A Small Update
over 6 years ago – Tue, Mar 17, 2020 at 10:31:17 PM

Hey Everyone!

There's a lot going on behind the scenes with Lazr. 

• First, I'm working on getting the backerkit store up and running, but it will take a few more weeks. I expect sometime in April to have that ready. This will allow backers to purchase additional items.
• Second, I'm working on setting up a video blog so I can communicate updates better to all backers. This should be setup and working by this Saturday, March 21st. That's when I am planning to post the first game dev vlog.
• Third, TopHat is working on finalizing the deal to manufacture physicals for the Switch and Playstation releases. I can't provide details yet, but they are close, and we will announce everything when ready. 
• Fourth, Lazr.online has been updated with more sections and links. Now you can play Lazr's demo on itch, gamejolt, and indiexpo. I'm working on getting Lazr featured on these websites as well.
• Fifth, the music contract has been signed and @uill ///UNDERWIRES will be producing the soundtrack. He's done amazing work on the demo and I'm looking forward to working with him on the full game.

Finally, I'm working on adding additional input choices to the current demo. This will allow players to choose between different controller and keyboard input setups. I was planning on adding rebindable keys and buttons, but it's turning out to be much more difficult that I planned on - this is due to training and dialogs directly referencing input such as "press A to jump" or "press I to shoot". I would like to make all players happy, by providing the input that they want, and I think the best solution is choosing between different input schemes. This makes more sense with the game's design as well, because the game doesn't save any data, so it wouldn't save custom input mapping and players would have to setup their input each time the game boots up. I've also had players ask to make the dash use the same button as the jump, and to activate after the jump, which poses a lot of problems (such as not being able to dash off walls, which some puzzles require). So, while I would like to please everyone, I simply can't do that and have to make smart choices about how input is handled. Because of this, I think the best solution is to provide different input setups that players can choose from. That's what I'm working on now and hope to have in the next update to the demo. 

I hope you are safe, happy, and with those that you love and care about. There's a lot of stuff happening in the world right now, and it can seem overwhelming at times. I want you to know that I'm working hard on bringing Lazr to life, and I will always communicate clearly about that progress. Thank you to each backer and supporter that has made this happen. //Garrick

Major Demo Update!
over 6 years ago – Thu, Mar 12, 2020 at 09:53:24 AM

- MAJOR NEWS - 

Lazr's Demo has been updated and is now available on 3 sites:  

Itch.io: https://mrgrak.itch.io/lazr

Indiexpo: https://www.indiexpo.net/en/games/lazr-a-clothformer

Gamejolt: https://gamejolt.com/games/LAZR/474906 

Today, I'm working on cutting a new trailer for Lazr. I'm also working with TopHat to launch a backerkit store in about 2 weeks. When everything is ready, there will be an announcement here, and on twitter, reddit, instagram, and across the gaming sites listed above. 

Thanks, and have fun! 

//Garrick @_mrgrak

Gameplay Progress
over 6 years ago – Wed, Mar 11, 2020 at 07:08:45 AM

Hey Everyone!

I'm still working on the next update to the demo, here's some progress videos:

I've redesigned level 1 based on player feedback. This introduces the city and atmosphere better, while providing new players with some introductory challenges. I've also been working on sound effects and dash, again based on player feedback. A player made a very good point: when dashing, if you collide with a ceiling or an object above you, you lose your dash and fall. Well I removed that, and now players can dash into ceilings and stay in dash, which has the consequence of making movement more forgiving and 'slippery' kinda. Check it out:

The coming update improves A TON of stuff about the demo. I'm aiming for Monday. Very exciting!

//Garrick

Stretch Goal #2 Unlocked!
over 6 years ago – Tue, Mar 10, 2020 at 12:04:19 AM

I'm happy to announce that we've hit our 2nd stretch goal and Voth will get a full voice over in English! This will really add to the richness of the character! The next update will discuss the kickstarter wrapping up, the deliverables, and an update to the free demo. For now, here's a fun video showing off the cloth in Lazr again. Thanks for believing in this game! Thanks for your support! 

//Garrick

104% Funded!
over 6 years ago – Tue, Mar 10, 2020 at 12:02:45 AM

Today was the big day, and we got there! 

It was an intense morning for me today. Overnight, the two biggest backers changed their pledges, dropping the funding total from $12.3k to $10.4k. Everyone close to me involved with the project was worried that we would drop below 100% funding just before time expired. We waited. We watched. We refreshed pages. There was breath holding. Maybe some worry.

It was close, but everything turned out fine.

We went from 2 stretch goals to no stretch goals, which was unfortunate. However, I think I can still add extra Holopets in. I really like the idea of a variety of pets, so I will pursue that idea. I just want to properly set everyone's expectations - based on the funding numbers, I can't do voice over for the main boss Voth, which I had talked about in a previous update.

Now is a very busy and exciting time for everyone connected to Lazr. I'll be updating the project's kickstarter page, contacting backers, and unveiling my plans over the next few days. I'm so proud that we have gotten to this point, and I'm looking forward to the next phase of this project. I want to thank each and every backer that has helped get us here. Your support is bringing this project to life.

Together, we'll make Lazr!

Garrick Campsey