How I made an Excellent Platformer

Finding Xavier is a short high precision platformer in which you are trying to find your cat, Xavier.

The techniques used in this video to create Finding Xavier are 'perfect' for this game. With this I mean that these things are exactly the way I wanted them to be. These aren't specifically guidelines on how to make a perfect platformer, as opinions per person vary. Feel free to take these tips as you'd like.

Inspired by amazing games like Celeste, Hollow Knight and Ori (and the blind forest/and the will of the wisps).

Software used:
▶ Unity - Game engine
▶ Aseprite - Art
▶ Bosca Ceoil - Background music
▶ Audacity - Sound effects

#unity #gamedev #devlog #indiedev #madewithunity #findingxavier

[GoldenEvolution]

To those who do end up getting the game on Steam, make sure to leave a positive review, as that helps out the visibility for the game a lot!!!

[angel_of_rust]

celeste and hollow knight both feel like the level design is built around the movement of your character (moreso than any other modern platformer), and i think that contributes to making a platformer great. your character's movement is effectively the game's "unit of measurement". that's probably why on hollow knight there are certain parts of levels that are just a smidge too far to reach with just your basic jump.

[WannibeManisha]

That movement looks snappy and juicy!!! Congrats and well done :D Just grabbed my copy xD Your pixel art is so amazing and that track you made sounds great!

[rgb-robloxgamingmore]

bro started out with 3 of my favorite games, I don't even need to watch to know he has good inspiration

[N_mity]

Bro I just loved the way you understand that platformer games need "perfect" controls for making it fun

[iamsecrets]

Would love to see a in-depth dive into how you made the character controller. Getting movement feeling right is make a break for this genre.
Looks great btw the FX at the end really tied it all together

[fennecfugames]

This looks great, I really love the additions you added to the platforming behaviour 😁 Will be checking this out on Steam 💜

[hackticdev]

This looks really good! The art of it and the overall feel really reminds me of celeste. Definitely gonna be picking this one up!

[narumeia]

Thanks for the tips! I bought the game to support your work. Looking forward to more inspiring and educational content!

[studychibi]

I just started making my game project for study last night and I love this conversation because this helped me make strategies and it allowed me to organize my thoughts through out the process. I am so interested in pushing stuff forward and it felt crazy fun to build such things all over. Thank you so much!

[Skeffles]

Looks fantastic! I love that witch house.

[commentarytalk]

Your theme is really good imho: It's got those "smarty-fruitie-tootie" gummy-drop, sugar-bomb sweetie vibes !

The main character having a more unique outline would be a nice touch - possibly a little Witch's peaked-hat bobbling along her head somehow slanted to one side or even just a small touch as per Anya in Spy x Family?

Mario has it all:

* Physics of movement
* Character design
* Environment and obstacles including fun goons

I think Celeste is note-worthy because it takes basic physics of gravity up-down then adds core air-dash and wall-bounce so you now have left-right and diagonal to the mix.

Grappling-hooks, magnetic boots etc are all other contraptions for adding different dynamics to the physics of gravity.

[kanolem]

I just bought your game, and oh boy. It's fun, it gave me emotions(rage). Very challenging. I love this style of your game. 10/10 beautiful

[sandydarkfall]

I am currently in Indie game design school and I found this very interesting! Of course, I got the game and hopefully will be able to play it soon and give it the good review it deserves! Well done! ♥

[qadrianqe]

That was so fabulous and amazing. WELL FREAKING DONE!

[theintroverse]

Hey man, great stuff you're doing! I saw to the end of the video, and was like, YO! He actually posted the game! I Instantaneously bought it because I could tell you put in a lot of hard work and dedication into it, and I have played Celeste so I was fascinated by how the game would be. As I saw in the video the movement and soundtrack honestly sounds incredible. This a comment before I actually go ahead and play the game, but so glad this came on my youtube recommended. Congrats!

[SecondsGuess]

Definitely an excellent platformer! The art and the animations are top notch quality, and I love the art style and vibes of the game. Fantastic work with the level design too!

[JuhoSprite]

The game turned out so good. I loved the movement a ton, would love to see another platformer from you, maybe something more like mario this time

[GhostbitStudios]

Fantastic job! Will be checking out when I got time

[wellhellotherekyle]

Your game looks great! Love the lighting effects. I'll have to try it this weekend :)