Dev Log #13 (Reflection)

Ok- reflection time.

Considering I knew no coding before hand- using Twine initially was a struggle. However, it was pretty easy to use once I began to figure things out.

One thing I’d like to say though I WISH I would have known about making a timed action after a click at the beginning of the game making process- because that would have been pretty helpful for initial interactions (such as how the intro and ACT I function). ALSO! Personally- I felt like there was varying degrees of consistency of the game, which I wish I should have kept more constant.

I realized half way through I should have kept track of my variables, because once everything started to branch and different dialogue began to arise, a lot of things began happening (not good things). For example, I only started writing down what everything meant around the coding of ACT II. After that everything went very smoothly, but trying to keep track of everything was crucial, which I initially didn’t do.

Things I would have liked to add

Definitely visuals. I think when I began the project I wasn’t expecting it to get so big so soon, but I mainly wanted to focus on making an immersive story, one that would make you crave for more- asking for more. Which is a secondary reason I chose the “SCP” theme. Not only did I have a passion in the stories that people have already written, but most of them make you crave for more, they make you ask more questions. That curiosity, is what I think drove the inspiration, creation, and my motive to make the story and game the way it is.

I think its also important to say I did try my best to describe everything, but without using too many words- and if I did use too many words- well, I broke up the text box into numerous text boxes. Yes- you are not able to see the characters I had made for this project, but I think by giving players that sort of “Ok what are they actually suppose to look like?” let’s them imagine a bit more. Somethings are not explained to encourage creativity for who ever is playing.

However, due to the lack of more :”standard” visuals, I decided to use a lot of colour- effects, and as explained in Dev Log #10, playing around with the text to not only distinguish people, but items, colours of the items, and the environments.

I would have also figured out how to make a more coherent inventory system, but because I had so many other things to juggle at the time, including the project, social and home life in general, it was hard to make it look “pretty”.

Along with visuals, I would’ve liked to add some sounds. Maybe even voice acting? It’s very hard to describe a way somebody sounds just through words- unless they’ve actually heard the person themselves. Furthermore, the environmental/ ambient aspects would have also greatly benefitted from just a bit of sound that I couldn’t add due to how much story I really needed to program.

But that’s besides the point. What I am trying to say- I poured my heart and soul into this project, yet I’m still left with a bitter taste in my mouth. Something along the lines of “Dang, I could’ve done better, I should have done this and this and this-” etc. Though, despite my self doubt, my beta testers (thank you you two if you’re reading this!) said it should be the last thing I need to worry about.

For all those who were along for the ride, I’m excited to see your games, and it was nice seeing all of you be creative in your own ways.

“This marks the end of my tale. Nothing more, and nothing less.”, who knows? Maybe I’ll make a remastered version of this game.

With that being said- it has been a wonderful experience. Danish- out 🙂