Thursday 12 December 2013

Writing what I know

So, as many of you know, Recess Race is a game about my experience in elementary school being bullied by nearly every other child there (or at least that's how it seemed). This lasted for about 5 years (grade 2-6), and even into grade 7 but that's another story.

"Write what you know" is a thing. I've heard it lots. I think it's got a lot of truth to it. I wrote last time about stealing things from other artists - how it's not only good, but GREAT to steal from other artists, as long as you really steal it, and don't just borrow it. If you steal it it's yours, and it necessarily changes a lot in the process.

"Write what you know" is like stealing from your life, except it's already yours. In Recess Race, I'm doing both, so A++;

Here's a screenshot of the latest "build" - a prototype I've put together to show my colleague tomorrow. Bear in mind the art is all place holders (obviously).

The cooties were a big issue back then

This is the kind of thing I used to hear daily at school. Needless to say, it left a big impression. Writing these characters - the real bullies that I had - is at once heart-wrenching and insightful. It also makes me curious to know what their home situations were like since I knew nothing about them.

I put in lots of insults, and the bully currently represented by Kirby has the widest variety of them. That's her speciality - verbal abuse! Fun times. The other main bully will punch you if you get too close and the third (Megaman) will be influenced by one of the other two (insulting you if near 'Kirby' and beat you up if near the other one).

It's already starting to be kind of fun, but a lot of tweaking is required. Bully speed, controls, jump difficulty... more tracks are required, since the one I have is too difficult for an intro level (story of my life).

Anyway, things are moving along nicely for Recess Race.

Thanks for reading!
Until next time... stay warm, weeping angel.
-mysteriosum(the deranged hermit)