City Dev Logs

Work on this project officially began on 8/10/2025.

Welcome to the Dev Logs for the indie game City by Liquid-Sunshine (that's me)! Here, I keep track of all the progress I've made on the project since I got started as well as all the work that needs to get done! Feel free to check in daily - you might even get to see some sneak peeks or concept art!

August 10th, 2025

• Officially started the project!
• Made the placeholder "enter" page and this page
• Drew the COIN

August 11th, 2025

• Research... :(
• Some concept art and placeholder art
• Built the Central Plaza
• Implemented dialogue system
• Implemented inventory system

TO-DO

Phase 1 - Foundation

When making a game, basic coding always comes first!

1. Design the Central Plaza HTML/CSS layout using placeholder art
2. Image maps or div hotspots for the five buildings and the fountain
3. Implement basic page transitions
4. Create inventory system (including COIN item)
5. Set up localStorage for saving game state
6. Code NPC dialogue boxes using temp text
7. Code the Buildings (for each building, there are at least three scenes: In Front of the Building, Inside the Building, and Exploring Further (which is likely to be a set of many scenes). Exploring Further scenes will not be implemented at this stage.)

Phase 2 - Gameplay

Now we that we have something relatively playable, it's time to make it feel like an actual game!

1. Write dialogue and events (including inventory item conditions)
2. Conditions for sequence of events, including final event (all with placeholder images/text)
3. Swap placeholder text and add more Exploring Further events where necessary
4. Link certain events to inventory changes (including final event)
5. Style UI, custom cursors, inventory menu styling, and other details
6. Easter eggs and secrets!

Phase 3 - Art and Audio

Art is always the last step in game development, for me. This is what gives the game it's unique feel!

1. Central Plaza final art
2. Adjust image mapping for Central Plaza
3. Final art for each buildings' In Front of the Building and Inside the Building (including adjusting image mapping)
4. Create and implement sound effects
5. Create and implement ambient plaza music, tracks for each building, and unique songs for certain events

Phase 4 - Release Prep

Now that the game is "done," it's time for playtesting and bug fixes!

1. Developer playtest
2. Blind playtesters
3. Fix anything the playtesters found that needs repair (bugs, confusing story elements, etc.)
4. Explort HTML/JS for itch.io and prep for Steam
5. Pick a release date
6. Make and release a trailer
7. Marketing leading up to release
8. Release!!!

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