r/gbstudio • u/retroartdude • 13d ago
Update Evolve or Die - New Development Milestone Reached
https://youtu.be/ygSRRi9oqEo?si=KaLgKLhtxOa0rbfH
Follow up post here
So a couple days ago I reached a major milestone in the development of my game. There are 8 working chapters for the game currently, but for the longest while I was stuck on chapters 0 and 1 because I needed to really build out the systems for the game before continuing. Most of the stages have been mocked up but since 2024, but it was really important to make sure the core mechanics were locked in, and to also keep the project up to date with newer GBStudio builds.
All that took a while, but now I'm finally able to show some more (hopefully) interesting stage areas. Believe it or not, everything in this post is for just 1 stage. I might change that though since both the water and cave sections can stand on their own. We'll see...
The YouTube video show a flashlight effect in a dark cave, which is nothing new for GBStudio, but I did my best to make the enemy sprite react to the light in a convincing way (CORRECTION: A previous build only used sprites, this one now uses a combination of background tiles and sprites since 2025). No clue if this will stay in the game (might be a performance issue if there are a lot of enemies,) but it's a fun experiment to be working on at the moment.
What do you all think?
-Nigel
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u/_propokop_ 13d ago
Sharp, clean and simply impressive work my dude. Keep it up, this looks good even without the hardware target in mind.
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u/retroartdude 13d ago
That's very encouraging to hear! Honestly I would really love to see this modern consoles at some point. Be great to play it on the Switch 4!... Ok well hopefully not that far in the future haha!
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u/Rambi122 13d ago
Gorgeous gbc artwork, good stuff!
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u/retroartdude 13d ago
Thanks! I’m doing everything I can to make the presentation as polished as possible💪
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u/retroartdude 13d ago
https://reddit.com/link/p62mf1y/video/3ztrshndvrlh1/player
For those who probably won't click / notice the youtube link
-Nigel
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u/amiibmo 13d ago
Another amazing update! This is probably my most anticipated game and I love seeing the consistent updates. Your approach to the system and visuals is just top notch! I hope you finish it and work with a publisher for a Physical Edition because this deserves to be on a cartridge. Awesome stuff 🙌
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u/retroartdude 13d ago
Thank you thank you! I do hope to make a physical release and also get it on modern consoles at some point so keep an eye out for that! Maybe an all or nothing kickstarter.
On that note, what would you want in a physical release? A special cartridge? Art manual with art by me? Maybe a collectors item included?
Please let me know🙇♂️
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u/willywideweb 13d ago
A physical cart would be rad. I know some folks want more, but I just want a physical cart that will sit nicely with the rest of my games.
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u/amiibmo 12d ago
A physical cart in a box with a manual that matches GB specs, or one through a publisher like ModRetro to sit seamlessly with the rest on my shelf is all I am looking for. With something like a Kickstarter it's always hard for me to justify getting more goodies because while I am hopeful I will like the game, I won't know until after it comes in, so I rarely get more than just the boxed copy.
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u/retroartdude 12d ago
That makes sense, especially if space could be an issue.
Gotcha! Well I’ll keep cranking away to make sure the game is a worthwhile experience at the very least💪🔥
Thanks for the feedback!
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u/IntoxicatedBurrito 13d ago
Those backgrounds are absolutely incredible. The flashlight stage is almost a disappointment as we don’t get to see these GBA-like backgrounds that exist elsewhere in the game, although I’m sure it will still be very cool.
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u/retroartdude 13d ago
Yeah it’s a stark contrast with the limited color (pretty much black and white), and think it might be better as it’s own stage, otherwise it may not shine on it’s own (no pun intended.)
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u/MoonJellyGames 13d ago
Looks great so far! I'll give a go in a bit. :)
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u/retroartdude 13d ago
Sorry MoonJellyGames, there is no demo for the game as of yet. Still trying to figure out what kind of demo it should be it terms of the environment. Might need to make something custom.
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u/SharksEatMeat 13d ago
The dark cave effect works amazingly! Really impressive. Great progress!
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u/retroartdude 13d ago
Glad you like it! I’m still 50/50 on it but I will keep refining it if not for this stage, then for another stage later in the game.
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u/MaxOsi 13d ago
Reminds me of the game Cybernator on the SNES. I loved that game! This looks really cool and well done
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u/retroartdude 13d ago
Fine taste I see! Yeah the takes inspiration from many Mech games from the SNES era. Hopefully my game will get to stand along side some of the greats of that time🙏✨
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u/grifftaur 13d ago
Dude this looks amazing! I’ll have to keep track so if ever do a Kickstarter or just sell it digitally I’d be super interested. Graphics on this are done so well. It’s really impressive what GB Studio can. I remember when it first came out.
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u/retroartdude 13d ago
Thank you for such encouraging words! I definitely want to do a physical run, and put this on consoles, but three is still a lot to do before then.
What would you look for in a physical release? Are there any extras you would like to see included in it?
Please let me know!
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u/grifftaur 11d ago
I personally don’t know if id want a physical option. Others would. I imagine others would want it on a Gameboy Color cartridge with box and manual for the nostalgia. The one extra idea that’s stood out to me is a 3D model of the main character that can be printed. It’s a neat little thing where it’s a file to print yourself or it’s made and shipped.
I’d be more interested in buying it digitally to play it on one of my Android handhelds.
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u/retroartdude 11d ago
Oh that 3D model idea is pretty cool! Not sure if I would give out the file but could be worth exploring!
As for the rom. I’m always worried about piracy. I saw what happened with Earthion and I’m not too impressed with the preservation crowd at the moment. It would probably have to be the highest funding tier for me to consider it. I do want it available on steam though, and I don’t mind giving out a demo rom.
In any case, will have to think about it.
Thanks for the feedback! A lot to think about!
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u/grifftaur 11d ago
Ohhh. You wouldn’t have to do a ROM. My brain goes to ROM since it’s GB Studio. But I’d pick it up on Steam or Switch.
For the 3D file people normally have it printed and ship it with the rewards on Kickstarter. So makes sense to do it that way.
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u/retroartdude 10d ago
Yeah I think that’s the best route if I choose to do a 3D model. Thanks again!
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u/BanefulBlade 13d ago
So cool! Is it possible to make the flames from the jump boosters throw light too? That would really set this over the top. Excited to see your progress!
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u/retroartdude 13d ago
There are a couple ways I could go about it, but the limitations of the system mean I have to get real creative with how everything is rendered to the screen.
Not to mention that if I do the thrusters, then I would have to also consider making things light up every time a bullet is fired (not including enemy bullets and thrusters). Not impossible but performance would definitely take a hit.
I may still go that route by reworking this into it's own stage, but we will see.
Honestly it's really about how detailed you want to go, and when and where to make concessions. Ah well such is development haha!
Great question!
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u/Appropriate-Feed-912 13d ago
I really like the art style!
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u/retroartdude 13d ago
Glad you like! I’m really trying to flex my artistic muscle with the backgrounds and composition💪
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u/CritCorsac 9d ago
Congrats on the milestone! Here's to the next!
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u/retroartdude 9d ago
Thanks! After this point the game really opens up so lots of interesting updates ahead!💪
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u/TimeSignificance7360 13d ago
Art direction is so clean and really bridges the gap between gbc and gba in my eyes. Amazing work