Way of the Ninja: learning project

[clickrush]

Hi, I'am 'clickrush' from switzerland and I've recently decided to learn game programming and design in my free time. "Way of the Ninja" is my first real programming experience after trying out editor tools like gamemaker and gameeditor for about 2-3 weeks. I've decided to switch to something else because I searched for a plattform where I dig into the matter of programming a bit more. I find LÖVE very attractive for several reasons. First of all it is free in it's core and I'am a huge fan of free/open software. My ultimate goal is to contribute my own free games and I would be amazed and happy if someone will actually have a bit of fun with one of it.

Enough of this, let's go into the project. The core concept of the game is:

- A plattformer with a light-shadow mechanic, so the player can hide in the shadows to avoid combat.
- The player should be able to choose wether he wants to complete the game violently or by pacifistic means. The game gives no hint of this until completion but then it reflects the behaviour with a score table and maybe some text.
- the ninja-like mechanics are sneaking and the typical walljumping.
- The game should be on the harder side (it is a ninja game after all!)
- The game should be as short as possible. It is divided into four levels, which reflect the player's learning curve (introduction, exploration of the mechanics, getting the hang of it, mastering)
- Each one of those levels have place in one screen.
- The appearance is color coded and simple (blue for the ninja, red for the guards, yellow/brown for the surroundings)

I could ramble alot more about this but I think that is all the really important stuff, so move on to the goals and tasks of the project:

1. Learning how to make a gamedesign concept/document. DONE (basicly a pile of paper on my desk with sketches and explenations)
2. Learning about the core features of LÖVE and the basics of the Lua syntax. DONE (I think? At least I can express myself now without looking things up)
3. Learning how to keep the code a bit organised. CURRENT TASK (I'am learning the basics of OOP in lua right now)
4. Learning how to make humble game-art that doesn't scare people at the first glance. (This is gonna be hard... I use all the tricks I find but my ninjas still look like one-eyed robot zombies trying to scratch themselves on the back)
5. Completing the game and debriefing.

Ok this is it for now. If you have suggestions/criticism for my learning project (all parts of it) then this is the thread to do so. I will return to this thread from now on when I have specific questions so my sillyness doesn't pile up in the support forums.

The love file is in the attachment but at it's current state it's only kind of a sketch which includes the shadow-making function, collision detection and resolution for the solid surroundings, the core movement mechanics and a function I will use for creating the AABB's out of a tileset (I need this because of the shadow creation and I use the AABB's for collision as well). It is messy as hell right now and I hope it gets readable after I grasp the OOP stuff I'am currently reading.

So thx for reading! Controls are A left, D right, space jump.

[baconhawka7x]

NIce man! Can't wait for it to come out!