A jam submission

Blood CellsView game page

Entry for the Pirate Software Game Jam 17

Submitted by Landers, TomatoTaco, Tombst0ne, Jahn — 2 hours, 42 minutes before the deadline

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Blood Cells's itch.io page

Judge feedback

Judge feedback is anonymous.

Well done on your game! Even if it's only a prototype so far, your vision is there and it seems like you have a really cool game planned! Your GDD is well structured and shows your inspiration and plans for your game, I think the theme is implemented very well! The audio is a good fit, it's easy to listen to while also creating a certain atmosphere. Since your game is still a prototype, there isn't much audio or video to judge of course, but I can pretty much see what you envisioned and like it. I did have the issue of my visual field slowly drifting to the right unless I deliberately moved the mouse to the left a bit, idk if that's on my end or something to do with your game. Also when fighting, after the third or fourth hit player and enemy would always kind of glide through each other leading to the enemies being behind me, that felt a bit dissatisfying. But apart from that, I have nothing to complain. I didn't find many components, at first I thought the container was empty but maybe it just didn't load properly? In any case, I enjoyed testing your game, thank you for submitting it and for the first time dev (but of course also everybody else): do not give up, this is a process and you only just started your journey! Well done indeed!

Link to your Game Design Doc on Google Drive.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CNrhywzxbs69Gjru64BivP_l6vh7sK3IIXbtBmU6Xd0/edit?usp=sharing

Have you checked that your GDD is publicly accessible ?
Yes

Is your game set to public on itch.io so we can see it?
Yes

Summarize your game!
You play as a clone trapped in a high-security sci-fi lab. Each run, you descend deeper through (procedurally generated) lab wings, hunting rogue clones of yourself to reclaim DNA and restore your humanity. Use a modular crafting system to forge weapons and gear from medical, electronic, and hardware components.

The player starts the run with some elements of the story, and a cache of components. Components can be turned in at the Research Station to gain materials, and materials can be combined into modules, which are the power ups. By choosing components and materials, the player will direct the power ups for their incoming run. They will then descend to a randomized floor in the elevator. They will need to fight hordes of clones and find new components. The floors are labyrinthine and the goal is to find the next elevator. At the end of the floor, they will find another crafting station and can power themselves up again.

For the prototype, there is no end floor, only a way to track how many floors the player went and how many enemies they killed.

Please explain how your game fits the theme.
We interpreted the theme in two ways: one thematic and one mechanic. The story of the game is about someone having been cloned, and the process seems to have left him shattered. He feels compelled to take on the other clones and be whole, hence making a scenario that “there can only be one” at the end.

Mechanically, the crafting system allows the player to make a slew of power ups. Even making the same power up will not have the same value (ex.: the MaxHealth module gives from 25 to 50 health). Choosing what to craft and fishing for a better power up is part of the game. However, in the crafting area, the station to equip the power up allows you to only get one, making you choose among what you were able to craft. The player will be able to get new power ups at each floor, but again, only one new power up can be added each time.

Is there anything you'd like the judges to pay particular attention to?
Nothing really. This was my first game and Game Jam, even if my teammates had a bit more experience. I just wanted to make something. It looks awful, but I did it.