Game Idea - Railz

[Brian O]

That website looks awesome! I really look forward to this game being finished.

 

I really hope that this doesn't die, and that one of the programmers on the boards here will take it and run with it. My expectations are low that that will actually happen, though, since everyone's busy with their own stuff. However, I do feel as if this game has merit, and could be a lot of fun (and have a high level of replayability) if done right.

 

-B

[Jr. Pac]

I would definately buy a cart. This was a great game idea! (It sounds like an idea I would have, but you made it sound so much more amazing.)

Edited July 28, 2011 by Jr. Pac

[Schizophretard]

I have updated the sprites again. I changed the monster enemy to a tank (as per Schizophretard's suggestion), and also updated the roadblocks.

 

As usual, any thoughts are welcome.

 

 

Car (Tire animation should be faster)

 

 

 

Tank (Tank treads should also animate faster)

 

 

 

Updated gameplay screenshot:

 

 

Edit: I also removed the ramps.

 

Thanks,

B

 

That looks cool.

[tz101]

That monster sprite looks identical to a creature in NES Legend of Zelda.

 

Next question: How soon is this ready for orders to be taken?

[Brian O]

I have updated the sprites again. I changed the monster enemy to a tank (as per Schizophretard's suggestion), and also updated the roadblocks.

 

As usual, any thoughts are welcome.

 

 

Car (Tire animation should be faster)

 

 

 

Tank (Tank treads should also animate faster)

 

 

 

Updated gameplay screenshot:

 

 

Edit: I also removed the ramps.

 

Thanks,

B

 

That looks cool.

 

Thanks, man!

[Cebus Capucinis]

This game just keeps getting better and better! I can't wait to buy a cart when (not if, when!) this cart materializes!

[Legend]

The game looks awesome.

 

The fire button would be used to fire your weapon. Your shots can shoot enemies / enemy's bullets (like in Berzerk).

 

-B

 

Personally, I think jumping would be more fun and challenging than firing shots. The player could score points by successfully jumping over enemies, their shots, and gaps. But should not be able to jump over road blocks. I see this as being especially challenging because if the enemy fires at the player, they have the choice of trying to jump over both the shot and the enemy to gain points or take the safe route and switch rails. Trying to jump over the shot means you run the chance of colliding with the enemy tank when you land if you don't jump again fast enough.

 

Maybe even use both by having two game variations. One with shots and one with jumping? If the player does jump, I don't think they should be able to switch rails mid-air. It would probably make it too easy. Or maybe that could be the variation, one lets you change lanes mid-jump, and the other doesn't.

 

Ramps don't sound particularly appealing to me since it would seem to make the gaps kinda pointless. Just a source of easy points. Unless there was a way to fail the jump off the ramp.

 

I would lean more towards joystick control rather than paddle. Mostly because of the dead zone in paddles which can often be a headache when you accidentally turn the paddles too far to the left and have to compensate to get back to the right before it responds again. Although I do love paddle games at it may make for quicker jumping from rail to rail. Kinda 50/50. The horizontal orientation also seems like it may make it a little awkward.

 

Are the speed up and slow down power ups temporary or permanent/cumulative until you pick up another? (again, sorry if this was answered already and I missed it).

 

The sprites and box/label art looks amazing. They go really well together.

 

From the screen shots, it looks like there is a fuel aspect to the game as well. (I didn't read every post so sorry if I missed the answer) Very good idea.

 

It's awesome to see someone with a a game idea and programmers taking the time and effort to help someone with an idea realize it. That's why I love this community. Probably the best out there.

 

Can't wait to try the final product.

Edited July 28, 2011 by Legend

[Brian O]

This game just keeps getting better and better! I can't wait to buy a cart when (not if, when!) this cart materializes!

 

Thanks! Fingers crossed...

 

-B

[Brian O]

The game looks awesome.

Thanks

 

Personally, I think jumping would be more fun and challenging than firing shots. The player could score points by successfully jumping over enemies, their shots, and gaps. But should not be able to jump over road blocks. I see this as being especially challenging because if the enemy fires at the player, they have the choice of trying to jump over both the shot and the enemy to gain points or take the safe route and switch rails. Trying to jump over the shot means you run the chance of colliding with the enemy tank when you land if you don't jump again fast enough.

I was trying to avoid the game being too much of a Bump n' Jump clone. Although I like the concept.

 

Maybe even use both by having two game variations. One with shots and one with jumping? If the player does jump, I don't think they should be able to switch rails mid-air. It would probably make it too easy. Or maybe that could be the variation, one lets you change lanes mid-jump, and the other doesn't.

Having jumping set as a variation is a good idea, too. I tend to over simplify things. That's why I took the ramps out of the comps. My thought was to make the game more about simply avoiding the obstacles by switching rails, rather than jumping them. Honestly, I'd even be okay with removing the ability to fire shots, too, and just keep the game to moving from rail to rail. But that's just me.

 

Ramps don't sound particularly appealing to me since it would seem to make the gaps kinda pointless. Just a source of easy points. Unless there was a way to fail the jump off the ramp.

I agree. That's why I took them out of the latest comp.

 

I would lean more towards joystick control rather than paddle.

I agree.

 

Are the speed up and slow down power ups temporary or permanent/cumulative until you pick up another? (again, sorry if this was answered already and I missed it).

They would speed you up a small percentage permanently. If you get another, it would increase your speed that much more. Your speed would then only decrease if you ran over a red "Speed Decrease" item or died.

 

The sprites and box/label art looks amazing. They go really well together.

Thanks!

 

From the screen shots, it looks like there is a fuel aspect to the game as well. (I didn't read every post so sorry if I missed the answer) Very good idea.

Yeah. I swiped the fuel gauge from a River Raid screenshot

 

It's awesome to see someone with a a game idea and programmers taking the time and effort to help someone with an idea realize it. That's why I love this community. Probably the best out there.

I couldn't agree more!

[Legend]

Would be nice if the Fuel Canisters and gauge had their own more unique feel instead of river raid.

 

I like the car sprite you did on page 3 the best.

Edited July 29, 2011 by Legend

[Brian O]

Would be nice if the Fuel Canisters and gauge had their own more unique feel instead of river raid.

 

I like the car sprite you did on page 3 the best.

 

I agree. I'll try and update when I have some time.

 

Thanks!

-B

[Schizophretard]

Bump for please someone make this game.

[Keatah]

Bump for please someone make this game.

 

 

This looks decent. I'd buy a .bin for emulator usage.

[jvas]

My ideas:

- the electric rail would invert up and down controls for a couple of seconds.

- the car can be moved to left and to right also. Moving to the right (toward the center of the screen) would increase speed. Using the ramps to jump over the holes would only be possible with increased speed.

- I don't know if it is possible or not, but changing the rails could be smoother, like changing lanes, and not jumping between them.

- There can be automatic rail changers, which - by hitting them - automatically throw you either the upper or lower rail

- There can be narrow ways, where the topmost and bottommost rails are temporarily not available.

- There can be earth shakes, which visually increases the difficulty

- It can be a game option to appear on the top when leaving on the bottom and vice versa.

- Increasing speed would increase fuel consumption also

- I can think of different road conditions and different types of tires. Tires can be changed in the occasionally appearing pits. Tires would affect fuel consumption and how fast the car react to the user's controls.

Edited August 1, 2011 by jvas

[Brian O]

My ideas:

- the electric rail would invert up and down controls for a couple of seconds.

- the car can be moved to left and to right also. Moving to the right (toward the center of the screen) would increase speed. Using the ramps to jump over the holes would only be possible with increased speed.

- I don't know if it is possible or not, but changing the rails could be smoother, like changing lanes, and not jumping between them.

- There can be automatic rail changers, which - by hitting them - automatically throw you either the upper or lower rail

- There can be narrow ways, where the topmost and bottommost rails are temporarily not available.

- There can be earth shakes, which visually increases the difficulty

- It can be a game option to appear on the top when leaving on the bottom and vice versa.

- Increasing speed would increase fuel consumption also

- I can think of different road conditions and different types of tires. Tires can be changed in the occasionally appearing pits. Tires would affect fuel consumption and how fast the car react to the user's controls.

 

 

I really like a lot of these ideas, especially the following:

 

- There can be narrow ways, where the topmost and bottommost rails are temporarily not available.

- It can be a game option to appear on the top when leaving on the bottom and vice versa.

 

I think a lot of what could be included would depend on the available bytes. The scrolling, enemies, and items may already be asking too much.

 

-B

[Schizophretard]

My ideas:

- the electric rail would invert up and down controls for a couple of seconds.

- the car can be moved to left and to right also. Moving to the right (toward the center of the screen) would increase speed. Using the ramps to jump over the holes would only be possible with increased speed.

- I don't know if it is possible or not, but changing the rails could be smoother, like changing lanes, and not jumping between them.

- There can be automatic rail changers, which - by hitting them - automatically throw you either the upper or lower rail

- There can be narrow ways, where the topmost and bottommost rails are temporarily not available.

- There can be earth shakes, which visually increases the difficulty

- It can be a game option to appear on the top when leaving on the bottom and vice versa.

- Increasing speed would increase fuel consumption also

- I can think of different road conditions and different types of tires. Tires can be changed in the occasionally appearing pits. Tires would affect fuel consumption and how fast the car react to the user's controls.

 

Unless one can fall off the railz I would like to see more of them kind of like Freeway but make it look like it is different railz instead of lanes.

 

I think it would be cool if there were different levels that scroll in other directions. Level one you scroll horizontally from left to right, level two you scroll vertically from top to bottom , level three you scroll horizontally from right to left, and level four you scroll vertically from bottom to top. That way things change on you and you are traveling in a big square.

[GroovyBee]

I think a lot of what could be included would depend on the available bytes. The scrolling, enemies, and items may already be asking too much.

 

You could always make it a 7800 game .

[atari5200dude82]

Or a 5200 game

[Schizophretard]

Or the other Ataris can wait their turn.