Dirk 2: Production Diary

[TroyHepfner]

I finished Chapter 5-3 today. It took longer than I expected - I ran into some unexpected bugs with some of the robots, and had to spend time debugging the code. But everything is ironed out now! This means that 33 of the planned 40 levels are now done! Hoorah!

[TroyHepfner]

I started building Chapter 5-4 today. This one has four maps - two medium-sized maps and two small rooms. The architecture for the first medium-sized map (the largest of the two) is done, and I just need to fill it up with goodies and enemies. I should be able to finish this level by the end of the week.

[TroyHepfner]

I'm very close to finishing Chapter 5-4! I just have one last little room to build...

I've been having fun with Dirk's new gadget. Players are going to get to blow up all kinds of stuff in the final chapters. In fact, I miscounted the number of bombs that I needed for this chapter, and ended up adding 2x as many as necessary. So I decided to add more stuff to blow up! It's a blast (pun intended)!

[TroyHepfner]

I finished Chapter 5-4 on Saturday. Now I'm in the middle of building Chapter 5-2. Architecture is done, and tomorrow I'll fill it up with enemies, traps, and goodies.

I'm making great progress. I've built 3 levels in the past 2 weeks! Chapters 5-5 and 5-6 should go fairly quickly too. Chapter 5-7 will take a bit longer, though, since it's the final boss battle. I'm hoping to release v0.9 in early or mid May. Stay tuned!

[TroyHepfner]

Chapter 5-2 is nearly done! First I need a day or two to upgrade one of the E.V.I.L agents for the mini boss battle at the end of 5-2. But the rest of the level is built. I should be able to wrap up 5-2 this coming weekend.

[TroyHepfner]

I finally finished Chapter 5-2.

I spent the past 3 days working on a new pathfinding algorithm for one of the E.V.I.L agents (the guy with the jetpack). In his first appearance in Chapter 3-7, he only moved vertically in a small boss arena (so you could study him and figure out how to beat him). But now I needed him to move around more freely. Coming up with a good pathfinding algorithm that worked with the interactive audio (where enemies can not only see you but also hear you) was a bit challenging, but I think I have it working pretty well. It makes for a fun battle!

[TroyHepfner]

I'm almost finished with Chapter 5-5. This level contains 3 maps - a large map, and 2 small rooms. The large map is done, and I just have the 2 small rooms to build. I should be able to finish this level tomorrow!

After that I have 2 levels left to build, and then I can release v0.9! Stay tuned!

[TroyHepfner]

Don't miss the May newsletter, announcing the official release date for Dirk Dashing 2!
http://www.mygamecompany.com/Newsletters/may12.htm

[TroyHepfner]

Chapter 5-5 is done, and I've got designs for the last 2 levels in the main storyline. I'm excited about the final boss battle, so I jumped ahead and started working on Chapter 5-7! It's going to be good!

[TroyHepfner]

I jumped back to Chapter 5-6 yesterday, when I had a sudden inspiration, and now that level is nearly done. I've got about another 3-4 hours of work to finish up the final map. Then I'll resume work on Chapter 5-7 (I was working on animation for the final boss).

It's getting exciting! The main storyline is almost done! Yay!