Somewhere in the middle

I had an idea months ago, maybe 6 or more. I wanted to make a small game loosely based on the ideas present in a book I read and really enjoyed. The book is A Canticle for Liebowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr. written back in ‘59.

Fast-forward 6 months and I’ve made some progress! I created a slide deck with a few basic images to explain the design and overall flow of the game, and it was enough to entice a buddy of mine to join forces with me. I cannot overstate the value of having a partner on a creative mission. If that partner is insanely talented, even better. ;)

We now have a rough prototype that does some things well, and others not at all. I’ve spent more time than I thought I would generating scenarios and adding alternative outcomes so that the designed replayability isn’t a boring slog. 16 years in making games and designing narratives, and I still made an embarrassing rookie mistake in a decision that has multiplied the amount of art we’ll need. The game will be better for it, but the development more time-intensive.

A game that is supposed to be playable, from beginning to end in 3 minutes, is in progress, but it will take some more time yet - as worthwhile things often do.