Vertical Shooter

Sui · Post by **Sui** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 7:40 pm

I'm working on a freeby vertical shooter at the moment (name to be finalised).

I'll be posting screens and ramblings on my blog from time to time: http://suisoftgames.blogspot.com/

I want to get a simple, fun game out there soon to get back into game dev mode. My last game was first released too many years ago... (Gravity Core).

Once that's done I'll tackle a deeper shareware game again.

ptoing · Post by **ptoing** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 8:42 pm

Not much that can be said atm. Those 2 screenshots look alright, tho I think the enemy ships are too dark for the background they are on. Make sure that enemies as well as the player ship is always visible. Same goes for bullets which should be above EVERYTHING apart from the HUD (which should not take up much space anyway.

Sui · Post by **Sui** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 9:07 pm

Thanks for your comments. The ships are borrowed from my previous game and will be re-lit at the very least.

Sui · Post by **Sui** » Mon Oct 24, 2011 8:02 pm

I've just posted a first video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d61m9P48 ... ture=feedu

It's still an early build using some placeholder graphics. The models need some re-lighting (it's still a bit dark).

The gameplay is starting to take shape.

If you fancy an Oids/Thrust style retro challange my previous game 'Gravity Core' has a demo here:
http://www.suisoft.co.uk/gravitycore/

Arcade Legends 3 · Post by **Arcade Legends 3** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 1:53 pm

Are you the next big name in the industry?

Sui · Post by **Sui** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 7:55 pm

LOL.

I think I'd be happy being a small name in the industry for now!

I think Valve and Id software can sleep soundly at night (for now...)

Sui · Post by **Sui** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 10:15 pm

New video posted:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCOQLP8R ... ture=feedu

Now has 70 seconds of gameplay with waves synchronised to the music.

See my blog for more details: http://suisoftgames.blogspot.com/

Deadly Red Cube · Post by **Deadly Red Cube** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 1:42 am

Sui wrote:New video posted:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCOQLP8R ... ture=feedu

Now has 70 seconds of gameplay with waves synchronised to the music.

See my blog for more details: http://suisoftgames.blogspot.com/

Looks like a fantastic start! I've always liked enemies that fly in slow then do a quick 180 and hurry out.

Sui · Post by **Sui** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 8:47 pm

Thanks.

1942 is one of the inspirations for the game, along with various other vertical shooters I've played over the years.

The game will have an energy bar that is depleted by firing or being hit (making you conserve shots). Hopefully this won't cause too much of backlash on the SHMUP forum - I know energy bars seem to be a bit frowned upon.

I might include a 'hardcore' mode that is single shot kill and just use the energy bar to make firing more tactical. Could be part of the difficulty settings.

I'm open to suggestions.

Sui · Post by **Sui** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 8:23 pm

Posted another gameplay video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE5O2rlF ... ture=feedu

Added nasty little Interceptors and difficulty levels. The video shows me getting my ass handed to me on 'Insane' difficulty. Must practice and beat my own game!

More details and screenshots on my blog:
http://suisoftgames.blogspot.com/

Comments on the blog welcome.

Arcade Legends 3 · Post by **Arcade Legends 3** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 1:30 am

Are you the next big name in the industry?

I am asking if you are the next Yagawa? Or the next Taito-guy? Or even the next bunch of Capcom-guys!
(Hide yourself, man!)

Sui · Post by **Sui** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 8:07 am

Arcade Legends 3 wrote:Are you the next big name in the industry?
I am asking if you are the next Yagawa? Or the next Taito-guy? Or even the next bunch of Capcom-guys!
(Hide yourself, man!)

I can live with Capcom! I played loads of their games as a kid in the arcades. Ghosts 'n' Goblins has to be one of the evilest games ever - it's just brutal in its punishment of mistakes.

Taito's Tiger Heli was also a seaside arcade favourite, though it does seem pretty bland these days. Flying Shark was better - another evil game.

"Hide yourself, man!" ? Not sure what you mean... maybe I'm being dumb.

Arcade Legends 3 · Post by **Arcade Legends 3** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 7:23 pm

"Hide yourself, man!" ? Not sure what you mean... maybe I'm being dumb.

Man, now I am thinking that you are a nice guy... So - do not take it close.

Nate · Post by **Nate** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 1:31 am

It looks like you have "space thrust"-style ship movement; kind of like "Side Scroller" by the team that made...Geometry Wars?

Is it possible for the player's ship to have "static" stopping and starting? Like no "inertia". That's a HUGE "turn-off". You don't want to do that; you really don't.

Also, the player's ship's fire is too slow...and LOUD! Can you turn it down?

What is the music? Eventually you should consider a classic console-based soundtrack.

Sui · Post by **Sui** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 6:55 pm

Thanks for the feedback.

I guess you're talking about Gravity Core (my first game). It does have inertia but it's pretty central to the gameplay. You're right that it puts some folks off. I might go back to it and allow you to choose a damping level (extreme damping would be the same as 'static' movement).

Once you get to grips with the controls, you do get a kick out of your own skill (I do anyway, but I'm biased!)

You can turn the sound effects down in the menu and the weapon fire is upgradeable (you get credits for completing missions).

The new game is a much more straight forward shooter. It has a little bit of inertia just to make the ship movement feel natural but the damping is very strong.

Music-wise in Gravity Core, I just chose some off the shelf music to represent the gloomy caverns and sinister robotic aliens. It could have done with some in game music as well. Again, I might re-visit it at some point in the future and add some more music.

Sui · Post by **Sui** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 6:56 pm

The first boss is coming along nicely:
http://suisoftgames.blogspot.com/2011/1 ... royer.html

Still need to do some work on the ship model (the eyes look a bit off when the ship is facing down) but it's coming together pretty well.

Nate · Post by **Nate** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 9:07 pm

I guess you're talking about Gravity Core

No, no I was talking about the new one; inertia in Gravity Core is forgiveable because it's supposed to be like Gravitar or maybe Lunar Lander...or Asteroids or Omega Race; basically that "classic" mechanic where manuvering is highlighted - nothing wrong with that.
I'm actually interested in Gravity Core! Looks pretty challenging!

I might go back to it and allow you to choose a damping level (extreme damping would be the same as 'static' movement).

Not a bad idea actually! Most, I think would opt for the "extreme damping"; maybe after subjecting themselves to just a little damping just to feel strangely relieved

Sui · Post by **Sui** » Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:05 am

The music in the new game is Mars from Holst's The Planets - music I loved as a kid (still do).

The attacks and levels are timed around the music.

I'm sure you'll find Gravity Core challenging. It just takes a bit of patience and grit to get used to the controls.
It's also only $7.99 (or 3.99 GBP) - Shameless Plug!!!

Nate · Post by **Nate** » Thu Dec 29, 2011 3:40 pm

It just takes a bit of patience and grit to get used to the controls.

I have a ton of patience and even more grit.

I plan to finally pick up some kind of "netbook" when my tax return comes in; I'll be sure to put GC on my wish list.

Sui · Post by **Sui** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 10:16 am

Cool.

Let me know if you need any tips - I've played it rather a lot my self!

Cheers,
Gary

Sui · Post by **Sui** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 3:51 pm

Latest blog post with screenshots and video:
http://suisoftgames.blogspot.com/2012/0 ... icely.html

Sui · Post by **Sui** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 10:08 pm

Another day, another blog post:
http://suisoftgames.blogspot.com/2012/0 ... ssive.html

Bomber enemies now have homing missiles and drop energy pods. The pods will have to be disabled in Hardcore mode (i.e. no shields - only lunatics need apply).

Getting closer to something releasable / playable end to end...

Sui · Post by **Sui** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 4:51 pm

Updated my blog with progress. Secondary weapon is now working.

http://suisoftgames.blogspot.com/2012/0 ... rying.html

I've also uploaded a new video to YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zbqHO1N ... e=youtu.be

Sui · Post by **Sui** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:57 pm

Still bashing away at my shooter.

Now has a pretty nebula effect:
http://suisoftgames.blogspot.co.uk/2012 ... hings.html

tiaoferreira · Post by **tiaoferreira** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 10:34 pm

I want dowload it, but I can't find the link for this. Is it available?

Sui · Post by **Sui** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 9:08 pm

It's not quite ready for release as yet.

Glad you want to play it - must be a good sign!

I'll keep you posted on the forum. Hopefully I'll have more time to work on it in the coming weeks and get it out there to play...

Cheers,
Gary

Sui · Post by **Sui** » Wed May 02, 2012 12:34 pm

Still plugging away at the game.

Now has an asteroid field section (still needs balancing and integrating into the game).

I know asteroid fields are frowned upon in the SHMUP community but hopefully this will add a bit of variety.

More details, some screens/video and a justification for asteroids in a SHMUP in my blog:
http://suisoftgames.blogspot.co.uk/2012 ... quiet.html

If you're looking forward to having a bash, you can also follow me on Twitter or Like on facebook (below).

BareKnuckleRoo · Post by **BareKnuckleRoo** » Wed May 02, 2012 6:17 pm

It's not like asteroids = boring all the time. Gradius V uses them effectively in one stage by having enemies use them as cover only to pop out and laser at you when you break the asteroid, as well as having them be integral to the boss fight (you need to hide behind asteroids to avoid the bullets, etc).

If it's just asteroids and nothing else I can see it maybe being a bit dull, but I'm sure there's interesting/unique stuff you could do with an asteroid field like having a giant battleship start plowing through them (like an icebreaker ship does) or enemies that use gravitational effects (Triggerheart Exelica style) to actually throw them at you, etc.

Sui · Post by **Sui** » Tue May 08, 2012 9:43 am

Thanks for pitching in with ideas.

I do like the icebreaker concept. That would be cool and make the boss more threatening. The asteroid field will flow into a boss battle (as dictated by the music).

The asteroids bit is a fun diversion, just blowing them into chunks. I do plan to have some gun turrets in there as well. These could well kick the asteroids as well as blasting through them.

Sui · Post by **Sui** » Thu May 17, 2012 12:58 pm

Another blog post with screenshots:

http://suisoftgames.blogspot.co.uk/2012 ... s-and.html

You can see the gun turrets in the asteroid field, a well as the final boss (Dreadnought). As suggested by BareknuckleRoo, the boss comes in during the asteroid phase and it does look pretty cool smashing its way through. You can also use the asteroids as a bit of cover from the homing missiles.

shmups.system11.org

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