Postmortem Report: Jurassic Dash

Game Title: Jurassic Dash  

Game Type: 2D Endless Platformer

Overview:

Jurassic Dash was a 2D endless platformer designed to captivate players with its prehistoric theme and fast-paced gameplay. Despite an enthusiastic initial reception, the game did not achieve the level of success hoped for. This report aims to reflect on the project, identify key reasons for its underperformance, and document lessons learned for future endeavors.

Project Highlights:

Leaderboard Champion: BrianTheOG

• Initial Reception: Positive, with players enjoying the simple yet engaging premise.
• Learning Experience: Valuable insights gained in game development, project management, and player engagement.

Key Issues Identified:

1. Lack of Increasing Difficulty:

• Problem: The game maintained a monotone speed and did not introduce new challenges as players progressed.
• Impact: Experienced players quickly became accustomed to the game's speed, leading to a lack of sustained engagement and challenge.

   2. Missed Features:

• Planned Features: Skins, random collectibles, and Easter eggs.
• Reason for Omission: Time restrictions prevented the implementation of these additional features, which could have added variety and extended gameplay longevity.

Analysis:

1. Gameplay Dynamics:

• The absence of increasing difficulty was a significant flaw. Endless runners thrive on the escalating challenge that keeps players on their toes. Without this, the game failed to maintain long-term interest.
• Introducing varying speeds, new obstacles, and progressively challenging levels could have mitigated this issue.

2. Feature Development:

• The planned features such as skins, collectibles, and Easter eggs would have added depth and replayability to the game.
• Time management and prioritization of core mechanics over additional features led to an incomplete vision of the game.

Lessons Learned:

1. Dynamic Difficulty:

• Ensuring a gradual increase in difficulty is crucial for maintaining player engagement in endless games.
• Incorporating mechanisms that adapt to player skill levels can provide a tailored and continuously challenging experience.

2. Time Management:

• Balancing core game development with the addition of engaging features requires effective time management and realistic project timelines.
• Prioritizing key features that enhance gameplay should be considered early in the development cycle.

3. Player Feedback:

• Actively seeking and incorporating player feedback can provide insights into areas needing improvement and potential new features.

Conclusion:

Working on Jurassic Dash was an invaluable experience. Despite its shortcomings, the project provided significant learning opportunities in game design and development. Future projects will benefit from the insights gained, particularly the importance of dynamic difficulty and effective time management. The journey was rewarding, and the knowledge acquired will undoubtedly contribute to the success of future endeavors.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to all the players, especially BrianTheOG, for your support and feedback. Your engagement and enthusiasm were truly appreciated.

Future Plans:

Moving forward, the lessons learned from Jurassic Dash will be applied to new projects, with a focus on creating engaging, challenging, and feature-rich gaming experiences.

Developer:

Jonathan C.

itsjonathanc@outlook.com

5.7.2024