Hive Game Jam -25 Post-Mortem

This game jam was particularly educational for me. I planned to use Godot to become more familiar with the engine. My team mates and I divided the workload to tackle more features before the deadline. I had the chance to teach some engine basics, but my limited experience with Godot and GDScript made me realize I still have much to learn before confidently leading impromptu teaching sessions. Nevertheless, we managed to learn a tremendous amount in a short time about both Godot development and game design.

Though eager to learn more about game design, I hesitated to take the lead in this area. Fortunately, I got to teach and plan game features, some made it into the final product while others were cut due to time constraints. Conversations with the organizers and other jammers throughout the weekend helped me better understand how to design engaging game mechanics and plan them effectively.

It had been a while since I participated in an on-site game jam, and witnessing people connecting, sharing frustrations, and exchanging experiences made the event incredibly special. The kitchen area at Hive Helsinki was buzzing with laughter and discussion which lifted the mood and created an accomodating atmosphere.

Creating a Metal Gear Solid-inspired stealth game seemed straightforward initially, but developing the necessary components and systems proved challenging. Enemy AI alone could have been a weekend-long project, and simplifying enemy behavior resulted in rather dull gameplay. We settled on using moving spotlights as death triggers for the player. When combined with our stealth mechanic, this added some interest, but ultimately lacked challenge and engagement. The lack of proper level design or alternate enemy behaviors prevented us from fully showcasing the stealth mechanic's potential. This concept deserves revisiting in a longer project.

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace the chaos.
• Playtest frequently to gauge player reactions.
• Remember to hydrate with something besides coffee occasionally.

Thank you everyone, and if you haven't tried our game "Covert Genesis" yet, please check it out and leave feedback in the comments or directly to me!