Participating in GMTK 2023 Game Jam: A Dive into the Depths of "Ocean's Abyss"

(Update: July 10, 2023)

A critical bug in a participant's project submission for the game jam has been swiftly resolved. Despite restrictions on re-uploading, a temporary "hack" was implemented, ensuring a smooth gaming experience. Valuable lessons have been learned regarding the importance of thorough testing in future endeavors.

Introduction:

I am thrilled to share my experience participating in the GMTK 2023 Game Jam, which took place from July 7th to July 9th, challenging game developers around the world to explore the theme of "roles reversed." As a solo developer and a CSUMB graduate, I eagerly embraced this opportunity to showcase my skills and creativity in crafting a unique gaming experience. In this article, I will take you on a journey into the depths of "Ocean's Abyss," my game submission for the jam.

The GMTK 2023 Game Jam and the "Roles Reversed" Theme:

The GMTK (Game Maker's Toolkit) Game Jam is renowned for its engaging challenges and fostering a creative atmosphere. This year's theme, "roles reversed," inspired participants to reimagine traditional game mechanics and explore innovative concepts. The challenge was to design games that flipped familiar roles on their heads, encouraging us to think outside the box and surprise the judges.

"Ocean's Abyss": An Immersive Underwater Horror Adventure:

For the game jam, I developed a thrilling and immersive horror game called "Ocean's Abyss." Inspired by the eerie nature of the deep ocean and even the recent events of a submarine mishap, the game plunges players into the haunting depths of an underwater world. As they navigate the ocean floor, they must collect peculiar cubes that gradually unravel a mysterious story. However, they are not alone, as two menacing creatures lurk in the darkness.

The first enemy is a giant squid that perpetually moves forward, occasionally altering its course and even passing through terrain. This formidable creature poses an imminent threat to players, ensuring they must exercise caution and maintain distance to avoid an untimely demise. The second enemy, a colossal anglerfish accompanied by a small decoy fish, adds a unique twist to the gameplay. Players must balance their attention between looking at the anglerfish and averting their gaze to prevent their "look bar" from reaching dangerous levels. Ignoring the anglerfish or fixating on it for too long spells instant death.

Venturing beyond the boundaries of the map uncovers another treacherous encounter with the dreaded "great lurker," an entity that swiftly eliminates players who stray too far from their intended course. To heighten the suspense and provide critical cues, both the anglerfish and giant squid emit distinct sounds when they are near and active, demanding players' attention and quick thinking.

Reflecting on the Game Jam Experience:

Participating in the GMTK 2023 Game Jam and developing "Ocean's Abyss" within a 48-hour timeframe was an exhilarating and rewarding experience. As a first-time participant, I was amazed by my ability to accomplish so much in such a limited span. Though sleep was sacrificed, the satisfaction of submitting my final creation made it all worthwhile.

Creating a game from scratch in such a short time frame presented its fair share of challenges. The pressure to optimize time while learning new techniques and referencing documentation was demanding. However, the most significant hurdle I faced was conceiving a game idea that struck the right balance between complexity and achievability. It required meticulous consideration of player experience and anticipation of their interactions with the game mechanics.

While my code quality may have suffered during the final hours as I rushed to implement and test mechanics, I am proud of what I achieved with "Ocean's Abyss" given the constraints. Undoubtedly, the game jam highlighted the multi-faceted nature of game development, encompassing not only coding but also creative design and the ability to anticipate and cater to player expectations.

Conclusion:

Participating in the GMTK 2023 Game Jam and crafting "Ocean's Abyss" was an incredible adventure that pushed the boundaries of my skills and imagination. It demonstrated the immense potential within the game development community to innovate and create compelling experiences within tight timeframes. I eagerly await the results of the jam, knowing that the competition is fierce, and I'm proud to have been a part of this global celebration of game development.

If you're curious to explore the depths of "Ocean's Abyss" and witness the terrors that await, I invite you to try out the game (link at beginning of article) and immerse yourself in its gripping narrative and chilling atmosphere. Together, let's continue to push the boundaries of game design and deliver memorable experiences to players worldwide.