Author Topic: Check out my first game  (Read 6185 times)

Offline Centrale

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Check out my first game
« on: December 07, 2015, 09:24:31 pm »
Hi everyone, I've been making a game that expands a bit on the foundation of Asteroids. I was recalling how, as little kids, my brother and I would sometimes play 2600 Asteroids in crazy ways - mainly by flying as fast as possible and seeing how long we could survive. I started designing some gameplay mechanics that would strongly encourage, and reward, this sort of risky behavior.


Koronis features a "cosmic wind" that flows continuously, moving the asteroids in its general direction (although with some randomized variance). Flying fast and shooting asteroids in quick succession increases your score multiplier and activates a scoring chain. Flying in the same direction as the cosmic wind while your multiplier and scoring chain are active lets you accrue "flow time," which unlocks bonus waves where you are challenged with insane minigames for the opportunity to earn a 1up. The result is a continually fast-flowing game that gets really fun as each successive wave features more, and faster, asteroids. The game features a responsive soundtrack and supports keyboard and controller (although personally I am so controller-oriented that I will need feedback from players who prefer keyboard to make sure the controls are as comfortable as possible).


Take a look at the video, and message me if you'd like to help playtest it, and I can send you a download link. You'll need a Windows machine with a fair-to-middling graphics card (the game features a few pixel shaders, but these can be toggled off if they cause slowdown).
https://vimeo.com/148174328

Offline Tad

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Re: Check out my first game
« Reply #1 on: December 08, 2015, 06:31:33 am »
Okay, just a bit of feedback from the trailer.

First of all, I like the artstyle. It has that shiny arcade look that sticks out well and the concept, as you said, gives the player simple controls and mechanics that are hard to master. Now, here's some things I think could improve it.

I know it's an arcade game, but I always feel games are better with some sort of story. It gives the game natural progression and rewards the player with it. It could be something simple like you've got caught in an asteriod field or asteroids are heading to earth and you need to stop it. This could lead to some more variations in the backgrounds too which I think is needed.
« Last Edit: December 08, 2015, 06:47:36 am by Tad »

Offline Centrale

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Re: Check out my first game
« Reply #2 on: December 08, 2015, 09:39:09 am »
Thanks Tad! That's something I've thought about too. Once you've completed the last wave, there is a brief narrative ending that reveals the what was actually going on and why you were blasting through all the asteroids. I also have other ideas for how to frame the 'why?' of the game... but for now I think it's important just to playtest and tune the game mechanics, to make sure the core gameplay is fun.

Offline Tad

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Re: Check out my first game
« Reply #3 on: December 09, 2015, 01:03:52 am »
Oh, certainly! At this stage you're fine tuning :)

Out of interest, what game engine are you using?

Offline Centrale

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Re: Check out my first game
« Reply #4 on: December 09, 2015, 09:20:41 am »
I made this using Gamemaker Studio, specifically its GML scripting language. That experience has given me enough confidence to start learning C# for Unity in the new year.

Offline Tad

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Re: Check out my first game
« Reply #5 on: December 09, 2015, 09:57:17 am »
Cool. Unity is a complex beast, but far cheaper and reaches more platforms :)

Offline Barry the Nomad

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Re: Check out my first game
« Reply #6 on: December 09, 2015, 10:37:15 am »
Just wanted to say the game looks great! I love the concept. Maybe we should make a SEGAbits console that plays this and Brock Crocodile?

Offline Tad

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Re: Check out my first game
« Reply #7 on: December 09, 2015, 11:44:32 am »
It'll be powered by a hamster.

Offline segaismysavior

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Re: Check out my first game
« Reply #8 on: December 11, 2015, 10:41:43 pm »
For a first game, that looks really cool! I'm down with play testing it.

Glad you intend to try Unity, I've been messing with that engine for several years now and it's incredible how much it has advanced since 2010. The Asset Store is the greatest thing ever, so many fantastic sales on incredibly useful frameworks.


A great way to learn C# in Unity is to sign up at udemy.com, find "Learn To Code by Making Games - The Complete Unity Developer" to add it to your wish list, then check your email weekly for an inevitable "$15 for any course you want" coupon. Probably every season, if not every other month that kind of thing happens. That course is really good for starting out.



Offline JRcade19

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Re: Check out my first game
« Reply #9 on: December 19, 2015, 05:35:47 pm »
Absolutely loving the simple twist on an established formula. Really goes to show how small things can make big changes even for an old dog like asteroids. Keep it up!

Offline Aki-at

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Re: Check out my first game
« Reply #10 on: December 24, 2015, 02:29:57 pm »
Woah this looks cool! :O

I didn't think you could expand Asteroids but seems like you've got a good twist that built on it, keep up the good work.

Is this going to be aiming only PC for now?