demo update: grabs, spinners and transitions

This third update to the preview demo adds a new ability for Lum, some new additions to the scenery, and some new nifty new improvements behind the scenes. See below for the full list of changes.

In other news, we've had a mention from our friends over at Gamercast, so thanks for that!

We've also received some more donations from generous supporters, bumping Luminesca up to $630 on IndieGoGo (including our second Project Sharer perk who will soon be having a snoop around the game code in Unity). There's still a long way to go, but every donation helps so big thanks go out to everyone supporting the game!

Finally, if you have access to the Members Forum (anyone who has donated $5 or more on IndieGoGo) you can now take a look at a gallery of Luminesca's reference images, art and photos.

Full list of changes:

• Added 'Grab' ability. Hold left shift (keyboard) or A button (Xbox 360 controller) to grab hold of nearby floating objects.
• Added sound effects for the 'Dash' ability.
• Added spinning machine parts with audio courtesy of Nick Nenov.
• Added an open body of water at the start to help new players get familiar with swimming around.
• There is now a level transition system in preparation for some future changes. I will be splitting the level down into smaller chunks to make the game run more smoothly on slower computers.
• Various improvements to the code: made objects find dynamically spawned player and optimisations to the audio system.
• Respawn Points can now be reactivated after activating another point (before they were one use only).

twitter competition

We're holding a competition on Twitter for a chance to win a free pre-order copy of Luminesca plus instant access to the preview demo. All you need to do is:

1. Follow @LuminescaGame on Twitter.
2. Retweet the tweet about the competition.

Easy! The winner will be announced some time after we get 10 new followers. If you have any questions you can use the Comments link below.

Spread the word!

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demo update: biting bugs

An update has been applied to the preview demo of the game! This demo is available to anyone who has donated $5 or more to the IndieGoGo campaign, and all future updates are automatically applied at no extra cost.

Full list of changes:

• The biting bugs have new graphics.
• The bugs' AI behaviour has been expanded. They now have a dash attack which they will use against you if you get too close. This will also smash breakable blocks and set off glowpod explosions, just like Lum's own dash attack.
• Bugs can now be defeated by hitting their exposed abdomens with your dash attack.
• Added new machine part background graphics.
• Created an escape route for the jellyfish area (you could get stuck up there if you used up all the planktids).
• The exploding glowpods will now damage bugs, and their collision detection has also been improved.

As usual, to get your hands on this you just need to donate at least $5 to Luminesca's IndieGoGo campaign (or $10 if you want to pre-order the finished game).

demo update: background colours

The latest update to the preview demo allows you to change the background colour by pressing C. There are four themes to cycle through, each one representing a different part of Lum's world.

The demo is available to anyone who has donated $5 or more on IndieGoGo, and the update is automatically applied at no extra cost. Expect many more updates to follow, this is just the beginning!

In other news, a particularly generous follower of Luminesca has donated a whopping $200 to the IndieGoGo funding campaign! That person, who wishes to remain anonymous, has my utmost gratitude and is the first to claim the Project Sharer perk. This means they will gain access to my Unity project folder, allowing them to see the inner workings of the game and modify it if they wish, perhaps build their own levels. There are more perks available (the rest of them are a bit more affordable!). Head over to IndieGoGo to see the full list.

sea spectrum

Light brings energy to everything in the dense silence of the water.

The next update to the game will allow you to swap the background colour while you play to get a feel for the different areas of Lum's world. This update will be automatically applied at no extra cost for anyone who has donated $5 or pre-ordered Luminesca. For quick updates follow @LuminescaGame on Twitter.

Find out how you can access the game here.

Which is your favourite? Pod Shallows, Volcanic Rifts, the Dark Abyss or the Murky Greens?

the glowing esca

When the light-bearers colonise an area they release hatchlings by the hundreds of thousands. Spawning from simple microscopic organisms, the infants drift on the swirling currents and consume anything that enters their grasp, before they mature into an agile adult form.

Very few survive this harsh coming of age, but the ones that do go on to develop their esca; the bioluminescent stalk that punctuates the water's depths with its distinct glimmer.

Such has been the story of countless generations, and will continue to be for many more...

Luminesca is LIVE on IndieGoGo

Luminesca is now live on IndieGoGo!

What does this mean?

It means I have begun accepting donations for the project's community funding. IndieGoGo and other group funding websites allow creative projects to gain backing from their fans and followers. In return, people who donate get rewards or perks for their generosity.

What are the rewards for donating?

The primary reward for donating $5 or more is that you get same-day access to a playable work-in-progress version of the game (that means you can play the game today if you donate).

If you donate $10 or more you also get the finished game when it is released. There are bigger rewards for higher donations, including art prints, the game soundtrack and more.

You can use PayPal with IndieGoGo or pay directly by credit or debit card. For full details and more information go to Luminesca's IndieGoGo page.

And of course a big "thank you" in advance if you decide that you wish to donate!

12 new screenshots and a video

Head over to the Images & Videos page to view them. Spread the word!

speak your mind

I'd love to know what you think of Luminesca so far! If you have any thoughts you'd like to share, or questions to ask, don't hesitate to get in contact.

You can leave a comment on any blog entry. If you have a Google account you can sign in with this. If not, just leave your name or even keep it anonymous! The important thing is that I know what you think as it helps me improve the game.

Alternatively, send me an email or get in touch using the social networking sites. See the Contact page for more.