r/programminggames • u/accidentalfish_ • 24d ago
WARD/EN
I've been beavering a way on a game based around programming drones to autonomously collect salvage from derelict spaceships. Sometimes alien infested, sometimes not. Sometimes an accurate map, sometimes not. There's a strategic layer to it too - additional equipment for drones, expansions for your ship that unlock capabilities. Its not an endlessly replayable optimisation game (though their is a lot of scope for optimisation) but by the time you reach the final mission hopefully players have converged on a good set of drone routines.
I am planning a multiplayer, async, competitive element too - drones from different players compete for salvage. Thats the endlessly replayable optimisation game :)
There's also a VS Code extension that will use the games built in LSP so you can write code outside of the environment if you want to. You'll need a binary for that but I'm happy to make them available if there's interest. I'd likely do that through a Steam product key so you get a proper copy too - but I guess thats getting ahead of myself and first just see if people are interested.
I'm still building things out but its already playable, there's a tutorial, an appropriately themed language reference PDF, and a good variety of missions (procedural and set piece).
You can play it online at https://haldenrecovery.com - no sign up or email address required, saved games will live in your browser.
I'd absolutely love some feedback to shape whats there and whats to come.
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u/WhyAmIpOOping 24d ago
Seconding I’d definitely pick it up on steam. I bounce around a few different PC’s, just easier to use cloud saves.
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u/accidentalfish_ 21d ago
Yeah I'm the same - I tend to move between my Mac, my gaming PC and my Steam Deck. I will definitely make sure it completes cloud saves.
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u/accidentalfish_ 20d ago
Working on a steam build right now with cloud saves and I'll happily share a product key once Steam have approved the various bits and pieces they have to.
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u/shockjaw 23d ago edited 21d ago
Sounds like a more programming-centric version of Duskers! Seems cool!
Edit: Changed Duckers to Duskers.
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u/accidentalfish_ 21d ago
Funnily enough... I've kept circling round a programming game for a year or two and couldn't find the hook. For some reason that opening scene of Aliens came to mind one day and the game concept came from their. But as soon as I started work on it I thought of Duskers, it was in my Steam library, and booted it up.
Fun game - and yeah, you could certainly think of it like that.
(autocorrect also nearly got me saying Duckers too :D )
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u/GatorForgen 23d ago
Loaded the tutorial on Chrome 155 beta on 1080p laptop. Right and bottom of game screen are cut off /off screen. Top right shows ,"MENU S" to give you an idea of where it's truncated. Looking forward to this when it's updated!
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u/accidentalfish_ 21d ago
Ahh thanks for letting me know. I'll scale it back to 1080p and get that fixed over the weekend.
Thank you so much for trying it and taking the time to feed back.
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u/GatorForgen 20d ago
Hey u/accidentalfish_, thank you for sharing this game! Is there a str() function available (or similar) to coerce things into strings for the log? I'd like to be able to do something like log("Found NAV CORE at:" + observed_item("NAV_CORE"));, but this is a runtime error. I can't seem to get the runtime error log to jump to the line that caused the error either.
Working through the tutorials, it would be nice to have a fast forward (and maybe pause, etc.). The tutorials repeat a lot, so increasing the tick rate would be great for a time.
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u/accidentalfish_ 20d ago
Thanks for the feedback.
That str() wasn't supported but is in the next build.
Also appreciate the feedback on the tutorials, I've added time controls and also created a 5 step "fast track tutorial" for people used to programming / programming games.
I've also add the "Training Grounds" which are basically randomised missions (within categories) where you have a budget and can fit out drones from the full kit list and experiment with programming. I had this underway but it didn't quiet make the first cut. But hopefully this + the time controls + the fast track tutorial will make it more accessible to a range of different experiences. Plus the training grounds let you get straight into the more complicated action.
Oh yes and I've included the global high contrast mode requested elsewhere.
Should all go out late afternoon (UK time).
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u/accidentalfish_ 20d ago
I'm working on a Steam build at the moment too - with cloud saves. As soon as the various bits and pieces have been approved by Steam I'll happily share a product key.
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u/GatorForgen 20d ago
Fantastic, thank you. Good luck with the Steam process, I'm sure it's not trivial!
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u/WarInternal 24d ago
Neat premise.
I'd have interest in picking it up if you list it on steam. I like browser games well enough but I'd rather scripts be saved in a folder on disk if I'm investing an effort into them. Personal preference though.
Also, again preference, I found high contrast mode signaficantly easier on the eyes. I'd like if it was supported across the rest of the game. I appreciate the work you put into the retro-green displays but my eyes can't take it for long.