TASK

• Make a platformer which contains some climbing platforms

INSPIRATION

Try to think of different ways a platform can be climbed. For example, are there ladders that you can climb up and down, swinging ropes that can be gripped on to, nets that can be climbed in any direction, vines that are on the ceiling, certain types of walls that can be wall climbed. Rings that can be grabbed. It could be just the enemies that do the climbing.

Try to think about what could make the climbing platform more interesting. For example, are all of the ladders touching the ground or do you need to jump up to reach them, is there ground underneath every ladder, can you shoot from a ladder, can ladders be pushed or knocked over. Can nets be climbed on the reverse side, can you jump from one net to another, are nets simple rectangles or are they intricate shapes, can you punch enemies that are climbing on the reverse side of nets. Do vines grow, can vines be cut down, do some vines have thorns, is there a flower head at the end that can shoot at you. Is there a bird flying around carrying a rope in its mouth which you can grab hold of, is it a bungee rope, if you jump on a rope does it pull a hinged platform down, maybe instead of a rope it’s a long tongue dangling down from a carnivorous plant and once you grip on it then it could pull you towards its mouth if you don’t jump off in time, are the ropes motorised like on a ski cable car so it automatically moves you along. If you can wall climb there could be fragile platforms that crumble or some snow that slips you down. If you grab onto a floating ring the player could be swinging back and forth or in complete circles so you need to time your jump. Enemies such as monkeys could climb up trees, enemies such as snails could slide up and down walls or all around a platform, enemies such as spiders could climb up their web.

If you aren't sure if something is allowed as a climbing platform, I would say yes it is allowed. For example, there could be a sticky blob of goo on a wall that can be jumped into, you could throw knives into a wall and then jump on top of them, you could swing a hammer to help pull yourself over obstacles. The player could have a grappling hook. The player could have a circular saw that whizzes them up walls if they stand close to them. I'm sure there will be other examples like this but if in doubt, they will all be allowed.

You may also want to ask yourself what sort of character do you want to have in your game? Does this character of yours have a special ability? (A weapon, magic, wall jump, wall climb, wall run (like in 2D Mirror’s Edge), ledge hang, slowly creep forward to a cliff (like in an old version of Prince of Persia), no ability but looks cute etc) Does this special ability affect how your player interacts with the platforms?

USEFUL INFO

• This jam is open to everyone of all skill levels
• You will have 1 month to make your game. You don't have to use all of that time to make your game. So you can relax, take time off and come back to it, plan it out a little bit, try to learn something new for your game, have time to redo it over, have the time to join other jams that have overlapping deadlines etc
• Your game doesn't have to be finished, a demo of what you have got so far is perfectly fine
• If you miss the deadline, don't worry, you just won't be entered
• Your game can even be an updated version of a previously made game
• Your game can be 2D or 3D
• All of the different types of platformer games are allowed in this jam (side scrollers, endless runner, puzzle based, metroidvania style, single screen room escapes, or anything else with platforms in it)
• Exporting your game as a HTML5 file is the most accessible way for people to play your game but downloadable games are fine too, but please be aware that I am only on windows and that if others are too, it can result in less people rating your game if exporting for only apple or linux

RULES

• You must use assets that you created or have the legal right to use. Crediting the creators is encouraged
• You can work alone or in a team. If in a team, crediting all of the team members is encouraged
• You can submit more than one game if you want to
• No offensive content please
• If your game contains a lot of blood, scares or anything like that, please put a warning in the description

VOTING

• Voting will be open to submitters only (Plus a rating and comment for each game from me)
• Voting will last for 2 weeks at the end of the submission deadline
• Try to vote and leave feedback on other peoples games (They might do the same for you)
• The winner will be decided by the community
• I shall announce the winner and feature video footage on my YouTube channel (GAME FAVORITES) so be sure to subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFwnfSxVGlnf6qa6LpVsc7w 

The judging question will be: HOW GOOD ARE THE CLIMBING PLATFORMS?

Please rate the games higher if the player’s ability helps them climb, the player animates well when climbing, there are interesting climbing platforms, if the platforms are in well thought out positions, having some types of platforms that can’t be climbed, or anything else you feel makes the climbing platforms more enjoyable such as artwork, audio etc

If you have any questions, my email is robclarke86@hotmail.co.uk