"It Started With a Jump": How My Platformer Prototype Died

It Started With a Jump: How My Platformer Prototype Died

I had a vision: a desolate, windswept world, filled with ancient ruins and crumbling platforms. The player, a nimble scavenger, would navigate this landscape, uncovering secrets long lost to time. It all seemed so clear, so compelling. Then I tried to make the player jump.

And everything fell apart.

The All-Important Jump

Platformers live and die by their movement. The jump is arguably the most important aspect. I knew this going in, of course. I’d played countless platformers. Mario, Celeste, Hollow Knight – I considered myself well-versed in the art of the leap.

My initial approach was straightforward. I implemented a simple variable for jump height and another for gravity. Press the jump button, apply an upward force, and let gravity do its thing.

It worked. Sort of.

The character jumped. But it felt… floaty. Unresponsive. Unfun. I tweaked the values endlessly, chasing that elusive feeling of weight and control. Higher gravity resulted in a character that felt glued to the ground. Lower gravity made the jumping feel even worse.

The Endless Cycle of Tweaks

I fell into a trap: the trap of endless tweaking. Instead of stepping back and analyzing the fundamental problem, I was just nudging numbers, hoping for a miracle. It was like trying to fix a leaky faucet with duct tape.

The problem wasn’t just the jump height or gravity. It was the entire movement system. I’d built a foundation of sand.

I tried adding coyote time, a brief window after leaving an edge where the player can still jump. It helped a little, but it felt like a band-aid. I added variable jump height, allowing players to jump higher by holding the button. Again, marginal improvements.

Each change introduced new problems. Coyote time, while forgiving, felt unnatural. Variable jump height made the controls feel inconsistent. My initial design was a mess of conflicting mechanics.

A Critical Realization

Eventually, I realized I was focusing on the wrong things. I was so caught up in replicating specific platformer mechanics that I forgot what made them work. I needed to deconstruct the jump itself.

What feeling was I trying to evoke? What kind of movement did I want the player to experience?

I wanted the player to feel powerful but controlled. To feel like they were mastering a challenging environment. My floaty jump was failing on all counts.

Alternative Solutions Explored

I started experimenting with different approaches. One idea was to use a fixed jump height but manipulate the character’s horizontal velocity during the jump. This would allow for more precise control over the jump arc.

Another approach was to implement a “ground pound” mechanic, giving the player an additional way to control their descent. This could add a sense of weight and impact to the movement.

Ultimately, I realized that I needed to completely rethink the way the character interacted with the environment. The jump was just a symptom of a larger problem.

Identifying Core Mechanic Issues Early

How can you avoid this fate? How can you identify these “core mechanic” problems before sinking weeks into a flawed design?

First, prototype early and often. Don’t get bogged down in art or story until you have a solid movement foundation. Get the basic movement working, and then test it rigorously.

Second, focus on feel. Don’t just aim for functionality. Close your eyes and imagine the movement you want to create. Does the prototype match that vision? If not, identify why.

Third, analyze your references. Don’t just play your favorite platformers; dissect them. Pay attention to how the characters move, how they jump, how they interact with the environment. Try to understand the why behind each design choice.

Fourth, don’t be afraid to scrap it. If a mechanic isn’t working, don’t force it. Sometimes the best thing you can do is start over with a fresh perspective. This is difficult, I know. We become emotionally invested in our creations. But sunk cost fallacy is real.

What I Would Do Differently

Looking back, I would have approached the jump mechanic with a more analytical mindset. Instead of immediately jumping into implementation, I would have spent more time researching different platformer movement systems. I would have experimented with different prototypes, focusing on specific aspects of the jump, such as jump arc, air control, and landing feel.

I also would have gotten more feedback from other developers and players. Fresh eyes can often spot problems that you’re too close to see. Don’t be afraid to show your work early and often.

The Takeaway

My platformer prototype died because of a bad jump. But it taught me a valuable lesson about the importance of focusing on core mechanics and being willing to iterate. A solid foundation is essential for any game, and the jump is the foundation of many platformers.

Don’t underestimate the jump. Treat it with the respect it deserves. Your game will thank you for it. Learn from my mistakes, prototype aggressively, and don’t be afraid to kill your darlings. The road to a great platformer is paved with discarded jumps.