What even is ProtoDungeon

Short answer: I am working on The Waking Cloak–more than ever!

Medium answer: ProtoDungeon is a series of short, prequel games to The Waking Cloak. They’re set in the same world in an unspecified time before the events of The Waking Cloak. Each episode builds out a big chunk of the systems and functionality for The Waking Cloak while allowing me to get practice with game design and streamline my workflow.

Long answer: ProtoDungeon was born from my prototype project where I tested out mechanics for The Waking Cloak. The graphics were intentionally abysmal–neon colors and boxes everywhere–so that I could focus on the functionality. When I’d tested a piece of functionality to satisfaction in the prototype project, I’d move it over to The Waking Cloak and implement it there.

A friend and I joked about releasing the prototype as it was just to see what would happen…

Meanwhile, at my day job, we were taking on a new way to manage projects involving small, quick releases and getting feedback as early as possible. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I could make the joke a reality: I could release the prototype into the wild and get early feedback.

But the prototype as it was wouldn’t be very fun to play. Releasing it as a demo of The Waking Cloak didn’t appeal to me, because that would mean the players would be already spoiled on some aspect of the game. So I made the decision to create completely separate locations, a new character, and a new story.

There are seven episodes currently planned, one for each item that you will see in The Waking Cloak (with sword+chalice combined in one). Its dungeons and story are unique and will not be showing up in The Waking Cloak, so you don’t have to worry about spoilers! It’s a prequel.

It is being released in episodic installments on Itch.io. Once all seven episodes are complete, I will combine them into ProtoDungeon DX, which will add a small overworld and tie all the loose ends together. Each episode will be free, while ProtoDungeon DX is planned to be $4.99 on Steam and Itch.io.

Some further info:

• Each episode is a small game that takes about 30 minutes on average, free on Itch.io.
• ProtoDungeon, the complete series of seven dungeons, will be released on Steam in one package with extras (hub world, achievements, etc) for $4.99.
• While ProtoDungeon is a game in its own right, each episode is also building up the engine, systems, mechanics, and assets for The Waking Cloak.
• Each ProtoDungeon is also crafted to give me practice and feedback so that The Waking Cloak will be the very best it can be.
• Episode I is already OUT and free on Itch.io.
• Episode II is already OUT and free on Itch.io.