Galactic Detective - Game created for Mini Jam 125: Signal
Project Summary
A friend of mine asked me if I would like to help him create a game for a game jam. I agreed, and shortly after that, we started brainstorming about what the game would be about.
The theme of the jam was ‘Signal‘ so I suggested that maybe our game could explore radio signals coming from space and investigate whether they are of extraterrestrial origin.
Before diving into this analysis, I encourage you to watch the video below, which shows my project from a player’s perspective.
Creation Process
Our three-person team quickly encountered the first problem. The jam’s special condition was “rhythm,” and we didn’t know how to connect it with our original idea of receiving signals from space.
However, after a brainstorming session, we came up with the idea that signals from space could arrive in the form of rhythmic sounds that the player would have to decode to identify the source.
We had the main outline of the game and got to work. My task was to create the level and 2D art. We thought that since we only had a few days to make this game, the most sensible approach would be to create it in a pixel art style.
Using the website ‘pixilart.com‘ we created our sprites. I designed satellites and spacecraft, as well as some elements for the office.
Project Features
The player has to decode the incoming signal and then make the right decision under time pressure. If the player makes the right decision, they earn a point; however, if they make the wrong one, they lose one life.
To correctly decode the signal player has to enter the correct character on the computer using only 6 sounds and a note on the right.
Game doesn’t tell player if he decoded the signal correctly, and always shows the data but the correct one is only shown if player did the decoding right.
Each of the characters represents a sound, When player presses the play button sound for each character is played, and since there are 6 characters a small rhytm is created.
After decoding received data must be compared to this in a special book next to the computer, to see what type of spaceship is currently checked.
Player has 3 options to choose from: shoot down, jam the signal, let the ship go.
But only one of those is the correct one for the given spaceship.
There are 3 types of spaceship, just like there are 3 buttons and 3 decissions.
- Satelite – human spaceship, must be left alone. Use book to recognize.
- Aliens – hostiles, red button is the correct one. Use book to recognize.
- Spies – ships trying to steal data, jam their signal to prevent that. After succefull decoding check if computer camera is red, normally it shouldn’t be.
Value Of The Project
There were 81 game jam entries in total. And here are the results:
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Presentation | #40 | 2.828 | 4.000 |
| Use of the Limitation | #41 | 2.828 | 4.000 |
| Concept | #43 | 2.828 | 4.000 |
| Overall | #47 | 2.593 | 3.667 |
| Enjoyment | #57 | 1.886 | 2.667 |
I’ve had a fantastic time working on this project with my friends. It’s been a valuable experience, teaching me a lot about teamwork and collaboration. I’m hopeful that we’ll have the opportunity to create more games together in the future.
Link to github page: Galactic Detective
Link to itch.io page: Galactic Detective
If you have any questions I will be glad to answer them.
I’m always open to talk about new projects, creative opportunities and how I can help you.