The Game of Inevitable Frustration
From GineverWiki
| The Game of Inevitable Frustration | |
| |
| Information | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Medessec |
| Type | 2D Platformer |
| Platform | Microsoft Windows |
| Current Version | Build 10 |
| Full-Installation Size | ~7 MB (stand-alone executable) |
| Written in | GML |
| License | Medessec License |
The Game of Inevitable Frustration, or "GIF", is a 2D platformer jointly developed by Medessec Software Development and RJD Software Development, and published by the Ginever Alliance in late 2009/early 2010. It is currently in final release for free download, and is a stand alone executable about 7MB in size. It is made with Game Maker and made to run on Windows XP and newer computers.
The music used in the game is a synthesization of the Definitive Edit version of "Move on Baby" by Cappella. The instruments used are from WinGroove.
Contents |
Gameplay
The player is presented with a Main Menu upon starting the game, which, compared to the other Medessec Software Development games, provides significantly more advanced options and controls.
Interface
Pressing Enter starts a new game from Level 1, and C continues the previous game from the beginning of the last level that was not completed. L can select any level between the first and the last unfinished level, and the music can be turned on and off using the M key. In the game, the player is seen as a red square with a face on it.
Playing
The player must move to the right, and jump and avoid obstacles to get to the end as fast as possible, for the amount of time the player takes to get to the end is recorded as well, presenting a sort of goal system, for the player or other players can attempt to beat their times later, and set good best times. As the player progresses through the game, elements are introduced and instantly implemented to make the player's journey to the goal significantly harder. These elements include "hotblocks", "madblocks", and what is referred to as "the abyss", which is the area below the screen that if the player falls down into, the player must restart the level. Dying in a level, either by touching a hotblock or falling into the abyss does not affect the timer. If you restart after dying, the timer will continue to count just as it did after you died. The timer doesn't restart, and it doesn't stop and record the time until you've touched the goal. The counter records time to the 1000th of a second, and if you've beaten a previous time or set a time(beating a level that hasn't been beat), it informs you. There are 15 levels in the game.
Development
Early Stages
When the game began development, it was built on the same 2D platformer physics engine as MedShaft. It was built on the principle of classic 2D platformers such as Megaman and Super Mario, where the player moves to the right and has to get past many challenging perils and treacherous obstacles. It was also made to be satirical towards those games in the fact that they can be outrageously frustrating, and was given the name "The Game of Inevitable Frustration", often shortened to "The Frustration Game" or "GIF". Build 1 featured 5 levels and instantly received encouragement. Another 5 levels were introduced in Build 2, as was the main menu. Tinytimrob also decided to assist in the making of this game and ended up giving the game a makeover, by introducing new sprites for all the game's elements and resynthesizing the music. The timer feature was also added by Tinytimrob. Build 5 was then introduced, with all 15 levels fully working and tested.
Beta/Final Stages of V1
Build 6 was then released to fix a few issues with some levels and improve the game's main menu. Build 6B was compiled to work with a USB Game Controller to let some of Medessec's friends experience the game with more proper ergonomics. Build 7 finalized most of the game's features, and Build 8 fixed most of the game's bugs, giving the game a much more complete look, as well as adding a few new graphical effects. Build 10 is the final release, available either through the Medessec Travelcade Download or download through Ginever.net's download center.
Version 2(GIF2)
Currently in the planning stages is a GIF2, or Game of Inevitable Frustration 2. This version is planned to feature far more elements than the current GIF release, such as differently themed zones each containing up to 7-10 levels, as well as a sprint mode where you must progress through a level that goes on forever, with the object of surviving as long as possible. The game will probably be based on the same physics engine but will undergo a few modifications to make the game more fast-paced.
Spoofs
The Game of Inevitable FASTration
While on the Tour of California 2011, Tinytimrob acquired the code for Build 10, and made some minor changes to the game as a joke. The edited version was dubbed "The Game of Inevitable FASTration" and ran at double the speed of the original game. It also had a black title screen. Since this version was made as a joke, it has never been released.
Known Bugs
After completing the game, the continue option disappears, but the menu acts as if it is still there. This is a known bug which there are no plans to fix, since it is mainly a cosmetic issue.
Reception
The game has been constantly remarked as a great game with potential as a popular game amongst classic 2D platformer gamers. It has received many positive comments and is currently listed as a bonus game to be included with the Medessec Travelcade.
GIF received notable attention when it was hacked into the start-up list of a UK secondary school network in November 2011.
