How I made FISHING fun in my Indie Game | Emerald Isle Devlog 0

Summary

In this development vlog, the creator dives into the process of building a fishing mechanic for their game, *Emerald Isle*. Inspired by *Stardew Valley*, the mechanic features a bobber, fish with unique movement patterns, and a challenging lava bubble hazard. The creator details the development of casting mechanics, character animations, and the creation of various fish types like the lava fish and bone fish. Despite some technical issues, the mechanic is evolving into a more engaging experience, with future updates aimed at turning the mundane task of fishing into an exciting adventure, possibly featuring epic battles with legendary sea creatures.

Takeaways

• 😀 The game, Emerald Isle, is set in a small coastal town and blends adventure and combat with life simulation elements like Stardew Valley.
• 😀 The fishing mechanic is inspired by Stardew Valley but aims to add more excitement and challenges through unique gameplay features.
• 😀 The fishing mini-game starts simple with a bobber and random fish movement, but evolves to include a progress bar and challenges like lava bubbles that speed up the fish's escape.
• 😀 The atmosphere around fishing is considered one of the most important elements, as it adds immersion to the gameplay experience.
• 😀 The player character, Phil, is a placeholder for now, with future plans for character customization and more meaningful character design.
• 😀 The casting mechanic allows players to adjust power through a power bar and includes a random time for fish to bite, adding unpredictability to the gameplay.
• 😀 Various fish types with distinct movement patterns were created, such as Lava Fish, Bone Fish, and Obsidian Flounder, each offering a unique challenge for players.
• 😀 A randomization function was implemented to control the size distribution of the fish, making average-sized fish more likely than extremes like extra-large or tiny ones.
• 😀 New challenges were introduced through QuickTime events, such as a timed click to start the fishing mini-game once the fish bites.
• 😀 Despite the complexity of the development process, the dev acknowledges that fishing as a standalone mechanic is still underwhelming, but plans to improve it with exciting future updates.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the game 'Emerald Isle'?

The game 'Emerald Isle' focuses on a small coastal town set on the east coast of the United States, blending everyday village life with combat and adventure, inspired by games like 'Stardew Valley'. The game will emphasize fishing mechanics, combat, and exploration rather than farming.

What inspired the fishing mechanic in 'Emerald Isle'?

The fishing mechanic in 'Emerald Isle' is inspired by 'Stardew Valley', with adjustments made to enhance realism and gameplay, such as adding lava bubbles and varying fish behaviors.

How does the fishing mini-game in 'Emerald Isle' work?

The fishing mini-game in 'Emerald Isle' involves a bobber that moves up when clicked and a fish that moves randomly. Players must catch the fish by filling a progress bar before it escapes. The mini-game includes unique challenges like lava bubbles that can burn the fishing rod.

What is the role of lava bubbles in the fishing mechanic?

Lava bubbles randomly spawn at the bottom of the fishing area. When they pass over the bobber, they drain the progress bar more quickly, adding an extra challenge for players to manage.

Who is the player character, and what does their design represent?

The player character, Phil, is a placeholder character for now, with simple design elements. His name and appearance will be customizable in future updates, and he serves as a basic representation of the fisherman in the game.

How does the casting mechanic work in 'Emerald Isle'?

The casting mechanic involves a power bar displayed when the player clicks. Releasing the mouse throws the bobber into the water. The trajectory of the bobber is influenced by the strength of the cast, with adjustments for horizontal, vertical, and downward casting directions.

What challenges does the player face when fishing in the game?

The player faces challenges such as waiting for a fish to bite, dealing with lava bubbles that speed up the progress bar drain, and managing different fish types that have unique movement patterns and difficulty levels.

How are fish in 'Emerald Isle' designed?

Fish in 'Emerald Isle' are designed with unique movement patterns, speeds, and behaviors. For example, the Lava Fish moves slowly near the top, while the Bone Fish is quicker and stays in the center. Each fish type has distinct characteristics that affect how the player catches them.

What improvements are planned for the fishing experience in future updates?

Future updates will include more fish species, improved water and lava graphics, and more advanced mechanics, possibly including epic challenges like fighting a Leviathan, to make fishing a more exciting and rewarding experience.

Why does the developer feel that fishing in 'Emerald Isle' may not be fun as a standalone mechanic?

The developer acknowledges that while the fishing mechanic is intricate and has depth, it still feels lacking as a standalone feature. The game is working toward making it more exciting by adding more elements like fishing challenges, story events, and powerful creatures to catch, which will be developed in future updates.