Get ready for PyWeek #7!
Write a complete game using Python language in one week! This challenge is held the seventh time this September, and the Mindless Labs team is eager to get coding again! What kind of game could possibly win such a contest? Let me share some principles we devised along the years.
- The player should have a feeling of "flow". Let the player feel that he is in control of the events, and the difficulty should be challenging enough yet not making him angry or stressed. Creating such a feeling of flow requires fine design and tuning, maybe not fitting well the scope of a single week. However, as a main point: As we naturally play our game very intensively under development, we tend to underestimate its difficulty, and over-estimate its ease of controlling. Therefore apply the PopCap™ Mom-test, and ask a relative our friend who doesn't spend a Half Life in front of the computer to play with our game. Be sure not to interrupt her, and don't help her any way (like "Just press the W key again" or "You should turn left there and push the blinking button, using the Space key"). Make notes about where does she struggle, and refine those aspects of the game. The final result should be that anyone completely unfamiliar with your game could easily figure out what to do, and most importantly, should have a fun playing your game.
- No networking or multiplayer mode. You will run out of development time, the network will fail, and in the end you won't get anywhere (until you figure out who burned you... ;) Use the time you would put into networking to improve on your game.
- The game should have a fast learning curve. The voters usually play most of the games submitted to the contest before ranking them, so they will abandon games for which they can't figure out how to play in five minutes. Always supply a brief but descriptive manual of your game, even if just a text file.
- Get the player involved! Write a small story, and make its elements appear throughout the game. Let the player feel the progression of the story, so that he is driven to play your game until the end. If your game is not a story-type one, you could still include some lines of fine-written text between the levels of the game.
- Avoid 3D graphics. Composition in 2D is easier, the graphic elements feel less out-of-sync even if you work with few detail.
- Include music matching the mood of the game! Music may account for as much as 50% of the gaming experience!
- Think free, stress your brain about interesting ideas. Feel free to cut any rule if you think it will be a hit!
Good luck, see you in the competition!
Comments
Comment by Clint, () on 08.08.28. 17:25
Didn’t you mean "The game shouldn’t have a steep learning curve"?
Comment by [ron], (URL) on 08.08.29. 09:02
@Clint:
Wow, that’s an interesting question. When I picture the learning curve, I think of the x-axis as time, and of the y-axis as level of mastery. In this frame a steep curve would mean that a high level of mastery can be achieved in a short time.
However, searching the net for the phrase, I found that "wikipedia":http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_curve also mentions the ambiguity of this phrase.
In conclusion, I’ll edit the post and use ‘fast learning curve’ to reflect better what I wanted to tell. Thanks for this remark!
Comment by coach purses, () (URL) on 11.10.29. 07:14
Coach is one of the most distinguished leather brand all over the world. You can find many wonderful cheap Coach Purses on our Coach Factory Stores
Comment by coach outlet store online, () (URL) on 11.10.29. 08:12
coach outlet store online has been voted by Hour Detroit magazine readers as the Best of Detroit in their 12th annual readers’poll. Coach Outlet Store is in part simply a response to consumer demand. Consumers accept the notion of the desirability of select consumer product brands and designer labels.
Comment by coach outlet, () (URL) on 11.10.29. 11:26
coach outlet has a zippered closure and buckles for extra security. Shiny brass hardware, rounded leather handle, and an interior pocket. It also includes a limited edition Hawaii luggage tag and lock. Here you can find the latest products in different kinds of coach outlet store online making best materials.They are leisure practical products in the new generations.
Comment by herve leger, () (URL) on 11.11.28. 07:24
Nice to be visiting your blog again Herve Leger, it has been months for me. Well this article that i’ve been waited for so long. I need this article to complete my assignment in the college, and it has same topic with your article Herve Leger Dresses. Thanks, great share.
Comment by evening dress, () (URL) on 11.11.30. 08:01
Right, I am fully agree with your post.This kind of evening dress is so perfect.Not only cheap but also beautiful.I like it so much and hope you will like it too!
Comment by uggs outlet, () (URL) on 12.01.02. 08:11
Excellent stuff from you, man. I’ve read your things before and you are just too awesome. I adore what you have got right here. You make it entertaining and you still manage to keep it smart.This is truly a great blog thanks for sharing
