In the penultimate week to hand-in, there isn’t a lot of time to make any changes to the game. However, I’ve made some minor tweaks, such as fixing an issue with unlocking the Dash ability, as well as modifying some of the levels so that branches dropped by Moss Sticks wouldn’t hang around on the ground to cause massive damage to the player. I also managed to include invincibility frames (iframes), so that the player won’t get hurt for a brief period after taking damage. The code for this can be seen below:
[Header("iFrames")]
[SerializeField] private float iFramesDuration;
[SerializeField] private int numberOfFlashes;
private SpriteRenderer spriteRend;
private void Awake()
{
spriteRend = GetComponent<SpriteRenderer>();
}
private void OnCollisionEnter2D(Collision2D collision)
{
if (collision.gameObject.CompareTag("Enemy"))
{
TakeDamage(1);
StartCoroutine(iFrames());
}
}
private IEnumerator iFrames()
{
Physics2D.IgnoreLayerCollision(3, 11, true);
//iFrames
for (int i = 0; i < numberOfFlashes; i++)
{
spriteRend.color = new Color(0, 0, 0, 0.5f);
yield return new WaitForSeconds(iFramesDuration / (numberOfFlashes * 2));
spriteRend.color = Color.white;
yield return new WaitForSeconds(iFramesDuration / (numberOfFlashes * 2));
}
Physics2D.IgnoreLayerCollision(3, 11, false);
}
}I’ve also taken a bit more footage for my documentary, so that the current state of the game is reflected, rather than using some of the footage that I had taken in the weeks prior. I’ve also been learning some Adobe Premiere Pro before starting, to get myself acquainted with the new software. From what I’ve learnt, I will be able to cut up my pre-recorded footage into smaller clips, which is ideal, especially for the footage of myself talking that I recorded last week. Once split up, I can also create transitions to blend seamlessly between each cut. The same can also be done with audio tracks, so I should be able to blend between my own narration, and then using background music from the game during down-time.
In order to prepare for our upcoming shows, I’ve created a banner to promote the game. The dimensions are 60cm x 20cm at 300 dpi. Rather than taking the time to create whole new imagery (as my deadline is fast approaching), I’ve instead opted to use the assets I’ve created for my game, which is much more authentic. I’ve then included an illustration of the player character as they look up to what is a fragment of the Water Guardian. Promotional details are listed at the bottom of the banner, with the title “Guardians” overlaid on a slight gradient that is reminiscent of the sun to make it stand out more.
After some issues with my previous recording, I’ve now recorded the audio and video for my documentary. This was another daunting experience for me, as I’m not comfortable being in front of a camera, as well as having my voice recorded, but I’m glad to have taken the opportunity to familiarise myself with the different recording equipment.. The next step is to edit all my material together. I’ve been watching videos and using my old footage to practice the different tools in Adobe Premiere Pro, and I’m feeling confident I can splice something together, it’s just definitely going to be a challenge with my insecurities.
I’ve also taken an opportunity to look at what I’ve been able to accomplish the past few months. This has been reflected on in my documentary script, too, but it’s also nice to see the different tasks I’ve been able to tick off this list. There’s a lot I still would have liked to do, like creating NPCs and dialogue, as well as finishing the Caverns, creating enemies for the Caverns, and including new abilities and items for players to collect, but I feel as though creating a Metroidvania on my own was a big ask of myself. They are inherently big games; the whole point is to have a world that you’re able to explore and get lost in. It’s the antithesis of keeping your scope small, but I’m glad I undertook this opportunity, as I’ve managed to learn a lot during the process. Who knows what I might be able to make now with my current knowledge.
As I’m approaching the deadline, I’ve been working on putting my documentary together. I had planned and taken the footage for this previously, but found out there was no sound with the video, and so I had to re-take everything. With that done, I’ve been editing my footage and splicing it with gameplay footage I had taken previously, as well as videos of behind-the-scenes processes, such as asset and level creation. This was a pretty painful experience for me as I’m not a big fan of hearing my own voice, but I got it done, and I think it turned out pretty good for my first try at recording and editing a video together.
Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/CrN6Rd2xQjc