First, let’s cast some light on a few smaller updates. All three of Belty’s swords have been finished in 3-D. Weapons in the game will be either discovered or purchased from the in-game merchant — who, to say the least, isn’t your average merchant. Every weapon has it’s strengths and weaknesses so make a wise decision.

Swords are Belty’s weapon of choice. He is most comfortable wielding these tall tools of war. The first sword is Belty’s default weapon. It’s the one you start the game with. It’s old and worn, but will still dishes out some serious damage, thanks to it’s heavy weight. Belty’s default sword will tie into the story. The other swords may, but currently they just for combat reasons.

Most weapons in the game will come in threes — enemies as well. Each sword is a unique piece. Next up we have the maces. The mace is a short but powerful weapon. They don’t do as much damage as a sword, but they will produce three attacks to a sword’s two.

At level 3, your standard mace is transformed into morning star. These jumps from level 2 to level 3 will be typical with weapons and enemies. Standard enemies won’t have a drastic physical change, but their abilities will absolutely be updated. The elites or captains of the game will also be fitted with a few more unique animations.

Level 1 is composed of brass and wood. It’s a sturdy weapon, but shouldn’t be used for an extended amount of time. The piece attached to the hilt is purely decoration. If Belty were to hit someone with it, the shoddy craftsmanship would no doubt be apparent.

Level 2 is composed or iron and metal. The hilt has been fitted with a grip for comfort and usability reasons. The four faceted blades are made from pure metals and the blades are sickly sharp.

Level 3 is a step up from your traditional one-handed mace. The morning star variant is extremely deadly. It’s blades will cut through even the hardest metals and bones without hesitation. The use of it requires both hands. This means Belty will be down a shield; so use it wisely or you’ll be in some serious trouble. The hilt of the weapon carries a small set of spikes. The spiked hilt, used for close range attacks, are quite sharp and are capable of piercing even the finest made armors.

On the animation front, there has been a lot of progress. Fat Bat has a full set of animations. Belty has a good amount too. The kobolds have been rigged and their animations have been started. This week, the Slime King battle will be going into testing phase. This battle will be epic!

The Slime King is the first boss of the game. The skeleton below will be shielded by a large block of slime. The slime is able to be molded into any form via a magical symbiosis between Aramus and the slime cube. Aramus’ history won’t really be discussed in the game. What we can say is he is a tyrannical King, who during his extensive rule, killed thousands of his own people. Eventually, he was overthrown and assassinated by a boy he mentored and cared for like blood. He’s now been magically resurrected from centuries of rest.

The Slime King’s battle won’t be easy. We don’t want to spoil everything about it, so we’ll just give you a taste of it.

Here's a tip from the designer: It would be wise to pick up a shield before you and the slime king engage in combat. A properly timed shield block will make all the difference in this fight.

Oh, and we’d like to welcome Rebecca to the team. She is an amazingly talented animator, whose past work experience includes many years with Activision-Blizzard. She’s been doing some amazing animation work and we can’t wait to see more.

Finally, we’ve decided updating the blog weekly isn’t ideal. The short explanation is sometimes we have lots to share and other times we don’t. However, once development kicks into high gear, we’ll be sure to keep all our fans posted. Thanks for supporting us!

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We are working on some really amazing effects for the Slime King too. Once he is worked out in the next few weeks, we will post a bit on how his fight will work and a little about the tech that went into it. So, all we can say is please pardon our dust while we work on bringing our fans some bigger updates!

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For Beachfront Games, this week of updates is mainly 2D. We do have some crude animations working in the build and a few limited features. The game is nowhere near a public viewing. But it makes us feel happy that we can walk around a room and watch a treasure chest spill shiny gems out!

Additionally, both Fat Bat and Belty have some basic animation block outs. Again it’s nothing final but it’s progress.

So far we’ve introduced you to Fat Bat and the Slime King. The Slime King’s concept is still in the works, but we can show you a taste of what’s to come.

Next, is the king’s loyal minions. The skeleton warriors are soldiers from the king’s army magically resurrected. The only thing they remember is their King’s order to destroy any threat. Thus, they will tirelessly thrash and bash in their King’s name. Although physical attacks will destroy a skeleton, they can only truly be destroyed magically. If a skeleton warrior is knocked down physically, there is a chance it will resurrect itself. This is a result of the magic embedded into their bones. Skeleton’s are very aggressive; they seek their targets to no end.

The first type of warrior is your basic skeleton minion. These are generally low rank guards, who don’t have a ton of fighting experience. Most of their days were spent guarding something unimportant. The next level up are experienced fighters. Generally, these warriors were Captains or other high ranking officials in the King’s army. They are equipped with shields and headgear and very well versed in combat.

The last version of Belty’s undead adversaries are the most lethal of all. These champion combatants were hand picked by the Skeleton King. They have been fitted with armor and barricade-like shields. The large shield provides excellent defense from all types of weapons.

These savage soldiers are composed of ambidextrous assassins and treacherous traitors. The assassins provide the speed and skill of the ideal warrior. Plus, the ability to use one or two swords gives these living nightmares a fierce edge over their competition.

Under the King’s control, the traitors are forever damned to follow his orders. It’s this hatred for their existence that makes them some of the most deadly enemies on the battle field.

All the skeleton’s minds have been permanently enchanted. This means that regardless if their leader lives, they will carry out his orders until their demise.

With all these challenges facing Belty, he’ll definitely need to be armed with some serious weaponry. The second sword in Belty’s arsenal has been completed. Check out the screen shot below, and we’ll see you back here next week!

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On the 3D front, Belty’s sword has been upgraded to Level 2. As a refresher, all the weapons in the game will have three versions. The third and final sword will be 3D’ized next week — yes we realize we are making up words now. All of the basic weapons are found through normal play of the game. To attain a newer version, you will have to purchase it from the store.

Currently, the monetary system of the game is a variety of colored gems. Like most videogames, the gems are dropped when an  enemy is defeated and are also found in treasure chests. The gems will come in all different sizes, counts, and colors.

The most exciting news this week is the Slime King’s concept is almost done. The Slime King is the first boss of the game. His highness was born from the combination of magic gems and a humble creature know as a Sligell. The Sligell’s are giant slug like creatures.

These green soft bodied creatures feed on metals and mainly keep to themselves. They prefer oxidized copper, which gives them their green color. The Slime King came about when a slugell decided to feed on a magic gem of a powerful dead king. The gem’s magic transformed a simple creature into a the terrifying Slime King!

The Slime King will be a really exciting fight. It will twist and morph into all kinds of shapes. To give an idea of his behavior, you should think of Clayface from Batman. The cube is the King’s default state. His five magic gems will be your main focus. When destroyed, the gems will transform evil slime king back into a harmless creature. The fight is being finalized now and we’ll have some more on that next week.

Finally, last week we started working on the main story line. For this type of game, the story is more just background, but it will definitely be entertaining! So come back for Week 9. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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This week only brings a few minor updates. First, Belty and Fat Bat are fully rigged up. Yes, we are repeating ourselves, but there was unfortunately a set back with the old rigs; so, the two characters had to be re-rigged. Fortunately, this time around Belty and his overweight adversary have been fitted with more bones, which allows for a greater range of motion.

We could show a picture of a rig, but that’s pretty boring. So instead we will show you Belty’s standing tall with his sizeable sword. Also, the hero’s remaining weapons have been officially decided on as have the game’s enemy types.

By next week, we hope to show you the first game boss’ concept art, but only if you’re good!

Our main storyline is in the works. A small spoiler/teaser is included in the caption above. To expand upon it Belty is actually alien to the world he is in, and unfortunately for him his entrance was exit only.

Unbeknownst to Belty, his sword is one of three relics unique to a family’s bloodline. Legend states that when the three relics are found, the path to the underworld will be opened.

Only until he can save this new world from a horrifying new dawn can he return home. Our hero’s weapon is the key to his survival, and that statement holds true in many ways.

Thanks again for coming to see us, and come back next week for more!

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This week also brought with it a logo update. The original design remains the same but the colors and text have been updated. Also, Screen Shot Saturday just passed so don’t forget to follow us on that Facebook and Twitter!

Now that our shameless plugs are over, we promised a big update this week, and a lot has happened in the past two weeks. First we will start with a little more info on the Kobolds.

These small reptile like creatures may look menacing, but in fact they are extremely skittish. The Kobolds are a race of hoarders. They pillage the caves for anything they assume is valuable. Often times, when a kobold den is found, there are piles of useless junk. If you were every wondering where the remote or the occasional other sock went, chances are a Kobold nabbed it.

Their purpose for collection is so they can barter amongst themselves. Often times, due to their intellectual impairments, the creatures are humorously found trading back for items they previously owned.

If provoked, Kobold’s can be viscous adversaries. But, their eremitic nature  generally makes them flee from combat situations. On occasion, the kobolds will be found paired with Orc leaders. In this instance, they will follow their leader blindly and courageously onto the battle field.

Now, onto development progress. In the past couple weeks, Belty has been fully animated with a walk, attack, and an idle. So, within a few weeks we will have a crude prototype up and running. As a refresher, the gameplay is confirmed to be a side-scrolling beat ‘em up hack and slash. –similar to Streets of Rage, Castle Crashers, and Shank.

Apart from that, our new illustrator and the game designers are working on weapons. As an appetizer, from left to right is Belty’s broadsword and the according upgrades. All the weapons haven’t officially been decided on, but the categories will be light, heavy, distance, two handed, and maybe special. Belty’s arsenal will of course be supplemented by a variety of defensive and offensive spells. When next week rolls around, we will be posting the finished broadsword color concepts. Until then, check out the broadsword proofs below!

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Anyway onto our awesome little indie project “Dungeon Drop”. This week was mainly focused on design and business. The design for the game is coming along really nicely. We have had some game vets peep our progress, and so far we are receiving really positive feedback.

As a reminder to our fans please support us on Screen Shot Saturday! The image this week shows our chivalrous hero in a dimly lit room. The screen shot shows Belty in Forward and Deffered Rendering Mode.

Let’s move onto the main gameplay mechanic. In “Dungeon Drop” Belty is barraged with room after room of relentless roughians. When Belty clears a room of all threats the game will move into a 2-D grid. The grid spaces represent how many rooms can be dropped for the level. So, for level 1, it will be a 3 x 3 grid or 9 rooms. Then, a room will begin to drop from the top of the screen. You will have full control over where you want to place the room.

Though, there are restrictions on where a room can be dropped. First, there needs to be adjoining doors. If the two doors aren’t parallel to each other then you can’t pass into the next room. Second, a room can only be placed on top of, below, or next to another room. So, you can’t put a room in the top right corner of the map unless there is a room there to bridge the connection.

We will be taking a one week hiatus on development. So check back in 2 weeks for the newest update!

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This week was mainly a technology week. Our programming staff is hard at work developing a playable prototype!

Our lead artist finished the main dungeon floors, doors, stairs, and walls. You can check out the pic below. This shot was take from inside the 3-D software.

Belty and Fat Bat are being rigged and animated. So, this staring contest won’t go on too much longer.

Fat Bat and Belty inside the arena

Anyways, last week we introduced you to Fat Bat, who is one of the first challenges you will face in our world. A Fat Bat is equipped with extremely powerful jaws. One bite from this blind bully can leave a paralyzing and occasionally deadly wound. Don’t think you can sneak up on them either. Their enlarged ears allow them to hear even the softest footstep more than 300 yards away!

And where would a hero be without his most trusted ally?  Here is an early preview of Belty’s basic sword. Presumably, all the weapons in the game will have upgrades and so will the magic spells.

Just to fill in the blanks a little bit, the number of rooms per level is based on a grid. For starters, the first level will be created on a 3 x 3 grid, which allows for 9 rooms. Each room needs to be cleared of all threats before you can move onto the next room.

Not all rooms need to be dropped to reach the end of the level, but more on that feature in a future post. Just suffice it to say there will be multiple paths to the finish line.

Eventually, the grids will grow to 7 x7 or 49 rooms of hack and slash glory.

As added support, treasure rooms and save points will be mixed in. Treasure rooms will be locked in some instances and will carry an item necessary to defeat the level boss. The key can be found through normal play of the level.

Save rooms will restore Belty to full strength and of course save the player’s progress. The possibility of a store carrying limited supplies has been touched on, but nothing has been decided on yet. That’s it for this week. Please visit us again and thanks for all your support.

Happy holidays everyone and we’ll see you back here next year!

Follow Us: Facebook and @beachfrontgames

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First, we will start with the small stuff. Officially, “Dungeon Drop” has a menu screen! It may not look like anything special, but that’s because it’s just a temp screen.  The backdrop bathed in purple light is your playing field. No worries, the lighting will not be purple for release. Eventually, enemies will pile in from the left, your right. And so, our chivalrous hero Belty will have to slash his way through room after room of bloodsuckers, monsters, and more.

Now, let’s talk about the actual game mechanics. To keep it simple, different rooms have different entrances. A new room is dropped every time you clear a room.  Then, you will be able to move into any connected exit. We say connected because not every room will make all entrances/exits available to you. Some rooms will have one door, others two, and some none! There is a lot more to the game, but those are the basics.  This week also brings a shiny new gem shader and an exit hatch that opens and closes!

A WIP screenshot of our main menu.

Friday and Saturday was when we really made progress, sort of… after a heated 25 minute discussion, we developed the +1 and -1 system. Instead of discussing everything in detail for 30 minutes it is now asked that you cast your vote in a +1 or -1 form. The system came about this weekend after we had several disagreements on features and published content. It was definitely a “you had to be there” moment because it doesn’t sound funny, but it was hilarious.

Finally, we leave you with a screen of our newest enemy, “Fat Bat”. He is still a work in progress, so please let us know what you think in the comments section below. Thanks to all our friends and until next week we’ll leave you with this: Mountain Dew Makes You Flame Proof.

He's a fat, fat bat.

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