Bad Caterpillar (WIP)

[FunInfusedGames]

I am working on a Centipede-like game for release on iOS, Xbox Live Indie Games, and potentially Android and PC called Bad Caterpillar. I've taken the basic concept of Centipede and added new weapons, power ups, enemies, and a ton of particle effects. It's my hope to capture the basic feeling of the original but really increase the excitement level of the whole thing. Below I have a basic screen shot and then a video that shows a lot more (I suggest viewing the video full screen as the smaller version makes seeing the details of the game difficult).



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp1ECQDHHac

Weapons (besides the basic shot) currently include spread shot, laser, rail gun, and bombs. Items include a speed power up and an item that reverses the direction of the caterpillar. I also plan to add an item that temporarily freezes all the enemies but I have yet to implement it.

I would love to hear thoughts / suggestions on the game. If you happen to have an XBLIG membership, I currently have a version in playtest you can try out. I may have some alpha PC and iOS versions in the future as well.

[Udderdude]

IMO the particle effects are a little out of control. New gameplay additions sounds nice though.

How about some structured levels that aren't just random stuff happening all over the place? :D

[FunInfusedGames]

IMO the particle effects are a little out of control. New gameplay additions sounds nice though.

How about some structured levels that aren't just random stuff happening all over the place?

Thanks for checking out the game. The particle effects are intentionally over the top. They look better in person than in the video you've seen because I had to scale it down 50% so that it didn't slow down on my PC while recording.

The levels aren't totally random. The block placement and some enemy starting positions are, but caterpillar count, caterpillar size, and enemy types are not. Thus there is a progression / difficulty curve as you progress through the game and encounter new enemy types.

[Lord Satori]

I really hope that the music is just for the video. it doesn't work at all with this kind of game.

[Udderdude]

The levels aren't totally random. The block placement and some enemy starting positions are, but caterpillar count, caterpillar size, and enemy types are not. Thus there is a progression / difficulty curve as you progress through the game and encounter new enemy types.

That's cool, but I was thinking more like levels with no randomness at all, even the mushroom placement is fixed.

[FunInfusedGames]

I really hope that the music is just for the video. it doesn't work at all with this kind of game.

Sorry you think that. The music on the title screen is placeholder but the in-game music is the final game music. Personally I like it, adds excitement to the game.

The levels aren't totally random. The block placement and some enemy starting positions are, but caterpillar count, caterpillar size, and enemy types are not. Thus there is a progression / difficulty curve as you progress through the game and encounter new enemy types.

That's cool, but I was thinking more like levels with no randomness at all, even the mushroom placement is fixed.

The way the levels are setup, it wouldn't be difficult to place mushrooms manually as well. I kinda like that idea, not to use for everything but perhaps to add some shapes or words and whatnot into the game. Anything that adds variety to the levels is good.

[FunInfusedGames]

New video to show off... game is pretty much feature complete. Just working on tweaking the gameplay / levels at this point:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHudmN32dwk

[Lord Satori]

rather than using music you like personally, its much better to choose music that fits the games overall feel. This is really just a centepede clone with extra features (not that that's bad), it doesn't need music like that. (heck, the original centepede didn't have ANY music)

[Udderdude]

I didn't have any issues with the music, and posting the same thing twice like that is really rude/annoying, especially since he answered you already.

[FunInfusedGames]

rather than using music you like personally, its much better to choose music that fits the games overall feel. This is really just a centepede clone with extra features (not that that's bad), it doesn't need music like that. (heck, the original centepede didn't have ANY music)

There is the option to turn off the music if you'd rather get more of the classic feel of Centipede.

[Lord Satori]

I didn't have any issues with the music, and posting the same thing twice like that is really rude/annoying, especially since he answered you already.

If you had exercised your powers of observation more, then you'd have noticed that I DIDN'T post the same thing twice, but rather I was offering advice. Don't you think it's more annoying to have somebody talk about how annoying someone is in somebody elses thread?

There is the option to turn off the music if you'd rather get more of the classic feel of Centipede.

Alright, that makes sense. I suppose the unexpected genre of music caught me off gaurd.

[FunInfusedGames]

Alright, that makes sense. I suppose the unexpected genre of music caught me off gaurd.

Make sense. I'm not going for an exact recreation of Centipede though, trying to make this more exciting than before.

On a different topic, I have a PC beta build available. If anyone would be interested in playtesting the game, seen me a private message and I'll let you know how to get the beta.

[FunInfusedGames]

Posted our final box art.

Also we've got our third PC beta available now too. PM or email kris@funinfused.com if you'd like to try the game out.

[Shmuppet]

What's up Kris?

It's cool how you're just taking an established formula, and just improving on it. Sometimes that's what it takes to make a fun game. I want a piece of that beta for sure!

[FunInfusedGames]

What's up Kris?

It's cool how you're just taking an established formula, and just improving on it. Sometimes that's what it takes to make a fun game. I want a piece of that beta for sure!

Thanks, it's been a fun project to work on. I had the basic game done over a month ago and I've just been tweaking and polishing and improving since then. The game is coming together really well.

Also check out this new video. Features multiple tilesets, multiple ships, and new particle effects.
http://youtu.be/vn3f1ULgtJU

[Shmuppet]

Hey Kris,

I wanted to just give feedback here. The music is a bit out of place, but it's up to the developer to decide what music to place in their game, as they are the ones making it. I didn't notice the music much after a while anyway. The control scheme is a bit weird, especially since tons of PC shooters use Z/X/C to shoot and use bombs. Think that might be the standard and what folks are comfortable with. The speed of some ships are good, but the faster ones are CRAZY! It's hard to get poweurps with the fourth ship. I think something more descriptive, would be that it's less "smooth". I use a FOR loop that iterates based on "speed", and then move the individual player on a small float, like 0.15f or something, which helps make smoother movement for my shmups. That is, if you haven't done something like that already.

[FunInfusedGames]

Hey Kris,

I wanted to just give feedback here. The music is a bit out of place, but it's up to the developer to decide what music to place in their game, as they are the ones making it. I didn't notice the music much after a while anyway. The control scheme is a bit weird, especially since tons of PC shooters use Z/X/C to shoot and use bombs. Think that might be the standard and what folks are comfortable with. The speed of some ships are good, but the faster ones are CRAZY! It's hard to get poweurps with the fourth ship. I think something more descriptive, would be that it's less "smooth". I use a FOR loop that iterates based on "speed", and then move the individual player on a small float, like 0.15f or something, which helps make smoother movement for my shmups. That is, if you haven't done something like that already.

Thanks for all the feedback, sorry for being slow to reply.

The controls are more designed for the Xbox, as that's where I'm initially launching it. The PC stuff was mostly because these days the XBLIG playtest forums are dead and I wanted a wider audience for beta testing. I'll keep in mind your thoughts on controls if/when I do a true PC port.

I may tone down the speed of some of the ships still, it's something I've got to play with. I want the player to realize some are faster than others but I can't have ships feeling uncontrollable too.

[FunInfusedGames]

This is available now for XBLIG for those interested.

http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Produ ... 0258550ca8

Working on the iOS port next.