GB Studio Exercise: A Platformer

A Set of Side-Scrolling Exploration Levels

Using the GB Studio "Platformer" mode, construct a sequence of five side-scrolling levels that follows 4-Step Level Design. The goal is to use the design of the level to teach the player what they should be doing and how. 

You may use as many found-assets as you need. There are some tilesets below that you can use. Or, check out the GB Studios tag on Itch.io or the GB Collection and find something you could use for a side-scrolling game. Just make sure to keep track of where you go them so you can credit them in your project!

Minimum Deliverable

Satisfying these requirements would equate to a 'C' grade. Doing well at them would be a 'B' grade.

• You're aiming for about three to four minutes of play time. 
• 4-7 Scenes in GB Studio (four if they're large scenes, seven if they're shorter)
• Like we practiced in class, you should incorporate at least two lock-and-key (or equivalent, like collecting five coins) gating mechanics that cause the player to explore the space.
• Use the built-in jumping mechanics and static obstacles that reset the player to the beginning of an area or checkpoint.  
  • (Enemies, spikes, falling in a pit...)
• (Think about this Game Maker's Toolkit video on jumps in Super Mario World). 
• Player sprite should animate

Additional Area of Development You Might Focus On

If you choose to, you can attempt to work on one of these areas to push the project into the 'A' grading range.

• incorporating the Platformer Plus plugin
• Making a new mechanic (double-jump, player can shoot, step on switches to move platforms, etc.)
• a variety of enemies (especially ones that move) or obstacles
• custom pixel art for characters or objects 
• custom tiles for building your backgrounds
• an original song + use of sound effects (ex: jumping, collecting something good, taking damage, etc.)

Submission

This project is due Friday April 5th.

You will need to upload this project to Itch.io. Once you have finished, choose from the menu "Game -> Export As" and choose "Export Web". You can zip up the 'web' folder and upload it using the instructions online.

Please make sure to give credit to anyone whose work you used.

In your Itch.io description, take credit for the work you did too! "Player animation done by me!"

You must also include cover art for the Itch.io page when you submit. At least a screenshot. (But maybe turn it into a GB box?)

To the Team Assignment Folder, you'll include:

1. your link to the Itch.io page
2. upload your project folder zip file + any original assets (whether art or sound). (Uploading your project folder will allow me to look at your game in case I run into any issues trying to play it online.)  
3. In the description, tell me about any "additional area of development" work you did I should consider when assessing your game.

Game Boy Platformer Examples

Game Boy Works #003 - Super Mario Land
The first of its kind. Shows how they tried to do Mario with limitations.

How Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins Changed EVERYTHING!
The second of its kind. Shows how Nintendo was figuring out the hardware and pushing it forward. And the game is interestingly semi-linear.

Game Boy World #009: The Bugs Bunny Crazy Castle
Shows ways that platforming can be like a puzzle-sovling game.

Game Boy World #054: Gargoyle's Quest
Inventive movement mechanics allow for a dense space to navigate.

Kirby's Dream Land Review (Implant Games )
Kirby's floating jump combined with the inhale mechanic work across long levels that aren't very dense.

Tokyo Disneyland: Mickey no Cinderella Shiro Mystery Tour
Interesting semi-linear exploration through the space. Neat balloon mechanic.

Mickey Mouse - GameBoy 
Keys open doors.

GB Studio Game Examples

Jelly Bun: Great level design that takes advantage of jumping. 

What Friends Are For: Swap between scowling and smiling to overcome obstacles in this charming platformer made in GB Studio.

Astro Jump: A simple platforming game in the scope of what you all are making

Former Student Projects

I like the way the dog motivates you to explore
Good example of semi-linearity with the warp areas
A good level of difficulty