breaker Update 25: The Storm
Things are going very quickly now, so more information in a few days.
Friday, April 8, 2016
Monday, April 4, 2016
Maya Breaker Update 24: Let Maya Open the Door
I'm expanding the game greatly since out last test. The fact of the matter was that the map was too compact. Everything was too close together, and there just wasn't enough space to finish one idea before encountering the next.
Because of this, I've had to redo the room transitions. The rooms were working well, but there were dozens of objects and scripts where there should have been only a few. Like taking apart an automotive engine, taking things apart means the whole thing doesn't run.
But don't worry, this is normal. In a few days everything will work as it did last week, more elegant code and that will make it easier to expand the game with new levels.
Everything will be ready for this Saturday the 9th for our next test! be sure to send me a Tweet! @Xanthous Ray
Because of this, I've had to redo the room transitions. The rooms were working well, but there were dozens of objects and scripts where there should have been only a few. Like taking apart an automotive engine, taking things apart means the whole thing doesn't run.
But don't worry, this is normal. In a few days everything will work as it did last week, more elegant code and that will make it easier to expand the game with new levels.
Everything will be ready for this Saturday the 9th for our next test! be sure to send me a Tweet! @Xanthous Ray
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Maya Breaker Update 23: The Juice is Loose
I'm happy to say that things went very well last night at NJ Arcade Night! Thanks to Bloomfield College for hosting us. The players really responded to the new build, much more than ever before. It makes sense since I've been adding a lot of Juice to the game. Flourishes like pixelated lighting, gamepad vibration, screenshake, particle effects and so on.
The playtest went so well that I will be adding new features. An achievement-like system and a larger map to explore are forthcoming.
Thanks to everyone who played, and look for a Super Tester Saturday on the 9th, where everyone can try the new build.
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Maya Breaker Update 22: The Dust Clears
The final date of the 24th has passed. The game is working and the code is stable. The audio is in and working, as well as a host of new graphics.
However, I'm still not satisfied with the game as it stands. Because of this I will need another round of testing. I've commissioned an an additional track for the soundtrack. Also, there will be new assets made by a team of new sprite artists.
As for the gameplay, it's smooth. It still needs work. For that I will be arranging another super tester Saturday. I can't just throw it together, I need time to promote it. I will also be visiting NYU and showing the game to the game design students. I'm hoping for constructive feedback.
I won't be finishing the game, though. I'm hiring some ringers to finish the last few details. I've been at this for too long and mind has turned to mashed potatoes. And so, I'll be hiring programmers at my own expense. Goodbye tax return.
Look for more on the next Super Tester Saturday. Should be late March.
In other news, our favorite artist, Charochai has come back to do another picture exclusively for the soundtrack box art! Kickstarter backers will be the first to see it when they get their soundtracks in the mail.
However, I'm still not satisfied with the game as it stands. Because of this I will need another round of testing. I've commissioned an an additional track for the soundtrack. Also, there will be new assets made by a team of new sprite artists.
As for the gameplay, it's smooth. It still needs work. For that I will be arranging another super tester Saturday. I can't just throw it together, I need time to promote it. I will also be visiting NYU and showing the game to the game design students. I'm hoping for constructive feedback.
I won't be finishing the game, though. I'm hiring some ringers to finish the last few details. I've been at this for too long and mind has turned to mashed potatoes. And so, I'll be hiring programmers at my own expense. Goodbye tax return.
Look for more on the next Super Tester Saturday. Should be late March.
In other news, our favorite artist, Charochai has come back to do another picture exclusively for the soundtrack box art! Kickstarter backers will be the first to see it when they get their soundtracks in the mail.
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