False Dawn - 2D top down shooter

WIP games, tools & toy projects
#1

Hello everyone!

I was not sure if I should make a topic about my current project, because it is just a learning thing… but it turned out to be an idea that could lead to a full game. Sometime… in the distant future…

So now I decided to just show what I have for now.

First off, I decided to work with LWJGL because of java2D really not being much too fast. I am currently still learning OpenGL but I have a good understanding of the things I need for simple 2D issues. I would say that I am still very noobish about it though. And there are a lot of questions that I still need answers for.

So the game is about a world after invasion from space. Yeah right, aliens have conquered the earth. The alien intruders are trying to make humans their slaves. For that they made a pact with the governments to let people think there is still hope if the production of raw materials is carried on with.
So there is this crew that knows about this pact and does what the governments weren’t able to: stop the invasion and eliminate the aliens. For that they have built a secret cave with all type of technology and most important an aircraft/spaceship. But to really be a threat they need knowledge over the alien technology. There are several areas where the aliens reside and some areas under attack.
My goal is to create kind of a free world where the user can choose which base to attack next. Then a level starts with all the Boom Bang going on and after completing it there will be some kind of reward: new technology for the aircraft. So that the player can upgrade the ship step by step.
That’s about it. I will add more details later.

For now I am still using placeholder graphics which I will replace with my own soon. The graphics are now from Tyrian 2000.

Here are screenshots:
My current start screen. I love the dark neon style, kind of 80s…

http://www.rm2k-tv.de/falseDawn/titleScreen.png

A nice frame from the game. You can see how much pre-alpha it is. g

http://www.rm2k-tv.de/falseDawn/gameScreen.png

And there is also a video:

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Here are the jars:
Windows
Linux (don’t know if it works, haven’t tried)
EDIT: I totally forgot to tell you the controls: Movement with W, A, S, D. Shooting with CTRL and with 1 you can reset the test enemies to their starting position… for again shooting them.

I don’t think that there is much to say about it now, but maybe I find motivation in posting about my progress in here.

#2

Looks cool!

#3

That’s actually a really solid start.
If you want to, you could make this into a really good game. Just think creatively.
Think about what other shooters don’t have, and try things like that.

#4

Thank you! I will try to follow your advice.
I already have a few ideas for making it something special. The more challenging thing is at the moment to find out how to implement certain things. But I will keep on trying. Unfortunately I can’t put as mich time into it as I want.

#5

Yes, I’m seeing lots of alpha on screen! ;D Looks great, btw…

#6

I have begun with drawing the final version of the start screen after I designed a prototype of the standard craft. It is of course based on the concept but i put much more time and effort in it. It is still not finished though. I hope that this goes in the right direction. Maybe I will adjust the colours a bit in the end.

Old titleScreen:

http://www.rm2k-tv.de/falseDawn/titleScreen2.png

New titleScreen:

http://www.rm2k-tv.de/falseDawn/titleScreen.png

As one of the next steps I will create graphics for the ingame aircraft to use them instead of the placeholders.

EDIT: I lightened the image up a bit. I am working on my laptop, which is bad because of the display. I should use a normal display.

#7

I think the title screen is finished. Hope you like it. Please tell me if there is something wrong with it.
I will animate it to a cool starting sequence. :slight_smile: