🛠️ Devlog #1 – From Prototype to a $1 Game

When I started Last Button Alive, it was never meant to be a big project.

The goal was simple: make a small, fun game that people could pick up instantly, laugh at, and play again without grinding, ads, or monetization tricks.

This devlog covers how the game evolved from a rough prototype into a finished $1 indie game.

🎮 The Core Idea

The original idea was built around one question:

What if the rules changed every round, and players had almost no time to react?

From that came the foundation:

• A grid of buttons
• A rule that appears each round
• A short timer
• One mistake = elimination

Fast rounds were a must. If a round lasted more than a minute, it felt too slow. Short rounds created panic — and panic created fun.

👤 Single Player First

Before multiplayer, I focused on single player.

The AI opponent needed to:

• Understand the current rule
• React quickly, but not perfectly
• Occasionally make mistakes

This made solo play feel fair and useful, not just a practice mode. It also helped balance rules before adding more chaos.

👥 Local Multiplayer & Party Focus

Local multiplayer was always the heart of the game.

I designed it so:

• 2–4 players can play on one keyboard
• Eliminated players become spectators
• Matches are decided by win limits, not endless rounds

Watching friends fail a rule is just as fun as surviving one.

🔥 Adding Chaos (Carefully)

Chaos is fun — too much chaos is not.

I added variety without breaking fairness:

• Multiple rule types (STAND, AVOID, FREEZE)
• Arena modifiers like wind and disappearing holes
• Random combinations, but always readable

Every round is different, but never impossible.

🎨 Visuals, Juice, and Accessibility

The game uses a clean neon style with minimal visuals so rules are always readable.

To improve feel and accessibility:

• Screen shake and particles for impact
• Simple but effective sound effects
• Colorblind mode for better visibility

Small touches made a big difference in perceived quality.

💰 Why It’s a Paid Game

Last Button Alive is priced at $1.

There are:

• No ads
• No microtransactions
• No grinding

I wanted the game to feel complete the moment you buy it. One dollar felt fair for a polished, replayable party game.

🚀 What’s Next

The current version focuses on local multiplayer and solo play.

Possible future updates include:

• Online multiplayer
• New rule packs
• New arena modifiers

For now, the focus is on stability, feedback, and improving what’s already there.

Thanks to everyone who checks out the game or plays it with friends.

If you lose a round — it probably wasn’t the game’s fault. It was the rule.