I don't know if i'll actually follow through with this, but i've been trying to come up with an idea for the contest. So far i've got a small engine written, i'm not sure what will really come of it though. Originally i wanted to try making one of those games where you have to dig in the ground to collect items/weapons, kill bad guys, etc., but i sorta tossed that idea. I haven't changed the name of the source file, though, so that's why the project's still called "Digger".

Now what i've got in mind is some sort of graffiti game, i was thinking you'd have to go around collecting paints, dodging police (and maybe rival crews), finding nice walls, etc. It's not all mapped out, but i'm thinking something like that would be feasible.

And a screenshot:


There are still quite a few glitches with the jump detection, but for now it supports tiles with variable (Z) heights (you can see the two tables, one has a height of 8 the other a height of 4, and the trash can has a height of 5).

Anyway, we'll see where it goes.

That's actually what i originally wanted to do, but i couldn't figure out a good way to implement erasing just part of a square. I may end up going back to it later.

I'm thinking you might have to achieve certain goals before passing a level (things like painting large murals, collecting certain items, etc.) or maybe adding in a points system based on the number of "colors", size, etc. Perhaps also the longer you stay in one area painting the more likely someone is to call the cops, and if you leave an area too long what you've started to paint will get cleaned up or you'll lose reputation points for leaving too many tags half-done. I'd also like to add in some action such as fights, chases, etc.

It's not all very clear yet, but i'll be trying to figure it out as a go along.

That is looking awesome so far, great job!

Well, i think you're much more likely to finish breakout than i am to finish this

Anyway, for now i'm going to try to fix some of the bugs with the collision detection and add a little shadow to help make the jumps look a little better. I'm still a little unsure how to pull everything together, but i'm starting to get a vague idea. One thing at a time, i guess

EDIT: Also, i was thinking that this engine might work nicely for a skateboarding game...

i love the behind-tile masking =D. how are you managing that? just drawing less of the player sprite if there's a tile in front?

That is an amazing engine! The first time I've seen jumping in a 4 way scroller!

Streetwalker: I don't think I want to compete with it either!

wow, just wow that game

Wow, you've got a lot done already, and that screenshot sure is appealing. I hope you finish it one day, even if not in time for the contest.

I think this engine could potentially work for a skateboard game as well.

Or a(nother) MineCraft clone. You'd have to add camera rotation (not all angles, just 0°, 90°, 180°, 270°) but that could work.