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[senorbarborito]

hello everyone

I've been working on a prototype with quirky controls for some time.
I've been wanting to make this game ever since I played castlevania IV on the snes.  I remember using the whip to jump between platforms, and having lots of fun with that.  Also, bionic commando on the amiga.

anyway, I remember playing a couple grapple hook games on the iphone and have been totally underwhelmed by the lack of control and flow in the controls.  of course, this was an iphone so...

so anyway, I thought I'd make a platforming/fighting/racing game using the grapple hook as both a weapon and a means of transportation.  So far I've got a grappling hook which is fun to use and allows for some pretty crazy maneuvers, check it out here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Z9Ri6cepSsA

I'm working on some networking code, so I'll put up a playable version in this thread when I get it to work.  However, since it's going to be a multiplayer game I'm not sure if there´ll ever be enough people to play it.  Maybe I should implement local multiplayer instead, but I'm not sure if people have two xbox joypads lying around the house.

Anyway, feedback, comments and ideas will be most welcome.
Thanks.

[J. R. Hill]

Looks really smooth!

[vivavolt]

Looks really fun actually, pretty keen to see something playable. I hope it's as intuitive to use as in the video, I love feeling like a ninja. 

[senorbarborito]

thanks for the kind comments you guys!

I know there's not much to judge at the moment but feel free to give some negative criticism as well, I won't take offense.

also, I forgot to say that the grappling hook is not actually a hook but a big boxing glove with which to hit your opponents.  so you can use it to propel yourself around the arena, but also to hit other players with.  I wonder how that'll turn out...

thanks.

[SolarLune]

Wow, interesting idea, particularly the boxing glove part. I agree with J.R. - it looks really smooth. Only thing that I can see from this stage is that the camera needs to keep up with you under all circumstances. Keep going with it, though - it looks like it's going to be a super cool game!

[msilver]

If I'm understanding the game correctly, its a two player game where each player controls a guy like the one in the video and you race to complete the level while being able to attack each other?

I'll give the concept points for originality. I think one of the 2d Sonics had a similar mode if I recall correctly. Just no grappling hooks of course. You probably run into the issue of if it really matters that there are two characters in the level at once b/c the two will separate and not come in contact for the rest of the level. So what is the difference between this and just having online leader boards for who is fastest? That is, unless you do some rubber band stuff to help the lagging player, which is trouble.

Anyway, I'd really have to play it to know if its worthwhile. Though I'm probably not in your target audience b/c I'm not a speed runner.

Of course, if I'm misunderstanding the game, please explain.

[senorbarborito]

If I'm understanding the game correctly, its a two player game where each player controls a guy like the one in the video and you race to complete the level while being able to attack each other?

yes, that's basically it.

however, I'm thinking of having the players start at opposite ends of the level, and have them cross all the level to the opposite end to score a point.

so, player 1 would start at the left side of the level, and his goal would be at the right end of the level.  player 2 starts at the right side of the level and has to reach the left side of the level to score.

of course, levels will be very short, to keep things interesting.

this works a bit like nidhogg I think, though I've never played it.

first player to score three points in a row wins.  the third level is actually a tower, and players must climb up to reach the top first.


so you can see that there's actually not a lot of speed running involved.  it's more like a grappling hook brawler with the score system from nidhogg.

although it'll probably not turn out to be anything like this

Anyway, I'd really have to play it to know if its worthwhile.

I agree :/

[starsrift]

I really liked the video, it looked fun.

But I wouldn't be interested in a 2P game like this, I don't think. Just 'cause I know younger guys can out-reflex me, I'm happy to let them have their turf.

[jonbro]

Looks super fun to control! way to make an awesome fun looking control scheme.

The most recent platforming / racing game that I played recently was raskulls. I totally recommend at least getting the demo and trying out the multiplayer aspect of it.

It has a really clever balancing mechanism where by the first people through the level have to knock blocks out of the way, and that makes the passage for the people that are behind them way easier.

I am not sure how that mechanic would translate into something that would work for the more open world that you have going on here. Maybe you could have limited grapples, or picking up the old grapples would allow you to move faster or something.

[senorbarborito]

@starsrift
yes I know what you mean, reflexes are important in this type of game but I'll also try and build some (very simple but hopefully emergent) tactics in it. I don't know if you played it but the multiplayer in pixel junk shooter is kind of awesome because of that.  here´s a gameplay video, though I suspect it'll be hard to work out if you haven't played it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mg6hiIWZeWg
it's a completely different type of game, but I think I might be able to apply the same principles, who knows.

@jonbro
thanks for the input, I remember finding raskulls hard to get into but I´ll fire up the demo again.



in other news, I kind of got internet multiplayer working.  still not playable though.  I'm not sure if it makes a lot of sense since there's no one to play it with, so I might end up putting splitscreen local multiplayer in there instead.  otherwise I have a feeling people won't be able to play it.


I know there's not much to go by but feel free to tell me if anything or everything about my concept seems stupid to you.  and why, if possible

thanks
sr. barborito

[jonbro]

100% play raskulls with other people. The single player mode is "OK" but the multiplayer is super excellent. The demo version give you plenty to try out and get a feeling for the game.

[eyeliner]

Nice mechanic there. Shows promise, though I wouldn't like this to be multiplayer only.
I'd like to see some "time-trialing" there, with some crazy jumps the uber players are able to find, just like in Marble Blast, to amaze the regular players.

[Stinger88]

Looks like a fun prototype. Will be watching 

[senorbarborito]

Hi

I'm not sure what direction to take with the grappling hook prototype so I've left on hold for a while.  Ultimately I'd like to make a multiplayer game with these controls but I think I need to start with something simpler and get back to this when I have a clear vision as well as something of a player base.

In other news, during the last couple of days I've developed a new prototype.  I wanted to make something like motocross maniacs + tiny wings.
The result plays exactly like I wanted it to, but unfortunately it's not as fun as I thought it would be.

So I'll just leave it here in case anyone's curious:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22814947/proto1/WebPlayer.html

I'll gladly read any comments about this.

regards,
-señor barborito.