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[Deraj]

Chromium JSU is a fast-paced, futuristic shoot 'em up that runs in your browser.

Play it here: https://jaredkrinke.itch.io/chromium-jsu

Screenshot


Features:

• Futuristic graphics and special effects
• Three levels across two environments
• Five different enemies
• Power-ups
• Sound effects
• Mouse, touch, and keyboard (arrow keys and spacebar/z) controls

Chromium JSU is a rewrite of Chromium BSU (http://chromium-bsu.sourceforge.net/), a multi-platform shoot 'em up game created by Mark B. Allan.

Is this a complete port?
No, this is not just a straight port of Chromium BSU to JavaScript/HTML5 Canvas. This is more of a proof of concept reinterpretation.

Why not make an original game?
I've been trying to create a vertical-scrolling shoot 'em up off and on for probably the last decade. I spent a lot of time creating game engines (the last one was in C/SDL/OpenGL/Lua--now ditched in favor of JavaScript/HTML5 Canvas/Audio), ship graphics, and infrastructure, but I never stayed with each project long enough to get something playable.

This time, I'm attacking the problem from a different angle: start with a completed (and time-tested) open source game (Chromium BSU), and build out only the infrastructure needed to mostly recreate that game.

Basically, this is a research project where I'm trying to understand how Chromium BSU was implemented. In my opinion, the best way to understand how something is implemented is to implement it yourself--and that's where the "rewrite in JavaScript" part comes in.

Why HTML5?
There is no question that native apps using C, C++, SDL, OpenGL, etc. give you greater control and the potential for better performance. But native apps also have some limitations: they're less portable, less convenient to install/deploy, and more convoluted to build/package/release.

On the other hand, browser-based games (assuming they can hit their performance goals) can be more convenient for both players (just load up a web page to try the game out) and developers (just publish changes to the main web site to release a new version).

Notes
Obviously, you will need a modern, HTML5-capable browser. If the game is not working for you, let me know. Thanks!

[DarthBenedict]

Having mouse control combined with a ship that keeps up with your cursor was fun.

Suggestions:
-Hide the cursor when it's on screen
-Make enemies flash/shake/knockback a little when hit
-Maybe a tiny bit of screenshake when an enemy is destroyed or you get hit
-It might be worth making sure everything is loaded before you start playing, although it was interesting having a bunch of squares flying around then turning into spaceships after a few seconds.

[Deraj]

Thanks, that is all great feedback. #1, 2, and 4 were already on my to-do list and #3 is being added as we speak

[Deraj]

Just published a new alpha release (and updated the screenshot above accordginly).

New features:

• First level is 100% complete!
• Power-ups
• Health/shields/ammo bars
• Loading screen
• More special effects
• Cursor hidden when appropriate

[Deraj]

Deployed another update. I'm hoping this will be the last "alpha" release

New for this release:

• Sound effects
• Keyboard controls (arrow keys and spacebar/z)
• Better touch controls (you can actually see your ship now)

Let me know if you give it a try. Thanks!

[Deraj]

Released the first "beta" version.

I'm calling this "beta" because it has essentially all the gameplay features I'm targeting--the game is just not complete. The final game will have 3 levels, but this release only features 1 level.

Given that this is mostly final (gameplay-wise) from my perspective, I would love to get feedback on the game (levels, controls, difficulty, whatever). Thanks for your help!

New stuff:

• Fullscreen mode
• Menu
• Lots of bug fixes and tweaks

[Deraj]

The second beta release is now available.

The game now has 3 complete levels (out of a planned total of 4). The gameplay is mostly finalized, so let me know if you have any comments on the controls, level of difficulty, etc.

New for beta 2:

• Three levels total
• Two environments
• Updated graphics

[Deraj]

The third (and hopefully final) beta release of Chromium JSU is out (same link as above).

New stuff:

• New level and environment
• A few new enemies
• Updated special effects
• Unlocked levels can be played at any time (no more starting from the beginning every time)

Let me know what you think