Game Journal #78 - Loading Screens, Photo Gallery, Additional Save Metrics

Hey all! Got another game journal here for you. It's only been a few days since my last one, but I added a lot of features so I didn't want to cram too many into one video. Isn't that great!

First, life update as usual. I put an offer on the house I was looking at, and just sent the contract out yesterday. Hopefully it all goes well this time. I wasn't able to see the house in-person because... well, it's in Arkansas and I'm not, but I did get a video tour from my realtor of the interior. And man, when I say it looks great, I mean it! It's a night and day difference from the previous home I was trying to buy. The last home had foundation issues, to the point of where there were dips in the floor. But this house I'm looking at now looks super solid! You know that loud echo you hear when you walk inside an empty gymnasium? That's the sound the floors made when my realtor was walking on them, so I think that's a great sign. Of course I'll still get an inspection to see if there's any issues, but I'm thinking this one is a keeper. There's even an electric water heater, and a small deck, and the utilities are on so there's no code issues, AND it's made after the 1940s so I don't have to worry about lead paint. I'm actually in awe at how much better it is than the previous house I was looking at. More features, better condition, and a cheaper price. Can't complain!

With all that said, here's the changelog.

7/28-7/29/23

• Created loading transition system with loading screens

• Added Difficulty

• The player can spawn at the level start, or at a different location.

7/30/23

• Playtime can be saved

• Added functionality to save and load UI

• Last saved background updates based on save

7/31/23

• Camera saves photos and can be viewed

8/1/23

• Unsaved photos are deleted when:

  • You load a game.

  • You go to the title screen.

  • You boot up the game.

• Added variable that decides if it's the player's first time visiting a level.

• You autosave when you start a new chapter.

• Send a message from a shopkeeper when a new item is in stock. (one time)

8/2/23

• Added subtitle option for photos taken in the gallery.

Yep, I finally started working on the camera mode again! Check out how the gallery looks:

Looks pretty good, I think! I'm really excited that I figured out how to code it because it was one of the first things I wanted to add when I started making this game. But at the time, I was too inexperienced, so I couldn't figure out how to do it. It feels good to have my coding knowledge progress over time.

Here's the game log video where I show all the features. Hope you enjoy it!