Little Nemo Brainstorming Podcast #29: Level flowchart drafts + game structure
almost 3 years ago
– Sun, Dec 19, 2021 at 10:57:11 PM
Hey Dreamers, Adrian here.
In part 2 of last week's conversation, we look at some draft maps of levels that I and Chris began to start discussing structure. What can you find on your first pass of a level? What goals do you need to accomplish on future passes once you have all of your characters and abilities? How do you get to new content? As always, a reminder that these drafts are all subject to change and do not reflect what you'll see in the final game, but it's a fun discussion that we think you'll enjoy!
Click here to download/listen!
This episode requires visual aid so here are the drafts we discuss so you can follow along with the episode:
Forest draft (Adrian)
Night Sky (Chris)
Slumberland (Chris)
Until next time Dreamers!
~ Adrian & Team Nemo
Little Nemo Brainstorming Podcast #28 - Variable Stats
almost 3 years ago
– Fri, Dec 10, 2021 at 05:59:20 PM
Hey Dreamers! Adrian here.
This podcast is a bit different in that in our effort to address two short topics, we ended up recording enough on each subject for two whole podcasts! But rather than putting out a two hour podcast (and so I could avoid editing a monster audio file in one sitting *ahem*), we decided to split it up into two separate episodes! So be on the look out for part two very soon!
Click here to listen/download!
For this half, Ben has implemented an attack strength variable which can be adjusted at our whim, be it for future character upgrades, food buffs cooked in the kitchen, etc. This got us thinking, what are some ways we can augment the characters attack power in the game, and what effect would it have on the game's design? It's a fun discussion, especially if you enjoy in-depth system design talk, so be sure to give it a listen!
Until next time Dreamers,
~ Adrian & Team Nemo
Little Nemo Brainstorming Podcast #27: Is this podcast a Metroidvania?
almost 3 years ago
– Wed, Nov 24, 2021 at 12:58:21 PM
Hey Dreamers! Adrian here.
This week, after a small tangent where we discuss the illustrious status of Metroidvania for several games, including our own, we talk about the level flow for each level of the game: what powers you need, what kinds of locks and keys will you find, and what can you take from one level and bring into another? By cementing the level flow and beginning to draft out the individual elements and characters you'll find in each level, Ben can begin coding out those individual systems and we can get to implementing the levels, creating the menus, and more. It's a fun discussion with a lot of really in-depth design considerations being solidified, so please give it a listen!
Click here to listen/download!
We're a bit cheeky about the internet discourse on the contentious phrase 'Metroidvania', but we are seriously interested in your opinions about exploratory platformers; what kind of exploration in games that you like in nonlinear games and what you hope to see in Little Nemo, so please let us know what you think in the comments or on Discord! Also, because I gave it a shout out in the podcast, here's a link to Kate Willeart's excellent video on the hidden influences of Metroid that if you haven't seen, you really, really oughta. She also has an upcoming video on the origins of the term 'Metroidvania', so be on the look out for that as well!
Finally, with the Thanksgiving Holiday coming up in the US, we'll be taking a break from the podcast and streaming this week to spend time with our family. We'll be back in December with a new episode, so until then, Dreamers, I leave you with the classic Thanksgiving comic from the original Little Nemo in Slumberland. Enjoy the holiday if you celebrate, and we'll see you all again next time!
~ Adrian & Team Nemo
Little Nemo Brainstorming Podcast 26 - Level Intros
about 3 years ago
– Sat, Nov 20, 2021 at 04:50:01 PM
Hey dreamers! Adrian here.
In this slightly late edition of the podcast, we chat about what happens when the player enters a new area for the first time. We're all big fans of the elaborate level introductions in games like Kingdom Hearts and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and how they prep the player for what's about to come. We discuss the most effective way to capture that energy that embodies the spirit of the Little Nemo comic and works within our specific constraints.
Click here to listen/download!
Related to this discussion is how we can incorporate a distinct theme and motif around our level intro and outros and the rest of the game, the contrast between Slumberland and the waking world, and the approach other games such as the Super Mario Bros. franchise take as well. It's a fun discussion and I'm looking forward to hearing all of your thoughts in the comments or the Discord server as well!
~ Adrian & Team Nemo
Little Nemo Brainstorming Podcast #25: Moving Forward
about 3 years ago
– Sun, Nov 14, 2021 at 12:24:18 AM
Hey Dreamers! Adrian here!
In this week's episode, Ben and Chris discuss the next steps for the game moving forward as we begin wrapping up our vertical slice! We discuss ways to make our level making pipeline smoother, finishing Peony's move set, levels and systems we need to build out next, and more! We also discuss our plans for distributing the vertical slice to publishers and other venues as well.
Click here to listen/download!
While listening to this week's episode, you may notice a distinct lack of... well, me. That's because my recorded audio has seemed to malfunction this week, so apologies for that! I've edited around the episode as I didn't feature too heavily this time around regardless so the absence should hopefully not be noticeable, but in case you're wondering where I wandered off to this week, that's what happened. I should have those kinks ironed out by next week! Also heads up that there's a lot of background noise this week, particularly at the beginning, which I was unfortunately not able to rectify.
Until next time Dreamers,
~ Adrian & Team Nemo
