Ever wondered how an innovative game concept takes shape and evolves into a fully functional game? In this article, we delve into the creation of ‘Library Survivors,’ a game inspired by the popular ‘Vampire Survivors.’ Discover how the developers took this concept from a creative brainstorm to a playable experience, navigating through game design, coding, and aesthetic challenges. Let’s dive into the journey behind the making of ‘Library Survivors’.
Introduction to ‘Library Survivors’ Concept
The inception of ‘Library Survivors’ stemmed from a casual brainstorming session among its creators. Drawing inspiration from ‘Vampire Survivors,’ the developers envisioned a unique twist — a library setting where players take on the role of a librarian. The primary objective is to organize books and manage chaos caused by mischievous kids who scatter books around the library. A chaos meter adds to the challenge, escalating the difficulty as more books clutter the floor and more kids enter the scene. This inversion of the standard gameplay formula offers an engaging and chaotic experience.
Fleshing Out Gameplay Using ChatGPT
Once the core concept was in place, the creators turned to ChatGPT to help elaborate on the gameplay mechanics. They required assistance in defining the gameplay loop, power-ups, win/lose conditions, and strategies for increasing difficulty. ChatGPT provided an extensive outline, detailing mechanics, character upgrades, sound effects, and graphic recommendations. This comprehensive plan allowed the developers to refine their initial framework, adding layers of complexity such as kids stealing books to heighten game dynamics.
Coding and Development Process with Claude Code
The coding phase marked a significant milestone, with the creators introducing Claude Code for structuring and organizing their game code. They detailed the software installation process, utilizing IDE tools like Visual Studio Code and Windsurf. The pairing of Claude Code with these tools facilitated seamless development, enabling automatic updates and planning modes. Despite encountering challenges like non-responsive controls and gameplay mechanics misalignments, iterative problem-solving and refinements eventually led to a functional version closer to their envisioned gameplay.
Refining Gameplay Dynamics
As development progressed, the creators concentrated on refining the gameplay dynamics. Numerous adjustments were made to the chaos meter speed, book spawning frequency, and NPC behavior to ensure fun yet challenging gameplay. These refinements were crucial in maintaining the chaotic atmosphere central to the player’s role as a librarian. The creators’ excitement grew as each iteration brought the game closer to their initial concept, achieving a balance that made the game both engaging and interactive.
Design Choices: Graphics and Sound
A polished aesthetic and immersive audio experience are essential for any successful game. The creators emphasized the importance of visuals and sound throughout the development process. Using tools like Photoshop, they ensured consistent character designs to maintain aesthetic coherence. Graphics and animations, such as a nostalgic 16-bit library scene for the loading screen, were developed to enhance visual appeal. On the audio front, ambient background music and sound effects sourced from services like Suno.ai and 11 Labs were integrated, creating a cozy, retro-inspired atmosphere that complements the game’s theme.
Managing Game Development with GitHub
Efficient data management is critical in game development. The creators utilized GitHub for version control to safeguard their progress and enable restoration of earlier versions as needed. They created a repository, documented development stages, and pushed their current game version, ensuring a systematic and organized approach to development. GitHub served as a collaborative platform, aiding in problem-solving and allowing for continuous game improvement.
Conclusion and Future Plans
The journey of developing ‘Library Survivors’ from a simple concept inspired by ‘Vampire Survivors’ to a playable game has been multifaceted and rewarding. The creators combined creative brainstorming, AI-support for gameplay design, diligent coding, aesthetic enhancements, and efficient data management to bring their vision to life. They express their enthusiasm for the game’s current state and hint at future improvements, including potential migration to advanced platforms like Unity or GDAU for enhanced features. The creators invite players and fellow developers to try the game and engage in the development journey, promising more innovative updates ahead.