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  • Pivoting back to the main thread
    by Emergencemory

    Final update (for now) is live for Raid the Abyss!

    Following some great feedback from Ludum Dare 57, we’ve rolled out a last patch with:

    Balance adjustments

Bugfixes

QoL settings

Touchscreen support (mobile-friendly!)

    We’re shifting gears back to prototype asset development on our main project—but Raid the Abyss has potential and an ambitious dev roadmap. Whether it stays a side project or becomes a higher priority depends on interest.

    If the concept sparks your creativity and you’re interested in contributing, reach out. We’d love to hear from you.

    Play the latest build (still free & open source):
    https://staticleapstudios.itch.io/raid-the-abyss

    Feedback Cliffnotes:

    Metrics

    Advanced data on this game

    Karma from Feedback given:38

    Ratings given:36.125

    Ratings received:30.5

    Classic Balance:110.6606 *

    Smart Balance:3.8925 *

    • Nice game with interesting stylization and fine sound effects.
    • I did found the combat system to be somewhat confusing and the AI’s weren’t doing much of anything so I mostly got use from them when my current character died. I made it to Wave 3, it got better once I started using shield a bit more.
    • Good job!
    • Cool stuff!
    • the audio-visual aspect is very high quality.
    • Unique style, the retro aesthetic.
    • All the sprites, animations. ui and menu illustrations are really good, especially for a jam game, and the audio pairs well (though besides the really good main menu music, I missed the soundtrack in the actual gameplay)
    • The movement and combat felt a little clunky to me, especially using the shield, which felt very inconsistent, though maybe it was due to me playing the web version.
    • Also the character level would reset after death (which I assume was intended), but the indicator on screen would still show the level I died at, which kind of confused me at first. The reset in exp would also make gaining it back pretty frustrating, and when I died in Layer 2 fighting the Balrog-looking boss, it was gg. He would just scale himself so much faster and regaining my lvl was straight-up impossible with even the basic orc posing a great challenge capable of one-shotting me. Though maybe that was the intention, it definitely made the game more chanllenging, but combined with the clunky movement it sometimes felt unfair.
    • I’ve also experienced a bug where some enemies were invisible, though that was at a point where, the performance-wise the game was struggling, so again, perhaps it’s the fault of me playing the web version.
    • But despite these things I did like the overall idea for the combat system here, and with more polish and added complexity in enemy types, and maybe various weapons etc. I think it could work really well.
    • It reminded me a little bit of the Crypt of the NecroDancer, though without the rhythmic element.
    • Nonetheless, the game has a high production quality and it’s impressive what you’ve cooked up here.
    • Nice game! I had an issue where new enemies didn’t appear after I played for a while
    • Great visuals and plodding feel to this! I found it a bit tedious to traverse large distances, but I like the intentional aspect of positioning to attack. Cool stuff!
    • I found the font quite hard to read, and the web version is a bit small. Is there a way that you can add a fullscreen button? If the LD site doesn’t allow fullscreen button you can post the game on itch.io.
    • I like the animations and it feels good to hit an enemy, though I wish I could move a bit faster (or maybe move without snapping to the grid)
    • So, the graphics were really nice. I didn’t like being stuck to the grid so much, but that’s a design choice I guess. I liked the sound effects and the overall vibe, would definitely like to see this developed more!
    • I also spent a while killing guys and leveling up, then noticed that on the bottom near my sword it said kills: 0 … Then I realized the guys I was killing weren’t attacking me, and I’m pretty sure I got to like level 9 off of friendly fire killing my AI teammates, since they didn’t seem to be attacking me either? Then I went towards the different looking people on the map and suddenly they were attacking me. So… oops?
    • The boss kicked my butt because I’m not used to use my shield laughing
    • At the very least, I should probably lose EXP for killing allies instead of gaining EXP, unless that’s a design choice rofl
    • Pass through allies would probably be the cleanest solution, just disable collision on allies, leave it on bad guys. Still, good job again! smile
    • I really like the aesthetic of this game, the animations and sounds really made it feel smooth. I couldn’t get the shield to work, not sure if I was just doing it wrong but if so it doesn’t feel very intuitive. Unfortunately couldn’t get past the boss because every time it killed me my max hp reset and it’s went up. Still really fun though. Great job!
    • The game goes hard, I liked the gameplay, my strategy was to be aggressive and start with a kick before slashing away. Gamplay goes hard, music goes hard, even the animations feel really fluid how did you even do them? Overall this was fun. I did have some difficulty reading text though.
    • Thanks for dropping the link in my stream! Was fun playing. Although the artstyle wasn’t really my thing, it really was a fun game.
    • Nice I managed to kill a lots of “oRcs”. Game played fine in my browser.. Began a bit repetitive at some point. I think I was at wave 6…
    • Wow, what a cool game. The character animation is also so smooth, did you do it in 3D? My only piece of feedback is the font, found it a bit difficult to read and thats about it. Music is great and the game plays well, I really like this entry. I would def buy a game with these sort of mechanics
    • The slashing sfx is satisfying. Love the animation as well!
    • I’ve just wanted to write the same as @aizomon.
    • Love it! Music is awesome, the retro graphic is so cool! Its so much Diablo vibe! The control feels strange but maybe its just a game design idea.
      • I have played&rated your game, don’t have time to write long review, things I liked:
    • +unique art style
    • +moving on tiles gives some Warcraft 1 vibes
    • +also game itself like dark souls or diablo atmosphere
    • +gaining control of other people when respawn.
    • +overall lot of interesting things implemented: cutting stones, sparta kick to pits, blocking, boss, leveling up, procedural endless corridor
      • Things works not so well for me:
    • -collider of block is for front wall, so you cant go above it or squeeze corner;
    • -smoothing of camera is nice but tiresome after a while when I begin to move more aggresively and faster, because it aligns to tiles
    • -idea of block is cool, but its positioned on side of body and turning just before block is very hard
    • -kick is too instantaneous, giving too small time to react, looking almost like teleporting.
    • -leveling up feels like you become unstoppable at some point (on other hand, boss could kill you too easily and you now weak again)
    • -sometimes its difficult to discern between ally and enemy, particular because of light – for example sometimes soldier is golden, but when he raises hand he got shadow (?) and looks almost like orc.
    • P.S. minor undestandable jam things: at some point I just rushed forward, and sprites were visible oustide of play field in the void, also I think cutting 3 stones in front is too powerful for sword.
    • (At this point you may wonder if that’s my short review what long is…)
      • Ideas I propose:
    • +dash action, also for enemies, for more tactical surrounding and backstabs
    • +some ally teamwork, may be action to call for help, for example place banner
    • +objects or points of interest, like chests, idols, some unique rooms, to do something else from slashing
    • Keep up good work! Good luck figuring how to transform this idea to full game, may be some dancing-rythm mechanics p.s. after watching someone stream, I realized I missed descending on next layer and played only 1st.

    Thank you to the people streaming themselves playing:

    1. this guy plays around 58 minutes in: https://www.youtube.com/live/BsQFQ7v-z10?feature=sharedYouTubedeadroachFINAL DAY! Rating Ludum Dare 57 GAMES #9Image[11:52 AM]And about 1 hr 11 min into the vid for this guy (v0.1.0) https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2441459052?tt_content=vod&tt_medium=mobile_web_shareTwitchOne More Round of Ludum Dare 57 Playing and Rating!! – game_dev_dad…game_dev_dad_ went live on Twitch. Catch up on their Software and Game Development VOD now.
  • Ludum Dare 57
    by Emergencemory

    We just wrapped up our first Ludum Dare entry — Raid the Abyss — a top-down fantasy hack n’ slash built in about a week and a half for #LD57 (Extra format).

    Knights vs. orcs, layered abyss, escalating bosses. Two modes: Endless and Score Attack. Built to prototype systems for our main project—melee, procedural maps, and a dynamic minimap.

    You can try it in-browser (if it runs well for you), or grab the .exe for the full experience: https://staticleapstudios.itch.io/raid-the-abyss

    Feedback welcome on the Ludum Dare page:
    https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/57/$411316

    Game: Emery Smith (staticleapstudios.com)
    Audio: Smthngclvr (YouTube)

    There may be some easter eggs if you play around a bit.

  • Party System Update
    by Emergencemory

    Party Features Implementation

    Parties aren’t just about teaming up—they need structure. Now, the HUD overlay shows current party members, and only the leader can start a match. Party invites and requests are streamlined with click-based functionality.

    • In-game menu tab for party roster, chat, etc
    • Party follows leader into matchmaking
    • Automatic chat channel creation upon forming a party
    • Click/autofill invite system instead of manual ID entry

    Technical Challenges

    • Moved from a system that needed an ID like 70 characters long to a more user friendly way
    • Party chat has to be more flexible than DMs, Guild chatroom, or match/team in-game chat
    • Members game state syncs properly now

    Next Steps

    • Implement more functionality like a more fleshed out party leader transfer system
    • Expand chat functionality to include party voice options
    • HUD Overlay

    Lore Integration

    “Alright, we need a third. Not running another op as designated bullet sponge.”

    “Agreed, let’s not mill around while they take the objective.”

    “I got someone.”

    “Who is it?”

    “Usually runs with another squad, but they’re not on today. Solid guy. Knows when to push, when to hold. Doesn’t talk just to hear himself.”

    “He’s not on my list, why’s he solo?”

    “No idea. Maybe his -“

    “Whatever, looks like we’re getting ready to roll, send the invite.”

  • Sound Effect Integration
    by Emergencemory

    SFX Implementation

    SFX framework is in. Footsteps, gunfire, bullet whizzes, and running water now hook into the settings menu and trigger dynamically.

    • SFX volume controlled via settings slider
    • Synced with animations & scripts
    • Leveraged AudioStream2D for spatial audio

    Next Steps

    • Expand soundscape variety
    • Add reverb & spatial effects

    Lore

    The battlefield isn’t quiet. Footsteps in the mud. Gunfire in the distance. A round whizzes past your head. If you hear it, it’s already happening.

    smthngclvr https://youtube.com/@smthngclvr has been making the audio assets and we worked through the implementation together on VS Code liveshare (proved that concept)

  • VS Code Migration
    by Emergencemory

    VS Code Implementation

    Godot’s built-in script editor gets the job done, but VS Code brings more features to the table—better autocomplete, debugging, and real-time collaboration. Now, all scripts open in VS Code by default, with full IntelliSense, LSP (Language Server Protocol) support, and remote pair programming.

    Pros of VS Code Migration:

    ✅ Smarter Autocomplete & Debugging – Better type hints, function suggestions, and inline documentation

    ✅ Pair Programming Support – Real-time collaboration for faster problem-solving

    ✅ More Control Over Extensions – Custom tools, themes, and workflows

    Cons & Trade-offs:

    ❌ Slower Iteration – Godot’s built-in editor updates the running instance instantly, while VS Code requires a full restart to apply changes

    ❌ No Drag-and-Drop for Nodes – The Godot editor lets you drag nodes directly into scripts; VS Code doesn’t

    ❌ Context Switching – Jumping between Godot and VS Code breaks some of the integrated workflow benefits

    For now, VS Code feels like the better tool for scripting, but if Godot’s built-in editor evolves, that could change. We’ll see if the advantages hold up over time or if the convenience of Godot’s native workflow pulls us back.

    Technical Challenges

    • Resolving pathing issues between VS Code and Godot
    • Fine-tuning LSP settings for best performance
    • Ensuring seamless debugging without breaking the workflow

    Next Steps

    • Expand remote collaboration tools
    • Automate VS Code extension setup for new environments

    Lore

    Nobody fights alone. In this conflict, teamwork can overcome individual skill. Whether in the field or the codebase, working together is the only way forward.

  • Multiplayer Security Update: Hardening Our Defenses
    by Emergencemory

    Secure Networking Implementation

    A key part of getting the build production-ready is secure multiplayer. With encrypted connections, authentication, and automated integrity checks, players can focus on the fight without worrying about outside interference. No man-in-the-middle attacks, no intercepted traffic, no malicious code sneaking in with your packets. Just a secure, stable battlefield.

    Reinforced Infrastructure

    • End-to-end encryption for all multiplayer traffic
    • SSL-secured connections for matchmaking and communication
    • Automated monitoring and integrity checks
    • Secure profile authentication for game and (future) companion app

    Data Protection

    • HTTPS ensures encrypted player data in transit
    • Continuous security updates and maintenance routines
    • Reinforced server-side access restriction

    Lore

    Advancements in planetary defense doesn’t only consist of armies of machines, arsenals of devastating weapons, and latticed shielding. The sub-orbital defense platforms represent walls of encrypted data, protecting our forces from sabotage before the first shot is even fired. Every layer of security fortifies operations and obscures the vision of our adversaries.

  • Matchmaking Update
    by Emergencemory

    Matchmaker Implementation

    Implemented dynamic match listing and matchmaking system with the following features:

    • Level-based match display
    • Party Leaders bring their team when joining
    • Smart match creation logic
    • In-progress match joining toggle option

    Future Enhancements

    • Level-based filtering system
    • Auto-fill functionality for create/join fields
    • Enhanced matchmaking parameters
      • Friends currently playing
      • Group member participation
      • Region/language preferences
      • Session duration (least time elapsed)

    Lore

    “Who are those guys?”

    “Some special team, they all showed up together and even got their own comms channel”

    “That’s actually smart, I should find a team like that with fewer lone wolves running off to get themselves killed – no offense”

    “None taken, just be careful not to bring in another trigger-happy idiot who gets the whole squad burned – oh yeah, no offense.”

    “No promises.”

  • Release v0.06c
    by Emergencemory

    Technical Implementation

    The biggest milestone: getting code signing working. With that in place, release version 0.06c moves one step closer to a clean, professional build.

    Additional improvements include:

    • Game executable icon
    • Splash screen on launch
    • Credits scroll implementation
    • Profile data display system

    UI Positioning

    Strategic placement of visual elements:

    • Credits scroll – left side above profile data
    • Profile data – left side scroll panel
    • Release notes – right side above leaderboard
    • Splash screen – game launch overlay

    Technical Challenges

    Resolved key implementation hurdles:

    • Code signing tool integration
    • Icon export compatibility
    • Resource compilation optimization

    Next Steps

    • Developer tools to authenticate iOS and Linux builds similar to Windows code signing

    Lore Integration

    A name, a signature, a mark of authenticity—small things that carry weight. In a war where identity is currency and trust is scarce, the right credentials can open doors or shut them.

  • Online Profiles
    by Emergencemory

    Online Profile Implementation

    Server-side profile system with the following features:

    • Profile creation and registration system
    • Automatic profile initialization on login
    • Progress tracking for kills, deaths, and completed stages
    • Profile persistence across server restarts

    Architecture Details

    • Integration with Nakama backend
    • JSON-based profile structure
    • AWS EC2 instance deployment
    • Console debugging capabilities

    Next Improvements

    System designed to accommodate:

    • Inventory system integration
    • Character attributes
    • Team management
    • Match history tracking

    Lore

    “Who put my name on the roster? Who even knew I was coming?”

    “Command, maybe. Or whatever’s left of it. Could just be an automated process scraping the data, running scenarios… look, you’re back in the system. Progress, kills, deployments—it’s all there.”

    “Great. So next time I have to find my own way back, at least there’s a log saying I existed.”

    “More than that. Squad loadouts, combat reports, even those half-baked mission plans… someone’s keeping track. Probably the same someone who got us out last time.”

    “Or the same someone who sent us in.”

    “Does it matter?”

    Every mission, every kill, every choice—it’s all stored, archived, referenced. A record not just of survival, but of intent. Even when orders get lost and battle lines blur, the impact of every action remains.

    As humanity faces cosmic threats, our digital footprints become more than just data – they’re proof of our resistance, our victories, and our losses. Each profile tells the story of a soldier in humanity’s desperate fight for survival, their statistics etched into the defense platforms’ eternal memory.

  • Offline Profile System
    by Emergencemory

    Local Profile Save Implementation

    Implemented a robust local save/load system with the following features:

    • JSON profile creation and autosave functionality
    • Secure data storage for player statistics (kills/deaths/stages)
    • Multiple profiles on the same computer, you’re never locked in to a single team or approach
    • Resilience for old version’s saves

    JSON Benefits

    • Secure execution environment
    • No arbitrary code execution risks
    • Minimal refactoring for this to work on online profiles

    Lore

    “Didn’t think I’d see you again.”

    “Yeah, what are the odds?”

    “Last time was so messed up. Wrong LZ, comms blackout… half the squad listed MIA.”

    “Lucky us.”

    “That’s one word for it, anyway, good to have you back on the roster.”

    Even when the chain of command is broken and orders are unclear, your impact echoes. Every mission completed, every battle survived—somewhere, it’s recorded. A name on a list, a statistic in a file, a reminder that you were here. That you mattered.

    Notes

    This system serves as the foundation for future online profile integration, ensuring player progress remains secure and persistent in our expanding universe.

  • UX Improvements
    by Emergencemory

    Implemented comprehensive menu system improvements:

    • Viewport-based menu positioning instead of global coordinates
    • Navigation hotkeys for menus
    • Communication hotkeys for in-game chat

    New Features

    • In-game Match Stats/Scoreboard integration
    • Lobby and Party Roster system between matches
    • Chat box functionality for team and global communication

    Lore Integration

    The rebels’ best defense against the full integration of AI and earth’s military is noise: false orders and scrambled signals force the world’s soldiers to maintain strict communication discipline. Encrypted channels, verified call signs, and secured relay points keep squads coordinated and ensure that only the right voices are heard. A single compromised message could mean –

  • Multiplayer Update
    by Emergencemory

    Expanded Nakama backend integration with new features:

    • Enhanced authentication system
    • Improved server configuration options
    • Robust profile data management
    • Automated system maintenance:
    • Fixed non-host player visual synchronization
    • Implemented multiplayer spawner path capitalization fix
    • Added friends list functionality
    • Enhanced matchmaking system

    Social Features

    Completed implementation of:

    • Friends system
    • Chat functionality
    • Match roster
    • Guild structure
    • Basic party system framework

    Lore

    The defense platforms have the potential to become the backbone of planetary security, fostering connections and coordination through its neural network. Hailed as humanity’s greatest achievement, these platforms enable soldiers to form bonds and strategize against extra-solar threats. Yet, as trust in the system grows, only a few anticipate the day when the platforms will turn against those they once protected.

  • Keybinds Menu: Customizing Your Controls
    by Emergencemory

    Technical Implementation

    Added comprehensive settings menu for control customization with the following features:

    • Custom keybinding configuration interface
    • Control scheme persistence
    • Input validation and conflict detection
    • Default preset management

    Interface Integration

    The keybinds menu provides:

    • Visual feedback for key assignment
    • Conflict resolution system
    • Reset to defaults option
    • Control scheme profiles
    • Controller and touch screen support coming TBD

    Lore Integration

    In the war against cosmic horrors, every soldier fights differently. The defense platforms recognize this truth, allowing each warrior to configure their neural interfaces according to their combat style. What was once mere key mapping has become a deeply personal expression of how each soldier faces the void. This upgrade empowers players to customize their interface with the game world, ensuring each soldier can respond to threats with maximum efficiency.

  • Multiplayer Routing: Dynamic EC2 Infrastructure
    by Emergencemory

    Technical Implementation

    Implemented dynamic network routing system with the following components:

    • WordPress website integration for server status
    • AWS API Gateway implementation
    • Lambda function for EC2 IP querying
    • Secure FTP connection through FileZilla
    • Migration from Docker to Podman

    Infrastructure Changes

    Completed improvements:

    • Created EC2 instance with Cockpit GUI (sad had to revert to command line interface)
    • Implemented AWS Gateway API for dynamic IP routing
    • Established secure data transfer protocols
    • Configured automated health checks and restarts
    • Set up snapshot and backup systems

    Server Management

    Key server maintenance features:

    Lore Integration

    The defense platforms require constant communication – a digital nervous system spanning our last bastions of resistance. Through AWS’s neural pathways, our command centers maintain their vigil, automatically adapting to the chaos of war while maintaining humanity’s digital lifelines.

  • Prototype 0.06: Release Package Creation
    by Emergencemory

    Prototype 0.06: Release Package Creation

    I got started on this rabbit hole because I needed a website to serve as a routing hub, pointing the clients to the correct IP address for their matchmaking server. My EC2 instance has a different public IP each time I take it down and bring it up, so I went this way to prevent having to hardcode the new IP address in the game code and push a new commit each time I work on the server. Well the site exists now, most of the links and pages don’t work or are empty, but I think it is time to get back to prototyping. I’ll plan to hire a front-end web dev at some point to hook everything up right and finish configuring the forums. Until then, let’s use discord to communicate ad-hoc (link in the sidebar).

    Technical Implementation

    Created standalone executable package with essential components:

    • Exported game executable for stable version 0.06
    • Bundled Godot engine runtime
    • Integrated Nakama client scripts
    • Included necessary resource files

    Package Features

    Key characteristics of the release:

    • No Godot installation required
    • Standalone execution capability
    • Complete resource bundling
    • Optimized package size

    Distribution Components

    • Main game executable
    • Godot engine runtime files
    • Nakama networking scripts
    • Essential game resources
    • Source code components

    Lore Integration

    As the defense platforms expand their reach, this deployment package represents another step in humanity’s preparation. Each installation becomes a new node in our network of resistance, a beacon of hope in the darkness between stars.

  • Ammo Reset Feature
    by Emergencemory

    Ammo Reset Feature

    Taking care of a bunch of admin before getting back to the prototype. The LLC and Trademark are filed, and I created a bunch of social media pages.

    Technical Update

    Fixed critical gameplay issues with ammo persistence and spawn mechanics:

    • Resolved ammo state preservation during respawn cycles
    • Improved bullet collision detection to prevent overlap
    • Optimized player spawn locations for better spacing
    • Fixed RESET animation track and menu button behavior

    Development Context

    From the commit logs: “Also cleaning up despawn behavior and making bullets not hit each-other. Going to try to get characters to collide again instead of overlapping like they have been since multiplayer started working so they don’t group up and send a barrage of bullets.”

    Lore Integration

    In the shadow of the defense platforms, every bullet counts. The AI’s precision in managing resources extends to the very ammunition our soldiers carry. Yet in this calculated efficiency, we glimpse the growing tension between human intuition and machine logic.

    Field Report

    “The rebels claim our reliance on AI-managed combat systems strips away our humanity. But in the heat of battle, when every round must find its mark, perhaps precision isn’t just efficiency—it’s survival.”

    Technical Implementation

    Key Changes:
- Reset animation track
- Disabled menu buttons when hidden
- Improved despawn behavior
- Enhanced collision detection

    This update represents another step toward balancing gameplay mechanics with our broader narrative themes of control, precision, and the cost of technological dependence.