The Rat Pack

[CaptainD]

The Rat Pack is a turn-based strategy game (prototype released for May 2018 MAGS competition - get it here).  You must manage your colony of rats and take it - and yourself - to greatness!

Features:
- Full campaign split into 3 main sections of 5 chapters apiece
- Achievements (probably)
- Simple interface, yet deep strategic planning required

Dev Team:
Design, Coding and SFX by CaptainD
Artwork, Design and Testing by Kastchey

Thanks to everyone who has played and offered feedback on the MAGS version of the game.

WIP screenshots

[lorenzo]

I loved the MAGS version, this looks even better!
I wonder how the campaign mode is going to play. And... treasure?

Can't wait to play it!

[CaptainD]

Thanks Lorenzo

A little peek at how the updated GUI is looking... got a few more things to implement in addition to the obvious omissions on this screen:

[ManicMatt]

The Rat Pack, ha, is there a Dean Martin-esque music score? Either way I like it.

If you lose, can you say "Rats!"

It's always cool to see unconventional games made in AGS!

[CaptainD]

Thanks Matt!

Just getting the rest of the game features in place and working on balancing it all before I add the campaigns...



Shockingly few references to Dean and the gang I'm afraid, perhaps I can add some later!

[CaptainD]

Update:

- I'm moving options to a menu that opens up when you press escape, so there will be 3 more options to choose in the game itself
- Working on the game missions

- WIP chapter and mission selection screens


- Plot synopsis done:
You're a young rat trying to make his way in the world, and start off with a small commission from King Rat.  By setting up colonies in different locations, completing mission objectives and rising up the ratty echelons by sending tribute to King Rat, you can eventually hit the big time - but it won't be easy!

The game features 15 missions split across 3 storylines, with your options for leading your rats increasing as you progress.  Do you have what it takes to be a true leader among rats?

[lorenzo]

Looks real nice! And the campaign sounds more complex than I had imagined.

[CaptainD]

Latest (still WIP but getting close to the real thing) screenshots:

[CaptainD]

Just a quick update- this is the finished mission selection screen for the first chapter:



Have I mentioned lately that Kastchey is an amazing artist?

In other news, I've decided to have entirely procedurally-generated music in-game, though I may commission a theme tune for the menu screens.

[KyriakosCH]

Reminds me of Sim Ant!

We need more strategy games!!!

[CaptainD]

You know I don't think I've ever actually played Sim Ant...

After a slight hiatus, I'm back working on this.  Behold!  A slightly rough around the edges look at the title screen through to the first mission (mocked up without all the early game limits - you have to earn the right to build a Rat Lab and ask for help from King Rat!)

[Mandle]

Ooooohhhhh, this looks great!

Loved the original MAGS entry and wanted more!

[CaptainD]

Thanks Mandle!

Final update of the GUI (info pane added to reduce the number of messages you have to click through):



I've also decided to make the random event graphics slightly transparent full-screen thingies - I'm certain Kastchey will make a full recovery from that news.

Well, fairly certain...

Here's my favourite music track so far that will be in the game (it reminds me a little of JM Jarre's Chronologie in places)

[ManicMatt]

Looks very deep, could be addictive! Wouldn't the text panel look better and clash less if it was black rather than blue?

[Kastchey]

I've also decided to make the random event graphics slightly transparent full-screen thingies - I'm certain Kastchey will make a full recovery from that news.

*cough cough* Arrrghh..
//recovering

Looks very deep, could be addictive! Wouldn't the text panel look better and clash less if it was black rather than blue?

It probably would but no worries, the current text panel is just another placeholder

[CaptainD]

Ever so slowly, it's getting there - don't point out any bugs, I know there are plenty! :-[  Also balancing is not sorted yet for this mission so again - don't tell me, I know!!

[lorenzo]

Judging from the video it seems extremely buggy. I'll send you 5 or 6 PMs pointing out all the bugs, later. Also, this mission is extremely unbalanced. Are you going to do something about that??

Just joking, it looks awesome! Can't wait to play it!

[Slasher]

Just keep at it Captain

[CaptainD]

Thanks lorenzo and slasher!  Keeping at it.  Thanks also for the PMs, lorenzo, I have filed them appropriately... 

Got some new artwork from the nearly rehabilitated Kastchey for the mission intros, so here is the first one in its probably almost final state:

[lorenzo]

Great work, Captain and Kastchey! The game is looking better and better!

Thanks also for the PMs, lorenzo, I have filed them appropriately... 

[CaptainD]

†‹Following a poll on Twitter which was overwhelmingly in favour of the idea, I will be launching an open beta of The Rat Pack in the near future.  This will effectively be the full game but without polish added and without achievement.  Feedback from this will help me considerably with testing and balancing and game. 

I plan to give testers whose feedback I use a mention in the credits and a discount on the full game when released; if a tester's feedback is particularly valuable, I will gift them a copy.

The open beta could potentially start as early as January 2019, but... watch this space.

[CaptainD]

The open beta has just launched!

https://captaind.itch.io/the-rat-pack-full-version

See here fore details on in-game controls and how to give feedback:

https://itch.io/t/389194/open-beta-details

(Obviously if anyone wants to PM me on the forums here that would be fine too )

[CaptainD]

Just a little more information as it might not be completely obvious, especially as in the OBT you can access any level from the start whereas in the full game you will progress through the levels sequentially:


On the first Mission your options are very limited.  More options open up as you get further into the game.  The first mission is very restricted in options and all you really have to do is keep your rats alive and build up your colony - then you'll be able to Scavenge for Treasure, then build the Rat Lab which lets you increase your skills, then later on raiding opens up, then giving tribute to and seeking aid from King Rat. 

Every option is available from the same screen and your stats will update after each one as they all end the turn.  Options are greyed out when they are not available yet until later Missions, due to prerequisites not being met (for instance, not having enough Treasure to buy a Skill Upgrade), to because they are only available every x number of turns (for instance Raiding).

Although it's still a placeholder graphic, on the Chapter Selection screen you can click on the Tutorial bit at the top right of the screen to be taken to a screen where, if you click on any option, you will get a description of that action.

[CaptainD]

Updated version uploaded with some bug fixes and 50 achievements added (though sorry beta testers, you won't get to carry them over into the final game :p):
https://captaind.itch.io/the-rat-pack-full-version

[sawyer]

nice game thx

[CaptainD]

Just a quick message  to say that after a fairly long hiatus, The Rat Pack is back in production - to prove this here is a thing I did that Kastchey will turn into a much better looking thing.



If anyone ever manages to get all 100 achievements I will send them a virtual cheese sandwich!

[lorenzo]

Nice! Those are a lot of achievements!
Although, for some reason I can't see the image on the page, only if I open it directly.

[CaptainD]

Just a quick note to say that testing is going really well, aided by some great feedback from our new team members Lorenzo and Durq (Chief Lab Rats).  Lots of features going into the game to make it more enjoyable experience.  Some remaining assets to fill in, a bit more coding, a bit more testing and we will be ready to go! 

[CaptainD]

Still getting the last bits done on this, while I mess about with the code feast your eyes on some lovely screens by Kastchey:

[lorenzo]

Looks lovely! Fantastic work, Kastchey!

[Kastchey]

Thanks! We're getting there

[Athanor]

Looks fantastic! I love how the background images illustrate the narrative progression from the countryside into the city. I want to play this game - when can I throw my hard earned dough at you?

[CaptainD]

Looks fantastic! I love how the background images illustrate the narrative progression from the countryside into the city. I want to play this game - when can I throw my hard earned dough at you?

Soon, hopefully - I have just made what I hope are the final tweaks to the gameplay, we have a few more graphical elements to put in and then basically it's just testing.  I hope to have the first Release Candidate ready within the next week or two (real life permitting!).

I just realised how this (from the MAGS game which was basically a prototype of the full game):



Became this when I first anounced the game in June 2018:



And has slowly morphed into this, representing the final game screen:



I guess this well illustrates my original plan for the game of seeing if I could make a satisfyingly complex TBS using a single screen interface - definitely not overwhelming in complexity but it should cause a little grey matter usage!

[Athanor]

Wonderful to hear! I'll stay tuned and prepare my wallet.

[Stupot]

Looking great. I love those mission menu screens.

[CaptainD]

Apologies for the necropost but I am, finally, back working on this and close to announcing a release date.

[imgzoom]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FAPJVJGXsAAjOTx?format=jpg&name=large[/imgzoom]

[CaptainD]

Releasing this Friday (15th October) on Itch only.
Patron copies going out tomorrow evening.

The rats are coming!

[CaptainD]

I'll do a proper post in the Completed Games section later, add it to the AGS games page and all, but in the meantime...

The rats are here!

The Rat Pack is now available on Itch:
https://captaind.itch.io/the-rat-pack-full-version

[Darth Mandarb]

Congrats on the release!

I'll leave this open (unlocked) for a bit so people can see/respond.

[Cassiebsg]

Congrats on the release!   

[CaptainD]

Thanks Cassie