Wrote this game initially for a game jam last month.  I was attempting to make a FPS survivors-like using inspired by Sorath’s games. However, I dropped it in a very incomplete state because I lacked a proper, short, and meaningful GDD which had game development direction and what I was trying to do. 

I had added way too much about specifics vs larger picture, did not have a core pillar / motive I was aiming for that would guide my decision making, and I made the mistake of adding features deep into development vs just making sure what I had felt good. 

This jam I am going to do a remake of this old game, but with written down proper direction and goals. The game plan is to do some clean up, convert from C# in GDScript and add/cut from my original project so I can check if my core pillars and gameplay questions can be answered for my MVP.

I am aiming for a very thin vertical slice / MVP to see if my idea is worth continuing further as I felt the jam prototype rough idea had some potential to do further work on it.

Changelog

01-25–2024

• Rewrite old GDD, and write in core version to guide in initial powerups I want and how I want to go about working the game.
• Ported code bits from old C# project to GDScript for faster iterating
• Lifted Devil Dagger-like controller from another previous prototype to use as new player controller vs the previous version
• Adjusted knobs for Boid like enemies, and built a gib absorbing enemy
• Replace XP orbs mechanic, to opt inside for a DD like gib mechanic
• Rewrite old upgrade system to use VS-like style and split passives and actives into own folders for readability
• Cut initial survivor loop to test first few core enemy types.

1-26-24

• Completed VS-like upgrade system
• Reevaluated power ups and if they contributed to my pillars which I wrote in the GDD. Implemented the following, and verified they worked as intended in isolation. 
  • Actives: 
    • Axe
    • Homing projectile
    • Cross Like
  • Passives:
    • Damage boost
    • Fire rate boost
    • Movement speed boost
• Built “slot” system which new activate guns are placed across the screen
• Setup Pinterest board
• Adjust spawner waves to prevent overcrowding early into the game
• Ticked potential issue with Boids above 100+ tanking performance. If I have enough time I will port an old hashed spatial partition implementation and convert from C++ to GDScript.

1-27-24

• MadePinterest for getting ideas for enemies and gun designs.
• Study models used in PS1/PS2 games of games I want to emulate style of to see what to do and practiced on making MetalHeart content as I wanted the game art style to take on that instead
• Started some test models of style I want to get before commit next day to modeling all assets

1-28-24

• Cut gun motif for the game, to swap to magic and using arm + graphic effects usage to save on time and to avoid modeling a bunch of guns and animating them all
• Wrote description / directions on Itch.io page
• Modeled all weapon power ups
  • Cross 
  • Red Orb
  • Axe
  • Boomerang Cross
• White Boxed the general arena to play in. A bit experimental on my part as I have no experience designing FPS levels, but hey worst case scenario I go with flat planes only.

1-29-24

• Break day to recharge

1-30-24

• Opted for reusing some old model assets for enemies. Testing for gameplay, so I will switch these up later if I chose to push further with this project idea
• Added some shaders for Holograms and water floor. Aiming for a Y2K/Cybercore vibe because I like it lol.
• Modeled the main map
• Tweak stats for power ups so they are not broken on equipped
• Bug fixed some issues with the enemy spawns, gibs not appearing in right locations, and static body weirdness

1-31-24

• Hit MVP state. I am still missing a lot of stuff I wanted, but these are ultimately not important as I am checking if an Sorath based FPS controller with VS mechanics feels fun enough
• Bug smashing
• Added instructions in starting screen and goal
• Ported to Windows 10 from Linux system and tested with Wine

2-1-24

• Various bug smashing.
• Tweak spawning knobs and stats
• Added in new enemy types. Added another tank that is like tank I, but does a straight dash to the player and uses any boid behaviors. Also added a stronger spawner