The Project
Chris’s Crash was a 2D pinball-inspired action game based on the classic Devil’s Crush, reimagined with boss battles and side rooms. We aimed to capture the high-energy retro arcade aesthetic through pixel art, allowing for rapid interaction. The game featured bosses based on instructors at the CMU summer program, each with unique attacks and AI.
What I Did & Creative Approach
In one week, I programmed nearly everything, physics, enemies, bosses, win states, systems, and sound. My creative focus was on “game feel”, ensuring the code complimented the art. Because we choose a specific pixel art style, I spent a lot of time fine-tuning collisions and physics to feel just right and match the visuals. Additionally, I learned how to use FMOD to implement audio and as this was my first time working with a dedicated artist; this collaboration taught me how to adapt my code and work style to support the rapid integration of new art assets.
What I Learned
This project taught me the value of rapid iteration and working with talented artists who could keep pace. The biggest challenge I ran into was balancing the physics and making the bosses both interesting and readable. If I revisited it, I’d add polish and tweak collision precision, but overall, I learned how fast a team can move when everyone has an aligned vision and are skilled in their trade.
Why I did this project
For this project, we were assigned to reinterpret the retro game Devil’s Crush. We loved how unique and intense it was. Our take expanded on those themes while honoring the original design. It was about innovating on the brilliant game without losing what made it special in the first place.