XenoSlash Project

April 18, 2024 - 3 min read

Hello folks! I apologize for the radio silence lately. My development schedule has been packed as I've been deep in the trenches working on a game prototype.

A Survival Roguelite

XenoSlash (working title) is crafted with influences from epic sci-fi universes, featuring dynamic, procedurally generated gameplay and intricate weapon mechanics. In this survival roguelite, you will face relentless hordes of aliens while managing limited resources to ensure survival in the vast and harsh space environment.

Game Engine

I chose to utilize Godot 4 an open-source game engine renowned for its capabilities in crafting 2D top down games. Previously, I had experimented with the Unity Game Engine, which, while professional, proved too cumbersome for the nimble needs of a compact 2D project.

ECS Architecture

In the development of the game, I utilize an ECS (Entity-Component-System) architecture, renowned for its efficiency in game design.

• Entity: Represents any game object, such as a player, door, camera or bullet.
• Component: Denotes data or behavior attached to entities, like HealthComponent or MovementComponent.
• System: Operates on entities possessing specific components, updating them as needed, such as HealthSystem or MovementSystem.

In ECS (Entity-Component-System) architecture, the focus is on composition over inheritance, which simplifies interactions between diverse game objects. For instance, both a door and a monster might need to handle damage in exactly the same way. By attaching a HurtboxComponent to any entity, ECS allows for uniform handling of such behaviors across different object types, regardless of the entity's nature.

This uniformity is managed through systems like HurtboxSystem that detect interactions (e.g., a bullet entering a hurtbox) and HealthSystem that processes the outcomes like damage. The significant advantage here is the reuse of the same code across various entities like doors, monsters, etc. without worrying about the entity's specific type. This not only streamlines the development process but also enhances maintainability and scalability by eliminating the need for complex inheritance hierarchies, code duplication or type checking.

Release Date

XenoSlash does not yet have an official release date as the prototype phase has just commenced. However, there is hope to launch an open beta at the end of the year. This upcoming phase will allow for crucial feedback from players, aiding in the fine-tuning of gameplay mechanics to enhance the overall experience. Updates on the development process and how to participate in the beta will be provided as they become available.

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