How I made it?
The production of LX is an experience that starts from zero. I don't have any design and programming
experience before this. Therefore, the game's logic is implemented using the built-in text
programming tool. So you can find in the game that the early stage is quite simple, with only some
dialogues. And then, I gradually figured out how to make conditional dialogues, local switches,
global switches, team formation, automatic displacement, NPC performances, etc., so the game's
context becomes more and more diverse and complex.
And the game's design process wasn't really orderly at the beginning. I just put my scattered ideas
together when I start. After that, I imagined the overall framework, and then added the systems,
details, game mechanics, etc., one by one. At last, crazily adding details and polishments, such as
whether this building should be decorated with a flower or a vine.
What did I learn?
During the production of Lost x, first of all, I have a general understanding of the overall
framework of game production. After all, I made everything, whether it is "programming," "art,"
"music," “narrative", or game designs. At the same time, I felt and understood how important
cooperation between people from different disciplines in game production is. On the other hand, I
know I was so wrong about game balance - I can't believe I ever thought the balance was the easy
part!
Text programming made it much easier for me to learn the actual programming languages, like JS, C#,
and C++. The comprehensive game design experience also gave me an understanding of game design’s
disciplines. So I know which direction I prefer (in terms of 2D games) - Level Design, System
Design, and Mission Design, and which part I do not - balancing, skill design, etc.
