[GAME] Pixonauts

[neuronic]

Hi Everyone!

I have just upload my latest game to my website: Pixonauts.

It is a jump and run platform game with pixel graphics. The game features 3 different worlds, 12 levels and 5 characters to control. The one you actually control is randomly chosen by the game before starting the level. Each level comes with its own unique music, hence the size of the game.

About the development
I started working on this game back in 2021. That was when Kenney ( https://www.kenney.nl ) released his first package of assets for free. I put together a test level which worked well, but I decided to put the game on ice. It turned out to be the right decision because later Kenney released 3 more packages. (I decided not to use one of them.) Last winter, after finishing Pick and Match I decided to give it a try again.

Originally the maps were taller, scrolling up and down. Everything worked just fine, but playing it was not easy for the eye, probably because of the size of the main character. So I decided to remove the up and down movement of the map.

The routine displaying and scrolling the map is the same as the one I used in my previous games: Atoms, Warehouse and Monster Maze. I only had to fine-tune it to be better.

During development I ran into several problems. The biggest one was the font I originally wanted to use. It turned out that it cannot be bundled with the game for free. I started looking for a new one, but many lack some of the Hungarian characters. So I decided to modify the font called kenney-pixel also designed by Kenney and I used this site: https://www.fontstruct.com.

According to my tests high DPI settings should not be a problem now. I would appreciate it if you could test it and give me some feedback.

Pixonauts 1.1.0.0 - 27.10.2024

• The collision handling has been improved.

• The currently active menu option is more noticeable.

• Added a new Top Ten list.

• The time period while you are protected after getting hurt has been improved.

• A text notifies the players that they can delete the current save game by pressing ‘Delete’ on the keyboard.

• The game asks for a confirmation when deleting a saved game.

• The total score was incorrectly displayed on the Game Complete screen.

• Turning on and off the music in the menu by pressing ‘M’ on the keyboard was handled incorrectly.

Download
The game is available for Windows and Linux on my website: https://www.nightloversgamestudio.net


Screenshot:


Have fun playing the game!

Neuronic

[HeX0R]

I don't like those pixel games, although I grew up with them.
Anyway, I know how much energy and work goes into it, therefore I gave it a try.
It is nice, no question, but I died too often.
Problem I see here is, if you touch an enemy by accident, your 5 lives will be gone within a second.
That's not fun.
Either the player got bounced away from the enemy after the first hit (might be difficult to implement), or the player is invulnerable for... dunno 3-5s I'd say.

[neuronic]

Hi HeX0R!

First of all, thank you for testing my game!

You character is invulnerable after colliding/contacting an enemy or a spike. It should be visible as your character is flashing on the screen. Maybe the time period is too short and it is difficult to notice but invulnerability is there. I might modify it so that the time period is longer.

In my opinion choosing how difficult your game should be, might be one of the most difficult aspects of making a game. You want it to be easy enough so everybody plays and enjoys it, but it must also be challenging so that hardcore gamers do not get bored either. Also when creating a game you probably test it, like I did, many (hundreds of) times and by the time you release the game, it is no longer difficult for you but could be for others.

Thank you again for your feedback!

neuronic

[Fred]

It looks good and play good, great work ! A note about the menu, it's not obvious than the 'dark' text is the selected one, especially when only 2 choices are here (like the do you wnat to quit dialog)

[idle]

looks good, I found it a disconcerting I couldn't use the mouse in the menus but enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing

[neuronic]

Hi Fred!

Thanks for trying the game!

I agree with you on the menu problem. I will try to change it. To be honest I am not really satisfied with the menu as it is. I could not decide which colour set to use (which are based on the colours of the Pixonauts) this is why the colours are randomly chosen when you start the game.

Hi Idle!

For me using the mouse would be strange as you cannot use it to play the game itself. However, you can use a gamepad or a joystick.

Thanks for the feedback!

neuronic

[idle]

Makes sense thanks.

[neuronic]

Hi Everyone!

I have uploaded a new version of my game. Check the first post for details.

neuronic