Hope this doesn’t get rejected (yet another EGP prototype): “The Job”
And here we go for another (last minute) entry for the Experimental Gameplay Project! This month: Rejection.
Well, it is more a prototype than a game, but I will call it “game” anyway, simply because it sounds better this way. 
Anyway, in the game you will be tested if you are good enough for The Job. To say anything more would be a spoiler, only so much: Yes, this game has an end.
Fun facts about the game:
- Due to time constraints, I changed the concept at least 3 times. (Which might be the reason why it’s hard to solve.)
- Since this is my first plattformer, I learnt much stuff about how they are developed. Or rather, how they aren’t. And when I think about it, it doesn’t really have any platforms, although the engine would allow it. Hu.
- None of my recruted-in-a-hurry beta testers could beat the game without help.
- It is based on a true story*
Oh, and some useful facts:
- This time my engine of choice was the Simple and Fast Multimedia Library – great thing!
- Developing editors is hard. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I hadn’t found this great tutorial on gametuto.com
Here’s a screenshot:
Download: The Job v1.0 (Windows)
You might need the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.
Oh, and like every time, I would love to read a comment about how you liked (or didn’t like) the game! Especially if you beat it. The Comment Section is just below.
*) Okay, you got me, it isn’t
March 1st, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Well, I could tell you in person cause you are sitting right next to me, but as you like to have comments: I have beaten the Game and got rejected at the job interview (but i won’t tell how)!
Does this tell something about my work-ethics?
To the game mechanics itself: yeah, it’s only a prototype so I won’t be to harsh in my judgement… it’s quite okay for that, but I’m still not sure if it’s a concept that could lead to a good game with further development. I still wonder what the fun things would be you would do in a game when rejecting the “game mechanics” and do your “own stuff” (as we discussed during development – to elucidate – your idea was that you do something else, something more funny if you are bored of what “the game” tells you to do…). Or better to say: i wonder if they would be truly funny. But I’m still open for surprises…
March 1st, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Heh, yes, and since I know you “solved” it very fast, that’s one hell of a message about your work ethics
And yes, I’m also not convinced that the current concept could make a fun game. It is more about the message (which sadly isn’t very strong due to already mentioned time constraints) and the theme, so I guess that makes it into another didn’t-turn-out-too-well-art-game.
I actually quite like your concept regarding rebelling against the game and turning on and off game mechanics – but not for this contest, not enough time. Maybe another time!
But anyway, I learnt a new library (SFML) and collected a bit of experience with plattformer development, so it was worth my time.
May 17th, 2010 at 6:05 am
Yarr, don’t try to make me do your job while faking judging me for the real job!
Nice engaging game and congrats on getting a new library under your belt.
May 17th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Hey, thanks for commenting on the poor cousin amongst my games!
Yeah, SFML is pretty rad. I still use it and I really look forward to the next big revision.