Tactical Magic

The show closes soon. The semester is over. Graduation was yesterday.

I didn’t do everything I was hoping to do with this demo. It all came down to time, and while I could list everything I was hoping to include, it doesn’t really matter. I am so, so incredibly happy with what did make it to the show.

The show!! I made it through half of the opening night and I watched a few people play the demo. (Like, at a distance, like a weirdo) In particular, two girls played it together and were giggling and shouting and I have no idea who they are, and that made me so happy. It’s warm and wonderful when your friends support you, but to watch some strangers dig your work is a whole other feeling. Thanks, ladies! :D

So, since I’m not looking back on the what-could-have-beens - what’s next? I’m going to keep working on this game, no question. I have the demo available for free download (bugs and all!), a Patreon for those interested in supporting this game, and every intention of showing at a Playcrafting expo later this year.

I may still pursue the NFC interactivity, though that’s not something I’m married to. It’d be hard to distribute, so it may just remain a pet project for my own amusement. I am going back to square one on a lot of the game framework however, since there’s interest in a mobile version. That, and I have a better grasp on what I need this framework to be able to accommodate now, and more than a few corners were cut to get this thing done enough to show. D:

Astral Knights: Tactical Magic has a Patreon!

Here’s the game trailer that’s playing in our senior show. The demo is set up in our museum, and is available to the public to play for free. You can download that same demo here:  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/t2ozlizc89gtwk3/AACffXaev_1hr8nTLibK6RLTa?dl=0

If you’re interested, consider supporting the project on Patreon. Most dev updates will be shared there, though this tumblr will still be used for major updates, promotional info, and other select updates on a delay of at least a month.

*YELLS*

So I’ve done some digging on the interactive component (the knock-off Amiibos, which need a clever name) and here’s what I’ve found.

NFC tags / reader via USB

This is the idea I like the best, since tags can be placed in cards or 2D printed models. It’s something you don’t see, like a QR code, and you don’t have to type in an alpha-numeric code. It’s a tap with a card or toy, which is a much more magical experience, which is both fun and thematically appropriate.

Tags and readers are fairly inexpensive, and the reader I’ve chosen works with Arduino. It’s possible to send information to Unity through Arduino, so I think there’s potential for this to work.

AdaFruit Arduino NFC Shield & a How-To Video for it

Connecting Arduino and Unity (one of many resources I’ve found)

QR Codes

QR codes are another possibility, but seem to be better suited for a mobile game rather than a desktop game, like I’m making currently. There are ways to use handheld scanners or webcams to scan a QR code to your desktop, but all of these feel too cumbersome. Also, if these were objects like toys or cards that I’d hope to sell, a QR code is easily replicated. They are a possible plan B.

Alpha-Numeric Codes

This dev blog, which has sat neglected, is now doing dual-duty as a research blog / record of the additional interactive component of this game as my thesis. If that sounds boring, it just means I’ll actually be updating instead of being a reclusive goblin.

What is your gameplan?

I’ll be adding a physical, interactive element to the game in the style of Nintendo Amiibos or Amiibo Cards. These cards will affect the game in some way that isn’t crucial, but fun. So, they give the girls additional (but not OP) powers or change their outfits.

What do you need to know/learn?

what are my options for transmitting the data to a PC, probably through a USB receiver of some kind

how do I build said receiver

which of those options are affordable and obtainable to build with

how do I tell the game (in Unity) to handle what’s coming in

how do I ensure that it plays nicely with the framework I’m already using in Unity

Who can you reach out to talk to outside of class?

I’m not sure. Possibly someone in the local indie Unity community, or someone in the support forums for either Unity, the framework, or a makerspace.

What help do you need from the class?

Helena already had amazing feedback if I go the card route, so any other engaged feedback I can get would be great. Help testing would also be great, once the battle runs.

Create a timeline for yourself.

I have a schedule outlined for the other tasks related to this game, so here’s the rough timeline I’ve added to that mess for this task specifically:

Top: the starter trio!

Bottom-left: a bad dude??