js13K Day 4 - Curve Editor

 I've been doing a bit of work on the js13k mage dueling game.

I've got a paper prototype and am working on some formal rules for the game, still in progress but looks like it could be fun.

On the code side I still haven't started any actual tight game code but I have built a very simple svg editor which I needed to trace predictable svg from my art work samples. You can see this editor here https://elementalsystems.github.io/MageDuel/day3/svgedit/ which displays a SVG path (d attribute) in a edit box and draws the curve on the demo below. You can position the red circle on a point by clicking on the text representation of it. Clikcing on the diagram moves this point. 

I build this little toy because have a very specific requirement for my avatar paths - that each path has exactly the same number of points as any other which represent similar parts of the curve. Using this feature I can interpolate between two curves very efficiently and smoothly (and without byte costs).

This https://elementalsystems.github.io/MageDuel/day3/svgedit/test is a sample of this technology working in practice. Additionally there are two cool features I'm working on here: the 'paper' background is generated with svg filters and a noise function; and the fuzzyness of the lines supposed to look like chalk or charcoal which is generated using a displacement filter. I'm not really happy with either but I'm beginning to understand how to do what I want with filter effects.

JS13K 2020 Day 1

 It's that time of year again and in a few days the js13kgames competition will begin. (js13kgames: a contest to write a game in <13kb in 30 days that runs in a browser).

I have decided to complete an entry despite various time pressures mostly because I have taken part every year for the last 5 years and in this difficult covid time I should be part of the global fun. 

I have (as always) ambitious goals:
* I plan to enter into the desktop, mobile and server categories of the contest with a game that  will adapt to available interface and graphics effects. I've never written a multiplayer networked game before or entered the server side of the contest.
* I would also like the ability to play solo vs an AI; against another human player online (using the js13k sandbox server side); or against another human on one device (pass and play).
* Use a hand drawn look with super smooth animations. I really enjoyed using SVG last year and I want to take it out for a broader artistic spin.
* Include sounds! I never make good sounds in my entries - this year!

At the moment I'm not really sure what I will make but I'm very inspired by Onitama's card system and am considering a deck based combat duel of some sort.

The contest theme for this year is '404' which is a bit difficult for me but I'll find a way to fit it or just ignore it.