Ludum Dare #39compo

Writer's Block

by tobiasbruch

Overall★★★★★★★★★★3.70

Fun★★★★★★★★★★2.80

Innovation★★★★★★★★★★4.15

Theme★★★★★★★★★★3.30

Graphics★★★★★★★★★★3.85

Audio★★★★★★★★★★3.25

Mood★★★★★★★★★★4.10

>a psychological inhibition preventing a writer from proceeding with a piece

Edgar is an author disturbed by his thoughts of failure. He has started writing his novel numerous times but has discarded his work each and every time. Why does he keep doing this? Why does he work so hard only to scrap everything?
Play as Edgar in this game about exploring writer's block. Join him as he pushes aside obstacles along the way to finish his novel and flees from the doubts haunting his mind.

Use WASD or the Left Stick to move around.
Sprint by using SPACE or the A Button on your controller.
When you sprint or face your doubts you lose tint. The more tint you've lost the slower you are. You also lose tint slowly over time.

Help me finish this story!

https://twitter.com/tobiasbruch

Tags: #artgame, #singleplayer, #sourcecode

Tools: Unity

Comments17

Aterlamia31 Jul 2017, 09:37

I never experienced a writers block but i feel like this game at least gives a partial feelding how it must be as you are blocked wherever you go but it is also very hard to see where to go and what path to take. Overal game.

IgorsGames31 Jul 2017, 20:49

My ending was "I should get a real job" :-) Liked the overall game, especially the phrases appearing, they make the otherwise boring gameplay more engaging. Sounds of blocks are annoying IMHO

Pixelbukkake3 Aug 2017, 13:50

I like how you slowly push yourself through the obstacles, feels really nice and heavy! Art and Sound are very nice as well :)

ThatSnillet3 Aug 2017, 13:56

Wow, it simulates the feeling of a writers block really well. I think the problem with this is that a writers block is pretty frustrating, and that spreads to this game too. I didn't win the game, but i tried it about ten times to get a good look at it. The game looks and sounds good, and it is the most accurate simulation of a writers block I've experienced in media. Nice work.

stefvanschie3 Aug 2017, 13:57

Really nice game, one of my favorite genres too. I think you did a great job visualizing the emotions of Edgar in the game, good job.

LuckyFeathers3 Aug 2017, 14:06

Alright, I love the mood of the game, but your gameplay mechanics need work. It took me 3 tries to actually understand what I was supposed to do and that I'm supposed to dodge the red stuff. Also, I got stuck way too often, trying to push too big blocks. I'd suggest less blocks so it would be more of a labyrinth than pushing everything aside, hoping I don't get stuck. But with some work on the gameplay, this could be great. Oh, the text is a bit hard to read in my opinion. Not a big deal, just a minor thing.

Vija023 Aug 2017, 14:40

Not my favorite game but it's an interesting take on the theme. I wonder how you interpret running out of power as writer block haha. Atmosphere and mood was spot on.

Surovyi3 Aug 2017, 20:16

Wow man, really good job. The idea is amazing as for me. Effects, sounds (may be volumed down), smooth animations, some sort of sandbox with writers difficulties. Enjoy that. Simple but very inspiring. Great job as for a Compo game! :tophat:

shabap3 Aug 2017, 20:20

You should increase the shadow quality as it is really pixelated. Also the red stuff is hard to see maybe you can make it more visible. Nonetheless its an interesting game.

Everbrave3 Aug 2017, 23:11

Wow. This is awesome! I love the way you used the theme and I really love how you did the walls coming from the ground. Very unexpected. It felt a little sluggish when the paths starting getting more narrow because you kind of had to push stuff out of the way, but really great otherwise. I loved the ink draining from the well. I didn't realize the red mist things were enemies until I was nearly out of ink and it was too late though. Good work overall. Really nice feeling game.

ProdigalSon5 Aug 2017, 18:19

It wasn't immediately clear to me that I could see how much ink I had left over on by looking at the ink bottle on the top right. Also, is there a way to get more ink that I miss? Not sure If I was supposed to be able to move the walls but that was a nice touch so that I could "draw my own path". Solid game, good job.

bombjack6 Aug 2017, 08:41

I really liked the atmosphere of this very original game.

RattyBloom407 Aug 2017, 13:20

I feel that this game simulates crushing writer's block a little too well.

Esokishi7 Aug 2017, 15:36

Interesting mechanic, the overall impression is really good, it's really easy to feel the writer's block, nice job!

tjrankin5727 Aug 2017, 15:41

I really liked this game, I felt like it did a great job of portraying writer's block.It was pretty difficult though, I always died right before I made it to the end.

Jupiter_Hadley11 Aug 2017, 13:21

Very nice take on the theme! I included it in my Ludum Dare 39 compilation video series, if you’d like to take a look :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_RV8hzvGH4

Ellian20 Aug 2017, 22:59

I'm having trouble figuring out the actual gameplay - like how to reach the end, what the feedback for my ink is... but I gotta say, what a fantastic way to portray the struggle to create content. It's really great, having to push forward, and occasionally getting "easy" paths for no reason... It's kind of exactly what it's all about ahah