Please, die: My atypical platformer for the js13k 2015

[satanas]

Hey folks,

 

Today I want to share with you my entry for the js13k 2015 competition and comment a little bit my experience.

 

In typical platformers you have to avoid enemies, avoid pits, collect stuffs, stay alive as long as possible and be happy but Please, Die is not the typical platformer. Things are kind of reversed in that world, so you have to help our little character with a very simple task: to die.

 

The actual size of the game is 11848 bytes and you can check the source code in github. Also you can play the game here

 

 

 

 

What went fine

• I was able to add sfx and a sort of background noise. My advice is to add the jsfxr.js library since the very beginning so you reserve the almost 3kb for it
• Graphics were fine and didn't require too much time
• I spent a considerable amount of time thinking about the concept and I feel pleased with the result.
• The particles system and the tainted walls gave a nice (and gore) looking to the game
• I could reuse code from the last year compo so I saved some time there (mostly input and camera)

 

What went not so fine

• The particles system had an impact on performance (despite my efforts to avoid it)
• Collisions were a pain in the ass. I spent a lot time trying to make them right but I just could fix them (and avoid a total disaster)
• I couldn't dedicate as much time as I wanted since the start of the compo so I had to rush the last couple of days and couldn't polish as much as I'd liked

I'd like to read your comments about the game.