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[Pnikosis]

Updated post:

Here you can download the latest alpha version:

Be Stiff alpha v0.03

Original post:

Hi there , I'm developing an action platformer (like the thread's title says), unfortunately I don't have a name for it yet. It is my first (hopefully not last) attempt to make a game using the little free time I have.



Anyway, is in a very early stage. I just finished to implement the AI (which still needs improvement) and now I'm going for improving the graphics and tweaking the gameplay. The game's main idea is to end with a more action-oriented game than a standard platformer, where you can have lots of options for facing each scenario. For that you have different movements and tools; the player can:

- Jump
- Double Jump
- Wall jump
- Slide
- Hang itself from edges
- Kick
- Shoot bullets
- Throw grenades
- Use a Grappling Hook

The enemies are somehow smart, they try to coordinate themselves if they detect the player (they have a line of sight, so you can approach them from behind if you are fast enough, also they are alerted if they hear something), attacking in groups and defending spots where the player could run to. Because of the AI (pathfinding, coordination, calculation of line of sights), you can't have to many enemies at the same time, but it's not an issue, as I dont pretend to face the player against hordes.

Anyway, here's a short video showing the current game state (is it possible to embeed a youtube video?):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtNZ_ImzO44

The current TODO list is:
- Improve graphics and animations
- Add gamepad support, free aiming with the right stick
- Add objectives for each level (kill'em all, steal something, etc)
- Create a nice plot for the game
- More enemies, specially static enemies like turrets
- More "interactive" objects (like the table you can kick against enemies

The things I'm evaluating to add are:
- Slow motion
- Two player (coop or deathmatch)
- Ability to use shields... Not sure about this one

Any feedback on any issue (even the game's name) would be more than appreciated

[Pnikosis]

So long my friends, after a lot of time, rethinking and redesigning I'm back with something new to show. The game's name is "Be Stiff!"

The main game mechanic is quite the same, you are some kind of spy who has to inflitrate, steal and kill people. Is an action 2d platformer, but the thing is, whatever is not illuminated, you will not be able to see it. So as a reference, you have to "watch" the noises. When an enemy walks, you see a "tap, tap" where he's walking, and so on. Here is a screenshot of the current build:



And here's a video of the game in action: Video

[Geoffrey]

Looks very promising !

[Noisefever]

Looks very very promising!

[Xishem]

This looks really awesome. I really like the concept, and the graphics look nice too.

[Pnikosis]

Thanks for the positive comments  

Right now I'm fighting with some problems with the installer, but as soon as I solve them, I'll add a couple of levels more and I'll upload a public alpha release

[kidchameleon]

Im looking forward to testing this for you. It looks very promising.

[Xishem]

I'm also looking forward to being involved in the Alpha testing. I can't wait!

[Pnikosis]

Hi guys, I'm happy to tell you that I have a working test version, you can download it here :D

Be Stiff alpha v0.03

There are three levels, the first two are part of a tutorial, the third one is just a test for checking that all the features work correctly, so maybe this third level is a little overbloated.

I'd appreciate any kind of feedback, thanks!

[Pnikosis]

Features:

- What you see is what the character sees. This means that the objects that are not in the character's line of sight, are obscured.
- What you see is what you hear. This means that the noises are visually represented, so you will know where a noise comes from.
- Pistol!
- Grappling hook!
- Fists!
- Kicks!
- Grenades!
- Espionage!

Known issues, and problems:

- The Gamepad support is not finished yet, so you can't configure for example the button for running (by default is the left trigger)
- I still have to work on the music and the graphics, any feedback on this is truly appreciated
- If you use the gamepad, the control scheme is slightly different, this is because there are controls with keyboard/mouse than don't make sense in a gamepad (for example double tap down), I'll try to update the tutorial texts depending on if you are using the gamepad or the keyboard.
- The third level is a test level, so the design is quite a mess.

[Stib]

Hey Pnikosis. I played the game for a bit and enjoyed it. Here are a couple notes I wrote while playing.

• Very Cool Menu interface
• Wasn't sure what keys to use initially
• Lighting is a great feature. Get's a little odd here and there but overall I really like the flashlight.
• Movement feels a little sluggish but I don't think I'm using run
• It's a joy to kick the crap out of someone. Especially with the rag doll setup
• The visual representation of the sounds is great for stealth play
• I like how the AI would come running to investigate gun fire. Very nice.
• Getting squished by an elevator was a fun suprise.
• I died trying to jump onto a ledge, the one with the safe, in the 2nd level/area. Not sure it just killed me.
• It would be nice to automatically grab onto corners

My only real criticism is the ingame graphics. The environment looks okay but I would like to see more detail on the bad guys. Overall it's shaping up to be a unique and fun game. Good work.

[Pnikosis]

Hi Stib, thanks for the feedback!

Here some comments about your points:

• Wasn't sure what keys to use initially
  You are right, I have to improve the tutorial texts, I'm not sure see which approach I want to use for the alternative text if you are using the gamepad or the keyboard.
  
• Movement feels a little sluggish but I don't think I'm using run
  Yep, the thing is that I didn't make the game with the "run" option on mind (I was thinking on a more slow pace game than running around the level). But at some moments, I felt I needed the "run" option, like when you are about to miss an elevator. So choosing not using run is a good thing, I guess
  
• I died trying to jump onto a ledge, the one with the safe, in the 2nd level/area. Not sure it just killed me.
  It's a bug I just discovered (thanks!), it's a problem with the normal of the impact calculation against the door that opens.
  
• It would be nice to automatically grab onto corners
  You mean, like hanging from ledges without the need of pressing any button? (only when you are jumping close enough). I think this could be a nice feature, and would simplify the controls, but in exchange I will have to deactivate the ability to hang to the one-sided platforms (because if you jump through, the character would hang automatically). I'll see how it works.
  

Bout the graphics, you are right and I totally agree, I have to work more on that, or I should consider to include a designer.

Thanks for the comments, I'm glad you liked kicking the crap out the enemies and being squished by the elevator!