Knight's Quest

We are going for the Best Beginner track.

Inspiration

Classic dungeon crawler games and the speedrunning community inspired Knight's Quest. We wanted to create a game that combines puzzle-solving elements with the pressure of speedrunning.

What it does

Players must:

• Navigate through maze-like levels using mouse-controlled movement
• Collect keys to unlock doors blocking their path
• Avoid a merciless dragon that chases and kills the player on contact
• Reach the exit as quickly as possible to complete each level

How we built it

We built Knight's Quest using Python and Pygame for the game engine and rendering. We included a JSON file for a level design system.

Challenges we ran into

1. Collision Detection: Implementing accurate collision detection was challenging, especially ensuring the player and dragon do not get stuck along the wall
2. Exporting the Game: There were some difficulties converting the project into an executable file to easily run the game. We kept getting errors and had to troubleshoot.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

1. Complete Game Loop: Successfully implemented a full game with a menu, gameplay, and completion screens
2. Multiple Levels: Created a level system that supports customizable levels with increasing difficulty
3. Professional Timer: Built a timer system with millisecond precision and professional formatting similar to speedrunning tools

What we learned

1. Pygame Development: Gained deep understanding of Pygame's event and display system
2. JSON Configuration: Discovered the power of data-driven design for level creation

What's next for Knight's Quest

1. Leaderboard System: Add online or local leaderboards to track best completion times
2. More Levels: Expand the game with additional levels featuring new mechanics
3. Level Editor: Create a built-in level editor so players can design and share their own levels
4. Mobile/Web Port: Adapt the game for mobile devices or web browsers to reach a wider audience

Built With

• json
• pygame
• python