by I first started doing ninja shukuchi as a fun hobby, just to do something and pass the time. I was working as a freelance sports trader but COVID came along and there were no sports to trade so to keep myself busy I decided to see if I could do a little game. It was always something thing I wanted to do, but never had the time or the money to do it – add to that the fact that I can’t draw, I can’t compose music and I can’t code to save my life, I knew it would be a challenge.
One day I remembered Construct 2, a game creation software that I had looked at many years ago, and it seemed like the perfect starting point to look at because I remember it was more of a visual styling/drag and drop engine. Obviously C2 had become obsolete years before, but C3 replaced it. I found a few patterns and started to learn how the engine worked. I then found the perfect model, a small physics-based throwable object that immediately called “crazy ninja game”!
After about three months of tinkering, adding the abilities that are now in the game, while improving the look of the graphics with predefined game assets, etc., I had about 15 levels completed, but no real goals for the game, the sport was back on, so I stopped development.
Again, another confinement, the sport was not like before, so I reopened C3. I decided to do a real character design (remember, I said I couldn’t draw or use graphics software at the time), so I paid a designer to do some simple mockups. After that, it made me want to go out there and finish the game. I finished the characters and found someone to animate them. I then invested in some nice backgrounds, tile maps, and custom music. I had done about 40 levels by then, but I stopped development again due to family circumstances.
Development resumed after a few months, adding more details to breathe life into the game, until I finally had it ready. I especially enjoyed the roughly 18 months it took me to create the first deployable version: from some very mundane parts of making a game (like adding details manually, for example) to discovering that there were much simpler ways of doing things and having to do them again – it all contributed to the final product and was part of an amazing learning process!
My main inspiration for ninja shukuchi was the ancient Japanese culture as a whole. I tried to find a way to incorporate the typical pop culture aspects of the Ninja (cool, fast and mysterious) with the honorable samurai, and what a samurai actually fought for. For example, the small circle that appears around the ninja when you throw it is the symbol of the seven virtues of Bushido, the code of the samurai warrior. I am by no means a game developer with real talent, but I am full of drive, determination and have the imagination of a child and I am very happy with what I have achieved! If you’re thinking of getting into game development but don’t know where to start, get some game creation software and start learning. You’ll find that you’ll pick up many other skills along the way, including creating your own graphics (yes, I can do some myself now, but I still can’t draw!). ninja shikuchi is available today on Xbox!
ninja shukuchi
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$4.99
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Journey through ancient Japan as Ninja Shukuchi, exiled from his former clan for wanting a more honorable way of life. Travel across vast areas defeating the Shukuchi Ninja’s new enemy to bring peace and prosperity in a time of turmoil. A complete, action-packed adventure awaits with over 70 levels, 7 troublesome bosses, an inspiring storyline and unique controls – there’s no other game like this! Shukuchi literally means Retractable Earth Method, for traveling at high speed, an ability our hero has honed over years of training. Take control of the ninja shukuchi and fly through the air at amazing speed, attack enemies with your ninjatō, throw shuriken (ninja stars) at hard-to-reach enemies, and instantly teleport to quickly counter enemy attacks. Along with the healing power, you also need to help the Ninja Shukuchi to make sure he doesn’t die!
