Ludum Dare 2012

= Update 6: 1:51 am 12/18/2012 = After uploading the official version, I discovered there were game breaking bugs! I fixed them an reuploaded. Mac: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?m9eri232vp0839h Windows: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?dys4fnu1hxgfiai PS my high score is 1012.

= Update 5: 8:50 pm 12/17/2012 = GAME'S DONE See it here: http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-25/?action=preview&uid=18258

= Update 4: 4:02 am 12/17/2012 = Whelp, Children are implemented and mostly working (I basically copy and pasted the Squirrel code). There's still some weirdness when being chased, and howls often don't work

Witches are also implemented but don't do anything at the moment but teleport around and laugh. At the very least, though, I have some neat looking menus.

Gonna get some sleep and finish up these various elements tomorrow.

= Update 3: 7:32 pm 12/16/12 = Turns out I miscalculated and I have an extra day! The jam officially ends at 9pm tomorrow, so I'll throw in some more features I wanted. Squirrel fleeing and escaping works great, currently implementing menus.

= Update 2: 3:02 am 12/16/12 = Spent today learning and implementing the AStar Pathfinding project, so now squirrels can wander around and collect nuts. Having an unfortunate bug where if they reach their destination they wind up making new paths incredibly fast and not moving. Need to fix that, then I can implement the other idea.

I've got a much better idea for a more achievable game using the same framework, which I will implement tomorrow. The goal is to kill and eat creatures to earn points as before, only you are faster than anything you chase. The goal is not to catch them, but to chase them as long as possible as the greater their fear, the more points they are worth. The challenge is not so much keeping up as steering them away from safe spots. If a fleeing squirrel touches a tree, it will climb it and be lost to you, unless you have Marked it beforehand. Thus you're encouraged to scout the area and plan a route before eating.

Hopefully I'll be able to resolve this squirrel AI issue in time to add some additional hazards and creatures.

EDIT: got the squirrel business working with a little hacky solution, although since I re-computed the pathing graph, my scene view is covered in artifacts!

EDIT 2: Now the artifacts are gone, or at least hidden. Hooray!

= Update 1: 5:27 am 12/15/12 = So my attempt to give the wolf the ability to Sprint is all kinds of fucked up, and I've wasted hours trying to debug it. I'll have to scale back a great deal of what I had in mind. At the very least, I want to include eating deer and children, avoiding wolves, and peeing on trees. Should be reasonable, and I can always expand the game after the weekend is over.

=Ludum Dare 2012= Running Date: December 14 at 9pm EST to December 16th at 9pm EST.

Theme: "You are the Villain"

Concept
Tentative Title: TBD

The player plays as a Big Bad Wolf living in the enchanted woods. As a wolf, it is their duty to prey on deer, pigs, and lost girls in red coats. However, there are plenty of dangers for a wolf like yourself, including other wolves, hunters, and worse that live in the woods. Fortunately, there are powerful beings who will lend you aid if you can provide recompense.

Gameplay
You are a wolf in a magical forest, and you must survive and thrive. The game will be 2D in the Unity Engine, with a Top Down perspective. The wolf will wander a large forest (may or may not be randomized) with the goal of eating as much as possible (should add new goals). Deer, Pigs, and Children are all available to be eaten. However, you must be careful as once you begin consuming your prey you cannot stop, and the scent of a fresh kill attracts enemies to you. You can fight some off, some you must flee from, and some you can scare away with various tactics.

The ultimate goal is to kill and eat as much as possible in 7 minutes (each minute representing a day). Doing wolfy things gets you points. Replaying is encouraged.

= Goals = At the very basic, a fun, zippy action game is the goal. Depending on how complex things can get, we may be able to create a simple eco-system, with various creatures interacting.

= Character Powers = Work in Progress. Feel free to discuss or add possibilities.
 * Running
 * with WASD or Arrow Keys
 * Sprinting
 * An ability to quickly sprint in a line, with limited lateral maneuvering.
 * Can mark trees.
 * Marking trees keeps away other wolves and some other creatures. Marking is on cooldown, which recharges faster if you drink water.
 * Howling/Barking
 * Howling increases score when done on high places and can scare away prey. Scared prey is worth more points, but they flee immediately.
 * Barking will steer prey.
 * Combat.
 * Combat is simple. Touching another creature initiates a fight which is resolved automatically, usually with one or both parties dying, taking damage, or fleeing.
 * Perhaps add a flee option?
 * Licking Wounds?
 * Carry.
 * Can elect to carry one thing at a time. Corpses or items.

= Enemies =

Prey
Dumb, stupid animals for devouring.
 * Deer, Pigs, Ducks, Rabbits. Anything with tasty meat.
 * Fairies
 * Fairies wander around and cast annoying curses on you. Killing one gives few points, but prevents them from interfering.
 * Golden Goose
 * Will produce a golden egg if killed. Will fly away if approached during the Day.

Children
Children are pretty fast, but boy are they tasty.
 * Scaring one by howling, chasing them, or having them find a corpse gives more points.
 * May flee to the safety of a Protector.

Protector
Large humans capable of fighting and hurting the player.
 * Woodsman with an Axe, can chop down trees you've marked.
 * Knight: Very fast and deadly on horseback. Can be hidden from.

Predators
You're not the only scary thing in the forest.
 * Other Wolves will attack and injure you if you are near a fresh kill.
 * Player can mark a tree, which will prevent other wolves from coming near it for a time.
 * Will attack Prey and Children.
 * Troll
 * Very large, very strong, very slow.
 * Only come out at night.
 * Killing one gives major points. Will fight Protectors.
 * Turns to stone during the day.

Witches
Witches are tricksters that love Wolves. They can provide buffs and enchantments if they are brought certain bounties.

Bounties

 * Live Pig
 * Live Child
 * Dead Fairy
 * Magic Mushroom (slows you the longer you hold it in your mouth)
 * Golden Egg
 * Live Woodsman.

Buffs

 * Unlimited sprint for a time.
 * Faster movement
 * Faster healing
 * Unlimited marking
 * Friendly wolves will not attack you for a time.
 * Become Extra Scary for a time.

Wells
Drink from a well to gain a little health and recover your sprint and marking.

Moonlight Circles
Howl in one with other wolves nearby to gain a lot of score and become temporarily friendly with the wolves.