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LD20: I Was Not Expecting This Theme

So the theme for Ludum Dare 20 is “It’s Dangerous To Go Alone! Take this!”

I’m not really sure about it. I was really hoping for “Traps”, but you play the hand you’re dealt.

I haven’t thought too much about the theme yet (I was busy play Jeopardy! for the Wii with friends when the compo started), but here are some first draft game concepts:

  • Your Guardian Pet: Think Ico, only you’re the helpless one, and you have to leave your protective dog sometimes to find a way to get it into areas you need to go.
  • Shove Off!: You’re among a crowd of prey (sheep?), and there are predators (wolves?) circling. You need to maneuver yourself into position to push, kick, or shove the other prey out of the crowd so the predators eat someone other than you. It’s more like “Take THIS!”
  • Hot Potato: There is a very important item, and your team needs to deliver it, but there are agents trying to stop you. If a team member gets isolated while holding the item, you lose, so try to pass off the item to someone else before the agents can corner you.

One thing I want to try to do is avoid complexity, and while I’m more familiar with artificial intelligence, I’d rather not have to code up pathfinding or goal-driven agents. I’ll try to focus more on player-controlled mechanics and system interaction than on building a living, breathing world.

For now, I’m going to sleep on the problem, and in the morning, I’ll start prototyping some ideas. Good night, Ludum Dare!