Temporal Tides
A game jam game made in 1 week for the 2023 G/M Jam. The theme was "Paradox".
Roles
VFX Artist • Programmer • Gameplay Implementation
Technical Stack
Overview
Navigate the treacherous waters of a paradoxical universe aboard a
ship adjacent to a massive black hole.
The main gameplay loop is a ‘Temporal Paradox’, where the player’s
actions are simultaneously reflected and opposed by the echoes from
an alternate timeline. Earn points by shooting alternate versions of
yourself, but be careful to avoid crossfire when your variants
mirror your actions. The game also introduces a ‘Predestination
Paradox’, challenging the concept of free will versus determinism,
as players confront the consequences of their actions in real-time
through their mirrored adversaries.
This chaotic and hectic gameplay experience serves as a thrilling
exploration of paradoxical phenomena, immersing players in a
universe where every action has an equal and opposite reaction,
questioning the very nature of cause and effect.
Showcase
Gameplay
In Temporal Tides, the player must use the cannons on their ship to shoot at their past, or future, selves. As the game progresses, the enemy ships will spawn faster, causing the player to have to keep up with the pace of the game. The player must also be careful, as when they shoot, their past selves will shoot in the same direction, causing the player to have to dodge their own cannonballs.
Visuals
The game features a unique art style, with a low-poly look and
feel. The ships themselves utilize a toon shader, giving them a
cartoonish look.
Using a variety of particle and shader effects, the game
provides a visually stunning experience, with the black hole
being the centerpiece of the game, as the ships seem to curve
from the black hole's gravity.
Sound
Temporal Tides provides a unique sound experience, with a
variety of sound effects and music. The music is ambient, yet
unnerving, providing a sense of urgency and tension.
Additionally, there are music motifs that play at random, adding
to the chaotic nature of the game. With smooth transitions
between scenes and events, the music helps to immerse the player
in the game even further.
In addition to the music, the sound effects are crisp and clear,
providing the player with auditory feedback to their actions.
Challenges
One of the biggest challenges was creating the game in a week. This
meant that we had to be very careful with our time management and
ensure that we were able to complete the game in time. Additionally,
we had to ensure that the game was fun and engaging, as well as
visually stunning, in order to stand out from the other games in the
jam.
Despite our time constraints and long nights, we were able to
successfully complete the game and submit it to the jam. Through the
experience of creating Temporal Tides, we were able to learn a lot
about game development and the importance of both time management
and working as a team.