Ludum Dare 39 starts today!I previously wrote aboutLudum Dare with tips forcompleting your game along with getting the most out of itch.io, so check thatout if you haven’t already.
Ludum Dare is a good opportunity to try something new, like a new game engine,library, or art tool. This will be my thirteenth game made for Ludum Dare (if Imanage to finish). I'll be trying out a new engine this time: TIC-80 (it’s got built inMoonScript support!)
itch.io has a huge collection ofgame developmentresources andgameassets. For this article I've collected sometools that have caught my interest that are worth checking out if you'd like togive yourself an additional challenge. I'll definitely be referring to thislist for myself to mix things up in future Ludum Dares. If you have anysuggestions for the list please leave a comment.
Before we get started, don’t forget to tag your gameludum-dare-39 onitch.io when uploading your game so we can easily find projects to feature andshare!
A fantasy console powered by Lua, MoonScript, and JavaScript. The built in map,sprite, code, and music editors let you develop your entire game inside theengine. Games use a 16 color palette and 240x136 display. You can easily exportgames to native executables or embed them in a browser with HTML5 export.
A browser based game development tool that doesn’t require any coding. Createtile based rooms that the player can explore.
https://pixelvision8.itch.io/game-creator
A game development platform that can target a wide range of 8-bit fantasyconsole limitations, either from existing consoles or something completely madeup. Games are coded in Lua and C#.
https://sparklinlabs.itch.io/superpowers
A 2D and 3D game engine where you can program games in JavaScript orTypeScript. Games can be expored to the web for easy distribution. Includes adevelopment environment where you can write your game’s code and objects.
https://ramilego4game.itch.io/liko12
A Lua based fantasy console that runs on top ofLÖVE.In includes a larger drive than most fantasy consoles, so could it suitable forbuilding larger games. A DOS like operating system is included to interface with theconsole.
https://melloland.itch.io/vectorboy
A fantasy console with a vector display (instead of more common pixel baseddisplays). You can program you games in Lua.
https://scirra.itch.io/construct-2-game-maker-tool
A full featured game development platform to create 2D games. Supportsexporting to native executables and the web.
https://liamtwose.itch.io/adlengine
A text based adventure engine that supports a multiplayer gameplay
https://thorbjorn.itch.io/tiled
A 2D tile based map editor that supports grid, isometric, and hex tiles. It canexport to a wide range of formats to make it easy to integrate into your game regardless of what engine you're using. SeeTiled2Unit for a easy way to load tiled maps into Unity.
https://prominent.itch.io/crocotile3d
A tool for creating 3D scenes with tiles. It works similar to a 2D tile editor but lets you draw levels in 3D.
https://dacap.itch.io/aseprite
A 2D pixel art editor that’s the best I've used. You can use it to create allkinds of retro art from animations to tile maps and backgrounds.
https://led.itch.io/tilemancer
A procedural 2D tile generator. Can make a wide range of textures for you 2D(or maybe 3d) based games. A node based editor makes it easy to tweakparameters.
https://kenney.itch.io/assetforge
A tool for building 3D models and 2D sprites using a library of buildingblocks.
A tool for rotoscoping pixel art animations. You can use it to draw on top ofany source material to create assets for games or just cool animations.
A tool for creating art and animations out of ASCII art.
https://25a0.itch.io/quadtastic
A tool that lets you create spritesheets and manage palettes. Easily createquads for art you need to import into your game.
https://adamstrange.itch.io/fontsprite
A pixel art editor for creating images matching the “Fontsprite” format (16x16tiles usually in a 256x256 image).
https://lunarlabs.itch.io/dither-machine
A tool for creating pixel dithered gradients.
https://marcoc2.itch.io/dpixel
A pixel art remastering tool. Can be used to upscale your pixel art into smooth high res images.
https://terrycavanagh.itch.io/bosca-ceoil
An easy to use tool for composing music. It has a handful of built ininstruments to let you get started quickly. Includes scale and chord guides tohelp you pick the right notes if you're new to writing music
https://donkeyspaceman.itch.io/bfxr
An advanced sound effect editor that is based on the sfxr.
https://raysan5.itch.io/rfxgen
A easy to use tool for generating sound effects. It’s based onsfxr.
https://candle.itch.io/evosfxr
A sfxr based sound editor that a mutation based procedural generation to createnew sounds.
https://seansleblanc.itch.io/gui-butler
A graphical interface to itch.io’s command line tool,butler. Makes it easy to upload your game withsupport for patching without having to use a command line.
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Oh interesting list, thank you! I would add https://tichau.itch.io/file-converter to convert all those assets into other formats if needed.
Good luck for the jam!
