This page gets messages from updates in ourdiscord server.2024-12-22
https://giphy.com/gifs/9tpUKvzSnhg8BUHMFg
Still cooking! Progress has been a bit more on the technical side and behind the scenes for this update. Since the last post I put together a backend for a custom level database. I prototyped some of the UI for an in game level browser as well.
On top of that the start of the gif has a "game select" screen that goes with the idea previously mentioned of a side game composed of a 2-4 hour long campaign / story mode alongside the custom level stuff. For this short campaign's *deep lore*, I'm thinking the lab the game takes place in is also "in its early stages", made for the Blockbot and Circlebot to test out. Hence a title like Robots & Things: Alpha Lab or Beta Lab could be a fitting name.
The progression of this "Beta Lab" has been more or less planned out and since it's a lot smaller in scope, the vast majority of content for it is already completed from all the work on the main Robots & Things game. Some levels might be borrowed, and some will be completely unique to this smaller game.2024-11-23
https://youtu.be/0cDM0lh8T3M
Robots & Things still has a long way to go, but to make up for that here's a level editor that's in development! This could potentially be turned into a quick to release side game. Picture a small campaign around the length of the previous demos, paired with this 3D level editor for creating your own levels and worlds! (Maybe with the working title Robots & Things: Collectathon Creator?)
See my message in <#736242139578761370> from a few weeks ago for a bit more context.2024-09-15
ayyy I recognize that electronic version of the title theme I did years ago. š2024-09-07
https://youtu.be/B2vpB8_932k
Here's a clip of an early version of the main hub world in Robots & Things, the lab!
As you progress through the game's worlds you'll unlock new abilities to let you navigate through the lab and find simulations of different worlds. You'll notice in this video the Circlebot, the Blockbot's rival and older brother. He can't help but brag about his amazing simulation high score. The majority of the game is going to be centered around going into the lab's simulated worlds and scoring high enough across levels to beat that high score! Move chaining, and collecting stuff like Puzzle Pieces will be key to scoring high! The Circle Bot doesn't like the sound of losing his precious high score though, so he'll be there to stop you at every chance he gets!2024-07-21
I added a couple new things to the project lately and will get a video or two up sooner or later, but in the meantime here's a nifty little thing I just did. A quick animation of puzzle pieces actually filling in a picture. š®
In the gif it's only for a gallery with beta screenshots, but the main game's level entrances could totally have something similar to this.2024-06-14
||https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvUn9Xe73rI&ab_channel=Robots%26Things||
Hey all! Here's a first draft of a platforming based boss fight! You have to scale the tower, avoiding obstacles all while there's rising electric water!
The end of the video also shows the score tally that happens at the end of the level, now that the game has a score based progression mechanic like mentioned in the last update. The faster you complete a level, the greater your time bonus will be, based on the colour of the level timer in the top left. It changes to gold, silver, bronze, and white. Be quick enough to get gold and it'll net you a pretty good bonus.
Beating a boss also could lead to you unlocking a new ability, like in this case at the end of the level you now are able to perform infinite wall jumps from the same wall.2023-12-15
https://youtu.be/ZuJUEl0u6fY
Here's a quick update now with some short video clips.
First this is a more refined version of the move meter that was prototyped in the last update. A spin jump takes two charges and a dive takes one, out of the three charges you start with. It can be upgraded to have up to 6 charges as you progress in order to spin and dive extra times, in addition to performing more powerful and more costly abilities.
https://youtu.be/0XfvFZ90Tkw
Aaaand here's a score system I've been experimenting with. You can get high scores in levels now that emphasizes chaining moves in the air. As you chain moves you increase a multiplier that gives you more points as you bounce off enemies. Major collectables also would give you a ton of points as well.
All your high scores combined between levels (and from collectibles in hub worlds) could potentially be used as a way to progress through the game.
Other than that there might be a few other changes, like challenge medals I've been reworking to be needed to unlock a single challenge level in each world, and said level would reward you with more gears than usual or the strong power ups like the rocket.
As for general development no the game's not totally dead. š It's still being worked on bit by bit. I do want to get a "world 1" kind of demo out that has tweaked levels with these two new systems up at some point. Not sure when but most of the pieces of the world are already in place for that.2023-02-02
https://giphy.com/gifs/1mkNO6EFohivp9LOLj
Tiny update: **The Move Meter**
Check out the top right of that gif to see a proof of concept meter that adds visual feedback to move chaining. Each move costs "charges" to execute.
A spin jump costs 4, the dive costs 1, and a kick costs 2. Staying on the ground or bouncing off stuff can refill the meter.
(Also the kick got an experimental revamp that makes it more like an air dash that halts all gravity. It's like a dive that you can aim but slightly more costly.)
https://giphy.com/gifs/mTmms2xesjpIVOwzWK
It's mostly the same feel as chaining moves before, but with better feedback to know what you can do midair. Plus if the move meter could increase permanently or temporarily, that could allow for a lot more crazy move chaining.2022-11-18
Forgot to post this one here publicly, oops :(
This is the last update from a while back, featuring an end game world and final level
https://www.patreon.com/posts/abandoned-lab-659152342022-08-20
Better gear tracking, new gear perks, puzzle pieces can require a costume, and a new kind of vanishing blocks
https://www.patreon.com/posts/more-gear-and-653454112022-07-15
We have a WIP final boss fight šØššµ
https://www.patreon.com/posts/final-boss-631722172022-06-15
An early version of a gimmicky "magnet" level
https://www.patreon.com/posts/magnet-poles-oh-60479871
(from now on I'll just post these here when they're public to everyone)2022-04-29
Introducing āØ secret warps āØ that can lead to new levels, act as shortcuts to other worlds, or even serve as secret entrances to side areas in levels.
https://www.patreon.com/posts/elevator-warps-630426022022-03-25
This update shows off the Dream Level. Think of it like a half a tutorial and half an introduction to the wacky gimmicks you'll come across.
https://www.patreon.com/posts/619255952022-02-23
š We got water in the game now! Also, a new Barrier powerup related to that, and the name voted on for the infinite wall jump ended up being the *sticky grip*!
https://www.patreon.com/posts/629630052022-01-29
Here's a big update that changes the game progression, with all major moves becoming unlockable! Super Supporters at last get to **vote** on one of the late game move names too!
https://www.patreon.com/posts/60477430
Also, our Patreon is getting changed a bit from here on out. All new update posts (beta builds and polls excluded) are going to become *early access* for patrons. Everyone else in this server will be able to read them, but only 2 weeks or so after it gets posted. This one's going to be available for non patrons on February 15th.2021-12-29
Happy (early) new year! Here's an update on a new world, the Bumper Lands, plus a boss fight too š
https://www.patreon.com/posts/601519192021-11-29
Here ya go: an update featuring the first draft of a new major level.
https://www.patreon.com/posts/590089232021-10-31
Happy Halloween! Here's a new update and build. It's not Halloween themed or anything but the new I-Saw enemies are kinda spooky š»
https://www.patreon.com/posts/578841422021-08-07
Hello again !
Thank you all for sticking with us these past few months, a lot has changed in my life and I briefly needed to take a step away from the project to focus on my own life. After the end of the Kickstarter I picked up a new job to help fund progress, and this past week I just moved out and I'm now happily living with my girlfriend. It's taken a lot to get where I am now and I'm ready to jump back into the project in full force!
While we haven't been able to give Robots & Things our full attention that hasn't stopped us from working on some exciting new ideas for it, along with some crucial changes you asked for. In the past while Scott posted a new beta build for our patrons showcasing our **overhaul to the floaty physics and slippery movement**.
**Robots & Things will also be present at SAGE 2021**, with a new smaller version of the demo for you all to try featuring the new physics! If you'd like to try the entire demo with the new physics we'll have that available over on our Patreon, along with here on Discord in the exclusive Patron Chat.
**Thank you everyone who participated in our Pick An Object event a while back, we have the first set of results ready to share with you over in the chat right now!** Let us know what you think, and if you'd like to see some of the others now you can catch those over on our Patreon.
For now though, here's a first look at some new enemies coming to the game! Thanks again everyone!2021-06-05
We would like to express our deepest thanks to everyone who has supported us and our game thus far.
We're sad to see that the Kickstarter campaign didn't make it this run through, but we're committed to pushing onward to make the best game we possibly can. **Development of Robots & Things will continue**, albeit likely at a slower rate and with a reduced scope for the time being. We have several contingency plans and we would be happy to discuss them all with you all to see what you think.
For now we've set up a **Patreon** where you guys can continue supporting and gain access to new Beta builds along with additional behind the scenes content. You'll also get special roles here on Discord that give access to some additional channels.
https://www.patreon.com/PlasmaShadow
It's meant the world to us to see this community grow and we've loved getting to meet you all and hear what you have to say. We look forward to continuing to work with you and build up our community even more. Bigger and better heights are ahead!2021-05-19
Demo Version 1.2 is now available!
Here are all the changes we've made.2021-05-15
