Bug Tunnel Defense: Levels

(originally posted 6 June 2011)

The missions in Bug Tunnel Defense started out a lines of code, describing the position and location of every wall, tunnel, entrance and exit. This became unwieldy very fast, and it was clear it would be unusable for the dozens of missions I wanted in the final game.

Bug Tunnel Defense release notes

I discussed these in detail on the blog I ran for Bug Tunnel Defense's release. Rather than repost those posts separately I'll summarise them, with links to the originals.

Bug Tunnel Defense: Names

(originally posted 25 May 2011)

The game had at least four names during development, that roughly trace the history of its design.

Less is More

(originally posted 11 June 2011)

While making Bug Tunnel Defense I had many ideas which didn’t make it into the final game. Some didn’t make it off the drawing board but some got as far as being implemented before being removed.

Bug Tunnel Defense: First Screenshots

(originally posted 25 May 2011)

This is one of the earliest screenshots I have of the game. Unfortunately I did not keep many screenshots of early versions. I was mostly developing the engine which either worked or didn’t, while the art was very much placeholder art which I was not interested in capturing for posterity.

Bug Tunnel Defense: Tunnels

(originally posted 1st June 2011)

From the start I wanted a tower defense game in 3D. Not just one which is rendered in 3D, like Defense Grid, or an isometric view like Doomsday Defense, but one where the gameplay takes place in three dimensions.

Most tower defense games are linear, with enemies travelling along paths to an exit or goal. These games can be very well done, but the gameplay always comes down to overpowering a parade of enemies with upgrades, as any strategy without upgrades is quickly discovered.

Bug Tunnel Defense information

A screenshot from Bug Tunnel Defense: just thought I should add one in case someone stumbles across this site and wonders what sort of game it is and what it looks like.

The best summary of it the game is the Jay is Games review where you can also play it.

Bug Tunnel Defense

This is the blog for my next game, as well as for my thoughts on Flash. But I cannot start it without mentioning Bug Tunnel Defense, my last game. It can be played here

Bug Tunnel Defense

As well as at many sites across the internet, including some of the most popular. I also have a blog on it here

Bug Tunnel Defense Blog

As Apple are closing down MobileMe next year that blog is going away, and I need a new place to post my games and other things. Hence this blog. I may move posts over before it closes, depending how it goes.