Game Dev - Apr 2025 #02 - BOAT GOES BINTED

The newest game dev update is a simple one, but both features took quite a bit of work - especially the latest enemy. The Demon!

New Feature: Mel Button

This was a feature I once expressed an interest in a while ago, inspired by the ability to talk to your Summon Beast companion in the Summon Night: Swordcraft Story games.

By pressing the Mel Button, players can talk to Mel (the fairy) during gameplay, allowing me to provide hints and extra banter for player enjoyment.

Mel's current topic of discussion is determined by a global variable, which may be updated via three distinct methods:

1. The Level Object manager can update the current topic when the player enters a new room.

2. Contact with a "Mel Zone" may update the current topic to that zone's assigned topic.

3. Standing INSIDE a "Mel Zone" may update the current topic to its assigned topic. Exiting the zone will reset the topic to the room's default assigned topic.

This means Mel can say things about the specific level you're in, she can say things based on whether you've reached a specific position in the room, or she can say things if you're within a specific area inside the level.

If you pass by something interesting (such as wall pancakes), Mel may comment on it. If you're next to a tricky encounter, she can provide hints. Assuming I hand-place such hints, of course.

I've also revamped the dialogue system from scratch. It is not capable of doing as many tricks as the previous logic, but it is much cleaner & easier to read. It does, however, have two new features:

1. Display the speaker's name.

2. Automatically positions itself based on player height, to prevent covering the player.

New Enemy: Demon

This seductive demon is probably one of the most complex enemies I've designed in a while. They are modeled off of the Axe Armor found in CV's "Hallway of Death."

The Demon will move back & forth to maintain a certain distance away from the player. Then they will attack with a unique projectile that returns to its creator. The height of this attack can be random (shoulder-height or knee-height).

Although much easier than CV's Axe Armor, it is another enemy that should hopefully add a bit more friction to the player experience by having more HP and attacking from a range.

This enemy took a few days, but I feel like it could still use a little bit of work.

Don't forget to eat & sleep.