Devlog June 2025

I've done some posts but not directly linked to this project so doing now and will make sure it is a bit more of a thorough Devlog.

WHATS BEEN GOING ON...

When I first launched this page I began asking "How can I adapt what I have for an interesting multiplayer experience?"

This question took some serious consideration. I could just try make it focused on highscores but my heart wasn't invested in it. What I really wanted was to try re-create a vs-mode that helped incapsulate the Distractible episode that brought this idea together. Saldy this would have required heavy code restructuring and I would need a way to test this code whilst re-building the game design which would be easier offline.

From here the idea of a Campaign Mode was born and with it a ton of new ideas. I engaged with these but required a ton more work and would delay any online capabilities. It also required dialogue which is when I made the decision to switch engine to Unity - in large part becuase I previously purchased a tool to help with dialogue and save files. This combined with me being more familiar with Unity overall and the need to re-build scripts meant I made a drastic decision to build there.

RECENT ACTIVITY

From the above, I have successfulyl been able to re-create most of the game. Elements I have been able to re-create include:

- Character Creator

- Menu Scene

- Core game functionality; higher/lower, coin flip, wheel and bonus round with tracking points

Along with the old functionality I've got the basics for the Campaign Mode in place and the core game functionality has been revamped to include items, a health system and multiple players. It has the vs functions I needed. I've even managed to add my first bit of dialogue to the game to get a feeling for this as well.

NEXT STEPS

Although items exist, my main focus so far has been to get the scenes sorted to join a single player battle and then play that out. This didn't need items initially but for the very early build I want to allow players to get a taste for the Campaign Mode and with it how the vs mode would work. To get here my next steps are:

- Make upgrades apply and items usable

- Resolve persistent data issues (Persistent Player Data throughout game, Campaign saved until success/failure)

- Add boss node and logic (not wanting anything too fancy for this)

- Add basic sounds, music and options

Next step is Items but I'm not anticipating this will be too horrible so will try to do items and persistent data before my next Devlog.

WHEN TO EXPECT NEXT UPDATE

This is harder to say. I work full time and know I can struggle to focus on doing work like this, especially if I overthink an issue (like my dreaded headset on persistent data right now). Without going into too much and making excuses, I believe I have undiagnosed ADHD - it doesn't stop me working on it but there are complications.

I will try to do a devlog at the end of the month. If anyone is looking forward to this and it isn't there, feel free to leave a comment to remind me or give me a nudge on other Social Media - I don't spend much time on them (avoid TikTok to avoid them owning my life) but I do dart around so will eventually see it.

RETROSPECTIVE

I need to sometimes take time to just talk to myself and talk ideas out loud. This helped me get around my mind blocks from overthinking about the wheel spinning and node generation. As soon as I made these breakthroughs, everything else just flowed.

If I can, I may stream through YouTube on occasional Sundays so welcome to join me - If I do, I will tweet out beforehand.

Regardless I will put updates on YouTube and attached the most recent one yesterday.