{"id":976,"date":"2022-04-30T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-30T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/genxtralife.com\/heropath\/?p=976"},"modified":"2025-09-12T23:36:13","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T04:36:13","slug":"dodge-the-duck-dragons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heropath.com\/blog\/dodge-the-duck-dragons\/","title":{"rendered":"Heropath Dev Log #2 – Dodge the Duck-Dragons"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I’m pleased to release a new alpha version of Heropath, the first using Godot<\/a>. I found working with Godot to be enjoyable but found Godot’s written tutorial lacking in steps. So I turned to GDQuest’s video tutorial<\/a> which helped allot. Godot has many benefits with built-in collision detection, physics, animation, editor, and more. I see the immense value of using a game engine to develop Heropath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GDQuest’s code provided five critical mechanics: 1) Draws an arena for the player to move in, 2) Move the player\u2019s character around, 3) Monsters enter from the side and cross the arena trying to eat the player, 4) The player must avoid being touched with collision detection being implemented, 5) A basic HUD with intro and scorekeeping. Below you can see a screen shot of Godot’s 2D game, Dodge the Creeps.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Dodge the Creeps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

After building the Dodge the Creeps game, I changed the characters and music. This is pretty easy to do but it allowed me to get to know the Godot engine better and make it more of my own project. The graphics come from an outstanding homage\/update to Atari 2600 Adventure<\/a> which is a great inspiration for Heropath. I really love its monochromatic, painted look.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Heropath Dodge the Duck Dragons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The above screenshot is for Heropath alpha version 0.0.0.8 titled ‘Dodge the Duck-Dragons’! This alpha demo is an exceedingly simple arcade game with a fantasy theme. You can play Heropath version 0.0.0.8 with a web browser, keyboard, and mouse here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/heropath.com\/demo\/alpha-v0.0.0.8\/heropath.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instructions: You control Sir Bloc with the keyboard WASD keys. You must avoid the Duck-Dragons to get high score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, what exactly is a Duck-Dragon? When Warren Robinette drew his original dragons for Adventure<\/a> they did look like ducks. In a way it fits since birds are related to reptiles\/dragons.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The dreaded Atari Adventure (duck) Dragon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Version 0.0.0.8 currently has the following features:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Load arena
\u2013 Load character
\u2013 Load monsters
\u2013 Logic for character movement
\u2013 Logic for monster entrance and movement
\u2013 Logic for monster-player collision
\u2013 Updated graphics
\u2013 Updated music \/ sound
\u2013 Updated basic HUD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With this version I’ve moved along from a very simple puzzle game<\/a> to a very simple arcade game. This is fitting since Atari’s Adventure<\/a> combined both arcade action along with item\/map puzzle play, being the first ever action-adventure game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some Godot observations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n