PSP shmup preferances

[DarkSlayer]

Hi,

Iv been working on a PSP shmup game for about 6 weeks now (video comming as soon as i work out how to record off the dev kit...)

Iv had a look at how PSP games deal with shmup game specifics (aspect ratio, rotate, controls, hitbox size) and was wondering what preferance do you guys have on aspect ratio and tate.

So far the game has been devloped in 16:9 using the PSP's whole screen and not rotated (like jamestown) but this has certain design issues that can limit what is fun such as enemies being on the other side of the screen and taking ages for the players ship to travel there and kill them, or complex bullet patturns are hard to get playing nicely as you dont have as much verticle screen space to see the bullets comming.

Also anyother things you guys would like to see from a PSP shmup/what anoys you about current shmups on the platform.

I have realised bullet hell shooters dont really work due to the screen size

EDIT: i forgot to mention its verticle scrolling shooter!

Thanks

[guigui]

Basically PSP screen is the worst to get a good vertical shooter on.

In any case, I'd say :
* never use the 16:9 feature of the screen. Go for a 4:3 ratio.
* allow player to choose between tate (flip PSP sideway), or regular (dont flip PSP). Repeat : in any case, dont use the whole screen.
* allow player to fully customize buttons.

[DarkSlayer]

Basically PSP screen is the worst to get a good vertical shooter on.

In any case, I'd say :
* never use the 16:9 feature of the screen. Go for a 4:3 ratio.
* allow player to choose between tate (flip PSP sideway), or regular (dont flip PSP). Repeat : in any case, dont use the whole screen.
* allow player to fully customize buttons.

so games like Star Soldiers display mode (full 16:9 but tate) is not very good? or just preferance?

yes fully agree with customizeable buttons

[guigui]

Im my opinion (anyone for confirmation ?) 16:9 on a shmup is just not necessary.

Too large screen leads to problem you mentionned earlier.
Too high screen are just the same : your bullets will never be fast enough to reach that guy coming from the top etc... I loved Star Soldier PSP but let's just say 16:9 (or 9:16 here) has just no use for this game. Too large is worst that too high though.

Anyway I'd repeat go for 4:3.

[O. Van Bruce]

If possible, put an option to disable the PSP's joystick. it can get in the way when you do some rough movement on the D-Pad.

Also, as long as you implement some kind of bullet cancelling/ bullet slowing mechanic (possibly related to the scoring) you have a lot more options in terms of pattern tightness and speed.

have you played Trouble Witches?

Are you using rendered graphics? prerendered graphics? hand-made graphics?

PD: Another game that can inspire you on the PSP is Every Extend Extra. A hidden jewel in my humble opinion.

[DarkSlayer]

Im my opinion (anyone for confirmation ?) 16:9 on a shmup is just not necessary.

Too large screen leads to problem you mentionned earlier.
Too high screen are just the same : your bullets will never be fast enough to reach that guy coming from the top etc... I loved Star Soldier PSP but let's just say 16:9 (or 9:16 here) has just no use for this game. Too large is worst that too high though.

Anyway I'd repeat go for 4:3.

Thanks for elaborating, i see what you mean now

If possible, put an option to disable the PSP's joystick. it can get in the way when you do some rough movement on the D-Pad.

Also, as long as you implement some kind of bullet cancelling/ bullet slowing mechanic (possibly related to the scoring) you have a lot more options in terms of pattern tightness and speed.

have you played Trouble Witches?

Are you using rendered graphics? prerendered graphics? hand-made graphics?

PD: Another game that can inspire you on the PSP is Every Extend Extra. A hidden jewel in my humble opinion.

Yes the joystick is garbage for controls and will be disabled.
I will search up trouble witches and EEE now

Well on the art style we WHERE using prerendered graphics but we are reconsidering the artstyle now, probly be rendered on the fly as opposed to sprites

thanks for the feedbaacks guys

EDIT: Trouble Witches time mechanic looks really cool, and as you said would solve alot of issues with the PSP screen/no joystick

[O. Van Bruce]

Just saying...

ask people here for horizontal shmups and get as most ideas as you can. modify and toy with then.

You CAN do a game as hellish as Progear no Arashi for the PSP (using a Capcom Play System emulator you can play it)... the only thing to take into account is how hardcore is the audience you are trying to get

[DarkSlayer]

Just saying...

ask people here for horizontal shmups and get as most ideas as you can. modify and toy with then.

You CAN do a game as hellish as Progear no Arashi for the PSP (using a Capcom Play System emulator you can play it)... the only thing to take into account is how hardcore is the audience you are trying to get

well considering we have no marketing budget and not many shmup fans will have a Vita for example, aiming for the hardcore player- the likes who frequents this forum


EDIT: also probly going to stick with a verticle shooter over horizontal due to the fact i find it very hard to play horizontal shooters without feeling sick... and dodging just seems alot harder when its from the side

[Ed Oscuro]

I'm usually a "who cares about formats" kind of guy, but PSP is totally the wrong format for verts, Hudson compilations notwithstanding.

[MauJustice]

The only vertical shooters I remember enjoying, offhand - Space Invaders Extreme and A Space Shooter for 2 Bucks!

Most of my PSP shooters are Hori's. Just curious, what made you choose the PSP?

[DarkSlayer]

The only vertical shooters I remember enjoying, offhand - Space Invaders Extreme and A Space Shooter for 2 Bucks!

Most of my PSP shooters are Hori's. Just curious, what made you choose the PSP?

hmm ok you guys are bringing me round to hori...

Well choose the PSP for two reasons:

had access to psp dev kit

wanted experiance publishing a game on a console (i know its handheld)


beginning to think about a hori that can be rotated and played eather way with an option to rotate the hud to how ever you want to hold it

[DarkSlayer]

still havent worked out how to record off dev kit yet, so i filmed the screen....

any way here is what we had a week or so ago:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/t5zy8hpxgw447 ... roduct.mp4

EDIT: this isnt me playing

[Friendly]

Vertical shooters on horizantal (16:9) displays can be just fine; just look at Ginga Force.

[AntiFritz]

I know obviously the art etc isn't final. But I suggest toning down the enemy explosions.

[TrevHead (TVR)]

Maybe you could have a look at how Qute made Judgement Silversword on the wonderswan, IIRC the originals are pricey collectors items but you can play them on any regional 360 as the 2 games are extras to Eschatos.

Those are flipped vert not widescreen vertizontals though.

EDIT I just watched the vid and I concur that the explosions are too much.

[Blue_Ray]

Take a look at Twinbee Portable. Those were vertical shooters (mostly) and M2 gave a bunch of options on how to play the games. Are you considering making it a PSP Mini?

[O. Van Bruce]

The explosions make it difficult to distinguish enemy bullets. either diferentiate those from the bullets or don't put then.