Development Log

Current Progress Overview:

    Game Foundation and Mechanics:

        Developed a 2D side-scroller platformer featuring Bob, who transforms into different forms (Fire Bob, Ice Bob, Digger Bob, etc.) with unique abilities.

        Implemented various interactive blocks (fire blocks, ice blocks, disappearing/reappearing blocks, rewind blocks, portal blocks, etc.) and obstacles affecting gameplay.

        Created multiple enemy types, including blue bobs, slime creatures, and others with specific behaviors, such as turning wall blocks into firewalls.

    Educational Elements:

        Designed a modular question system allowing switching between topics (e.g., multiplication, algebra) with varying difficulties.

        Developed a question/answer mechanic where players must pick up and deliver correct answers to progress.

        Added a menu with mouse selection, different difficulty options for questions, and a modular question generation approach.

    Narrative and Story Development:

        Introduced the main character Bob with an emotionally engaging backstory that ties into the game's world.

        Designed a story-driven progression where answering math questions weakens the witch's power.

        Incorporated grayscale-to-color transition mechanics, symbolizing Bob's positive influence on the game world.

        Enhanced narrative moments through dialogue and planned additional subtitles to enrich the story experience.

    Art and Visual Effects:

        Developed particle effects for key moments, such as wormhole particles and glow rings using advanced GMS2 assets.

        Created hover and glow effects for collectible loot gems.

        Established layered effects like 'Clouds,' 'Desaturate,' and 'OldFilm' for impactful story moments.

    Audio and Music Handling:

        Added music transitions for menu navigation, using fade-in/out effects to avoid overlapping sounds.

        Integrated sound interactions for different sprites, such as pipes, enhancing auditory feedback.

    Boss and Enemy Development:

        Built a base boss structure with shared properties, including health bars, player-tracking, and bomb-dropping behaviors.

        Improved NPC behaviors for pathfinding and specific interactions.

    UI/UX Improvements:

        Enhanced the options menu for easier navigation and smoother transitions.

        Improved the layout of the in-game notepad tool for drawing and writing, and added a prompt for accessing it via 'P.'

    Musical Blocks Integration:

        Created a musical blocks and note sequence integration puzzle, providing players with a new challenge. Further refinement is planned to improve the overall experience and difficulty scaling.

Outstanding Tasks:

    Dialogue and Story Subtitles:

        Refine all in-game dialogue for clarity and alignment with gameplay mechanics.

        Add additional subtitles to enrich story moments and improve player engagement.

    Bug Fixes:

        Fix issues with the player getting stuck in bouncy blocks.

        Ensure consistent player lives when changing states to Fire Bob, Ice Bob, etc.

    Notepad Enhancements:

        Further improve the visibility and usability of the in-game notepad tool.

        Optimize layout, visuals, and overall interaction design.

    Level Design and Sprite Quality:

        Enhance level design for better gameplay flow and player engagement.

        Upgrade sprite and animation quality while maintaining a consistent graphical style throughout the game.

        Identify and replace placeholder sprites as needed.

    Menu and Transition Refinements:

        Refine menu layouts, interactions, and transitions for a seamless user experience.

        Focus on consistent graphical style across all game elements.

    Musical Block Integration Refinement:

        Further refine the musical block and note sequence puzzle integration to ensure seamless gameplay mechanics and engaging challenges.

    Playtesting and Polishing:

        Conduct thorough playtesting to identify bugs and improve gameplay transitions.

        Iterate based on player feedback to enhance the overall experience and engagement.