Specter Spelunker Shrinks by Ken Grafals

Wanna grow so big you can jump to the moon? Just hold the Up button to grow! Too big to fit in a pipe? Hold Down to shrink! Specter Spelunker Shrinks is about a platforming hero who will jump, grow, shrink, and whatever else it takes to make it back to his home on the moon.

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Ken Grafals, a software developer working on voice user interface applications for a company called Interactions who enjoys game development as a hobby, is the creator of this web game.

 

What can you tell us about the development of the game?

I wrote most of the code over two long weekends by holing myself up in my apartment. After having people play test it, I polished it for another two weeks in my free time.

 

What is the most important thing you learned when making this game?

A well executed novel idea can thrive with little production value.

 

What advice would you tell people who are beginning with game development?

Game development is very hard and time consuming. But it’s also extremely fulfilling. Being a strong engineer by studying computer science and learning best practices goes a long way. Lots of practice also helps. If you’re patient and willing, you’ll make it.

Games are in their infancy. The medium is mostly uncharted waters. Many game makers settle on delivering simple violent experiences when we could instead be working on making games that change the world or making games that take us places books, music, or movies can’t take us. Think outside the box.