[game] Bear on a Wire - Cocos2D + Chipmunk

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[game] Bear on a Wire - Cocos2D + Chipmunk

(35 posts) (16 voices)

Started 2 years ago by dreamsocket
Latest reply from dreamsocket

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dreamsocket
Member

I am happy to announce that Bear on a Wire, a cartoony physics-based game built on Cocos2d and Chipmunk, is now available on the App Store. Like a lot of people, I am sure, this project was the first of many things for me including first game and first experience with OpenGL and Obj-C. I am very happy with the results and would like to thank riq and the whole Cocos2d community for the great work and wealth of information here.

App store description:

Our green hero, Bearzo, has had it! No more performing for "THE MAN" day in and day out. What! Do you think he is some kind of dancing bear? NO... he is a high wire bear, and it's time for him to make his great escape from the Big Top. He loves his fans and his work, but he just wants to be free and feel his scarf blow in the wind as he shreds wire with the most insane moves ever attempted ... on a Moped... on top of high voltage power lines. Get ready to feel the power of the 49cc, two stroke, and single cylinder stallion!

As you tear off on the wire, try to balance Bearzo and keep him from falling down into the 1.21 gigawatts that alternate through the wires below him (Ah, the smell of burnt bear hair). While balancing on the wire, acquire crazy mad points by using the different stunt key combinations to generate some MOPED MAYHEM (ECO..ECo..eco) Bearzo's stunts include no hands, half twist, full twist, bear buck, back roll, front roll, jump roll, grinder, spin roll, spin buck, spin buck grinder, coat tail, coat tail kick, and the next to impossible coat tail kick spin grinder. Combine these stunts with full flips, double flips... triple flips...? Now you are just being crazy! Collect coins and rack up even more points. I know...you never saw collectable coins coming. Don't get caught hibernating b/c it's about to get all GRIZZLY up in here!

Get pumped for BEAR ON A WIRE.

Features:

A Green bear, wearing a blue scarf, on a moped, riding on power lines. Really? You need more?
15 levels
15 stunts
Accelerometer balance controls
A guy named Chad stayed up all night working on it

Requirements:

A helmut in some states.
Compatible with iphone and ipod touch
requires OS 2.0 or later

Development notes:

Bear on a Wire took a little over 4 months of development with one developer (me) and one artist (Trevor van Meter) to finish and submit the game and 13 calendar days to get approved. It uses Cocos2d 0.8, Chipmunk, and CocosDenshion. It was my first game ever and first major project in general. Knowing nothing about OpenGL coming into this project, I am surprised how smoothly the game ended up running considering some of my early prototypes ran around 20 fps. Most of the early levels which have a couple less background layers run ~50 fps on my iPhone 3G and the rest run ~40 fps. I was unable to personally test the game on iPod Touch or 3GS so I am a little anxious to learn of any issues there.

I would love to answer any questions about the development process, assuming I can answer them. I am still new to this myself and I'm afraid I have a ton more to learn than I have to offer at this point.

Future updates:

Moving forward, we are close to being finished with the first update which will include OpenFeint with global high scores and achievements and we will be putting out a free version soon. Further down the line, in addition to more tricks and more levels, we would like to add a lot of features including new modes. Mostly though, we hope to get feedback and add the things that players would like to see.

Links:

Website: http://bearonawire.com
iTunes: http://itunes.com/apps/bearonawire

Images:

Trailer:

Get the Video Plugins

Posted 2 years ago #
thesmileman
Member

Looks fun. Will the price be going down or be on sale? Congrats on the game.

Posted 2 years ago #
Codemattic
Moderator

I like that some devs are moving away from the .99 price - I think it would be healthy if the store could support higher prices. And BOAW looks great. There are so many good .99 games though its going to be tough. Good luck. BOAW looks like it could benefit from a lite version too - its hard from the screenshots to understand the gameplay - and most people arent going to see the video.

Posted 2 years ago #
dreamsocket
Member

@thesmileman
Thanks, we will play with the price at some point but have no immediate plans for that.

@Codemattic
Thanks for the input. We also feel that more developers should try and step away from the .99 price point, there are definitely a ton of great games at that price. So many in fact that it feels like we are devaluing the market as a whole and all games are being pigeonholed into the .99 bracket. Personally, I would have payed several times more for a lot of the games I have bought at .99. That said, we will adjust the price as we go and hopefully figure out something that works.

Posted 2 years ago #
Codemattic
Moderator

@dreamsocket I too would of spent more on many of the .99 games, but I also regret many of my .99 purchases! Thats the .99 deal - you can take chances on developers youve never heard of. I just wish Apple would allow free downloads that could be upgraded with an in-game purchase. I dont get why they dont allow that vs having free and lite versions - functionally the same thing, just less convenient!

Posted 2 years ago #
ob1
Member

Personally I don't know if 0.99 is a curse or a blessing.

It might eventually drive out the big publishers and keep us indies in business.

Posted 2 years ago #
sunsu
Member

+1 to ob1. I completely agree. Its really the only way people like us can compete with big budget studios. Because those big budget studios also have big costs that go along with them which eliminates their ability to meet $0.99 pricing.

In regards to the game: I love it! The art really draws me in and it looks very fun!

Posted 2 years ago #
vutronic
Member

Dream Socket,

I bought and played it. Still trying to beat level 2:) I wish the bike can go faster...I'm having a tough time going up hill.

Very nice and polished game. I don't feel regret paying 2.99 for the game. Where did you get your sound effects from? Do you draw the wires dynamically in the game? What's the width of each level?

Posted 2 years ago #

dreamsocket
Member

@vutronic
Glad you like the game =)

We found the scooter sound clip at http://www.productiontrax.com all the rest of the sound effects and background music were made by the artist, Trevor (http://tvmstudio.com).

I store the data for the power lines in an array (m_currTerrainData below) where each value represents a y-height value. There are 400 points per level and each point is 50 pixels apart in the x direction so each level is 20,000 pixels wide.

I will post the code I use to drawn the lines but be warned, it is one of the first things I wrote and needs revisiting. Basically I figure out what segment is near and then only draw the portion of the lines that is visible.

cpVect p = parent.position; // parent = main game layer
int seg = -p.x / kSegLen; // get the segment we are near, kSegLen = 50

GLfloat drawVerts1[kSegmentsPerFrame]; // top line
GLfloat drawVerts2[kSegmentsPerFrame]; // middle
GLfloat drawVerts3[kSegmentsPerFrame]; // bottom

int x = 0;
int i = 0;
float y;
int j = seg;
for (i = 0; i < kSegmentsPerFrame; i+=2)
{
    x = kSegLen * j;
    y = m_currTerrainData[j];

    drawVerts1[i] =  x;
    drawVerts1[i+1] = y;

    drawVerts2[i] =  x;
    drawVerts2[i+1] = y - kVerticalSpacing;

    drawVerts3[i] =  x;
    drawVerts3[i+1] = y - kVerticalSpacing * 2;

    j++;
}

glBlendFunc(GL_SRC_ALPHA, GL_ONE_MINUS_SRC_ALPHA);
glEnable(GL_LINE_SMOOTH);
glHint(GL_LINE_SMOOTH_HINT, GL_NICEST);

glColor4f(0.4, 0.4, 0.4, 1.0); // gray
glLineWidth(2); // only works in simulator

glVertexPointer(2, GL_FLOAT, 0, drawVerts1);
glEnableClientState(GL_VERTEX_ARRAY);

glDrawArrays(GL_LINE_STRIP, 0, i/2);
glVertexPointer(2, GL_FLOAT, 0, drawVerts2);
glDrawArrays(GL_LINE_STRIP, 0, i/2);
glVertexPointer(2, GL_FLOAT, 0, drawVerts3);
glDrawArrays(GL_LINE_STRIP, 0, i/2);

glDisableClientState(GL_VERTEX_ARRAY);

glDisable(GL_POINT_SMOOTH);
glDisable(GL_LINE_SMOOTH);
glBlendFunc(CC_BLEND_SRC, CC_BLEND_DST);

Posted 2 years ago #

vutronic
Member

Thanks for the info. Very helpful! I wish I can go up to 20,000 horizontally for the game I'm working on but I'm using a lot of large background textures so that's not an option. I can only go as far as 5000 pixels. Did you build a custom editor for making the level maps? I have a custom Flash editor that's perfect for building the wires like you have in your game.

Posted 2 years ago #
dreamsocket
Member

@vutronic
I built the level editor in Flex so it is probably similar to the one you came up with. It could definitely use a lot more work though. I spent too much time working around bugs in it while I was making the levels. It was towards the end of development on the game though so I was just trying to churn out levels as fast as possible. I will definitely go back over it and make sure it is solid for the next round of levels.

Posted 2 years ago #
Codemattic
Moderator

Hey - pretty good mention on offworld:

http://www.offworld.com/2009/09/ursine-incline-the-stunt-jumpi.html

Posted 2 years ago #
friken
Member

I've been putting a lot of thought to the whole 0.99cent pricing as well as indie developer vs big publisher. There has been a lot of land grabbing by EA/Gameloft as just those two big publishers hold 1/4 of the top 100 spots. There is something that is a really good sign though. There are still tons of good clever indie games hitting the top of the charts. When I look at the big publisher games vs indie, I see a large difference in the scope of the games which I think is actually helping the indie. The device is a phone primarily (and ipod a music player). There are tons if not the majority of people that want that simple 5-10minute distraction at an airport, waiting at a doctor office etc. Games like civilizations, doom etc are great games, but they are much deeper experiences than what a lot of people are looking for. I think (really hope) there will always be room for the clever uber-casual games like rope-n-fly, flight control, etc. Now if the big publishers start making uber-casual games... hmmm still seems like we can compete as the scope of the art/projects are small enough a guy or three can do it...

just my 2cents

Posted 2 years ago #
Codemattic
Moderator

Ive bought a lot of those bigger games. Theyre pretty great. I never play them. I play them once or twice to see what they are about - and I mean to get back to them - but I never do. Its all Wheelie Joe and Dragon Kill and DoodleJump and Rope-N-Fly. Some of the big ports (Im looking at you, id) dont make sense bc the controls that worked well on a PC havent translated well to the touch interface.

Posted 2 years ago #
friken
Member

@Codemattic, yep, mee too. I've bought a lot of the big titles because I'm curious about them but I don't play them. From numerous others I've talked to it seems that most buy those as impulse buys on name recognition, but play the more super-casual games like you mentioned. If I want the big production value games I have a PC or game console to play them on. If you look at handheld systems like the DS, you will see a similar pattern. Handheld/portable gamers tend to go from the more casual games. The iPhone seems even more so toward small/casual from the DS market. The fact that games like Sally's spa and cooking mama can hit the top 10 (even #1) really opened my eyes to the audience as well. There are a LOT of very casual female games in the iphone market. Enough to launch a female targeted game to #1.

Posted 2 years ago #
friken
Member

In staying on the thread topic, very cool game! I think this one may have legs on the app store. Good work dreamsocket.

Posted 2 years ago #
dreamsocket
Member

@Codemattic thanks for pointing out that article, I am happy with the trailer and glad they liked it.

I think the conversation about big games from the large publishers vs $.99 indie games is interesting. Personally I have bought several of the large games from EA and Gameloft and haven't played them since the day I got them. They just seem very clunky, like straight ports with poorly implemented controls. I think there is a lot of potential when control schemes mature and we start seeing the major publishers develop games specifically for the iPhone that are tailored to short play times.

@friken glad you like the game!

Posted 2 years ago #
dreamsocket
Member

The free version, Bear on a Wire - Free Ride, has been accepted to the app store. If you weren't able to check out the full version, give this one a spin. I will be happy to hear any opinions/suggestions.

Admittedly, this version is a fairly small and I may update it sometime to add a couple more levels or tricks but, being my first game, I am unsure of how much to include. Also, I have been hearing comments about it being better to not have a free version at all. I can't see the validity in that though. In my opinion, the more people that see the game the better, even if the majority don't buy the paid version.

iTunes: Bear on a Wire - Free Ride

Posted 2 years ago #
natanavra
Member

@dreamsocket it's been proved more than once, Lites are helpful and give a pretty good boost to sales. iPhone statistics: "95% purchases are made through Lites."
Although lites eventually add junk to the store (in a way...)

Something to think about...
~ Natanavra.

Posted 2 years ago #
dreamsocket
Member

@natanavra that is definitely a convincing statistic for putting out a lite version. Where did you find it? I am always looking for new data and stats about the App Store and developers' experiences with it.

Also, wanted to make a quick note that the full version of Bear on a Wire is on sale for $0.99 (the price was changed two days ago but it still says $2.99 when searching - another quirk of the App Store I suppose). I am close to submitting an update with OpenFeint which will add global scores and achievements.

iTunes: Bear on a Wire

Posted 2 years ago #
riq
Key Master

very funny game. congratulations.

Posted 2 years ago #
hkmars
Member

Congrats on this great funny game!

Posted 2 years ago #
dreamsocket
Member

Quick update, a new version of Bear on a Wire was accepted today. It includes OpenFeint with global high scores and achievements as well as several performance improvements.

An update has also been submitted for the free version which unlocks all but three tricks and adds another level.

Thanks for the positive comments!

Posted 2 years ago #
Codemattic
Moderator

How are sales? It seems like you did everything right. Fun game. Bright cartoony graphics with funny music. You got some good press. Please give us some good news. Did Apple feature BoaW at all?

Posted 2 years ago #
yohann
Member

+1 for Codemattic.
Please tell us you're doing good, otherwise lots of us developers will switch to emo mode.

Posted 2 years ago #
jd
Member

You can view app ranks on apptism.com for free when you view an app. Not sure how they get the data but at least its all relative. Looks like the game is doing fairly well.

Posted 2 years ago #
friken
Member

looking at apptism.com, its rank is ~1400. I'm not sure if that is good, I would guess that isn't very good... but I have no idea what that # is based on.

+1 for Codemattic. I would also like to know how this one is doing. No need for exact $ figures unless you feel like sharing. Just a "It is doing very well." "not what I hoped", etc would work for me. I agree that the game is fun and well done for the iphone audience. I really hope it is doing well!

Posted 2 years ago #
leftright
Member

+1 for Codemattic, please share your app sales, will give us a good idea of what to expect. Thanks!

Posted 2 years ago #
XyrisKenn
Member

This is terrific! I downloaded the free version and it's fun. if you don't mind an opinion, I would suggest maybe adding eyeblinks to the bear so it looks alive when biking, and perhaps slowing down the crash so I can see the bear's expression while wiping out :)

Great original premise, I liked the intro with the ringmaster and the bear tears.

Posted 2 years ago #
thesmileman
Member

I think XyrisKenn suggestion with the slow motion is a great idea but I think you might be able to extend it to make it even better. When I play the full game I have lots of fun but I can't do as many stunts as I want because I crash a lot when doing them and I just keep driving rather than do any stunts. If you extended the slow motion idea to make it a button that recharges after "x" amount of time and then the user can press it to nail a landing that would be really cool. It also would be really neat to allow a rocket booster if you do something special so you can do really high jumps. I think the slow motion idea would really make the game easier and much more enjoyable for long term play because the landing can be pretty hard. I love the game and the graphics!

Posted 2 years ago #

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