Roguelike Radio Episode 83: ASCII
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Dec 3, 2013 Dive into the fascinating world of ASCII in roguelikes! Discover how ASCII's origins revolutionized early gameplay and its practical benefits for developers. Learn how this symbolic interface empowers players and allows for creativity without heavy art costs. Navigate through the design pitfalls of glyph reusability and accessibility considerations for a diverse audience. Explore the balance between graphics and clarity, and hear recommendations for accessible starter games. ASCII isn't just nostalgia; it's a vibrant, minimalist canvas for modern game design!
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Why ASCII Persisted
- ASCII persisted from historical roots and cultural familiarity rather than pure utility.
- It offers fast prototyping and a readable symbolic language that matches grid-based procedural design.
Plan Glyphs And Colors Early
- Plan your character set and color mapping before adding monsters or items.
- Avoid reusing glyphs; use letters that match creature names and reserve colors for variations.
Make Colors Customizable
- Provide configurable color palettes and contrast options for accessibility.
- Let players remap console colors or offer in-game controls to support vision differences.