I'm excited to announce that the tech demo for Midnight Raider is available for download! Since the game has been taking some time to develop, I thought it might be fun to give a sneak peek so that you can see a bit more of what the game will be like.

So what have I been up to and why has the game been delayed? Well, I'm a solo developer/designer and have been quite busy with work, raising a kid, dealt with some major life events, and was just burnt out sometimes. Also, the scope of the game is a lot more than just a mini game (like my previous What the Crow?! game) with lots of different parts, story, and mechanics.

Despite the challenges, working on Midnight Raider has been an incredibly rewarding journey. This project is a significant step up from my previous game, What the Crow?!, both in terms of scope and complexity. Developing this game has pushed me to level up my beginner skills in Lua and game design, and I’ve learned so much along the way.

The Creative Process

One of the most exciting aspects of creating Midnight Raider has been designing the mechanics that take full advantage of the Playdate’s unique crank. From riding a bike to unlocking gates, these interactions add a layer of tactile fun that feels so natural on this platform. The challenge has been balancing these crank mechanics with the core gameplay of a beat 'em up. I want every element to feel cohesive, engaging, and integral to the player’s experience.

The 1-bit pixel art style has been another labor of love. Translating the moody, mysterious vibe of the forest into just black and white pixels has been a fun puzzle to solve. I’ve experimented with shading, negative space, and patterns to make the world feel alive, despite the minimal palette.

What to Expect from the Demo

The tech demo isn’t just a showcase—it’s a way to gather feedback and refine the game based on your experiences. I’m particularly curious about how players feel about the combat mechanics, the responsiveness of the controls, and the flow of crank-based interactions. These insights will be invaluable as I work to polish the game for its eventual release.

A Glimpse into the Future

Looking ahead, I have so many ideas I can’t wait to bring to life. The full version of Midnight Raider will feature more diverse enemies, expanded environments, and richer story elements. I’m also planning to include unlockable abilities and secrets that reward players who take the time to explore every corner of the world.

Thank You for Your Support

To everyone who’s followed the project, offered encouragement, or played my previous game—thank you. Your support makes this all worthwhile. If you play the tech demo, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Whether it’s a bug report, a suggestion, or just a message to say you enjoyed it, your feedback is what keeps me going.

Stay tuned for more updates, and I hope you enjoy this small taste of what’s to come in Midnight Raider. Let’s make this adventure unforgettable together!

Additional notes on the tech demo

• The system menu has quick jump off points that are useful from the title screen. This will not be in the final game, but it's a quick way to bypass the intros for the tech demo. You may seem some glitches here when using this jump off point during gameplay outside of the title screen.
• The tutorial dialogue will not be in the final game. This was just a quick way to educate on the controls. The final product will have sign posts and other mechanics that teach how to play.
• Older Playdate systems will see a considerable framerate drop in certain areas. I'm working on fixing this. Newer Playdate devices should see smoother performance.