GDXvania: An Arcade-Style Homage Game

Developed 'GDXvania,' an arcade-style homage to classic old-school action games, as a university assignment. Built with the libGDX framework, it focuses on core gameplay, simplified controls, single-screen design, and atmospheric presentation, culminating in a challenging boss fight.

Introduction

'GDXvania' is a fan-made, arcade-style interpretation of classic old-school action games, developed as a university assignment. Built using the libGDX game development framework, and leveraging the project structure generated by gdx-liftoff, this project aims to encapsulate the essence of beloved retro titles in a simplified, action-oriented format.

Scope of the Project

This project's primary goal is to recreate the core gameplay loop and atmospheric presentation of classic action games in a streamlined, arcade-friendly experience. Key aspects explored during development include:

Simplified Controls: Implementing intuitive and responsive controls optimized for quick, action-oriented gameplay, making it accessible and engaging.
Single Screen Design: The entire game unfolds on a single, focused screen, emphasizing immediate action and strategic combat.
Linear Progression to Boss Encounter: The gameplay is structured to build score and challenge, culminating in a demanding and memorable boss fight.
Combat Mechanics: Developing engaging combat against iconic monsters, featuring a primary weapon and the potential for sub-weapons to add tactical depth.
Atmospheric Presentation: Evoking a dark and gothic aesthetic through carefully crafted visuals and sound design, immersing the player in the game world.

Please note that this is a non-commercial, educational project.

Platform Support

The project is structured to support multiple platforms, leveraging libGDX's cross-platform capabilities:

core: Contains the main game logic, designed to be shared seamlessly across all supported platforms.
lwjgl3: Provides support for desktop platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
android: (Work in Progress) Aimed at extending support to Android mobile devices.
html: Enables gameplay directly within web browsers, utilizing GWT and WebGL for rendering.

Development & Build System

The project utilizes Gradle as its build automation tool, simplifying dependency management and build processes. The inclusion of the Gradle wrapper (`gradlew.bat` or `./gradlew`) ensures that anyone can easily run Gradle tasks without a local Gradle installation.

Skills Used

Java, libGDX, Game Development, Gradle, Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), 2D Game Design Principles, Combat System Design, UI/UX for Games, Sound Design, Cross-Platform Development (conceptual).

Outcomes

• Core Gameplay Implementation: Successfully implemented the core gameplay loop, including responsive controls, combat mechanics, and level progression, capturing the essence of classic arcade action.
• Atmospheric Experience: Created a visually and aurally cohesive game environment that effectively evokes the desired dark and gothic atmosphere.
• Cross-Platform Architecture: Developed a project structure ready for deployment across multiple platforms, demonstrating proficiency in libGDX's cross-platform capabilities.
• Educational Project Success: Fulfilled the requirements of a university assignment by delivering a functional and engaging game, showcasing practical application of game development principles.