So this was actually my side project for the Jam while I was working on Operation Delete with @Samuel_Tomé_PixelPizza. I had no experience with isometric games, but I took the challenge to figure out the mathematics for the Flowjam.
Flowlab Game Creator - Pack-It!
Starting
When I started this, I thought it would be an easier game to make since I made an isometric example a month ago. But to my surprise, I ended up redoing the math twice, so I have better understanding on each variable used to create a skewed grid system. I also was wanting to create separate grid systems so I could place items on the wall, but that mathematical task will be tackled later on.
Flowlab Game Creator - 3D Isometric Test
About the Game
I spent most of the time of this game testing the grid and sorting, and got it to work with 2 lists. But for story, I was actually was wanting to use 2D novel sprites for characters to create an overall narrative. But this game took so much time that I didn’t even create a menu in the end.
More on the List structures
This game actually uses 2 lists to keep track of the items in the game. The first list lets me converts the skew positions for the mouse to be converted in an index in the list. These positions are used to keep track of where the objects are placed on the screen, and see what object they are stacked on. The second list keeps up with the floor arrangement (like a top-down view), seeing what spaces are used and how tall the stacks are on those spaces.
^
For most of the art, @todorrobot actually offered to make sprites for the game. He made them really quick, and they turned out really great! Sadly, close to the end, I found a Huge Issue converting objects into an isometric game. In return for making the art, I helped him with some programming ideas and troubleshooting for his game (yes, I did technically work on 3 games in the Jam). As well thanks to Baconcat for the tittle music.
The Huge Issue
The huge issue is Display Order!
Because long objects can cover over several grid positions, and I’m also stacking objects, the display order needs to be manage by every skew cell block on all the objects. As you can see, the flat long box is broken up into 2 pieces to keep up with the display order of each cell. I thought I could get away with vertical spaces, but as you can see with the tall box, no cheats can get around this time-consuming issue.
Stacking issue
Sprites will need to broken up into individual blocks
Updates?
I plan to keep working on the game after the Jam and post updates here, I may create a new topic once the game is finished. I have plans for more features and content for the game. Let me know what you think of the game!
Another Link: Flowlab Game Creator - Pack-It!
Also check out Pizza’s game I helped with: Operation Delete
And here’s Todorrobots game: Flowlab Game Creator - Iceship Omicron
