9 Months of SOLO indie game dev (QUIRKY creatures, NEW levels, and so much more) - Devlog #13

In this #devlog I show my process of creating horrible spiders made of rotting flesh, new types of enemies, cute little friends, and 2 new levels. This goes from the concept art stage (quick sketches) to the fully fleshed out game mechanics and objects that are completely playable.
I also put a lot of emphasis on polish and game feel!
I use Unity, Playmaker, and Blender 3D to make my indie game, called Toby's Topsy Tale which was funded on Kickstarter. It is a psychological horror 3D platformer with Lovecraftian elements (which means inspired in part by the works of H.P. Lovecraft). These dev logs are meant to serve as a way for me to track progression as I work towards my dream of being a solo indie game dev. Game design is hard but it's easier with such a great community!
This is hopefully of interest to people who play games as well as those actively pursuing their indie game dev journey and those who have an interest in someday learning how to make games!
Speaking of which, make sure you LIKE and SUBSCRIBE!
Here's the link to my Discord if you're interested!
/ discord

[@coneman844]

The work your doing is great man and I’ve been waiting for a new video for awhile to see what you’ve done and I really like the additions you’ve made! I also feel Ike the spiders would be creepier if they made fleshy spider sounds and you could hear them walking around, but other than that the bathroom looks finnished and completely polished already. But anyway I can’t wait to see what comes next! Good luck!

[@3gnomesgames909]

Thank you so much!

[@imjusttellingstories1688]

This looks better and better

[@3gnomesgames909]

Thank you!

[@monkeyman3953]

LETS GOOOOO ANOTHER DEVLOG

[@ECStarProductions]

Yes new devlog!

[@YTcustomchris]

Great Video!! Grandmother is very cool. Also great job on the modeling.

[@3gnomesgames909]

Thank you so much!

[@Eclipsegamedev]

9:30 This would be such a great menu its so simple yet it just so good the music adds to it too

[@3gnomesgames909]

Thank you!

[@fangbauble0133]

I think it would be really cool if there was an easter egg with the sheep. Like if you all move them into one spot they turn into a giant sheep or something like that? I also think the addition of the spiders in the bathroom makes it so much creepier.

[@LoueyThePerson]

Love the flesh spiders! One nitpick I had however is that on Toby’s idle his candy cane isnt parented to his hand so when his hand moves it doesn’t move with it. Always love seeing these devlogs!

[@3gnomesgames909]

Ooh thanks! I set this up before I fully understood partenting I think, so I'm sure there's other things I'll need to fix as well! Thank you!

[@jaidenkulawiec49]

Ive been waiting for this for so long

[@oreosogood6288]

Another amazing devlog! i love creepy or horror game and when i see all of this i can't wait to play it! everything in the bathroom level is very good and that music is perfect. I love that menu in the beginning too. Hope to see another beautiful devlog in the future have a nice day.

[@3gnomesgames909]

Thank you so so much!!

[@garageheathen8568]

I suggest working on your art style a bit. Right now, grass, for example, is of saturated green with high amount of detail. Same goes for the trees. High frequency details should usually be used for objects of interest, otherwise it's really overwhelming. You can achieve the kids illustration/cartoon look without making everything brightly colored - ie low saturated, pastel colors can work just as well. As for the horror level - I'm not sure if limiting the player's vision so drastically is a good idea, especially (!) for a 3d platformer. This is more likely to invoke frustration, rather than dread. Effects like these are suitable for claustrophobic games like Silent Hill, where you don't need much visibility to move. In a 3d platformer, it's usually essential to know where you can and cannot jump. Also, things that are blurred by DOF are usually perceived as background props, so this doesn't really contribute to clarity. These are just suggestions, though. If you are able to make this work as it is now - all the better. In any case, good luck to you!

[@vidya_synth]

Been a while since I watched one of your videos. I keep forgetting to watch them, my life has been "busy". (Wish that had good connotations.)

[@3gnomesgames909]

I understand completely. I haven't been posting as many as I'd like because my life has also been "busy"

[@HeyMelodii]

Yeyyyy, i was waiting for this 🤩

[@3gnomesgames909]

Thank you!!!

[@iamtheonlyjoe]

Lets goo

[@zayniacgames]

Awesome update and intro

[@3gnomesgames909]

Thank you!

[@dawgaskids6560]

Grandma's sheep is her 2nd quest and u gotta bring her sheep. I think that's an annoying quest and it's a side quest

[@3gnomesgames909]

If it's an annoying quest- why would I add it? 😂

[@rookrac7068]

Epic stuff

[@3gnomesgames909]

Thank you!

[@jaidenkulawiec49]

You should name the sandwich Wilson

[@danwilson6799]

There should be a not so passive crochet black sheep.

[@Foyxx]

it would be nice if there was a toy whale in the bath and if you walked on top of it you get boosted on it kind of like a jump pad when whales do the blow thing idk the name of it

[@thelasttellurian]

Can you make the candles (and their light) flicker?

[@wolvertox311]

The game looks cool but there's very actual platforming in this platformer, and most of the levels you've shown thus far are just giant flat fields with little to no verticality

[@3gnomesgames909]

You're right, there are a couple levels in there that have significant verticality but I'm working on adding more in

[@karmynblue604]

@@3gnomesgames909 I was also thinking about this. It seems to me like right now it is more like horror/exploration game. The core of all 3D platformers - the jumping and mastering it - is kinda present, but doesn't feel like the main focus of the game.

[@porterbrown836]

dear god i hate the tiny flesh spiders

[@3gnomesgames909]

That's the response I wanted