WARNING: The following is more a journal entry than a game design post. You've been warned!

I've uploaded the first version of Raptor Run, my submission for the "My First Game Jam" jam. Let's call it version 0.8, I guess? I really thought I'd be further along by this point with the game, maybe even done with it, but unforeseen circumstances have cropped up at every corner to delay me working on this!

I wanted to join this game jam because I'd have 2 weeks to build something, which sounded like a lot at the time. Also, I haven't been involved with a game jam before and since this was called "My Fist Game Jam" it seemed like the best place to start. However, the last couple weeks have ended up being so busy that I'm just scraping by to get this done in time for the deadline.

And before you ask, yes, I am working completely alone on this one. There is no safety net on this one... AHHHHhhhhhh!

So, the day before the game jam started (June 254th), our air conditioning went out. This was bad because we were heading into a really hot weekend. That day wasn't so bad, but the following 3 days were sweltering. I spent a ton of time researching and getting quotes for a new air conditioner. The majority of these places said that they couldn't get to our house until mid July at the earliest. Considering I hadn't started on my game for the game jam at this point because it was so hot (and I felt guilty that my wife and son couldn't sleep as well because of this) I figured the jam would be a wash for me.

Luckily, a friend put me in contact with a smaller mom and pop shop that wasn't getting as much business and they were able to work us in a couple days from when they gave us a quote. WHHHEEWWW!

With the air conditioning back on, I was able to start my game!

However, it was already Thursday (July 1st)  and I had to prepare the house and gifts for my wifes birthday the next day! And beleive it or not, I had Jury Duty on that same day.

On that Friday, not only was I picked to be on the jury, but they also informed us that the case hearings would take place for several days of the following week (as of posting this, I'm starting the first of those day).

Not to mention, this same Friday, I drove from the courthouse straight to my friends house for my wifes birthday party and the weekend was filled with not only birthday fun but also 4th of July stuff as well!.

So how did I get this game to version 0.8 at this point when it sounds like I didn't have any time at all!?!?

In the few hours I had to build the game, I knew it wasn't going to be anywhere near done unless I did something drastic. Luckily I have some vacation days at work, so I took one and decided to spend most of today working on this. There is still a lot I'd like to do, so we'll see what makes it in by Friday -- I sure as hell hope that nothing else creeps up into my schedule or I might go nuts...

See you in court!