Hi guys,
this is a screenshot of my work in progress game "MagnetBall".
The aim of the game is to navigate a metallic ball threw many puzzle levels (this is only a testlevel) by using a magnet.
The special thing is that you "hold" the magnet in your hand using the Leap Motion Controller.
Kinect and mouse movement will be possible, too.
And the controller works pretty well! :)
Please tell me, what do you think about this game and it's controlling idea? :)
HI backslider the concept it's nice perhaps make a maze whit different altitudes, whit some holes can do the playibility more complex...
I let you an idea I've got suddenly when I look the image, this it's another way to play perhpas you can implement both...
Will be nice use the magnet, but whit another mobile device, in example you have an iPad or another Device like a server, and then with 1 device or 2 for two players at the same time, you use the magent moving the accelerometer of those devices... with some connection whit BT and sending the accelerometer data... How I told you only like idea, it's your game and your idea, only if can help and you find interesting can be nice... or not... always have to test the things :)
Another thing about the graphics, it's nice put blocks, but thingking in some scenarion more complex like a Castle like a maze, of something future... I know this it's a test, but ideas comming while I write this lines..
Regards,
Hi mentalthink,
thanks for your ideas.
My idea is also to create 3D mazes but for testing I don't need a complex model. :)
The blocks are more easy to use for creating a testlevel instead of building complex geometry. :D
Later it could be a room with tables, tv etc. for example where you have to find the "door" or so. :P
here is another screenshot with three dimensions... Also simple.
This it's nice it's very extrange and different... another idea I leave you, perhaps the game can be more interesting, if when you have the Scenarios done, you can do press buttons in the walls, for open secret doors , or have to do something for can exit from the maze...
That is a great idea.
One thing that came to my mind is that magnets are quite strong in real life.
So I suppose you are going to make some threshold on it?
Last time I played with a real one it was either full attraction or none at all, it required extreme precision to make small movements.
Anyway, in a game, I don´t see this as a trouble.
post some videos! :good:
Here is a video in really bad quality and a simple demo level but shows the basic "gameplay". :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atXRlLmfx5g&feature=youtu.be
Looks great and smooth, how are you controlling the magnet? hand position or rotation?
Thanks erico! :)
Im using the hands x and z position.
with these values the magnet rotates around the ball.
Do anyone of you have an idea for a first interesting level? :)
This is going to sound really shitty of me, but honestly it's not a criticism -
I really like the idea, and it's certainly different to other marble games, but is there really any need for the magnet? Does the magnet's polarity introduce problems within the environment or is it just a method for moving the ball? If it's the latter, why use it?
I really liked the video (cool physics and shadows) and it showed how the magnet worked with the ball, but it didn't really show why it is necessary.
Thanks for your feedback Ian!
The question is, how would you visualize the moving direction and force of the ball?
You are god in the game and god holds the magnet to move it. :D
And maybe there will be other objects and interact with the magnet OR the magnetized ball.
But I'm open to other ideas if you have one. :)
If you are a god, you would know the moving direction of the ball! :P Your fingers (or a second controller/device as indicated) help to induce ball movement - environmental factors In the playfield) then indicate future movement of the ball, independent of the magnet - so that's not actually going to be a good indicator of ball movement ;)
Like I said, I love the idea - I just don't see the need for the magnet unless it has a valid reason to be there, and no matter how hard I think, I can't see a reason - even for polarity puzzles within the level.
However, my understanding of what you hope to achieve is probably a lot more limited than yours. I really look forward to seeing the end results though, as I'm very intrigued. :)
Thanks again for your ideas Ian.
I really need a idea for a first level. xD
Maybe a workshop where you have to solve obstacles? :D
Do you have an idea?
Here another screenshot
Couple ideas about what Ian said:
- Magnet could make the ball kind of fly if you approach it on Y, it could slowly turn blue like it is discharging and after a while looses power and takes a bit to come back. This must be well thought so people don´t simply ´jump´ obstacles.
- You could have parts of the level where the floor desmagnetise the ball, so player has to ´throw/push´ the ball, like golf.
Both ideas are a bit spoiled and presents other problems to the gameplay... they just came to my mind.
But I agree you should tune the magnet/ball control to something unique.
Anyway, how are you designing the levels? If I send you a 3d texture mapped OBJ will it run out of the box?
You both have nice ideas, I will think about them. :)
I design my levels in Blender, so if you would send me an obj file it should work.
Just my little thought on this.
How about a fan pushing the ball?. That could use x/y/z positioning, for example angle & distance would affect the pushing of the ball (or slowing down if it's in the balls path).
I like the magnet idea but like Ian I don't get the magnet part, although I may with some more thinking =D
Lee
A fan is a cool idea! :D
3D-Engine?
The engine I use is Synapsegaming Sunburn.
It's a component based game engine.
And in near future it's cross platform because xna died and it is based on xna.
I reall love the 3D SpinDizzy look to that level. :D
Yeah, as erico says - the magnet has to have some form of use - either to energise the ball or to pull or push it (or enemies away) in a way that makes sense - otherwise users might wask, well why can't I just push/move it with my fingers or the tilt control. I really think it's an excellent idea, and the magent can behave in all manner of excellent ways - using it to push open doors, operate machinery etc. etc. as well as move the ball. But, it's not something that should be forced in. Use it as part of the game, not just as a control option.
Hey backslider; I saw the video, and in my opinion, it'll make a great game. And the magnet adds an interesting element to the control, so it's definitely a keeper. Hope it works out well for you.
Or have switches (that you hit by accident? or forced by level design) that reverse the pull force to a push force.
Then you have to push the ball for a while, ha just a thought.
Or magnet powerups to increase the magnet power, to move faster, but also harder to control.
Have metal switches or obstacles that you need the magnet to activate or move.
Have round magnetic pegs (or whatever) in the level that influence the ball when it goes near them, harder to control.
This could become an interesting game!
Really cool and interesting ideas Slydog! :)
And here is a small screenshot of my new concave hull component.
It's now possible to use any complex model to roll on/through.
This was possible before too but only with static models.
Now I can create complex rotating, moving etc. obstacles.
Do you think I should create my game out of cubes or are complex worlds more cool? :D
Both cube and "real" worlds can work. It will all depend on the game really and how it uses the environment. Cube worlds will certainly be easier to create and texture. Perhaps start with cubes and then build the game and change as/if necessary?
Hi,
I changed the "story" of my game.
Now I don't use a magnet and a metal ball anymore. I will use characters from a earlier game of mine.
It was called Plushbreaker with four different "plushies".
And I think the "fan" idea from fuzzy70 is a cool idea to push the plushies around on cute islands maybe? :)
Here is a screenshot of the plushies at hard work in the old game. :D
What do you think about? Is it better than a magnet?
Cheers
Sounds cool, but so did the magnet based game :)
I like the magnet idea. How about boxes that can be attracted or disttracted with the magnet?
It makes no difference if fan or magnet, the physics are the same reversed. :D
Maybe I will keep the magnet idea...
@Gernot:
In my game will be objects like boxes you have to distract, doors you have to "hold" up to roll through or hurricanes which pop up you to the next stage.