Overview
Event Horizon combines the space shooter and shoot 'em up genres, featuring ships composed of various parts that can be destroyed individually when under attack.
The game core loop is a combination of playing a level, then returning to base to make necessary upgrades.
The game core loop is a combination of playing a level, then returning to base to make necessary upgrades.
It was initially released in early 2022, and was updated every few months since then. The updates have been halted after the buyout happened last August 2023.
Development Process
The project started in August 2021 with a planned release in January 2022. It utilized Unity as the main engine with C# and Visual Studio.
Initially, due to limited knowledge of Scriptable Objects and Unity back-end services, I used JSON for storing crucial game data like "ship" and level information.
Some visual and auditory assets, including sprites, sounds, and music, were purchased from the Unity Asset Store. Some marketing materials were edited with Photoshop. While this allowed me to concentrate on coding, it proved costly, presenting a challenge as I was just beginning my official game development career.
Challenges and Key Learnings
I underestimated the significance of choosing the right publisher when I sold this game, perhaps due to a broader oversight of the game industry landscape. While I crafted this game with immense passion, recognizing its marketing potential, I overlooked the importance of carefully selecting a publisher. Initially, I believed that the game industry was universally progressing in a unified direction, and the choice of a publisher held less significance. However, I've come to realize that not all publishers contribute equally to the growth of a game.
In retrospect, I've learned the importance of aligning not only with the right market but also with a publisher who shares a vision for the game's growth. This experience has shaped my understanding of the industry dynamics and the strategic considerations necessary for successful collaboration.