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[Shade Jackrabbit]

"No... they couldn't... it's impossible..."
x
----
0

In the future, the Mathematical Reality Drive has created the ability to manipulate reality itself as if it were a math equation. Even so, there is one operation which simply shuts the device down: "x / 0". But what would happen if someone created a supercharged device? What if someone modified the Mathematical Reality Drive and gave it enough power to represent an entire city in a variable? And what if while trying to solve for that variable, it divided by zero?

Would it begin... the MATHOCALYPSE?

Sidescrolling shmup involving math with a sci-fi storyline. Education to the max!


Progress:

• Solidifying gameplay ideas.
• Writing up a to-do list/design doc/whatever.
• • Gameplay design
  • Graphics designed
  • Sound style chosen
  • Music chosen
• Gameplay prototype

June 28th:
Gameplay design being fleshed out. I shall paste in the basics once I have them fully written out. Update: They now are.

June 29th:
Worked on programming the engine. Running into issues with inter-class relations. (Programming is being done in C++). Shall likely continue on Wednesday as tomorrow's schedule is busy.

June 30th:
Worked some more on the engine. Inter-class relations figured out, but now there are inter-file problems. Things are getting redundant, methinks.

Also, I can't find a proper timer function in C++. The internet doesn't seem to be much helpful either, but I'll look again when I have a clearer head.

July 1st:
Figured out problem with files. Everything solved with just one good old header file. Gotta love those. Also finally got some code for a timer, so I'll be attempting to put together something playable.

July 7th:
Well technically the 8th but that's cause it's a late night. Anyways, screenshot of my progress on the engine!

[Kamos]

Divides by zero are scary.

[Shade Jackrabbit]

Status Update:

The core gameplay is the interaction of numbers. Each part of the ship has a function, and a number. The number is either positive or negative, and yes, the parts can change with your shots. Your shots add/subtract numbers. Negative numbers and subtraction are there to enforce a zero for destruction.

Controls will be ASDW for directions, and the number keys fire different shots, each subtracting (or adding) the number shown. (i.e. 1 shoots (+/- 1), 2 shoots (+/- 2))

Ships are stored in 2-d arrays of integers, for easy mathematical manipulation. For example, the player's ship:

21111
82300
85420
82300
21111

[george]

I think it would be awesome if your ship was those numbers. Like the numbers were huge pixels.

[Shade Jackrabbit]

I think it would be awesome if your ship was those numbers. Like the numbers were huge pixels.

Oh, yeah, that's the plan. It's just that certain parts have different effect. i.e. Blaster Cannon is a 3, wings are a 1. So you have to use the right number on the right ship part. (Fire a 3 at a Cannon to destroy it.)

Currently I'm thinking graphics will just be giant pixels with numbers on them, as you're saying. (I think.)

[george]

to clarify when I say huge pixels I mean more like the number on a transparent background. So like, a ship:

229
 2222
33332233488
  4222444444441001111
  2222244488
2222
29

[haroldoop]

Hey, I thought only Chuck Norris was able to divide by zero. 

[Shade Jackrabbit]

It's certainly a nice idea george, but the player is gonna have to destroy each block seperately, so it would really slow down the gameplay.

Hey, I thought only Chuck Norris was able to divide by zero. 

SPOILER! Chuck Norris is the final boss.*

_{* Not really.}

[Shade Jackrabbit]

This took too long, but at last I have the little bugger rendering.



In glorious ASCII!

Next up are movement keys and shooting.

[Shade Jackrabbit]

In all honesty, I am sick of this project. I don't like the theme, I think the idea is cool, but the game itself is not satisfying at all to develop. Sorry but I can't go on making this, as I really have no personal motivation to.

Here's the unfinished (as in, not working) source though, if anyone is interested (includes the design doc as well). Source is written in C++ using G++ and CodeBlocks, design doc is a to-do list using ToDoList.

Sorry guys. I'm out. I just can't do this type of game. 

Good luck to everyone else, though.

[Melly]

Forcing yourself to make something you don't like is never really good. Be sure to come back if you have a better inspiration.