[GAME] Revz v. 2.0 « cocos2d for iPhone

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[GAME] Revz v. 2.0

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Started 1 year ago by AkumaStreak
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AkumaStreak
Member

Hello Everyone!

Revz store link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/revz/id352513901?mt=8

I have completed a major overhaul (almost all gfx reworked -- screenshots and promo codes below) of my game Revz. I have also included 2 new features (based on feedback/new ideas). Those new features are:

- Added an assist item that can be used once per game to get out of a pinch or to get the ball moving at game start (an alternative to "wrist-rolling") 
- Added stars. There are three stars present at all times in the background. Each acquired star yields 1,000 points! Going for these will have you moving up the leaderboard fast!

Here are some promo codes, but if you take one, I do ask that you are:

- Willing to spend some time (a few minutes) learning the mechanics of an original game. If you can't score at least ~10k, you prob. don't understand how to play it yet (please read the "How to Play" screens).
- Willing to give me some feedback (last time I posted promo codes, many were used by people who left me no feedback). I realize that my game isn't as accessible as it could be (most people have to at least glance at the instructions to figure it out) -- at this point I'm mostly looking for feedback from gamers who don't mind figuring the game out/playing a few games before passing judgement.

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J9KNN9FJJFPP
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This game is the product of around a year of work (I made another app, but it was largely a tech. driver (I'm counting all of that time as well since I have reused my tech.) -- and polishing a game takes quite a long time, as many of you know). If I don't find some success soon, I'll prob. have to take a leave from game development. Please give this game a look!

Here is the description from the store:

Arcade action is back in fashion! The challenge in Revz is to keep the ball moving for as long as you can. Blast the ball with the boost cannon to speed it up, but don't run out of boost! Revz is an arcade-style action game with vibrant graphics, great sound effects, and a kickin' music track. Challenge yourself with a quick game today! Revz can also be played while listening to the music that's already on your device. Click "...More" for more information!

Revz' gameplay is unique, thanks to the iPhone and iPod touch's excellent motion-sensing and touch-screen capabilities. Revz is an original concept, not another clone, boob, or fart app! :-) The worldwide leaderboard puts you in direct competition with players everywhere. Do you have the coordination and reflexes to earn a top-ranked score?

When the game kicks off, you have five seconds (the announcer counts down) to get the ball moving by "wrist-rolling" (tilting) the device. That's how you "Rev It Up!!!". After you rev up the ball, it's time to keep it moving. Press the button in the middle of the screen to fire the boost cannon and propel the ball. Be sure to watch the boost meter! When you run out of boost, you're in trouble. Get more boost by tapping the green boost orbs that float by. Monitor your speed with the red speedometer needle. Don't let it fall below the skull and crossbones line!

Since Revz is a game of skill, you'll need to practice and learn a few tricks to maximize your score. Revz promises to challenge you! If at first you don't succeed, Revz on! Claim your rightful spot in the world leaderboard!

Posted 1 year ago #
QcMat
Member

cool, graphics are much better than the original.

Posted 1 year ago #
Genji
Member

Congrats, nice update!

Posted 1 year ago #
vutronic
Member

Hey congratulations! Are you going to make a promo video for it?

Posted 1 year ago #
Steve Oldmeadow
Administrator

I bought a copy and have managed to score >14k. Now I've got the hang of it I find it enjoyable but I must admit the first 10-20 plays left me wanting to smash my device. I can imagine a lot of people won't persevere beyond that initial frustration.

Getting the play balance right is very hard but I find this game very punishing for beginners. It would be nice to have some difficulty levels or maybe some levelling and introduce game elements gradually.

For example, initially it is just a challenge to get the cannon timing right - let alone have to deal with charging up your boost meter and red orbs. You could have an initial level where all you have to do is fire the cannon, then once the user hits a certain score raise the level up and introduce having to get green orbs to recharge the boost meter. Then have another level where red orbs are introduced.

I don't really like how you have to rotate the device for 5 seconds at the start. I would prefer to draw my finger in a circular motion on the screen to charge up the ball - then I can just hold the device in the same position for the duration of the game. However, this "revving up" section is very hard when you are a beginner and the game can pretty much end after 5 seconds. Maybe you could have an auto revving option for newbies where the ball automatically revs up but you don't get as much score as if you rev it up yourself.

An option to turn off the music would be nice. It is nothing against your music - I turn the music off in all my games (even Zombie Smash ;) ).

I hope I'm not sounding too negative. I actually think this is a cool game but the learning curve is brutal - something that can bite you with the typical iDevice gamer.

Posted 1 year ago #
AkumaStreak
Member

Hi Steve,

It indeed takes some practice to get the hang of revving up the ball. I decided against changing the mechanics simply to prevent people from game over'ing while getting the hang of it. I also decided (I didn't say these were good decisions, hehe) against investing more time into an interactive tutorial/helper mode for this version because

1) It would have increased the complexity/scope of this project by an amount I couldn't justify (yet).

2) I, as a gamer, don't mind the notion of dying a few times while mastering mechanics. This is not true of the iDevice (thank you for introducing me to the iDevice term just now... I'm tired of typing iPhone/iPod touch/iPad) population at large. I did iterate on the "How to Play" mode (ending up with a few light overview screens and one "everything you would ever want to know" about the game screen) after some rounds of feedback. This was an exercise in frustration as the same population on the average simply will not read instructions if they aren't made to in some spoon-fed/hard-to-skip fashion (no matter how they're presented -- esp. if they aren't presented in-game). They want to approach something they are already familiar with (hence the success/pursuit of derivative apps).

That said, I do agree that an interactive (or maybe video) tutorial/introduction of some sort would be helpful. This may come in an update. You have to admit though -- once you get the hang of revving up the ball after a few tries, it becomes second nature. The reality is that many (fine... most) users will not make it to this point, and they will already have lost interest/moved on (oh well -- lesson learned (relearned)), as you said.

Your points about iteratively introducing the elements are good. While some elements (the stars) do not have to be pursued initially, these will distract/confuse new players, making coming to terms with the basic concepts more difficult (the stars were added in an update as a means of keeping things interesting during idle time/blast repetition -- something a new player isn't ready to manage).

The rescue/assist item I added in the most recent update (the life preserver at the bottom) can be used as an alternative to revving up the ball (or you can save it to get out of a pinch). This is for people who don't want to look like an ass on the train/simply can't master the "revving up" component. It's not a perfect solution because using it at the start means that you won't have it later, but this was an attempt to minimize those issues.

Lastly, you can play it with your own music (okay... why I am telling this to the CocosDenshion author... like you don't know? :-P) instead of the game's. I should put in a "no music" option of some kind later, as suggested. Players can also put a lengthy silent audio track on their device... and play that during my game. Sounds like a reasonable request of them! Haha, I am joking on all counts, of course.

Thanks very much for the feedback. Sometimes I make decisions in my projects that alienate new players/the masses, but at least I can be happy with a polished product that's not watered down for non-gamers (by changing the revving mechanic that I think is novel, for ex.). Or at least that's how I can self-justify my choices. :-)

I agree with everything you said, btw, if that's not clear... :-)

Posted 1 year ago #
Steve Oldmeadow
Administrator

Balancing the play is very hard, it makes you appreciate the masters - this is one thing I think Nintendo are exceptional at. Revz isn't alone. Recently I found The Hero, Super Turbo Action Pig and Sprint Racers GP were all pitched too hard. I'm not the worlds best gamer but I play lots of games and think if I struggle many other people are going to.

I do play with my own music but I often like to play games sans music. One thing I'd do with Revs is have an audio indicator of the speed of the ball. I would get a nice loop and crank the pitch up as the ball gained speed. I don't know if you are familiar with PowerBalls http://www.powerballs.com but Revz reminded me a bit of them. One cool thing about PowerBalls is the pitch increases as you speed up the gyro until it is really screaming.

Edit: I didn't realise what the life preserver did, you are right - that addresses some of my issues about the rev up stage. I don't think the revving up is bad per se. The problem is it is the first thing you encounter. If you start the game and do nothing then it is game over in under 10 seconds. People should read the instructions but nobody ever does.

Also have you thought about having multiple balls? I'd love to play around with the physics of multiple balls on the track.

Posted 1 year ago #
AkumaStreak
Member

A whir sound that changes pitch with speed is always neat -- a good idea. I found that with some of my projects with sounds like that that the sound can get annoying though (unless you just happen to find the perfect sample). Also, I didn't want constantly looped samples competing with the music. It may have worked ok, especially if you say it works well with the Powerballs.

Multiple balls was also an idea I considered -- having an extra ball at times like in pinball. For this game, multiple balls that interact are no good, any collisions completely nerfed their speed, and recovering is nearly impossible (and since speed is necessary to stay alive, it's no good). Having two balls that don't even interact is also quite hard because the game was tweaked timing (ball speed) and space-wise for blasting a single ball.

Cool ideas for similar games/potential sequels for sure!

Thanks again!

Posted 1 year ago #
AkumaStreak
Member

Bonus if anyone noticed that the laser is made up of individual randomly (per frame) colored (shades of green) rays (lines), each extending to the ball's center or the shell edge (whichever they hit). Each ray of the laser has its own associated particle system for the ray intersection points. Notice in the first screenshot the way part of the laser hits the center button and the rest extends on. Kind of cool, if I do say so. :-) Prob. doesn't make my game any better, but neat I think? It has cool properties but the lasers in say Geodefense still manage to look more laser-y. :-)

Posted 1 year ago #
AkumaStreak
Member

vutronic: I would like to get around to making a promo video eventually. I plan on doing a lite version (score capped with ads on the title screen) first. Thanks for the congrats.

Also, thanks for the compliments QcMat and Genji.

Posted 1 year ago #
Steve Oldmeadow
Administrator

Yes, the continuous sound could get annoying - I'd put an option to turn it off. Even an unobtrusive click every time the ball passes a certain point would give you an audio cue of how fast you are going.

Powerballs are actually real world objects. Its like a tennis ball sized thing that you hold in your hand and rotate. They are used for strengthening grip and building various arm muscles. The manufacturers had a great idea to include a rev counter so you can measure various stats such as highest rpms.

Posted 1 year ago #
Steve Oldmeadow
Administrator

I just read your comment about doing a Lite. What about having something like Revz Trainer which is a dumbed down version i.e just have the cannon firing mechanic and maybe star grabbing but number of stars is driven by ball speed. Maybe cap the gameplay to a certain time period, you could add the trainer mode as an option to the retail game.

ps - I forgot to say that I really like that smoke and laser effect you do on the title screen. How did you do that smoke?

Posted 1 year ago #
AkumaStreak
Member

I guess I revealed that I didn't click that link (yet). :-) Heading to bed. Super late (early) here.

One reason I don't have something indicating/encouraging ball speed is because I don't want to give the impression that speed is the most important factor in getting a high score. It's a factor, but it's also often useful to conserve boost and float just above the required speed.

Neat idea about the trainer. That concept could work for a number of games.

The smoke effect is basically just parallax scrolling. I generated the smoke texture via a GIMP feature (started with a transparent canvas). I just move three layered smoke sprites (each sprite is 2x the screen's height) upwards/repeating at different speeds (1x, 2x, 3x). I did some copy/paste/flip tricks in GIMP to make the sprites essentially tileable in the vertical (so you don't see edges when they basically wrap). I say "basically wrap" because the sprites are placed back in their starting position before the move action repeats, but because what you see onscreen is the same in both of these edge cases for any given smoke sprite (because of how the texture was created in GIMP), the smoke appears continuous/smooth.

Posted 1 year ago #
AkumaStreak
Member

In case anyone tries a similar effect -- the texture actually needs to be 3x the screen height, or 3x the height of the region in the texture that is being scaled up for the screen's dimensions (my smoke texture is actually 160 x (240 x 3) now (160 x 720)). I did the latter because the smoke looks fine scaled a bit and in motion (I didn't want a huge texture for this).

Posted 1 year ago #

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