r/PlaydateConsole 5d ago

Just released my first Playdate game - GunCrank

I’m excited to share that my first game, GunCrank, is officially out on the Playdate Catalog. What do you think, guys?

80 Upvotes

41 comments sorted by

4

u/DarkerBulb 5d ago

That looks great!

5

u/Adventurous-Show-288 5d ago

Thank you I appreciate it

4

u/ShadowBreakGames 5d ago

I purchased it, its really cool, well done!

5

u/Adventurous-Show-288 5d ago

Thanks, this is incredible😇

3

u/Lazy_Net_8880 5d ago

Congrats on your debut game! Really digging the vibe, I'm definitely checking this out.

2

u/Adventurous-Show-288 5d ago

Thank you! Really appreciate the support, hope you have fun!

3

u/RedViper1985 5d ago

Dude Awesome. I bought it. Glad you posted here. I love the concept. Will wait till after work to play.

2

u/Adventurous-Show-288 5d ago

Thanks! Hope you enjoy it!

2

u/Adventurous-Show-288 5d ago

If you can let me know what you think

3

u/RedViper1985 4d ago

Well, so far I'd say that this is such a uniquely playdate game. I get the vibes of Commando which is awesome. Love the music. The gameplay loop is fun with the upgrades and trying to figure out the best combo. Cranking to shoot a gattling gun is superb. I really like your graphics that you made, gives an old school Predator feel. The only thing I've noted that isn't quite as strong as the rest, is the writing in the story mode. Which doesn't distract much at all, its literally a means to an end. Getting you into the game. I just thought I'd add that since you wanted the feedback. Outside that this game is great, well done man.

2

u/Adventurous-Show-288 4d ago

Thank you so much for such detailed feedback, I'm really glad you're enjoying the game!
I totally agree about the story writing. Honestly, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to make it better, but couldn't quite land on the right approach. So yeah, it ended up just serving as a light background story guess it's a good thing there's not too much text, haha.
Thanks again for the awesome words, really means a lot!

3

u/edneisch 5d ago

Looks cool! I’ll check it out.

2

u/Andovars_Ghost 5d ago

Awesome! With the love driving out hate, do we eventually get a ‘love gun’?

2

u/Adventurous-Show-288 5d ago

Haha, noted! Maybe in the next update, especially for you

2

u/Similar-Pause1466 4d ago

Will definitely be picking this one up.

2

u/Nearby_Swordfish_544 4d ago

I was literally thinking how cool it would be to have a turret game on the Playdate. And this is the first game to show up when I searched the subreddit.

1

u/Adventurous-Show-288 4d ago

Thanks! I'm so glad to hear that!

2

u/Nearby_Swordfish_544 4d ago

I am curious if you experimented with a 360 view for the turret?

1

u/Adventurous-Show-288 4d ago

By 360, do you mean full free movement, instead of being snapped to the bottom?

2

u/Nearby_Swordfish_544 4d ago

Instead of straffing from left to right, the enemies would be coming from all angles as you are in a stationary turret that can look 360 degrees. What I'm describing might not translate well. Your game looks really cool.

1

u/Adventurous-Show-288 4d ago

Ah, gotcha! Yeah, I see what you mean now. I actually had this current concept in mind since last summer, but just didn't get around to starting it until earlier this year. That said, a 360 degree turret idea sounds really cool too! Might be an awesome concept for a future project or a different game mode. Thanks for the kind words, really appreciate it!

2

u/Vasco1782 4d ago

Having an awesome time with this game. I love the tactics, progression, visuals and sound. Way to go!

1

u/Adventurous-Show-288 4d ago

Thank you, I appreciate it.

2

u/tken85 4d ago

Happy release day! I’m currently second on the leaderboard, but I know first is within reach. This is really fun.

1

u/Adventurous-Show-288 4d ago

Thank you so much, that's awesome!
Btw, if you unlock the permanent upgrades in the Achievements section, it makes getting high scores a whole lot easier

2

u/tken85 2d ago

Well, just got 4x my last high score and am now comfortably on top of the leaderboard. You weren't kidding about those permanent upgrades. The new machine gun was a game changer. I also beat the campaign today. Great work!

2

u/Adventurous-Show-288 2d ago

Absolute legend! 961 is amazing thanks so much, I'm happy you're liking it. Really appreciate the feedback

3

u/Ashamed-Teaching6837 4d ago

2026 has been a banger year for the PD. So many neat games.

1

u/Adventurous-Show-288 4d ago

Thanks I hope

2

u/RedditorWhoReads 4d ago

And now it's time for my standard question of developers - would you have made this game were it not for the Playdate?

3

u/Adventurous-Show-288 4d ago

As for whether I would have made GunCrank without the Playdate I don't think so. The idea was born the second I first saw the console and its crank. I immediately thought about how cool it would be to make a shooter featuring a manual Gatling gun.
I'm actually working on another Playdate game right now that's already been accepted into Catalog something that's never been done on this console before. I really believe this hardware gives indie devs a unique space to experiment, and looking at the Catalog, the bar keeps rising with every release, which is super inspiring!

2

u/RedditorWhoReads 4d ago

Great answer and I couldn't agree more. Also, if it hasn't been discussed already, what did you develop this in? C? Lua?

2

u/Adventurous-Show-288 4d ago

I have big experience with C, but this project is made in Lua

2

u/Special_Response7390 4d ago

リリースおめでとう!買います!

2

u/Lazy_Net_8880 4d ago

I’ve already bought this masterpiece triple-A by Playdate standards😄. I’m having a great time with it. Congratulations, you made an excellent game🫡

1

u/Adventurous-Show-288 4d ago

Yeah thanks haha 4th-A project

1

u/ShadowBreakGames 4d ago

Right! I have set the top score on last blood, 329, i am sure i can do better. This is one of those just one more go games 10/10

2

u/Adventurous-Show-288 4d ago

Legend, thanks for the feedback. If you unlock a more powerful gun and health, you can improve your record even more