I could NEVER finish a game UNTIL THIS...

A couple months ago I entered the 23rd ScoreSpace game jam. This video shows how I made the game I entered, and how it helped me solve on of my biggest problems as a game developer.
Link to the game:
dev-whale.itch.io/escape-velo...
I might keep working on it in the future, so keep an eye on it!

[@DevWhale]

Hey guys, I hope you liked the video! Make sure to check out the game if you're interested! Be warned, it is very difficult. As usual, if you have any advice, ideas, criticism, make sure to let me know!

[@ringo2715]

This reminds me of a Jim Butterfield quote when talking about having fun while programming. "Why else would someone stay up til 3 o'clock in the morning, cursing, and then claim to have had a wonderful time the next day." I think the humor of the quote is in the fact that we can relate to it. Those moments when you just want to push through and finish the thing and sometimes that means staying up late to do it. I liked this video. We've all been there. Keep it up.

[@DevWhale]

Thanks! Yea that quote pretty much sums up game development, this was my first game jam and it was pretty stressful, I think I see myself doing more on the future

[@TheMikirog]

The biggest issue I have with game jams is that I end up making games noone wants to make and noone wants to play. I don't do well under pressure and I need to do things at my own pace. I ended up doing jams because I was desperate to finish a game, but after a whileI realised that my issue is not about not finishing projects, after all I can finish tiny games if I want to and that have tiny scopes. The issue is that finishing projects of any size is not what is bringing me joy, but having fun with the creative process, so I can reap the satisfaction of a job well done. Working something I care about is much more satisfying than a game I was FORCED to come up with. Having someone else to talk to and show your daily progress is extremely motivating aswell, since a lot of my thoughts are always "I barely made anything at all, this will take forever". I'm not concerned over lacking ideas, in fact, I have too many of them. For me it's about not beating myself up about being "lazy" and just doing what I love.

[@DevWhale]

It's interesting to hear that. I think I feel the same way, for me the game jam was just a way for me to kind of break the mental barrier of not finishing games, and I think it ended up helping me.

[@GhosHawk]

this got recommended randomly but i really enjoyed this style of video! DevWhale has just earned +1 subs!

[@DevWhale]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@kyjmo]

Great video! Finishing games can be really hard and frustrating when you just want to make something small and move on, but its never that simple. Game dev is challenging and takes time. I agree with what you said at the end, just gotta create without so much personal judgement. As the saying goes, “perfect is the enemy of good”.

[@DevWhale]

Love that quote! Thank you!

[@bleh7272]

The game looks amazing! Also, your story-telling is great! Nice video!

[@DevWhale]

Thank you!

[@Amalgart]

Very interesting and down to hearth video. I liked how humble you were about your game because it shows that nothing is perfect, or perfectly made every time. You show that we learn from our mistakes so we can be better the next time. Earned yourself a sub 👍

[@DevWhale]

Thank you, I really appreciate the feedback 😊

[@Fasyle]

It's called ADHD, my friend.

[@DevWhale]

Probably a little bit 🤷‍♂️

[@ZillaYT.]

That “it was mine” line was really good

[@DevWhale]

Thanks!

[@RicoTV666]

Well done on finishing mate and a great placement in the jam.

[@DevWhale]

Thanks!

[@jakedev7363]

Your so underrated! Videos like these are awesome! I also like how you talk about how difficult it can be to develop a game. As an indie game developer myself it’s super inspiring to see your content. Keep it up!

[@DevWhale]

Thank you!

[@SpaceMushroomAdventures]

I love the way you tell the story of the game creation!

[@DevWhale]

Thanks!

[@Emuniac]

I feel you. It's absolutely the worst when are working with so much enthusiasm and the ball just drops. Leaving you with no motivation to work. But it's great see you Getting Over It. I hope we all will at some point. Great video btw

[@DevWhale]

I'm glad you liked it

[@flori6238]

Very nice video! hope to see more videos of you on my feed!

[@DevWhale]

Thank you!

[@sleepyburitos2162]

This is such a high quality video! Really enjoyed watching it.

[@DevWhale]

Thanks!

[@julrev1519]

This is really good video not only for other dev but everyone working on a project . The game looks cool will give it a shot

[@DevWhale]

Thanks! The game hasn't been updated, so don't expect much, but yea feel free to check it out anyways!

[@flame1309]

This is so beautiful ❤

[@blackestbill7454]

Amazing video and game! Well done! Thanks for the inspiration!!

[@DevWhale]

Thanks!

[@Simon-up2yz]

Love this video👍 great work man❤

[@DevWhale]

Thanks

[@art9518]

upvoted and commented soley for the clean and clear audio, many devlogs are unwatchable bc of poor audio or clumsy speaking

[@DevWhale]

Thanks!

[@anawan]

Almost 1k subs, you really deserve it! Keep up the good work ;)

[@DevWhale]

Thank you 😊

[@TheDiamondMc88]

Great video man, really enjoyed it.

[@DevWhale]

Thanks man!

[@Mearrin69]

I grok your pain. Great job getting it done. Sub earned.

[@Jimmy16.02]

This writing is so fucking good

[@DevWhale]

Thanks man!

[@Pixels4Games]

The game looks cool. I like 2D games as I am making some too, so congrats to you for not giving up and finishing one. - Dan

[@DevWhale]

Thanks!

[@devkumo]

Great little game! Love the optimism despite the hardships, excited to see more.

[@DevWhale]

Thank you!

[@devkumo]

@@DevWhale 💙

[@wildraheim4302]

under rated channel, keep up the good wrk!

[@DevWhale]

Thank you ❤️

[@elxero2189]

That deep breath followed by the classic music was gold hahahaha. If its too difficult then its orefect for speed runners

[@DevWhale]

Haha thanks! You do have a point, I found it kind of fun to speed run, hopefully people can stick with it long enough to actually finish...

[@elxero2189]

@@DevWhale just keep iteratingwith it..have a good journey

[@cavityfairy]

I needed to hear this friend : ) ty for the vid

[@DevWhale]

I'm glad to hear you got some value from it!

[@casualpigeon3755]

Bros anxious at 11:30 while its like 4am and im thinking I stil lot an hour.

[@JohnnyApplePie15]

This game looks like so much fun!!! Also congrats on 18th place.

[@DevWhale]

Thank you

[@JH-vm7wl]

very good storytelling!

[@DevWhale]

Thank you! Thats sort of what I was going for, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@ExpensivePizza]

"Art is never complete, only abandoned." -- Somebody said once

[@DevWhale]

As a somebody, I can agree with that

[@sunryze77]

U came on my recommended, nice vid 😊 new sub

[@DevWhale]

Thanks!

[@teenymeanygames]

I really like the cannon jumping mechanic. Good work finishing it.

[@teenymeanygames]

I just tried it and it is extremely difficult lol. Really fun though.

[@DevWhale]

It's definitely really hard, thank you though!

[@IceRob230]

i love your video good job keep going

[@DevWhale]

Thank you :)

[@LazyAlarm]

Hey! Great work on the game. The video was also really well done. I noticed a lot of similarities to some of the videos I've made in the past, especially in regards to the audio visualizer along with some sentence structure and word usage. I'm actually really impressed by the quality of both, and you did a really good job. I just wonder if maybe you could put a more unique twist on it going forward. I'm flattered by the attention to detail in the similarities, but in the game development space I really like hearing other people's voices and seeing other people's styles. I want to hear more of your voice, not a mirror of mine.

[@DevWhale]

Hey, I really appreciate the comment. I started watching your channel a while ago and was really inspired by your story telling skills. I guess I got a little too inspired, and in hindsight my video was quite similar to a lot of yours, especially the audio visualizer. I'm still pretty new on KZbin and having a lot of trouble finding what my voice is, so I've ended up borrowing a lot from other creators, and if you think using an audio visualizer in that way is too similar to your brand, then I totally understand. I appreciate you letting me know, and thanks for the feedback! I appreciate the hard work you're putting into your videos!

[@martymcfly9984]

Congrats on ur first game!

[@DevWhale]

Thanks! It's not really my first game, but it's one of the first things that I came up with an idea for, and then actually made a playable game

[@hejhejhej952]

Nice job man!

[@DevWhale]

Thank you!

[@TyyGD]

great video! Subscribed!

[@DevWhale]

Thank you!

[@guywholikescats]

congrats! you earned a subscriber!

[@DevWhale]

Thanks!

[@Stoniye]

Great video!

[@DevWhale]

Thanks!

[@diothil2920]

I love your video style! And very nice game!

[@DevWhale]

Thank you so much!

[@diothil2920]

@@DevWhale Infact. Now that I think about it.. you’re also getting a sub

[@DevWhale]

That's awesome, I really appreciate it

[@diothil2920]

@@DevWhale Congrats on the 600! algorithm really likes you rn

[@DevWhale]

Thanks!

[@johnyleakster]

Thanks for kind words man, Been same like you, I have a project to finish but 0 motivation to do it whatsoever, but after thinking about it, but one of the good ways i did was setting a deadline, setting a deadline where this project should have all of the things i planned to do, which worked for me I hope it will help you, and thanks again for such a cool video, if i could press like buttons million times, I WOULD 😃

[@DevWhale]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@wattieiscute]

this video is amazing, how do you only have 2k subs.... what????

[@OskarJsf]

nice video. you derserve more subs!

[@DevWhale]

Thank you!

[@monkey7660]

why are the game dev youtubers with less than 100k always so good???

[@DevWhale]

Thank you!

[@kotertv6366]

underrated

[@DevWhale]

Thank you!

[@seepsoda]

bros the biggest lazy alarm clone

[@Mindstormer]

This was a very similar story to my first gamejam except instead of worrying about staying up late, i was out for half a day. Which was really hard on me to not think about it. But when i got home i think i stayed up until 2 doing everything i could to finish the game. But at the end i realized it was my first semi-complete game. Even if it was like a McDonald’s happy meal toy quality. I just felt happy after. And its why i want to do it again, I just need the time and the right jam to do so.

[@DevWhale]

That's great! I have another similar story about my second game jam, I'm working on that video now.

[@Mindstormer]

@@DevWhale nice!

[@moeyBTW]

really cool vid, i cant even make a simple game as i only recently started unity

[@DevWhale]

That's where we all started, don't worry about it. Thanks for the support!

[@ZiederZiet]

very cool video 👍

[@DevWhale]

Thank you!

[@random_precision_software]

I enjoyed this video,I have trouble finishing games I always create the first level at start something new. I've been trying to get out of that routine lately. Anyway I've subbed you have loads of subscribers then me, but I think it's cos I don't talk in my videos explaining things... The Main reason is that I live in Liverpool, UK and my Scouse Accent is horrible lol

[@DevWhale]

I guarantee that you think your voice is worse than it really is, if you make the step to start talking in your videos I'm sure you'll see some improvement

[@random_precision_software]

Yes, I can only try. I'll get the courage up. But I don't think you've heard the Scouse Accent have you lol

[@random_precision_software]

Watch this just for a laugh

[@manikandanu2317]

Wow.. cool 😃

[@zz2353]

love the game its super fun

[@DevWhale]

Thanks!

[@DestusG]

Awesome video the last speech you gave was inspiring. But uhh how does it feel finishing a game 😏

[@DevWhale]

Thanks! Yea it feels pretty good, I've decided I'll be making more smaller projects rather than big three year long projects

[@01_Skele]

Your videos are really good and you are better than me I am just making simple game like ping pong. I have a question, how you made this spectrum analyzer?

[@DevWhale]

You can't say I'm better than you, maybe more experienced but I definitely wouldn't say I'm better than anyone. But anyways for the visualizer I just used unity and followed a tutorial and then changed the graphics up. There are plenty of tutorials for it elsewhere on KZbin

[@remi.scarlet.]

Love your content, keep it up. One question tho... Did you get the Game Title from ChatGPT? 😂cause it wont quit suggesting me "Escape Velocity" / "Velocity Escape" as a Game Title.

[@DevWhale]

😂 yes I totally did get the name from there! I realized late at night that I needed a name and I wasn't feeling up for inventing so I resorted to good ol' chat gpt. Not a great idea for a commercial game but I thought it was fine

[@Jiovi]

I saw you commented under one of my videos! Really good channel tho.

[@DevWhale]

I did, thanks for visiting!

[@peps2002_]

Nice vid. I have never finished a game.

[@DevWhale]

I feel the same way most of the time

[@peps2002_]

oh an old comment now I have finished 2 games, one of em sucks hard and the other is okayish i guess, anyway it was a good practice, what really helped me was to actually plan the game, before I didnt plan anything so it was really hard to keep working on a single project. I hope I can make better games in the future...

[@KevEatsCheese]

Congrats! This game looks really neat! When did you start learning game dev?

[@DevWhale]

Thanks! I think I started around 4 years ago learning unity, been doing it ever since

[@KevEatsCheese]

@@DevWhale That's awesome! I started learning game dev in unity in 2020 when I was like 13. Getting close to the three year mark. Its been a blast.

[@DevWhale]

And it only gets better

[@Nodsaibot]

you experienced a tiny bit of what is called CRUNCH in a game dev sweatshop

[@DevWhale]

Absolutely, I read a book on game developers and certain games, and it's insane how hard they crunch for months even let alone 2 days

[@ethanforrest7293]

Nice vid

[@DevWhale]

Thanks

[@BettoRaite_]

Cool video, you're such a great story-teller. Btw, how old are you? Why do you make games? What's your goal? I wonder, cuz I'm also a teen and have been making games for like 3 months.

[@DevWhale]

I'm 17 and I just started fooling around with making games about 4 years ago, and I eventually got super super into it. I think my goal is to actually make games and KZbin videos for my career, but I'm not too sure yet. I'll be going to university for computer science in the fall so I'll see where that takes me.

[@BettoRaite_]

@@DevWhale same thing here, I've also decided to do computer science, hoping to pass the USE exams next year(I'm russian and 16yr). Making games is rather like my hobby, I'm not into it that much, but like to do some cool stuff, expand my creativity. Tho, I do wish to try something new, learn oop and get a better understanding of how things work, actually, I'm doing it, but slowly. I have got a lot on my plate (currently learning c++, c#, 5th grade math (sounds funny I know, suck at math), russian and so on). Btw,it would be cool to have a contact to your dm or smth. Maybe you should consider creating a discord server ?

[@DevWhale]

@BettoRaite I think that's a good idea, I'll get on that!

[@HiThere72964]

Also how did you make the sound wave effect. it looks awesome

[@DevWhale]

That was a bit more complicated. If you look up a tutorial for an audio visualizer, you should get a pretty good idea of how to do it

[@HiThere72964]

thanks@@DevWhale

[@Shiny-4ddr]

Eating and sleeping? Weakness disgusts me! Anyways, nice job

[@DevWhale]

I totally agree! HOWEVER, I think taking breaks can sometimes make you more productive in the long run. The video I'm currently working on will hopefully shed some light on that!

[@Shiny-4ddr]

@@DevWhale True, but at the same time you have to try to avoid "nevercomingback" type of breaks :D

[@jarrettonions3392]

Congrats man. There is something special about completing. Build and close the book.. ive been doing personal 3 hour challenges. Build a game, to completion... then whatever is there after, its done... next challenge next day.. the idea is to make fun games, not complex.. having a million items and quests can make for a very long, boring game... but then flappy bird and fruit ninja explode... why?.. so the idea is decrease the scope to 1 mechanic.. and try get a play loop. At first i failed epicly.. and got nothing working.. (it really highlights what you think you know, but dont).. my last one was something like the dino jumper chrome game made from blocks - i strongly recomend this challenge

[@DevWhale]

Thank you! I'll definitely take that into consideration, especially as I have less time for game dev in the future

[@medicAverage]

Kinda like rocket jumping in tf2 and quake

[@MiniatureGiantsGameDev]

how do you make the UI pop out at the end of the level like that? Are you using Tweeing for it? I'm experimenting with this myself but haven't quite managed to get that effect. Great video - subbed.

[@DevWhale]

Thanks! I'm just using the tweening library LeanTween from the unity asset store, and to change the look it's all about the ease types or ease curves

[@nangld]

In 3 days one can make a platformer in an engine for the platformer games.

[@HiThere72964]

Hey. This is amazing. I was just wondering how you made the recoil work?

[@DevWhale]

Thanks! All I did was get the direction from the mouse to the player, and then add that to the player velocity

[@HiThere72964]

@@DevWhale Thank you so much!

[@frmtheden]

kind of off topic but how did you edit the Wave Visual of you talking in between clips? Is this through After Effects? Great video!

[@DevWhale]

I actually made a program in unity and screen recorded it. It's a really weird workflow but idk how else I'd do it, and it wasn't too much of a hassle

[@foxdrago9153]

The game has a very cool concept and movement, I really would like if you improved it would be so great you would only need to make the levels a little more interisting and unique and improve the art

[@DevWhale]

Yea I think I might revisit it in the future, I quite liked the concept actually

[@tlctae]

W video

[@rosscutsforth6217]

I have the opposite side of the coin of your problem lol. I'm constantly having ideas, game worlds are always popping up in my head and I have loads of material from transcribing those worlds onto paper. The problem I have is I don't know how to implement them, I have all these ideas for gameplay, mechanics, and settings but I'm currently not very good at programming. I'm working on it, but It's frustrating lol. If you're open to it, would you be willing to work on a game together? It feels like we could compliment each other's skills well. Let me know what you think!

[@DevWhale]

Thanks for the offer, but I have plenty of projects on my to-do list

[@pantelismavromatis9127]

The idea of the game is very fun, and the gameplay has potential. But the black wall and especially the part that it teleports when the player moves far away from it, is the worst feature I have ever seen in any video game. It makes it incredibly frustrating in parts when you take a really long double jump, fall in the void and return where you jumped, only for the wall to be a few inches away from you, and also when you have to backtrack like at level 2 where you spiral down or at the start of level 3. Overall with some tweaking I could see it easily on mobile, and a "watch an ad to continue without having to restart the level" button could make you some side cash. I wish you the best in your future projects.😄

[@DevWhale]

Thanks a lot for that! It sounds like you actually played my game, so I appreciate the feedback! I was definitely thinking it could make a good mobile game in the future, we'll see where it takes me!

[@ZillaYT.]

Vehry nice

[@fatcat8706]

good video

[@DevWhale]

Thanks !

[@7projected]

Are you still working on the metroidvania? No pressure just wondering

[@DevWhale]

It's cool to see someone's still interested! I'm really not sure. I have another project on the way but after that I might go back to the metroidvania. I've been wanting to make a metroidvania for a long time so it's still on my bucket list!

[@7projected]

@@DevWhale good luck with whatever you make. I will still be here for whatever projects you make :D

[@DevWhale]

Thanks 😁

[@Microplay-Interactive]

Why the video is showing "The video is unavailable"?

[@sharkaynorgodnotlike]

what do you use to make games

[@DevWhale]

Unity is my engine and I use visual studio as my IDE

[@sharkaynorgodnotlike]

@@DevWhale thank you

[@nolamo1496]

What does this have to do with survival?

[@DevWhale]

Good question lol, I thought that running from the big wall of doom was kind of a survival aspect. Not great, but the best I came up with

[@sleppzzyt]

did anybody see the man in the background at 9:15?

[@nixielee]

or you could argue that without judgment, criticism or just general toughness, there is no reason to really push yourself

[@DevWhale]

Valid

[@opensourceradionics]

Skip to 8:27 for solution

[@pr4shantishere]

Make a discord. I want to chat with you.

[@DevWhale]

Yea I'm actually working on it, I should have one soon

[@DevWhale]

Hey, I just launched the discord server! Here's the link: discord.gg/aZDQmbjSpp

[@pr4shantishere]

@@DevWhale I am entering

[@sickdewd5694]

I found the secret to motivation. Smoke some weed and you’ll be coding for hours lol

[@BLUEBLY487]

try Milanote

[@DevWhale]

I've looked into it, it's something I'm considering...

[@Ddos2212]

You never finished a game until what? 3:39

[@MuhammadHosny0]

I'm waiting for that too 😂

[@edmondfrancis2340]

P R O M O S M

[@shawnio]

stop

[@RedHorizonGames]

Bro its not that deep