Today we would like to present to you the first Fan-Game Showcase! And it's a dilly! "Wait... What's this you're talking about?" you ask. Fan-Game Showcase is when a fan-game currently being worked on by the community, one which shows much hard work and love, is selected to be shown off and talked about at length with the developer(s). And now, take a sneak peek at...
Click title for download. Click on the thumbnails below for more screen shots.
This opportunity allowed us to sit down and have a talk with the project's director and sole developer, The Dave.
General Info:
This game has turned into much more than I had originally planned. That's a good thing though! I had originally planned it only to be a simple never-ending scrolling shooter type game, like The Fan Game. Anyway, I've got a lot planned for this little game gone big. I'm shooting for ten levels, each with their own unique style. They could be just space, or a planet's surface, or even the fourth dimension! I also have more assists planned, like Fobbies for example. The possibilities are endless! And maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to add some sort of multiplayer functionality to the game.
Interview:
Q: How did you come about starting this game?
A: I think the thought process went something like this: "Hm, I want to make a new game.", "What should it be about?", "What should it be like?", "How about a scrolling shooter, those are fun to make.", "It needs an Ego Orb, 'cause they're awesome.", "You know, Ego Orbs look like moons.", "I know! Ego Orb In Space!" I then proceeded to attempt a movement system I had just dreamed up. That didn't work out at all. The project then sat in the dark recesses of my hard drive for another month or so. Then one night I was talking to my friend about that crazy idea I had for a game, and all he said was, "DO IT." So I tried once more. This time I realized how overcomplicated I made things in my first attempt and easily finished the movement system. I then added in some enemies and a place holder title screen, and posted it here on the forums. It received wonderful feedback, and that's what has inspired me to continue on to what I've made today. Thanks guys!
Q: What do you think has been most difficult for you so far? Easiest?
A: Well, hm, I have to think about this one. I think the most difficult thing for me has been spriting. I'm really not that great of a spriter, at least not with big things. When I started the project, I thought it'd be a good idea to make all the sprites myself. But when I wanted to make the Super power-up, I needed a big sprite - which I'm not so great at making. I just decided to use EB's sprite. Same thing with the Spinning Robo boss, and the Octobot boss as well. Now the easiest thing... I really don't know what was easiest, most of the programming went along really smoothly. I suppose the easiest thing that I thought would be difficult was the Online Highscore system. Sending stuff via HTTP isn't as confusing as I thought it would be, and the server side stuff was pretty simple too.
Q: What are your goals for this game... what are you trying to convey to your players?
A: My main goal for the game is to make it fun as fun to play as it is to make. I know that sounds cheesy and cliché, but that's what I'm hoping for. I want it to be something that will put a smile on the player's face and have them say, "Hey, this is fun! This was totally worth the few seconds I spent downloading it!" Knowing that I've made someone's day a little brighter is what makes me happy the most as a game developer - even if I am only an amateur. Yeah, yeah cheesy and cliché.
Q: Any tips for aspiring game developers?
A: I have three big ones.
Q: Is there anything else you'd like to say about the project?
A: Well, I think I've covered everything I wanted to say. I hope you guys keep playing, and I hope I've at least inspired someone to try out making a game. Thank you all again!
Click title for download. Click on the thumbnails below for more screen shots.
This opportunity allowed us to sit down and have a talk with the project's director and sole developer, The Dave.
General Info:
This game has turned into much more than I had originally planned. That's a good thing though! I had originally planned it only to be a simple never-ending scrolling shooter type game, like The Fan Game. Anyway, I've got a lot planned for this little game gone big. I'm shooting for ten levels, each with their own unique style. They could be just space, or a planet's surface, or even the fourth dimension! I also have more assists planned, like Fobbies for example. The possibilities are endless! And maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to add some sort of multiplayer functionality to the game.
Interview:
Q: How did you come about starting this game?
A: I think the thought process went something like this: "Hm, I want to make a new game.", "What should it be about?", "What should it be like?", "How about a scrolling shooter, those are fun to make.", "It needs an Ego Orb, 'cause they're awesome.", "You know, Ego Orbs look like moons.", "I know! Ego Orb In Space!" I then proceeded to attempt a movement system I had just dreamed up. That didn't work out at all. The project then sat in the dark recesses of my hard drive for another month or so. Then one night I was talking to my friend about that crazy idea I had for a game, and all he said was, "DO IT." So I tried once more. This time I realized how overcomplicated I made things in my first attempt and easily finished the movement system. I then added in some enemies and a place holder title screen, and posted it here on the forums. It received wonderful feedback, and that's what has inspired me to continue on to what I've made today. Thanks guys!
Q: What do you think has been most difficult for you so far? Easiest?
A: Well, hm, I have to think about this one. I think the most difficult thing for me has been spriting. I'm really not that great of a spriter, at least not with big things. When I started the project, I thought it'd be a good idea to make all the sprites myself. But when I wanted to make the Super power-up, I needed a big sprite - which I'm not so great at making. I just decided to use EB's sprite. Same thing with the Spinning Robo boss, and the Octobot boss as well. Now the easiest thing... I really don't know what was easiest, most of the programming went along really smoothly. I suppose the easiest thing that I thought would be difficult was the Online Highscore system. Sending stuff via HTTP isn't as confusing as I thought it would be, and the server side stuff was pretty simple too.
Q: What are your goals for this game... what are you trying to convey to your players?
A: My main goal for the game is to make it fun as fun to play as it is to make. I know that sounds cheesy and cliché, but that's what I'm hoping for. I want it to be something that will put a smile on the player's face and have them say, "Hey, this is fun! This was totally worth the few seconds I spent downloading it!" Knowing that I've made someone's day a little brighter is what makes me happy the most as a game developer - even if I am only an amateur. Yeah, yeah cheesy and cliché.
Q: Any tips for aspiring game developers?
A: I have three big ones.
- Never take on a big project without planning ahead. Just winging it as you go never works! Trust me, I've done that countless times, you should see all the projects I've dumped.
- Don't get discouraged! If you're having a hard time with something, ask for help! But don't ask for someone else to do it for you, you'll never learn that way. If you really don't get it, try doing something different, or starting from a tutorial.
- Don't burn yourself out. Don't try to pump out a game in a week or something, pace yourself. Usually, the awesomeness of a game is directly proportional to the amount of time it takes to make it.
Q: Is there anything else you'd like to say about the project?
A: Well, I think I've covered everything I wanted to say. I hope you guys keep playing, and I hope I've at least inspired someone to try out making a game. Thank you all again!
| If you'd like to see more "EgoOrb in Space" action or want to download the game yourself, check it out HERE. |
