Pre-Demo History

This is about the original alphas of RAM and GOLEM, if you're looking for the version history, you might wanna check Version History

When it comes to games, there are a notable variety of eras tied to it and versions to archive, RAM is no exception.

As stated in the original devlog, RAM started its life as an entry in the Ludemdare 48 gamejam, known as GOLEM, with the release date of most likely April 28th, 2021, via the last time it was modified. Four months later GOLEM's alpha, was finalized on August 6th, 2021. A year and a half later, coinciding with the release of the original devlog, on January 8th, 2023, the Patreon Combat demo released, with a v1.0, and v1.1. Four months later, soon before the playtest opened up, an internal Demo was released to some internal testers, known as InternalDemo0.6.1, on May 11th, 2023. These are the main 4 releases before the playtest opened up, for info on those, check out Version History.

LUDEMDARE 48 GOLEM

The earliest version of RAM currently known is this, the submission to the LUDEMDARE 48 version of GOLEM, or GOLEM LD48. Notable features of this incredibly, incredibly early version of RAM are:

• The bots themselves are referred to as GOLEMS, despite the fact current demo release refers more to the virus itself as a GOLEM Agent, very early version of the story it seems.
• Intro implies the wanderer in the game is looking for a new host, seems to be the original idea for RAM's story.
• Early versions of Steeltoe, Deadlift, Aphid, Router, Archerbot, and Collider.
  • Steeltoe is similar to the later versions, very flimsy to play, no secondary ability.
  • Deadlift has its early kit with the melee and slight damage, very fast, no secondary ability.
  • Router has its early kit with the machine gun and instant dash (horizontal only).
  • Aphid has its early kit, no self-destruct or secondary.
  • Archerbot features a long-wind up to a single piercing projectile that shockwaves across the stage, hard to use, no secondary ability.
  • Collider features a primary reflect that sends projectiles back towards their sender, its secondary teleports it and does AOE damage in the impact zone.
  • Despite featuring in the files, neither Saberbot/Tachi nor the Shaman seem to show up.
• Incredibly unstable and prone to crashes.
• Not much audio or feedback to anything, very early version.

GOLEM ALPHA

The second earliest version of RAM, found on the itch.io of RAM Dev Toby Murray, is the GOLEM Alpha, compared to GOLEM LD48 this is an incredibly, incredibly more substantial version, featuring 3 Levels, in its Arcade, a blacked out play button, a stats menu with unlockable lore and a list of every upgrade, and more:

• Features 3 levels, Sky Ruins, Labyrinth, and Desert Islands.
• Bots are still referred to as GOLEMS, the Swap Bar is referred to as the Possession Meter,
• Bots refer to an event known as The Patch, with the implication in the text being that this was the event that wiped out humans, notably from the Saberbot log:
  • "Before the Patch, we were not permitted to glimpse this folly. It is the duty of those created after to never lose fight of it."
• Steeltoe (known as Shotgunner) refers to the Alliance as flavor text in a story about blowing up a factory of "Zoombas", a machine meant to cut grass. What the Alliance is is unknown.
• This game features an upgrade system based on Swaps, every 3 swaps your bot is randomly and instantly upgraded.
• Swapping zooms you out slightly.
• All 8 of the bots early versions pre-Combat Demo are here.
  • Steeltoe now has feedback on its attack, as well as the stubby little instant melee it has in the Combat Demo.
  • Deadlift still has no secondary, the power in the melee is incredibly enhanced.
  • Aphid is the same as the last version, with its Self-Destruct working, I think.
  • Router is the same as the last version.
  • Archer, or Archer Bot now features much more feedback on its attack, still difficult to use, has an enhanced aiming feature which can leave the centered box all other bots live in.
  • Collider has a much more robust primary fire. The bot will collect any bullets thrown into a Stasis Field it projects, primary firing will then fire these like incredibly railgun shots. This will also stop the field, leaving it vulnerable.
  • Shaman, or Scarab, features an odd game of pinball where it utilizes a single orb that it will smack with projections of itself, allowing it to get around things like the stasis field of Collider. Its special detonates the orb.
  • Saberbot/Tachi, or Daedalus, features the ability to, for a time, project the saber ring around it as a hitbox it can wave around. Its special is the "Anime-Finisher" where it preps itself to wind up an incredibly powerful attack.

The Combat Demo v1.0 and v1.1

The next version of RAM posted to coincide with the original devlog, this is a Patreon exclusive demo. It features the versions of the bots closest to the current demo. Unlike the Alpha, it features no stats screen with lore tidbits, nor a list of every upgrade, just the Sky Ruins level once you hit Play Now.

• Upgrades are bought with points instead of the Alpha Version.
• Only the main 4 bots we have now, with kits very close to their current ones
  • Steeltoe, or Shotgunbot, has the Shotgun Blast and Bash
  • Router, or Wheelbot, has the Grenades and Drift.
  • Deadlift, or Chainbot, has the Jab and Chain.
  • Aphid, or Flamebot, has the Flamethrower, Tar, and Self-Destruct.
• Differences between v1.0 and v1.1 are unknown, needs further testing.

InternalDemo0.6.1

The closest of these early versions to what RAM is now, InternalDemo0.6.1 features a rudimentary version of the current swap system, the current level system, and the same main 4 bots.

• Levels are cramp, and much more difficult.
• Levels feature all the programmer art boxing mentioned in the 2nd Devlog.
• Swap Inhibitors appear here, a form of shield that prevents swapping to any hosts within the affected area.
• Needs further testing

Notes

• Hey, Timeless here, the guy who wrote this. Unless given explicit permission, InternalDemo0.6.1 and the two versions of the Combat Demo aren't going to be directly archived here like GOLEM LD48 and Alpha, so for now just take my word for it.