Dwarf Miner [WIP] [On Temporary Hiatus]

Dwarf Miner is on temporary hiatus.
See my most recent post in this topic for more details.

version 0.0.3

Click Here to Play

  After various attempts at figuring out what I wanted to make with StencylWorks, I sort of accidentally made what this game has slowly started to become.  Dwarf Miner follows a bit in the style of the old Apogee MS-DOS platformers from the 90's.  I have a rough idea of the back story, but essentially it's about a dwarf that has to collect gems.

  Seeing as how this is my first real foray into making a game beyond just fiddling around, some development has been slow, but I think I'm starting to get the hang of things.  But anyways, I think I will let the current version of the game speak for itself.  There is A LOT of work to be done, and nothing is permanent or final.

  I welcome all comments, critique, feedback, and questions.  Some input would be greatly appreciated.

Updates for v0.0.3

• You can now attack with a pickaxe
• Use this same pickaxe to mine for gems
• Signs to help guide you
• Updated graphics for trees, and new bushes!

Updates for v0.0.2.5

• New title screen logo
• Implemented health system
• Added Goblin enemy
• Updated player graphics
• Death animation for player
• Tweaked detection for player opening chests

I like the visual style, it really takes me back to DOS platformers as you intend. Good job. It's a great start to something that I'll look forward to seeing what you do with it.

I have to say though, for a miner, I found more gems in chests than in stone

While I do intend to make chests play a large role in collecting gems and other items, there will be mining!  I just have to actually code it all in.  Maybe I should focus on that sooner rather than later, seeing as how you're running around as a dwarf that can't mine (yet).

This definitely tickles my fancy!

A suggestion: when moving, the character and some of the scene seems to "jitter". This is fairly distracting. Scaling it back to 1x and scaling up the graphics to the current size will make it jitter less, since the movement between pixels will be smoother.

I'm already in love with the art and the concept. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or problems.

This definitely tickles my fancy!

A suggestion: when moving, the character and some of the scene seems to "jitter". This is fairly distracting. Scaling it back to 1x and scaling up the graphics to the current size will make it jitter less, since the movement between pixels will be smoother.

I'm already in love with the art and the concept. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or problems.

I actually think this is due to some wonky sensitivity with my current camera solution.  I scripted an attempt at a smoothed out camera and it's far too sensitive right now.  Currently the camera is attached to a hidden actor that follows the player, but it is offset to always be x amount of pixels in front of the direction the player is facing.

Also, thanks for the offer to PM you.  I will definitely keep it in mind!

A suggestion: when moving, the character and some of the scene seems to "jitter".

Just figured out that it was my convoluted camera that was causing this.  Employing a much simpler solution now, with less bells and whistles, but it doesn't jitter at least.

I updated the Stencyl.com version if you'd like to see for yourself.

I had noticed the custom camera movement/smoothing the first go around, but chalked the jitteryness up to my computer running at a lower FPS. The new behavior seems simpler and just as effective.

All the time I put into scripting the original camera is not a waste, however, because through it I learned how to calculate the distance between actors by XY and radial direction.  I'm going to implement that into my player detection behavior for enemies.  I'm sure for seasoned programmers the code to do that is fairly simple, but I honestly suck at math.  It's a miracle I've gotten as far as I have. 

What you have so far looks nice and it does remind me a bit of those DOS games.  I feel old now...still remember installing games from floppy disks (who uses THOSE anymore?) 

I'm working on my first enemy.

As Hectate said, the jitter seems to be fixed.

I'm working on my first enemy.

Can't wait to kill him!

Totally diggin' the style! Everything works really well together visually

Gameplay's enjoyable for what it is in its current state, here's the only nitpicks I could come up with:

- The controls feel a lil' sluggish.

- The interaction with the chests was kinda finicky.

So definitely keep it up, this thing's gonna own

I updated with my current progress!  See the first post.

Can't wait to kill him!

Unfortunately it looks like he gets to kill you first.. 

Totally diggin' the style! Everything works really well together visually

Gameplay's enjoyable for what it is in its current state.

So definitely keep it up, this thing's gonna own

Thank you!  I am really flexing my artistic muscles here.  Haven't practiced or drawn in far too long.  I actually slightly updated the graphics for the player dwarf.. hopefully you still like it!  I have a ludicrous amount of free time lately.. I've been spending about the majority of my waking hours every day working on it!

- The controls feel a lil' sluggish.

Given that you're playing as a dwarf, the controls should feel a little sluggish.  He is short and fat afterall, and he's no Mario.  It's a wonder he can jump as high as he can in the game's current state!  However, there may be some sort of magical footwear that could alleviate this poor dwarf's problem.. 

- The interaction with the chests was kinda finicky.

I couldn't agree more, and this somehow managed to escape from ending up on my todo list.  I tweaked it a bit, and hopefully it should be much easier to interact with now.

You've succeeded in making a demo that feels polished! I also like the atmosphere and the music is very nostalgic.

My only complaint right now is that your trees seem a bit bare. Maybe try giving them some texture.

I look forward to seeing this evolve into a full game.

Fantastic. Really excited for the finished product. Lookin' great, and feels great to play from the small WIP demo you've given.