Prometheus Dawn

Using a controller is highly recommended.

TL;DR

Prometheus Dawn is a physics based precision puzzle platformer. It features a wonderful story written by Joe Penick and was visually brought to life by Jonah Warberg.

What is Prometheus Dawn?

In Prometheus Dawn you must make your way through each chamber using your wit, skill, and perseverance. As you progress through the game new abilities will be unlocked... and some abilities will change. You play as the esteemed Erica Bailey, a hero seeking to save the world from destruction. 

Erica dons a suit that has the ability to handle the perils of each chamber. Beat a level by attaining the Prometheus Element and then returning to the start. Beware! Acquiring the Prometheus Element can have significant impacts on the chamber and your suit! Once the Prometheus Element is attained, the world may flip upside down or mirror itself! Furthermore, the Prometheus Element may change the properties of your suit. For example it could give you the ability to dash... or take it away. It may also give you the ability to swing across the gravity shifting effects of the nova nodes... or may repel you from them. Stay vigilant, the world is depending on you.

Controls?

Using a controller is highly recommended.

The game allows for both keyboard and controller inputs. However, many aspects of this game require precise and well timed jumps and I found the experience to be much more enjoyable with a gamepad instead of using the good ol' fashioned keyboard.

All control schemes are active at all times!

This means that you can mix and match the inputs to your liking. For example you could use WASD to move but also use J,K, and L for your abilities and jumping. Or you could have one hand on the gamepad and another hand on the keyboard. Whatever feels best for you!

Keyboard:

Control Scheme 1:

Move: WASD

Jump: Space

Dash: Left Shift

Nova Nodes: Left Alt

Control Scheme 2:

Move: Arrow Keys

Jump: J

Dash: K

Nova Nodes: L

Controller {recommended} :

Xbox:

Move: Left Joystick

Jump: A or B

Dash: X or Y

Nova Nodes: LB or RB

Playstation:

Move: Left Joystick

Jump: X or Square

Dash: Circle or Triangle

Nova Nodes: L1 or R1

Using a controller is highly recommended.

Credits and Extra Details:

Who Made This?

Lead Design and Programming:  Kyden Wilson

Lead Visual Design:  Jonah Warberg

Lead Writer:  Joe Penick

Game Jam Details?

This game was made from the ground up for the 2023 GMTK Game Jam. It was made from "scratch" in 48 hours. Every element of the game was created for and inspired by the prompt "Roles Reversed." Every pixel of art, line of code, and letter in the story was produced for and during the jam.

Story

[Slight Spoiler Warning!]

The story was beautifully written and edited by Joe Penick in the 48 hour time period of the jam. If you follow along with the cut-scenes and pay attention to the details and motivations of the characters, you can clearly see how it aligns and follows the prompt.

[End Spoiler Warning]

Art

The art was masterfully drafted and polished in the short two day time period of the GMTK Game Jam by Jonah Warberg. Being inspired by both the game jam prompt (Roles Reversed) and the story, Jonah visualized the main suit worn by the protagonist as an egg shape. This subtly hints at certain story elements while also subverting a viewers preconceptions. One might not expect an egg to handle the perils of the demanding task of acquiring the Prometheus Element from the great forge of the chambers. 

Gameplay

Game design decisions were conceived and refined in the 48 hour period of the game jam. They were inspired by the prompt "Roles Reversed." The game is a platformer and features multiple levels (chambers) that one must navigate from start to finish. However, the roles are reversed when the player must now navigate back from finish to start. Furthermore the roles of gravity are occasionally reversed or rotated. The roles of your abilities may also be reversed or changed in the game. Nova Nodes may begin pushing you away as opposed to pulling you in. Your dash ability may be granted or taken away. The chamber might be flipped or mirrored. Pay attention to the text on the left side of the screen. The text informs the player of the state of the chamber, suit ability, and nova node status. It also details how these things will change when the Prometheus Element is acquired and the chamber shifts.

Programming/Coding

The game was developed using Unity and coded in C#. I utilized Unity's preexisting physics engine along with Unity's input manager and MonoBehavior Entity-Component system. However, other than that, every single line of code was written in the 48 hour time period of the jam. It was created from an empty project and every feature was conceived and coded specifically for this game jam. No preexisting code was copy-pasted or imported into the project. However, I of course referenced a few forums during times of need.  :p

Final Regards

This game was made with the passion and vigor of myself (Kyden Wilson) and my wonderful colleagues (Jonah Warberg and Joe Penick). We had a wonderful time creating this game and put forth as much effort as we could to do this game jam justice. We all sincerely hope that you enjoy your time playing and are gracious to all players who check out our game. 

Please leave a comment. Feedback is appreciated. 

Please be specific and as detailed in possible with whatever criticism or adulation you may have. 

Enjoy!