Little Einar
Update 1.0.2 - In-game Guidance
This release contains an in-game explanation of the controls on the main menu.
If you are using motion controls, you should see an overlay on the controllers. If you're using a game pad, there's a decal on the wall beside Little Einar.
Additionally, based on player feedback, an automatic vertical movement mechanic has been set up. You can override it manually with the controls, but when you let go of the thumb-stick, the view snaps back.
The full version and demo version of the game have both been updated.
As always, let us know what you think.
Demo Release
Last night we pushed the demo of Little Einar so you can try before you buy.
The demo contains the first two levels of the game to give you a taste of what it's all about.
We hope you enjoy it and please provide any feedback in the discussions.
Update 1.0.1 - Bug Fixes and tweaks
A few tweaks to the jump mechanic have been made to give the player more control while in the air and to make the jumping feel more intuitive. Let us know what you think. Mechanics will be fine tuned as needed.
The "under water/lava/slime" chromatic effects have been disabled.
Lastly, when the player is greeted with the Game Over screen, they no longer have to endure the splash screens and instead are sent directly to the main menu.
In play testing, we noticed a new bug where the player physics goes wonky when Little Einar dies. This is due to the fix in the jump mechanics and will be patched tomorrow. It does not effect game play. Let us know if you find any thing else!
Thanks again!
Edit: Hot fix published. Fixed moving platforms in level 5.
Early Access Release!
Here it is, the first Early Access release of Little Einar!
This release comes with seven levels with the last three of the chapter to fast follow. The intention is to incorporate feedback into the last few levels and go through an optimization pass before moving into chapter 2, chapter 3 and eventually full release.
While developing Little Einar, we wanted to rekindle the old school feeling of retro video games without creating a retro game. The classic experience of a side-scrolling platformer is revitalized in VR. We hope you enjoy it and we look forward to your feedback to make Little Einar better.
In the future, we hope to support the Oculus Rift as well.
Controls: (tutorials/guidance will be implemented in the game shortly)
Little Einar supports both motion controllers and gamepad but is best played with gamepad.
Menu Start - motion controller right top button/gamepad controller start button
Menu Select - motion controller left top button/gamepad controller select button
Move Little Einar - motion controller left track pad/gamepad left thumbstick
Move player up and down - motion controller right track pad/gamepad right thumbstick
Jump - motion controller right trigger/gamepad bottom button (A)
Hammer (if equiped) - motion controller left trigger/gamepad right button (X)
*Invert - motion controller left top button/gamepad top button (Y)
*Invert: depending on player position in the game world relative to Little Einar, it may be beneficial to invert the left and right movement controls. In future updates in game guidance will be available.
Enjoy.
Update Screenshots
Getting close to Early Access
We are intending to push the game to early access with the first ten levels and release further levels incrementally while we consider feedback the community will send our way.
Originally, we weren't going to do early access because we wanted a full experience. However, after some thought, going in early access isn't so bad. We can produce the game and implement feedback we wouldn't otherwise be able to receive during the main development cycle.
Anyways, we are working close to release and refining our development. Out of the 10 levels, we've got 7 complete. We think you'll like them. Stay tuned for some pictures. hope to have something for you early Q1 2018, but will release sooner if we can manage it.
-Mike
PS, I'm going to commit to posting updates more often.
The Road to 30.
This is my first update for Little Einar. Hopefully it will also be informative.
All the main pieces of the the game are assembled. Now, the main focus is on level development. This weekend, level 3 was completed. The rate of completion on the levels sort of remind me of my grind to 60 in vanilla World of Warcraft except it's more fun.
Level design takes time to get right. Typically the levels are created extremely difficult. The game isn't supposed to hold your hand after all, but then it's dialed back and the fun factor increases. Challenges can be completed by mere mortals, and we can all get that feeling of satisfaction from clearing a tough level. This is how we balance. We make a level that wants to murder you, then we reform it.
As time goes on, focus on getting game play elements right or squashing bugs steps out of the limelight and creativity has room to breathe. As the levels go up, so to does the quality.
Thank you for your interest in Little Einar. When you get your hands on it, we hope you enjoy it.
Ki-Largo.