making a Gameboy Advance game I witnessed in a dream

Welcome to my Gameboy Advance (GBA) homebrew game devlog EPISODE ONE. Unity or Unreal game engines for development? Nah, we making our own meme engine with nothing but code and Visual Studio. Have it work on both GBA and Windows. I am suffering. Suffer with me by watching this video. Nice. Cool. How about you subscribe now coward.
Try the .gba game yourself! (I mean, this is only dev log #1 though, not much to play lmao):
somerandev.itch.io/gba-game
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🔗 LINKS 🔗
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🦾 Merch → SomeRan.Dev
🐦 Twitter → / somerandev
⏰ TikTok → / somerandev
💸 Patreon → / somerandev
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⏰ TIME STAMPS ⏰
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0:00 Intro
0:30 The Game's Genre
1:16 Finding the Game Engine
1:51 Making the Game Engine
3:16 Putting the Pieces Together
5:14 Showin' a Sprite
6:54 Tilemap
9:49 Finally Making a Player
11:30 Hardware Update
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🚀 PATRONS 🚀
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KZbin → OctoCommander
Patreon → Finn Underwood, Driftwood Gaming, R.A.M., Amber Mitchell, chocopelli, Sam Fleming
Wish to support me? Check out my Patreon or become a member below!
/ somerandev
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🎵 Music 🎵
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Music: "8 Bit Win!" By HeatleyBros
• "8 Bit Win!" Victoriou...
JJJreact
#devlog #gameboy #indiegame #unity #gba #godot #indiegamedev #platformer #nintendo

[@SomeRanDev]

Check out the NEXT episode here! ⤵ kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqnEiXx7bcSjirc Link that will make your brain 100x more HUGE if you press. ⤵ youtube.com/@SomeRanDev?sub_confirmation=1

[@awawa5687]

years ago I turned on the notification bell. It was all for this day.

[@SomeRanDev]

letsss goooooo

[@thebloo12]

Same!

[@jgpapi]

lmfao

[@nighteye4042]

Today I turned on a bell. It was because of this

[@w花b]

Jokes on you, the algorithm is on my side. Don't need none of that bell magic

[@jolozs]

I can tell you that you're going down a hard path by making your own engine, so good luck. Love the new editing style too!

[@SomeRanDev]

Thank you so much! Yeahhh, not gonna be easy, but I love a challenge. Heheh

[@jolozs]

@@SomeRanDev I know a couple of people who wrote their own engine and suffered terribly in the process, but ended up learning a bunch of things on how software works (and also that one shouldn't make an engine). But this isn't a general purpose engine, so there's a good chance it'll be less of a headache and more spaghetti from time to time.

[@andrewdestefano4143]

It's all about that learning, juicy sweet sweet brain biginning

[@InnerEagle]

@@SomeRanDev Can I ask you why many people goes for making their own engine for it? Is it too easy to make them with a premade engine?

[@bobsmithy3103]

That feeling when no existing game engine gives you the control/performance you want, so you make a game engine. Then 5 years go by and you realise you've never made a game.

[@darklink136]

A Link to the Past does actually have a z axis that it does use for several things, although usually you can't actually tell it's doing anything It even uses actual 3D objects for the triforce and crystal animations Anyway, great video!

[@giovanniguarino4177]

Funny thing about that 3DS port, it's not an emulator. The 3DS is running the game natively using GBA back compat mode. If your game is running at half speed on 3DS, that's how it's going to run on GBA. Good luck with the project, this seems insanely difficult but love how it's coming out.

[@ca_kay]

Even if it's not an emulator, it's still mimicking the gba hardware, right? The last console that still had gba hardware was the ds phat afaik

[@MFG1243]

​@@ca_kayNope, every iteration of the DS has fully functioning GBA hardware in it, even the DSi. (Although it's unused without modding) And as the 3DS straight-up has the DS hardware built into it (that's why you're able to play DS games natively on it), it's also got GBA hardware! It's like a triple layer cake of native hardware goodness.

[@CassieCollision]

I couldn't tell you how many times I've dreamt about playing an amazing game only to wake up and have the unfortunate realization that it doesn't really exist. The fact that you're actually doing something about it in your case is something I really admire. The cross-compatibility aspect in regards to the code base is also super cool! I look forward to seeing where this goes!

[@derpfluidvariant0916]

I distinctly remember a game that played like Skyrim had a baby with Borderlands 2. It was extremely fun in the dream, despite me only clearing one room and finding "Brick Wall Ore"

[@boxingfoxoctopus]

You truly have a gift for content creation- You’re also like a mad scientist for development. You’ve not only put tons of hours of work into your project, but the editing for this video alone is so remarkable. ❤

[@SomeRanDev]

Thank you Boxy! I super appreciate your constant support here and on Twitter. It really helps motivate me to try new things like this! ^^

[@gavinthecrafter]

This is really cool to see, there's not many resources online on how to develop a GBA game so it's nice to see someone else trying it out. I've tried to use Butano before and my #1 issue was also that it took way too long to import images (and setting up the dev environment so I can build and run my code in VS Code took WAY too long)

[@SomeRanDev]

I didn't go over it in the video, but one of the benefits of having a Windows exporter is I can build it fast while developing. I only need to do a lengthy GBA build on occasion to ensure they're consistent. 😁

[@tumultoustortellini]

I witnessed a game in a dream the night before last. It was called something something "J-house" and it was about the joker exploring an abandoned mansion. It had mystical elements and possibly a prince of persia: forgotten sands feel. Wish it was real. An actual way to look at the joker's irratic fighting style and underrated intelligence.

[@Spaghetti742]

Now this must be made. If I knew how I would make that

[@bignosh]

as a programmer, ConjureWojak is one of the most useful tools for anybody working on a project, I’m so glad you added it to your game engine!

[@ArtofWEZ]

It's rare for a programming focused person to be able to make entertaining videos, GG

[@idklol4197]

to this day i never noticed the stairs in pokemon games are fake lol

[@Glinnor]

Love this new type of content! I remember watching your videos 6-7 years ago when I started my game dev journey with RPG Maker VX Ace and MV! Now I'm using Unity and working with game dev for a living, it's so awesome to see one of my favorite youtubers come back. Love the new editing style and overall pace of the video 👍

[@SomeRanDev]

Ooo game dev for a living?! I'm jealous af, I'm still trying to get there but hopefully soon! 😁 Thanks for the support!!

[@skyty0]

8:07 it rarely happens, but seeing gamer youtubers cook is always a nightmareish experience filled with endless, nauseating imagery of the most unimaginable cooking-gore.

[@SomeRanDev]

sir i have no idea how i couldve made those scrambled eggs any more normally than i already did 😶 you want cursed? ill give you cursed next video 😏

[@dappercake5023]

This whole thing was really entertaining, and I wish you luck with your game!! This was so well put together, and though it's a small thing to me hearing some of the RPG maker noises in this was weirdly poetic. It was like a call back to your rpg maker past, and it really shows just how far you've come. 💖Hope to see more videos in the future! I've always found your videos enjoyable and being able to watch a 13 minute one was like finding the lost arc!!!

[@SomeRanDev]

Haha, niiiice!! Was wondering if anyone would notice those! XD Thanks for the comment super appreciate!

[@MiddleFingerLimited]

Just got recommended this video. The editing, and jokes were hilarious; and this project is interesting. I love the idea of making games for old consoles. Definitely gonna keep watching.

[@rorycarzon]

game dev: I’m making my dream game! SomeRanDev: I’m making my DREAM game game dev: wait why did you say it like that

[@velshi6967]

WHAAAAT I was watching the video being like, "Who is this funny guy?" And you're the RPG Maker guide dude 😊❤ Love you dude, happy that you're doing good!

[@kkibi]

i knew subscribing to you 5 years ago was worth something

[@partlyblue]

Genuinely sick idea, dude. And fantastic pixel art btw. Subscribing to learn about all the demons gba development contains

[@woomyiism]

Dreams relating to game development are always pretty interesting. One time I had a dream about someone creating a fangame for a small game I've been working on, and it was a fairly wacky dream. While it wasn't anything too special, it did slightly change my perspective towards developing games

[@madden72]

This video could be about literally anyting, and it would not stop it from being hilarious

[@DarknessChampion]

Wonderfully edited. Way to follow your dreams!

[@gabbyes]

this editing style is just awesome, pls continue making videos like this

[@hackrdonut8194]

You're very entertaining, and you've made all the concepts easy to understand. Love it, and good luck on this project!

[@chaotickreg7024]

I had a dream about an over the shoulder Final Fantasy game with a job system, and you fly. But there was also Tetris happening around the whole border of the game. I think I was playing 4 games at once and it would be imossible to replicate. Dream games are awesome though.

[@Erhannis]

I remember once dreaming up some music. When I woke up, I tried singing it, and abruptly realized that the music wasn't physically possible - like, it had an additional whole step between C and D or something; like dreaming there were 6 numbers when counting from 1 to 5. Kindof a shame, it sounded cool.

[@chaotickreg7024]

@@Erhannis Look up microtonal music. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have full albums with extra notes, called quartersteps. I'm not suggesting your dream music was possible, just suggesting that people make music with inbetween notes. Jacob Collier goes crazy with that stuff too.

[@benmcreynolds8581]

I LOVE THIS GENRE or (perspective) it Hardly EVER gets used. EVER! It's a shame because there is so much potential for this style. I hope more stuff comes out like this. I hope you continue having good luck with your creative genius and badass creative drive.

[@draven1308]

Keep making these videos, this was super fun to watch and I hope for you to make more like this soon

[@Bisudo]

I litterally just had the Idea: "I think my game would be 10x more entretaining if it had undertale's bullet hell" and searched in google if anyone made a plugin for rpgmmv. Bro, you are a life saver fr. Thanks a lot, just tried with default configs and the plugin is very prominent. I really appreciate it, you just won one more sub.

[@loool72]

i just randomly decided to check out your channel again after months and i am so happy to see you active again- 😭 thank you for these videos srd :)

[@aaronfry27]

used to watch your tutorials and this got recommended. great editing and style for a dev log, hope you make more!

[@seacliff217]

Followed your RPG Maker MV stuff back in the day. This project look really interesting, I'm looking forward to future devlog updates!

[@bigvjkvdabloominberries7850]

now I'm invested, I'll be following you from now on my man!

[@omoriiboy_]

wow the editing on this is immaculate!! awesome

[@alsolii]

man this is so entertaining, i love the editing so muchh

[@GuadalupeAn]

im not even done with the video. i love this. i love this video. i need more. good job man

[@Silverlol]

This is super interesting, editings great also! can’t wait to see the rest of this project come along

[@SCVM45]

I was so confused about why I was recommended your channel, but I used to use this account to watch your RPG Maker videos an age ago. This video was dope! :)

[@jojak12]

Im not sure about going back to watch all the rpg maker content but im here for this story. Subbed

[@TheRealMicheal]

as an owner of a GBA Everdrive I'm excited at the prospect of being able sit some place quiet and comfy and play this game as it gets further along :)

[@fishstickmystic]

Can't wait to see more of this! I've been subbed for years; seeing you blow up even more would be fckin' awesome!

[@harruri]

You have catched all my interest with this video!! Can't wait to see more of this project :]

[@nickfuzzy]

Broo this video is so good! Amazing editing!!!!

[@DaftSheep]

Instant like and sub! Your style is so refreshing when it comes to dev logs, and I was reminded of NakeyJakey. Keep it up--and I hope you finish your game and dream!

[@WideDad]

This showed up on my front page so i hope you start getting picked up by the algorithm! This video is awesome and i look forward to seeing more!

[@3DSage]

Great video! I'm glad to see new games on the GBA :)

[@germansantapop7598]

this was an actually amazing video, was not expecting this from the guy i watch random rpgmaker tutorials from lol. u should be really proud of yourself fr this is amazing, looking forward to future videos!!

[@trungtuu7262]

Idk anything you said but so glad that i'm here to enjoy all of these. Keep up the good work my dudeee

[@Taelhyr]

Loved the humor in this video, best of luck with the game

[@camchameleon4151]

I always thought of having a KZbin channel where I covered my entire face like how you are here, but I thought to myself, “nah it’d probably be weirdly static and boring.” I guess you just proved me wrong lol

[@Wapcvm]

Admirable. I too one day wish to make a game on a decades old redundant console for some reason.

[@DedicatedGhost]

I watched your videos before with the RPG Maker MV tutorials, and I gotta say that you have always been a joy to listen to. Your humor and everything are just the best, and thank you for putting my mind at ease in my early days of game dev. 😄

[@SomeRanDev]

Thank you so much! This comment means so much to me frrrr 😌

[@DedicatedGhost]

@@SomeRanDev 😄❤️❤️❤️

[@CoyoteFive0]

You are a genius all coders are geniuses man thanks to you and all others we can explore worlds and play games we never imagined possible so i thank you and you earned a subscriber.

[@jakenator187]

Hell yeah. Just found out about this channel through your RPG maker tutorials. I had an idea for a game and thought RPG maker would be good but never used it. Your tutorials gave me so many ideas for my game. Than i found this banger, your content slaps. Wish i had more time to make videos.

[@froggystrap1232]

Love your editing!!!

[@haldreamt]

First time seeing your content and this video earned a sub for sure, love your style and presentation in your aesthetic and demonstration!

[@arrowsdev]

this is the first video i see from this channel and am ALL INNNNNNNNNNN , funny and informative video , i loved everything about it , subed and huge like to you sir you deserve it

[@itsandyagain]

great video! can't wait to watch the next one!

[@Chlocean]

9:42 Holy Trinity of DKC Games, that nefarious anime laugh was incredible.

[@Skymen75019]

Pretty cool video, glad to see some devlog content :)

[@eb7389]

Kinda reminds me of a similar experience I had. For some reason, my dream derailed from... Whatever it was about (can't remember jackshit) to me and a couple other guys I knew fighting some zombie skeleton thingies in a train station. The whole fight was from a bird view perspective, and the enemies were in the center while we were around them, some of us in a short line in front of them. The basic thing is, each time one of us attacked the enemies, they would then reposition themselves in a different spot around the enemies to "rest" and pass the turn to somebody else. My idea is a top-down turn-based battle system with two distinct zones: an "action zone", a space in front of the enemies where three of a maximum of four party members start the battle and where you're allowed to attack and use items, and a "rest zone", a point by the side of the battlefield where the party members go after taking action and cycle out with the one already there, where you can't be attacked but can't attack either. During each turn you have a limited number of actions, so you have to plan out the order in which to attack and the party member you want out during the enemy turn. Whoever is in the rest zone gets some of their HP and MP or whatever restored, and can help out during enemy attacks in some way or another by distracting them, or something (it's not that clear here, I gotta think of something). Now, if I only had any knowledge of game coding or anything regarding the concrete part of integrating this battle system into a real thing, I think it could be neat. I even have the story and setting around it in mind.

[@WebstersYouTube]

You're an absolute madman, and I am 100% along for the ride!

[@NeoEvincar]

Don't know anything about programming but was still able to follow the video. Great job!

[@HaydenTheEeeeeeeeevilEukaryote]

youll do great, just remember to learn things in depth when you can even if it delays a video over learning it well enough to appear to work this is the only way youll get the game done, and will be more rewarding when future steps arent buggy and delay the devlogs anyway, plus it’s fun to truly understand things

[@dough3]

Love the video man! hope too see your journey prosper!

[@Pridetoons]

I love your Sense of Humor and use of the Green Screen. Great Job Sir!😁

[@aronbalk]

What a funny and entertaining video! Definitely subscribing

[@NeeldTheMaster]

I love this series please continue!

[@williamcascante4126]

I missed you so much, hope you keep uploading

[@Jerdz]

It's not only that you're doing dark magic stuff that I only partially understand, it's also that your videos are entertaining as fuck !!! ❤

[@haxenFilp]

this inspires me to make a retro styled game in haxe, i stop doing haxe cause it was not really a utilized thing, thanks bro, you earned my sub

[@linuxrant]

I like your everything, especially the part where your video is playing.

[@KoKoKen]

one time i made an image editor as a joke and my friend decided to port it to gba and made a game engine that could import his updated version of the image format. the gba is apparently rather easy to develop for since it's quick on its feet enough to use C. anyways i wish you good luck in your future optimizing this game assuming it gets made.

[@brazilian_oak]

That explanation about game engines that cross-compile to other platforms was amazing. I'm definitely stealing it

[@CheatFreak47]

On the 3DS, look into "open AGB firm" which lets you run GBA games in native mode off an SD card this will also be representative of real hardware behavior, as the 3DS actually contains a GBA, effectively (yeah I know, it's weird)

[@s3tcnt47]

thx for coming back man

[@SomeRanDev]

Of course, my dude 😌😌

[@MemezFordayz-ou6zh]

Hi I used to watch you back when you made those rpg maker tutorials many years back. It's nice to see you upload again. Hope to see more 😊

[@PenumbralBehemoth]

Greetings from the youtube algorithm! The consumption gods have deemed fit to serve your content in my recommended page and I gotta say, Immediately hooked. Your video taught me a good bit about how the gba renders, engine structure, tile mapping, and os so sso much more. Your editing and voiceover vibes are chill but informative, without being cynical or offensive. I love the feel! I look forward to following along on your journey, so take my sub! May your channel grow so you can buy that hardware :D

[@copyrat90]

Heh, really interesting setup to target both GBA and PC. I imagined using C++ directly with Butano and SFML/SDL2 backend to setup cross-platform. But using Haxe language is definitely unexpected

[@ILostMyOreos]

This rocks, subbing for the epic saga to come

[@MortonMcCastle]

And now here comes Some Random Dude, literally making dreams come true.

[@RobDimeo]

This is amazing. Please keep it up!

[@YahyaDanboos]

liking the video style, keep it up! 😁👍

[@trulyagoose]

1:09 Im an engineer (in training) and hearing the word orthographic made my whole face light up. Nice :)

[@Itsclaytoroki]

Your energy gained you a sub. Keep it up. 🎉

[@Bitzly]

Pretty cool, I remember watching your rpg maker content.

[@juliocesaralvesfernandes8158]

I've been pondering about making a game myself on Java (language I'm currently learning on college) but I'm so out of time and stuff, so I'm curremtly very discouraged on doing it. This vid showing up in my recommended with you coding and doing all this cool stuff to chase your dream is so cool, it makes me have a little more trust that I can do it.

[@blindedjourneyman]

You madman! Earned my sub, I wish I had money to throw at you, doing stuff I WISH I could do so casually. (And trust me I am trying so hard to get into this stuff)

[@buny0058]

i love your content. keep up the greatness.

[@aga1nstall0dds]

Yo guy.... I follow many developers coders and hackers on KZbin and ur the funniest:) u really think outside the box.... keep up the good work

[@SomeRanDev]

Thanks for the support!! 🫱

[@animevivaciousstudios3015]

Bro I can't believe how much time you must have put into making this video. You just earned a sub

[@redfillproduction]

omg you suprised me when you showed haxe. Subscribed right away!

[@RenEatsHands]

this video is a fucking banger, we love to see u back king

[@GoofyGavsVids]

One of the best devlogs I’ve seen

[@Sreeto]

I am very happy with this youtubr recommendation you just earned a sub!

[@traceedge8758]

I really want to see someone make a gba game. Im subbing to see this happen. Cant wait!

[@EM-ES]

I dont know what this is, but I like it! Make more of this

[@migsy1]

This was a really enjoyable video!

[@robblackmore9293]

Cool stuff man , subscribed

[@binyopt]

can't wait to see more of this my mans :)