Decision-Making:

In this section, I present the decisions made during the development of the game, the challenges faced, and the changes made throughout the project, highlighting the choices related to graphic style,

Choice of Graphic Style:

We opted for a simple 2D graphic style inspired by classic games due to the limited resources within the team. Our developer also took on the role of sprite artist, which influenced the choice of a more minimalist and efficient approach. This decision allowed us to maintain visual cohesion and focus on gameplay while still delivering a visually appealing and nostalgic experience.

Decision on Game Mechanics:

The game mechanics were developed to explore the jam's theme, "scale," combining fun and poetry. The hermit crab's shell-swapping, which changes its scale relative to the environment, serves as a metaphor for adaptation and growth. This choice not only reinforces the jam's theme but also enriches the game's narrative and interactive experience.

Choice of Soundtrack:

The soundtrack was selected to complement the game's poetic and contemplative tone. We chose soft sounds and simple melodies that matched the visual style and gameplay experience, reinforcing the immersive atmosphere and emotional narrative.

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Challenges Encountered:

Technical Challenge:

The limitation of human resources, with a single developer also acting as the sprite artist, was a significant technical challenge.

Solution:

To overcome this limitation, we prioritized simplicity in graphic design and mechanics implementation, ensuring the game was completed on time without compromising quality. However, we still faced difficulties due to the time-consuming nature of the artwork and the need to correct minor mechanical issues, given that our only programmer was also our artist.

Design Challenge:

During development, we encountered a significant design issue related to the creation and integration of graphic and sound assets. With the programmer also taking on the role of sprite artist, there was considerable pressure to complete the visual design, which could delay other critical areas like level design. Additionally, the absence of a sound specialist in the team made it difficult to create an original soundtrack.

Solution:

To address this challenge, the team decided to use existing sprites available for free on the internet, allowing the programmer to focus more on level development and the implementation of core mechanics. Similarly, we opted to use free music available online, ensuring a quality soundtrack without the need to compose original tracks. These decisions helped maintain the schedule and ensure that all aspects of the game were adequately completed within the jam's timeframe.

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Project Changes:

Change in Mechanics:

During development, we recognized the need to simplify some mechanics to ensure the game was completed on time. We decided to reduce the complexity of certain puzzles to focus on elements that highlight the concept of scale.

Justification:

This change was necessary to avoid overloading the team and to ensure the game remained cohesive and enjoyable without sacrificing the player experience.

Graphic Alteration:

We chose to use existing sprites available for free online to speed up the visual creation process.

Justification:

With our programmer also acting as the sprite artist, the time spent on art creation could have compromised the progress in level design. Using ready-made sprites allowed us to maintain the development pace, ensuring all areas of the game were adequately completed within the jam's timeframe.

Other Changes:

We decided to use already-created and freely available music on the internet due to the lack of a team member specialized in music composition.

Justificativa

Nenhum membro da equipe possuía conhecimento suficiente em criação de trilhas sonoras. Para garantir uma ambientação sonora de qualidade e dentro do prazo, optamos por músicas gratuitas que já estavam disponíveis online, garantindo que o jogo tivesse uma trilha sonora adequada sem comprometer outras áreas do desenvolvimento.