Don't Let Them Sit There
Have you ever wanted to experience public transit from the comfort of your own home?
Well now's your chance! In Don't Let Them Sit, you play as a passenger on an underground subway train. The pandemic is not over, and you do NOT want to catch Covid-19.
YOUR GOAL: Do not let other passengers sit near you. Every time they do, your Covid-19 aerosol meter goes up. If it maxes out, you lose!
STRATEGY: At first the game might seem random and chaotic. But every passenger "type" has different preferences. For example, if they're wearing a mask, and you take off your mask, there's a good chance they won't sit next to you. Try to learn the patterns of the different passengers to make yourself the ultimate Covid-19-free public-transit user! (see images below for help)
CAUTION: While taking up the entire row of seats might seem compelling, there are transit police who WILL arrest you if they see you doing that.
There is NO endgame: you are trying to delay the inevitable (getting Covid-19). Try to get the highest time possible!
*Designer notes:*
*My first game using C# (using the Godot engine). (Every game I’ve ever made in the past was in GameMaker and with minimal-to-no coding.)*
*All resources created by me during the competition. All programming done by me. Made in 72 hours which is why I had to submit to the Jam instead of Compo.*
v1.1 changelog
--fixed invisible phone
--fixed crash on taking shoes off while sprawled out with bag
--fixed disappearing torso on PUAs when rejected
--fixed timer not pausing on gameover screen
v1.2 changelog (should be final entry update)
--fixed 'arrest mode' not triggering
--fixed Z indexes on some sprites
--fixed deactivating item giving activated effect
v1.3 changelong (post-jam)
--added rushhour mode
--added joyride and hard modes
*For more of my games, check out: https://andrewbrowngames.wordpress.com/*
Well now's your chance! In Don't Let Them Sit, you play as a passenger on an underground subway train. The pandemic is not over, and you do NOT want to catch Covid-19.
YOUR GOAL: Do not let other passengers sit near you. Every time they do, your Covid-19 aerosol meter goes up. If it maxes out, you lose!
STRATEGY: At first the game might seem random and chaotic. But every passenger "type" has different preferences. For example, if they're wearing a mask, and you take off your mask, there's a good chance they won't sit next to you. Try to learn the patterns of the different passengers to make yourself the ultimate Covid-19-free public-transit user! (see images below for help)
CAUTION: While taking up the entire row of seats might seem compelling, there are transit police who WILL arrest you if they see you doing that.
There is NO endgame: you are trying to delay the inevitable (getting Covid-19). Try to get the highest time possible!
*Designer notes:*
*My first game using C# (using the Godot engine). (Every game I’ve ever made in the past was in GameMaker and with minimal-to-no coding.)*
*All resources created by me during the competition. All programming done by me. Made in 72 hours which is why I had to submit to the Jam instead of Compo.*
v1.1 changelog
--fixed invisible phone
--fixed crash on taking shoes off while sprawled out with bag
--fixed disappearing torso on PUAs when rejected
--fixed timer not pausing on gameover screen
v1.2 changelog (should be final entry update)
--fixed 'arrest mode' not triggering
--fixed Z indexes on some sprites
--fixed deactivating item giving activated effect
v1.3 changelong (post-jam)
--added rushhour mode
--added joyride and hard modes
*For more of my games, check out: https://andrewbrowngames.wordpress.com/*
Comments45
James_77774 Apr 2022, 18:21
The graphics have charm and I like the homemade audio. I found the ui a bit cumbersome to use, though. Overall solid entry!
MrEvilGuy5 Apr 2022, 07:12
note for self: comments below this are for new jam version.
RandyRude5 Apr 2022, 21:39
Maybe the most unique graphics i've seen, really innovative. I commend you for going solo! Hats off to you sir.
LDJam user 2347695 Apr 2022, 22:01
Wow, that's a big scope you managed to reach for your first programming-intensive game! :open_mouth: congrats on that! :tada:
The game is very funny, thanks to some game design breakthroughs like BARE FEET :joy: that killed me. The graphics and SFX also add to the feel of the game. 100% accurate subway mood.
The game is very funny, thanks to some game design breakthroughs like BARE FEET :joy: that killed me. The graphics and SFX also add to the feel of the game. 100% accurate subway mood.
Tsugumi6 Apr 2022, 04:53
This one is great! It's really funny when I realize that all the subway sounds are imitated by devs. And those passengers outside the training being moving with the door is also funny. Good job!
Lvl99Chicken6 Apr 2022, 05:15
Such a funny game, had me dying. Loved the art style and sounds. Gameplay felt a bit choatic but I read description and it made more sense. Great job, excellent entry!
sega233336 Apr 2022, 07:48
looks like psychedelic
AraTheDev6 Apr 2022, 07:53
great game, the people are so funny! also great idea!
ksimaster6 Apr 2022, 09:59
It's cool that they drew by hand! :)
joemid6 Apr 2022, 13:36
I love the style of this. Def feels like public transit. The interactions didn't consistently appear for every stop, and after a bit, seemed to stop appearing at all. I kept at it tho, never got arrested, but loved seeing who, in your cast of goofballs, got on at the next stop. Checking out your other games, now. Great work and thank you for the game!
OtterFaeLure7 Apr 2022, 02:09
I was wondering when I'd run into a covid related game! I unfortunately came down with it at the start of the jam (it definitely seems inevitable at this point... ha..ha). Your intro lines made me laugh an inappropriate length of time for such a dry delivery.
This also appropriately captured my absolute horror with public transit. Too well done!
May we all one day get to have little pods that take us through tubes super fast like some sort of hamster fantasy.
This also appropriately captured my absolute horror with public transit. Too well done!
May we all one day get to have little pods that take us through tubes super fast like some sort of hamster fantasy.
pkenney7 Apr 2022, 03:36
Love the art! And of course the sounds, too. Really captured the variety of humans I [used to] see taking the train.
I was there with my mask off, bare feet, eating a whole giant pizza and lying down grinning demonically at some guy whose torso had become dislocated from his legs, and STILL some dude was like "hey can I get your number?"
My best run was when I managed to take up the whole row with my bag. I offended humanity for sure, and made it to time 350ish if I recall. When I saw cops outside the door, I picked my bag up and then when they left hoped for a chance to put it back down... eventually got the bug from dudes sitting down in the gap my bag left, but I made it far enough that the train was packed.
Really cool, unique experience. Well done!
I was there with my mask off, bare feet, eating a whole giant pizza and lying down grinning demonically at some guy whose torso had become dislocated from his legs, and STILL some dude was like "hey can I get your number?"
My best run was when I managed to take up the whole row with my bag. I offended humanity for sure, and made it to time 350ish if I recall. When I saw cops outside the door, I picked my bag up and then when they left hoped for a chance to put it back down... eventually got the bug from dudes sitting down in the gap my bag left, but I made it far enough that the train was packed.
Really cool, unique experience. Well done!
Jahwffrey7 Apr 2022, 04:05
Unique and well done art style that really feels like it belongs in this situation. Really funny and interesting take on the theme too! Well done.
MrEvilGuy7 Apr 2022, 06:15
@otterfaelure yeah I just had a run in with it too. I'm actually surprised I haven't seen any other covid games. Saw a cellular tower defense game but that's about it. I guess people don't want to think about covid when they're playing games hahahaha.
@pkenney glad you enjoyed it. Always love to hear game stories like that. There's a lot of randomness in the game but sometimes the pieces fall into place nicely :D
@pkenney glad you enjoyed it. Always love to hear game stories like that. There's a lot of randomness in the game but sometimes the pieces fall into place nicely :D
NeoHermes7 Apr 2022, 07:57
loved idea and style !
Elena-S7 Apr 2022, 09:44
I like the sound!
LDJam user 2333477 Apr 2022, 10:52
Definitely a unique style to it. Audio is also very amusing.
BiOs30087 Apr 2022, 12:30
uh interesting style
Useless Fish7 Apr 2022, 13:12
THIS GAME IS THE BEST, I F*KING LOVE IT LMAOOO SOOO FUNNYYYYYY!!!!
Orerez7 Apr 2022, 13:26
amazing entry, made me laugh alot, really liked it
Xerxeres7 Apr 2022, 16:25
I like the humming tone of the charter
PureImprov7 Apr 2022, 16:39
Very funny! I like the textured graphics (: When presented with the options, I like the panic of having to choose quickly but maybe there could be fewer options per turn.
Corporation7 Apr 2022, 20:10
GOTY 2022
Skleembof7 Apr 2022, 21:04
Now this is an interesting submission. The graphics are very memorable and the voice acting is superb. The gameplay is also pretty fun. I looked forward to the next passenger to try and see how I could turn them away.
woahitsjeff7 Apr 2022, 22:33
This was awesome, the art style and the audio tied in together so nicely! Well done!
CSdoesCS8 Apr 2022, 01:46
The art and audio is so funny, this is a super memorable game. The 'have you read Elon Musk's latest work' comment chilled me to the bone.
jitspoe8 Apr 2022, 01:47
Made it to 327. I think my bare feet might have worked against me. Entertaining entry!
Orionhart8 Apr 2022, 05:45
Pretty hilarious game. I might have gone with a different font, but I loved everything else! Made me chuckle.
LDJam user 2359158 Apr 2022, 07:20
Excellent graphics and voice acting!)
CouchCam8 Apr 2022, 09:25
Man, this game definitely made me feel weird! Good job!
For some reason, it reminds me of a French cartoon I watched as a kid.
For some reason, it reminds me of a French cartoon I watched as a kid.
Gandelianna8 Apr 2022, 09:45
Pretty idea. I fastly guessed what to do) Good game!
Rewzu8 Apr 2022, 10:30
Interesting graphics style, quite unique and innovative gameplay. Neat entry! :)
sophie.s8 Apr 2022, 11:10
really interesting graphic style
XenosNS8 Apr 2022, 13:00
I love handmade graphics and audio! Cool idea, would be good if the dissuade map was in the game somehow too.
Roolow8 Apr 2022, 15:52
The whole indie vibe of the painted hand sketches and the ridiculous animations and audio at first honestly seemed armature, but when it's running I realized its actually very cohesive and creative and most importantly very funny! I stand and applaud.
khaotom8 Apr 2022, 16:29
This is fantastically creative and charming. Even though the goal was to not let them sit... I ended up letting them sit just to hear the dialogue. Really wonderful little game!
mlho78 Apr 2022, 16:50
Great asocial survival horror game type, great voice acting, great ambiance, sadly a man got stuck outside from a station to next one, probably his coat on the subway door. Rare experience, great job.
sacredbacon9 Apr 2022, 07:12
Have you read Elon Musks latest works? I thought I had a fool proof strategy (feet up and backback on the fourth seat), and then I got arrested. I didn't realize it was a crime to take up space, lol. I love the art style, great concept and I really appreciate you posting a web version. Awesome job!
elysiagriffin9 Apr 2022, 11:37
Thanks for submitting your game for me to play on my stream!
If you’d like to rewatch the playthrough, you can find it here:
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1450143040?t=8h28m21s
Good luck on your ratings, see you next LD! :D
💜 Elysia Griffin AKA Button Feedback Lady
https://www.twitch.tv/elysiagriffin
If you’d like to rewatch the playthrough, you can find it here:
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1450143040?t=8h28m21s
Good luck on your ratings, see you next LD! :D
💜 Elysia Griffin AKA Button Feedback Lady
https://www.twitch.tv/elysiagriffin
Sigo10 Apr 2022, 11:02
Nice ! I like the audio !
Slecornu11 Apr 2022, 20:49
Very interesting concept, art style and execution. Good job!
Ehon16 Apr 2022, 20:12
Wow, the idea was quite unique and the execution was both hilarious and well-made. I loved the little chats all the people were doing and the sounds design done with well, mouth sounds, was incredible. Cool and one of a kind entry!
bloodycoin21 Apr 2022, 11:45
Good job on submitting first ludum dare game, especially after changing the engine.
I think the idea is great, with just enough touch of humor and reality. This rather unique art style mix and self recorded audio well complement each other.
From technical side of things I had some trouble starting the game. It seems you need to press some key for people to start coming near your? I had a for about 8 stops (didn't wait more) where no person would go in my direction. They would go off-screen to the right side.
From game design side, while it's cool that each person has different personalities and dislikes, I found it rather difficult remember them all (or even look up) in time press correct dislike image. Maybe rather than trying to fit text on the dislike image, it would be better to have text written using text component / node, and just show the image without text nearby, that way it would be less visual noise, trying to recognize the correct dislike to choose.
Another suggestion would be to actually reduce number of possible dislikes. Then the dislikes could be shown in UI always at the same place, this way separating the problems the player has to solve. It would be to only identify the dislike instead of currently identify the dislike AND then finding it among possible options. You could add placement randomization as an difficulty option.
If you think that it would be too easy, then it could be a dialog between the passenger and you. The passenger says something to you (visually, or just sound) and you have to dislike with something he would dislike in the context he just said. After your response, he could have another "dialog" line, that you also have to respond (deny). After several such exchanges, the passenger could decide if he/she wants to sit nearby or not. Maybe even decide how close to you, and the sitting distance could affect the aerosol rise rate.
Maybe it would also makes sense to keep survival progress not in time, but in number of stops survived? Because, it's possible add artificial time, by choosing dislikable thing as late as possible rather than right away as you identify it.
P.S. This could also get boost from gambling element a bit. If you add choice to leave the train at some stop, you could calculate the number of stops survived, multiply it by some exponential modifier and allow to take the train again, adding to already existing score. But if you fail to get off the train in time, and get covid, your score is reset. Of course, the more stops you ride without getting off the train, the better score multiplier. So, the more you risk, the better score you can get.
I think the idea is great, with just enough touch of humor and reality. This rather unique art style mix and self recorded audio well complement each other.
From technical side of things I had some trouble starting the game. It seems you need to press some key for people to start coming near your? I had a for about 8 stops (didn't wait more) where no person would go in my direction. They would go off-screen to the right side.
From game design side, while it's cool that each person has different personalities and dislikes, I found it rather difficult remember them all (or even look up) in time press correct dislike image. Maybe rather than trying to fit text on the dislike image, it would be better to have text written using text component / node, and just show the image without text nearby, that way it would be less visual noise, trying to recognize the correct dislike to choose.
Another suggestion would be to actually reduce number of possible dislikes. Then the dislikes could be shown in UI always at the same place, this way separating the problems the player has to solve. It would be to only identify the dislike instead of currently identify the dislike AND then finding it among possible options. You could add placement randomization as an difficulty option.
If you think that it would be too easy, then it could be a dialog between the passenger and you. The passenger says something to you (visually, or just sound) and you have to dislike with something he would dislike in the context he just said. After your response, he could have another "dialog" line, that you also have to respond (deny). After several such exchanges, the passenger could decide if he/she wants to sit nearby or not. Maybe even decide how close to you, and the sitting distance could affect the aerosol rise rate.
Maybe it would also makes sense to keep survival progress not in time, but in number of stops survived? Because, it's possible add artificial time, by choosing dislikable thing as late as possible rather than right away as you identify it.
P.S. This could also get boost from gambling element a bit. If you add choice to leave the train at some stop, you could calculate the number of stops survived, multiply it by some exponential modifier and allow to take the train again, adding to already existing score. But if you fail to get off the train in time, and get covid, your score is reset. Of course, the more stops you ride without getting off the train, the better score multiplier. So, the more you risk, the better score you can get.
The grafics are nice and the audio is great. But i cant see what the goal of the game is