list actually

• 28 April 2026
• gamedev

ooh look a shiny

As you may have noticed, I got a little distracted by new shiny gameplay/theme-related ideas last blog entry. So here's a more practical to-do list for myself to follow.

painting loop & editor

Game loop and steps:

• Player places blank canvas on easel;
  • ☐ create canvas object that can be picked up and placed on easel;
  • complete level generation in background during prep animation.
• Player prepares 'base layer' (i.e. proc gen geometry) by brushing back and forth on blank canvas to prime it;
  • ☐ create reveal mechanic: I think this is usually either a viewport solution, or a shader.
• Once base layer is revealed, Player can activate canvas to place objects.
  • ☐ create a simple, grid-based level editor that can add objects only to the level shown in the canvas;
• Once objects are placed, Player is able to activate the canvas to 'paint' the level within the platformer.

Canvas:

• Physics to be able to be picked up and placed, but disabled once locked into easel.
• Bottom centre marker so that when placed, it sits nicely locked.
• Multiple states:
  • Pre-easel: level generation complete but hidden, awaiting completion of 'priming' step;
  • Pre-activation: 'priming' complete, able to be interacted with to place objects;
  • Post-activation: ready for an attempt at a loop.
  • Post-loop Victory: canvas is framed, ready for placement in gallery.
  • Post-loop Failure: canvas is infected, needing cleaning prior to use again.

gallery loop

Game loop and steps:

• Player places completed canvas on wall.
  • ☐ create basic 3D space geometry for gallery with three or four places to hang paintings.
• Player can sit and look at painting to loop it and gain some small amount of INSP. Loop will continue for a certain amount of time/loops after watching it once.
  • ☐ introduce 'Watched' state for canvas so that it only plays forward when being looked at.
• Player can only hang as many paintings as there are spots. More spots can be unlocked by upgrading gallery.
  • ☐ create basic gallery upgrade system with multiple geometries that are introduced statically (no placement by player).
• Player can open the gallery to visitors. These visitors will look at the paintings and provide an even smaller amount of INSP per loop, per visitor. For some reason I imagine these as cute phantoms that arrange themselves for multiples to look at the same painting.
  • ☐ create visitors that hover around and look at one painting at random and never leave.

that'll do

Eesh, that looks like a lot of stuff. I think for now I'll focus on introducing the level editing to the procedural generation step. Then figure out the ink-based activity that the player will be doing in the 2D level, heh.

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