AoA Weekly #21 - The Demo foundation

Work continues on the demo as the first major level is finished. This is the level the player wakes up in, and it consists of 6 levels in one. It's designed to let the player roam and discover mechanics on their own. Long, long ago we made a demo that was extremely hand-holding, and it was bitterly rejected. Fast forward to now, and we actually agree with the sentiment.

Players want to discover the game, not be told about it.

And that has been the motto not only for the demo, but our game as well. There are light 'hints', but a lot of it is left up to the player to figure out. So the level we've made has small 'puzzle rooms' to let the player naturally discover the mechanics. It makes development so much easier if you just design it smartly instead of shoving tutorials everywhere. And it's more fun for the player! :)

With this level came the creation of the basic model set for all demo levels, which will rapidly increase work speed. We also finished the saving/loading logic. It's good to get that done at the start so you don't have to remake the whole thing later when you realize you forgot the saving tech.

Next week will most likely be the official world map and the creation of many more levels. We're looking forward to even more progress. :)

On to what we did this week:

• Finished the Early Arkar: Pools of Reflection

  • Zulzin wakes up in a pool, with a memorabilia in his hand... and no memory of what has transpired.

  • The player is introduced to a free roam exploration tutorial with no hand holding.

  • Added the three puzzle rooms to acquaint the player with Zulzin's abilities

  • Completed the transition graphics for leaving/entering the ruins

  • Added a secret room. :)

• Demo saving/loading done

  • It was important to do this early, and now it can be worked on along side the main content.

• Even more demo sprites

  • We've received lots of new Vialianso and Lanarii sprites. These will greatly serve the cutscenes that are to come!

• Early Arkar model set done

  • With generic models to alter for each level, we're ready to flesh out this early version of Arkar.

Steam post image"Crumbling ruins of an Early Arkar that has not yet met its architect..."

Steam post image"This world is in its infancy and has a sense of genesis..."

• CorrenBros