My new retro shooter, Horizon shift

[DirtyOstrich]

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to share some pics and footage of my new shooter, Horizon shift.

It's and old school style shooter but the screen in split into two and you sit on a line in the middle which is under constant attack.
You run along the line and switch between looking up and down.
There's 3 main types of enemies (not including bosses), Blue enemies which destroy your line, Red enemies which run along the line and green enemies that shoot at you.
To make things more interesting the more Red enemies that are running along your line the higher your multiplier.

It's still really early but it's starting to take shape.

Here's a vid of what I've made so far
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uEVNb7 ... tube_gdata







Thanks for having a look, let me know what you think.

[DirtyOstrich]

Here's a pic of a bar top cab that I made for the game.
Also great for MAME



And here's a little vid of the cab in action at Comic Con.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV_ab06g3qU

[Stilghar]

I like the concept, always nice to see new stuff. The movement is similar to a platformer, right? You can't fly freely only jump as far as I see in the video.

I'm not too sold on the breakout style bonus stage though. Graphics may need some tweaking but in general pretty cool idea.

[DirtyOstrich]

I like the concept, always nice to see new stuff. The movement is similar to a platformer, right? You can't fly freely only jump as far as I see in the video.

I'm not too sold on the breakout style bonus stage though. Graphics may need some tweaking but in general pretty cool idea.

Thanks for the reply.
Yeah, that's right. You move left and right on the 'Horizon' (the line) and if a bit of the line is broken away by an enemy you have to jump the gap. So yeah, it's basically a platformer/shooter hybrid thing

The breakout level needs some work, as does most of it!
The idea is to have 4 or 5 different bonus levels all based on classic arcade games, I'm working on a Pong one at the moment.

[RaidenViper]

Looks really nice so far. let us know when a Demo will be available

[DirtyOstrich]

Looks really nice so far. let us know when a Demo will be available

Thanks man
It's still a few months off I think but could defo do with some testers soon.

[DirtyOstrich]

Just a little update, here's a little vid of the second boss.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnNCVQPhRfY

I've changed it slightly from the vid, there's an extra laser in the middles now and the hit box on the player ship has been slightly reduced.

Thanks guys

[DirtyOstrich]

Hey guys,

Here's a new vid of the 3rd boss in Horizon Shift.
http://youtu.be/PzEur_Zk91g
Let me know what you think.

Cheers

[shmuppyLove]

I think the bosses could use lifebars, it would help give the player a sense that they're actually doing damage.

As it is, they just seem like giant sponges soaking up all the shots.

Also helps to increase tension and excitement for the player, as the lifebar slowly ticks away OOH SOO CLOSE!

[DirtyOstrich]

I think the bosses could use lifebars, it would help give the player a sense that they're actually doing damage.

As it is, they just seem like giant sponges soaking up all the shots.

Also helps to increase tension and excitement for the player, as the lifebar slowly ticks away OOH SOO CLOSE!

Yeah, you're right. Looking at the vid again I can see it needs one.
Thanks man Great help

[DirtyOstrich]

At last I've got a proper trailer together for the game!!!

It doesn't show everything that's in the game but I think it gives a good idea of what it's about.

Here it is

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob9Hx0fGMBc

Let me know what you think

Thanks guys

[guigui]

Damned, TB303 music, Ikaruga voices, testoroned Space Invaders gameplay. All of this sounds good.

[Shepardus]

Looks a lot more fun than I expected TBH!

It's not directly related to gameplay, but I think some of the fonts could use some work - I had difficulty reading the trailer text quickly and the "Bomb Live" text at the bottom of the screen.

[DirtyOstrich]

Looks a lot more fun than I expected TBH!

It's not directly related to gameplay, but I think some of the fonts could use some work - I had difficulty reading the trailer text quickly and the "Bomb Live" text at the bottom of the screen.

Yeah, I completely agree with you about the trailer font. Gonna make another trailer for closer to release, will make sure it's clearer.

The bomb live text looks a lot cleaner in the actual game, but I know what you're saying.

Thanks for taking a look man, much appreciated

[DirtyOstrich]

Just added a cheeky CRT Emulator option on Horizon Shift. Kicking it old school )

[DirtyOstrich]

Just a little update,

Here's a little footage of the 4th Boss in Horizon Shift. Getting tricky now
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAGLkqCdZ_Y

[MOSQUITO FIGHTER]

Pretty cool idea! Have you tried it on any other shapes. You could have the ship run along triangles, hexagons, wavy lines, etc.

[seattlexc]

I didn't realize you are from Flump Studios! I'm a huge fan of your previous games, especially Pester. That game reminded me a lot of my favorite early shmups like Truxton and is definitely one of my favorite XBLIG releases.

Your new game looks original and very polished, looking forward to the release!

[DirtyOstrich]

Pretty cool idea! Have you tried it on any other shapes. You could have the ship run along triangles, hexagons, wavy lines, etc.

Not yet actually, now you've mentioned it I wish I had

Nice idea for a sequel though!

[DirtyOstrich]

I didn't realize you are from Flump Studios! I'm a huge fan of your previous games, especially Pester. That game reminded me a lot of my favorite early shmups like Truxton and is definitely one of my favorite XBLIG releases.

Your new game looks original and very polished, looking forward to the release!

Thanks man, means a lot!!!!
Actually I'm remaking Pester after Horizon Shift. I still like the game but going back makes me realise I wasn't great at making games back then.
Going to rebuild it with 60fps and decent artwork

[DirtyOstrich]

Quick pic of the new inverse mode

[DirtyOstrich]

Just finished added the trophies...getting somewhere now

[DirtyOstrich]

Nearly there now, just working on some of the later levels. Things are getting tricky now

[DirtyOstrich]

Just thought I'd post this link to an interview about Horizon Shift I did at the gadget show last week.
It probably shows more about the game than the trailer and screen shots do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXWH3TvIOYE

It's due out next month, getting nervous now!!!

[DirtyOstrich]

Yay, Horizon Shift finally has some cover art!!! )

[DirtyOstrich]

Haven't posted an update in a while, been super busy!!

Here's a quick picture of boss number 5.



And in other news...Horizon Shift has a steam page
http://store.steampowered.com/app/326120/

It will be £3.99/$4.99 on launch(29th May) minus the launch discount.

[DirtyOstrich]

The final bonus level's all finished Yay!

[DirtyOstrich]

Hi everyone,

Only 2 weeks left until the game's released!
I've decided to run a closed beta to make sure everything runs smoothly when the game's released.

If you're interested in participating you can sign up here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1cD3drK ... rm?c=0&w=1

[DirtyOstrich]

Can't believe it, Horizon Shift is actually out on steam tomorrow!
Feels like it's been in development for ages.

To celebrate I got me one of these


Amazingly enough these will actually be going on sale along side a physical copy.

Been a crazy few months, fingers crossed people don't hate it

[pbsk8]

I am ready too!