It’s finally time to dabble in creating a digital game of my own!

This task was started with my game design partner, Jerry.  In creating this game we took the knowledge of our previous board game trials and processes and started a digital prototype for a new game.  Once again we went into this process open-minded and not really dead-set on any one type of game.  After throwing out a couple of ideas, we decided on a simple, one-player game in which the player acts as a hero and saves victims from various enemies.

I was tasked with the art work, while Jerry handled the coding and technicalities of game play.  With such a broad game premise I had no idea where to even begin with character design.  So I basically did what I think anyone would do, continue to create characters until I made one that I thought was cute!  Okay, I’m only halfway joking.  The process did prove to be something of the sort.  I created a couple of characters, human and fantasy until I created one that I thought I could build off of.  Once I created the main character who would serve as the hero, I created the enemy.  I chose a human hero and a fantasy-monster enemy.  Following suit with the hero, the victim to be saved is also a human.

After designing the main characters I created multiple frames/ sprites to allow for them to walk, jump and punch.  After doing so, I gave it all to Jerry to bring to life.  After he put his coding spin on things, we had the very beginning of a digital game, “Moonwalk Jackson.”  When putting the sprites together for a test run, Jerry said it looked like our main character was moonwalking and we ran with it.  He named him Moonwalk Jackson and alas, “Moonwalk Jackson” came to life.

This evening we were able to play-test the rough version of what we have so far and surprisingly, those who tested the game were pretty receptive to what we had so far.  As the producer, I asked a couple of the players if they felt as though the artwork meshed well with both the premise of the game and just aesthetically together as a whole.  Responses to this question were favorable with the only suggestions at this point were to include more character interactions.  Taking this suggestion into mind, we decided to increase the number of villains and to make said villains different instead of settling on just one for the entirety of the game.  In doing so, it allows for us to create villains that interact differently with Moonwalk Jackson and the victim.  We also decided to add more player options for the main character aside from running, jumping and punching.  Exactly which new options to include are still being decided.

I’d have to say that tonight’s play-testing proved to be extremely beneficial.  More updates coming soon!