Air Supply - SOS by Quantum Sheep (Universal)

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Jerutix is closer to the truth than you, Jcho


I still have so much to do, but I'm properly excited about the game. It's coming together really nicely I think (hope!)

QS =D

 

Hi all,

I posted this on Twitter the other day, but thought you might like to see more of the 'Ultimate' mode

So here it is:



In other news, Infinite's run (did you see what I did there? ) on the front page of the app store is over!

The game has amassed nearly a thousand downloads so far, which is a tiny number in the grand scheme of things, but for which I'm still really grateful. It's awesome

The small amount of money made will of course be funnelled back into new games, so that's all really helpful! Yay!

Also, possibly, a Vita - as I have TxK for it but no actual machine.

*whistles innocently*

One downer is that some poor guy left a 1 star review on Infinite because it doesn't work on his iPod Touch 4th gen - this is because of memory differences (iPod 4th gen has 256MB of memory - an iPhone 4 has double that!).

This is one of the down-sides of the app review system, in that I can't actually respond to him and apologise, let alone advise him to get a refund rather than wait for me to 'fix it' - which I don't think is actually possible :O


Anyway, lots of progress on SOS! Very excited, adding lots and lots to it.

Did I mention I was excited?

Speak soon!

QS =D

 

Nostception!

 

Firstly, thanks all for the interest and support - it really means the world to me!

I'm VERY sorry it's taking so long. If you look at the start of this thread, I was hoping for an April release.

It's now mid-May, and while I'm making some great progress, I don't want to announce another release date that will make a lovely 'whooshing' noise as it flies past me overhead.

I feel like I announced the game too early, but at the same time a couple of really unexpected, really horrible things have happened since then that have thrown me a bit and knocked me off course.

I am still here, still trying to finish, and I will get it to you as soon as I can.

To show some of the progress, I think JCho133 was asking if there would be different weapon types for different characters.

I wasn't sure at the time, but I've managed to get some in and I think they work pretty well. Here's a couple of screenshots for #screenshotsaturday

This is Gerty shooting her missiles



And here's a shot of a cyborg pirate zombie monkey shooting banana bullets



I posted these on Twitter earlier today, but here's one JUST FOR YOU GUYS.

If you remember in Air Supply - Infinite, the character 'John' (hello Mister Planetshooter!) is a writer.

Therefore, it makes perfect sense (edit - in a fun, non nazi way I should add) that his bullets be burning books!



I hope you like them!

I have TxK. I have no Vita. I win 'saddest sheepy I know' I think

I think I'll wait till I finish this game to get a Vita. The less distractions, the better!

Thanks all! Have a great weekend!

QS =D

 

Thanks! And noted!

Just a quick update - got another obstacle in yesterday, which is by far my fave so far - very pleased with it

Today I added something else, but this time for the player.

Each character has got their own weapons (as shown previous page).

I added a power up to the game that will select a random different weapon for the player.

So, Gerty, for example, usually shoots rockets. They're pretty powerful because they're big and fast.

To compensate, Gerty is a little 'heavy'.

Now, imagine you were a faster character (like John or Sam) but had Gerty's weapons? Pretty powerful combo right there

As an example, here's Gerty shooting shotgun shells instead of rockets:




What I particularly like about the system is that it's tied to the player unlocks. It will only choose a random weapon out of the pool of characters unlocked.

For example, if you start the game and just have Sam, you will not get a new weapon as you haven't unlocked any other characters!

It's a nice way of adding more incentive to unlock more characters I hope!


Anyway, still loads to do, but I am getting to the stage where I am panicking over how things work exactly in the game, and double checking stuff just to make sure the duct tape is still holding it all together.

More obstacles to add, and a hell of a lot of balancing/testing, but I think I need a break tonight!

Be well, all!

QS =D

 

I've not played Super Crate Box! I really should at some point!

The weapons aren't massively different, but they're different enough I think. They vary in size, speed and skins.

The size/speed things are most important game wise. Bullets come in three broad sizes - small (more precise), Large, and one in-between those two

Then you have speeds. The shots are never slow, but some are certainly faster than others.

The difference between small and medium, and then medium to large are subtle.

Going from large to small and vice versa will be more noticeable.

So sometimes you'll get an advantage, sometimes a disadvantage when you pick up the power up (and yes, it's in-game, with the changes lasting, at the moment, till the end of the level you're on).

I'm really liking it because:

1. It offers variety, skin wise!

2. There's a bit of strategy as you adjust to the different bullets you get.

3. It's a feature that grows as you unlock more characters (therefore giving you more possibilities as you progress).

4. It doesn't happen *too* often right now, so doesn't outstay its welcome (though one of the perks will increase the chances of it appearing).


I think I really liked point 3 the most. Because I always worry (especially as some characters will feel different thanks to variances in thrust/left-right speed/gravity) that people will unlock a character they just don't get on with.

This kind of gives a secondary benefit to unlocking characters - it increases your potential arsenal.

I am putting in the final obstacles this week. Turrets + UFOs + Mines will be going in properly.

Then I have to balance the gameplay with regard to level layout and alien types/movement.

Then I have to put the bosses in.

When it's all done, I'll be tweaking and balancing till I think it's ready.

Then I'll give it to testers and redo a bunch of stuff

I hate to draw things out like this, but this game is important to me for a variety of reasons and I want to get it as right as I can.

I do want to keep you all informed as to what's happening though, hence the updates and the screenshots and stuff, so you can see what I'm up to!

Your continued interest and enthusiasm, I hope, will pay off when you get your paws on it!

Many, many thanks, as always,

QS =D

 

It was my first computer too! But not my first games machine - I think that was a 'Pong' variation

Thanks - I picked up Super Crate Boy this evening - it's fun

Hope you enjoyed the other AS games - they should keep you busy for a while I hope!

Cheers!

QS =D

 

Er, that too!