Fixed issues with windowed mode and resizing windows.
Various bug fixes.
System
Options screen with volume control and some window settings added to file select and pause menus.
The ability to add flags to the map has been added.
Windowed mode is now constrained to pixel perfect, 16:9 aspect ratios, with a minimum size of the game's native resolution 384 x 216.
Hotkey added to ending screen that opens the Akurra Steam page.
Item pathing system has been reworked. This should fix several small issues.
Other backend improvements.
Gameplay
Holding push now allows the player to push blocks much faster.
After dying, the room almost immediately goes back to the previous state instead of a full reset.
Undo now happens on key press instead of key release to match other inputs, and can be done much more quickly. After pressing undo, the key can be held to rapidly step through multiple undo states after a short delay.
Stone god screen: Right side green key puzzle tweaked to make the two solutions work better for their intended purposes. Casual players will have an easier time setting up the intended default solution that requires pushing the right most wood block down to be broken, while the alternative solution still allows skipping pushing the wood block down, making it a fast / easy solution but harder for new / casual players to see. It also teaches that stonies can push stone blocks.
Added stone block introductions to Stone D2 and C2.
Stone D1 updated.
The lithophone music puzzle now provides 3 stars.
All music notes are now required to complete the puzzle. Music notes count towards the item collection %.
Updated big bell to only require two boss keys.
Speedrunning tech overhaul.
Art
Background added to file select screen.
Screen transitions when loading and quitting the game added.
9 Dot puzzle clue revamped.
Tileset updates, animated tiles added.
Various Art updates.
*Note: Unfortunately due to an issue with GameMaker, this update is not immediately available for Linux. Apparently the issue is fixed internally by YoYo Games, and will be available with their next update of GameMaker.
Demo v4.0 Update Playtesting
Akurra Demo v4.0
We are playtesting a big new update for the Akurra demo on our Discord now! Hop in and help us playtest!
The update will be live on the public branch soon, alongside Mac and Linux versions!
Public Demo v4.0 Update Notes
Bugs
Fixed issues with windowed mode and resizing windows.
Various bug fixes.
System
Options screen with volume control and some window settings added to file select and pause menus.
The ability to add flags to the map has been added.
Windowed mode is now constrained to pixel perfect, 16:9 aspect ratios, with a minimum size of the game's native resolution 384 x 216.
Hotkey added to ending screen that opens the Akurra Steam page.
Item pathing system has been reworked. This should fix several small issues.
Other backend improvements.
Gameplay
Holding push now allows the player to push blocks much faster.
Undo now happens on key press instead of key release to match other inputs, and can be done much more quickly. After pressing undo, the key can be held to rapidly step through multiple undo states after a short delay.
Stone god screen: Right side green key puzzle tweaked to make the two solutions work better for their intended purposes. Casual players will have an easier time setting up the intended default solution that requires pushing the right most wood block down to be broken, while the alternative solution still allows skipping pushing the wood block down, making it a fast / easy solution but harder for new / casual players to see. It also teaches that stonies can push stone blocks.
Added stone block introductions to Stone D2 and C2.
Stone D1 updated.
The lithophone music puzzle now provides 3 stars.
All music notes are now required to complete the puzzle. Music notes count towards the item collection %.
Updated big bell to only require two boss keys.
Speedrunning tech overhaul.
Art
Background added to file select screen.
Screen transitions when loading and quitting the game added.
9 Dot puzzle clue revamped.
Tileset updates, animated tiles added.
Various Art updates.
Akurra Demo!
A new and improved demo is in the works and will be released soon!
Here is a summary of the update (Spoiler warning): System
New back end sound and music system for easier audio control and future development.
An options screen with volume controls, windowed mode, and streamer mode has been added.
Other backend improvements for ease of development.
Gameplay
Stone D2 and C2: Added introductions to the stone block.
Stone D1: The lithophone is now unlocked with a red bell.
The lithophone now provides 3 stars.
Art
The 9 Dot puzzle clue has been revamped in an attempt to reduce confusion.
Tileset updates, animated tiles have been added to the game.
Various art improvements and polish.
Akurra NextFest Live Stream!
We're live streaming Akurra starting 6/14 6pm Pacific, including some in development content for NextFest!
Live Streaming the Volcano!
I will be showing off a new island in Akurra, the volcano, which is part of the full game:
"Do you love puzzle games? Do you dabble every once in a while? Are you a puzzle novice curious to know if the genre is for you? Cerebral Puzzle Showcase was created to help you find your next favorite puzzle game!
DISCOUNTS! DEMOS! STREAMS!
Coming to Steam May 19 - 23, 2022"
The Cerebral Puzzle Showcase is quickly approaching! It is amazing to see a puzzle themed event on Steam, and we are ecstatic to announce that Akurra has been chosen to be a part of it!
Get out there and spread the word! This event is going to be a great opportunity to get people intersted in puzzle games who have no idea how fun they really are!
Development Update: Volcano Testing, Artwork, GDQ Speedrun
Best Indie Games has featured Akurra on a recent video titled "10 MORE Upcoming Action Adventure Indie Games (like Zelda) – 2022 & Beyond!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0h0nG6NnuE
Thank you for including Akurra! Do you know of any other channels and streamers that should feature Akurra? Please reach out to them and recommend our game if you do!
GDQ Speedrun Event, Steam Translations, Astra Grant, and some Fire Spirits
As a part of Games Done Quick in 2022, a wonderful member of our community, Adventium_, will be doing a 100% speedrun of the Akurra demo! The event is called Frost Fatales. It is an all-women charity speedrunning event from February 27 to March 5th. Check out the schedule, where you can find the time of Adventium_'s run (March 1st, 6:15 PST). Be sure to mark your calendars and tune in to support!!
Our Steam page has been translated into more than 10 different languages! If you are fluent in another language besides English, please check it out. Let us know if you find anything that looks funny!
Astra Grant
I applied and have been accepted for a second year of funding through the Astra Fund! That means another year of full time game development. I am extremely grateful and excited to continue taking part in this fellowship with such incredibly talented people!
*Spoilers Ahead*
Hot New Preview Below
Fire Spirits
Here's a little preview of two fire spirits from the Volcano springing into action, ready to try and stop our intrepid hero from obtaining a new item!
Ready to fry!
Puzzles featuring these spirits will not be so straight forward while they attack you! But don't worry, they only act when you do, so you are free to take your time and think it out as normal. Will you be able to defeat all the spirits to discover what they are guarding?
Akurra Chosen by IGN Japan at BitSummit!
This past weekend I attended BitSummit in Kyoto to show Akurra. The show was tons of fun and Akurra garnered a lot of attention. IGN Japan was there and had one award to give to their favorite game, and they chose Akurra!! I was absolutely stunned and I'm still reeling. This was my first time attending a game convention, and my first award. Here's hoping there are more accolades in Akurra's future!
Check out the article at IGN Japan here (In Japanese).
Check out some more photos of my table, flyers, and stickers at BitSummit here.
