What started as a weekend project a few weeks ago grew into a full serious game, although a simple one. It’s a 2.5d game where the player controls a small rocket in the same spirit of the old lunar lander game, with a few tweaks to the idea. I’m aiming at web browser only for now.
Tiny planets have gravity that behaves like real life gravity, allowing the player to apply in very simple and visual manner maneuvers like gaining orbit and Hohmann transfers or, in more complex cases, complicated orbits around more planetary bodies.
The game is structured around missions. Some are simply “land over there” while others may require tasks like synchronizing the rocket with a satellite, attach to it and transfer to another tiny planet. All in simplified orbital dynamics, no need to worry about orbital planes, for example!
So far I have most of the gameplay fully functional, a few test levels, score system and gui functionality. I’m working on more levels, including highly important tutorial levels, sound and music, a more consistent visual design and art assets.
Below there’s a link to the game as it is now. Control with wasd or arrow keys (in one level space bar is required, make sure to read the objectives screen at each level for further information) Play Orbitroll
Since visual design is one of the aspects that needs work, screenshots will do little to advertise the game. But below is a screenshot of the second level, one that received more love from the designer inside of me:
I’ll keep this thread updated as the game production progresses. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Nice job man, I enjoyed the interaction of the ship when it touches the ground, the physics looks fine, but I am not am expert in physics so my feedback about the physics does not have many value
I think that sometimes the camera or the rocket seems to jitter. Also you should put a limit in the borders of the level to not let the rocket fall in the infinity of the space.
I think that I played a game like this one in flash, as far as I remember that game does not have enemies, so you could put some enemies like turrets, aliens or asteroid belts in the future levels to increase the challange and make the game more original.
I noticed the camera jitter too, it’s on my to do list, as well as the limiting border
aw… that is sad news before starting this project I did an extensive googling for similar titles and didn’t find anything, that’s part of the reason I got excited about it. Let me know if you remember the name of this game.
It looks good enough and it plays great. Add a few more levels and it’s browser game high quality.
And even if there is a similar game out there, don’t be discouraged. You won’t be able to make a 100% original game anyway. However, you will have different levels at the very least.
(btw, remember to remove the s from the https in the dropbox link)
Yep, that is true, don’t feel discouraged, even if your game is like some other that already exists you can make a game with your identity, with some characteristic that will make the people remember of your game when they think in that thing.
Been experimenting with different planet textures and different color palettes, I think I like the idea of different colors for each mission. Also added an atmospheric haze effect.
before starting this project I did an extensive googling for similar titles and didn’t find anything, that’s part of the reason I got excited about it. Let me know if you remember the name of this game.