Release Date
"The Golden Spike" was released on May 16, 2009 as a submission for the game programming
competition "Game Challenge 11" at www.gameinstitute.com
Description of the Game
The year is 1881. You are the lead foreman for McGregor & Company.
The company is under contract with the Federal government to lay
railroad track between two towns.
You are to lead 10 teams of 100 men each. You have only 10 days to
connect Pleasant Valley and Johnson City.
If you complete the project within the time limit McGregor &
Company will receive a Federal contract to lay over 1000 miles of
track. This contract is worth millions of dollars to the company.
If you fail, you will be responsible for putting 1000 men out of work.
The player lays track on flat terrain (green), across rivers, or through
rocky hills. The track is then assembled in stages: planned, ballast (rocks),
wooden ties, and rail. Time to assemble a section is very fast on
the green terrain, slow across the river, and very slow through rock.
Software Development Description
I had 8 weeks to design and develop the game. Of course all of this time
came after time at work and with my family. I spent a considerable
amount of time getting the training laying feature working. I also
created most of the artwork this time.
Game programming - C++
Graphics - DirectX 9
Art assets - Paint.net and Windows Paint
Sound - FMOD Library
Editor - In game feature
Screenshots
Inspired by the first transcontinental railroad in the United States
Map showing game level. Brown squares are rocky hills.
Shows railroad being assembled in stages.
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