Universal Shark Eaters: Rise of the Dolphins (by Kat McNally)

I've played quite a few "rounds" over the past day since receiving the promo code (thanks again!) and while I'm still getting used to the controls, I'm impressed. While I've played plenty of "fighter" style games, this is unique.

My only complaint is one that seems to have been mentioned a few times already: the camera. There are plenty of times where Bandit will go off-screen, so controls at that point are exceedingly difficult.

I'm looking forward to seeing where the game goes from here (as well as "honing" my dolphin movement skills as I continue to play!). I'd really love to see daily/weekly challenges.

Question for the developers: I noticed how you start with green/yellow fights then move on to blue. Is there any way to go back to the green/yellow fights if you want some "easier" practice?

 

Thank you kindly. We have a lot of stuff we've created from those many hours of study, which will regularly find their way into updates in the coming weeks.

I am curious- from reading the thread, we're you able to anticipate what the experience was actually like or did it change once you played etc?

 

Very interesting- the other day I received an email from a lead animator at Pixar who had downloaded the game. He described it as "mesmerizing" and another similar artist from the film industry (famous) expressed that it's unlike anything he has seen/experienced.

this is because the animations are completely driven by physics- that's the unique "feel". so part of our "problem" is we have nothing to compare it to - to convey before one actually experiences. Our small but quality base often describes it as visceral, or smooth, but they are really getting at hundreds of muscles used to estimate torques and forces on the dolphins and fish/sharks.

In time- this will be how all animation is done. Every reaction is a consequence of the environment/forces. Every subtle detail is felt.

 

Yes I think the update (second one) will include this to some extent.

 

Pretty nice review :

http://www.148apps.com/category/reviews/

 

Yahoo news: This technology lets you become a dolphin

http://www.takepart.com/article/2014/10/24/technology-lets-you-become-dolphin

 

Hi dolphin crew! how are you doing? this has been kept silent for some weeks now.. are you hard at work for that much anticipated update?

 

Update

Absolutely . I've been in the coding trenches for the past few weeks, and you posted at an opportune time. I'm wrapping things up for what will prove to be an awesome update. We have really taken everyone's suggestions to mind. The update also sets out a better course for future updates - as the analytics and feedback have given us great information.

1. The camera is totally fixed. You will get that deep sense of speed, but the dolphin will remain inside the window at the edges of the iPad and during the jumps. Never exceeds.

2. The control is vastly improved. The Dolphins will not completely "reverse" into the opposite direction (as they did on the rare occasion). It is just smoother and more intuitive now.

3. Much cooler animation on the dolphin. I've re-written how he handles that severe hydrodynamic drag during a high speed tail flap - the result is a much more articulated and beautiful flap cycle.

4. BIG : Bandit, Simon, and Zoey now have a very cool tail-whip "bolt" of energy power. It will be a button, below the boost, and allows you to stun fish for a few milliseconds. You have to time it because it operates at the vicinity of the tail. You can use this very strategically to fend off predators and stun prey to go in for the kill. Bolt's can be earned or traded for pearls (earned in one of the following new games, within the game):

5. Jump Game 1 : Test your skills in generating maximum rotations and spins during jumps. The more you generate, the more time is added to your clock. When the clock runs out, the total number of angle/rotation will be converted into Bolts (see 4);

6. Jump Game 2 : Test your skills in achieving maximum distance during a jump. Again - meters you earn will be converted into Bolts.

7. BIG: Trophy Pond. Top down view of all the species you've eaten. You will be able to interact with the fish in a "pond" fashion (thank you TA forum member for helping with this suggestion).

8. New Backgrounds. New fish. New Sharks. New inter-intelligence protocols.

9. Option to shut off vibrate, and left handed option.

10. New Black-card level with entirely new protocols.

So all of the above will make it in. I have so many things in the works - we'll see if a few more things can go in. I'm going to try and wrap this up this week - and submit.

Overall, we are trying to expand the "I Am Dolphin" experience and offer more variety in what you are able to do. I want to make a card where you just "interact" with bandit, under his own AI (there is a lot of stuff programmed that doesn't really come out in the game where he interacts with you based upon your movement/gestures etc).

We're having a great organic response but still need that big "apple feature" and TA review. Fingers crossed.



Videos and pics soon.

 

I knew it! You guys are awesome! I am excited about the whole list, but most importantly about 1. and 2., improved camera and control of the dolphin! Hopefully now bandit will aim for the prey / predator 100% of the time when we swipe backwards!

 

For sure - the "problem" was a common one; complexities aside, matrices sometimes have singularities. The solution was in a pretty straightforward filter function to detect drastic changes (if he is pointed one way and you hit boost but his "intention" is 180 - it may be off and needs to be checked).

But more than that its smoothed out quite a bit. With the tail power, it really adds significant gameplay depth too as now you can stun enemies during pursuit and be more strategic.

 

great stuff! this week you submit it? so we should see it hit next week hopefully!

 

Well the backlog I think is about 10 days right now - so I'd say 2 weeks roughly.

 

So - they actually do squeal with delight after catching a fish.



Note on the update: just about done. The game is being fine tuned for what it essentially is: a rich battle experience. It feels like an entirely new game with all the additional content, and some massive polishing of every single battle. I've reworked every battle to be deeper - and you will have to take into consideration your new tail-power. They won't be "harder" - infact the edge on some will be less, but you will have to be more thoughtful and strategic. Jousting still works - but you really have to learn how to use your tail bolt. So if you've beaten every card, the entire set will essentially be new.

I am making the progression linear as well. The character now evolves in strength. Because your abilities now grow (you will have "belts" which will correspond to different tail-bolt power strengths) - you will need to pass a certain order.

The next update will introduce armor. Think Iorek Byrinison from the Golden Compass

 

Can't wait! (yes i'm opening the game thread every day waiting for this update). I installed Dolphin on my new ipad to save the space, and i will start it from the beginning to get used to the new updated mechanics! I am very hopeful for the improved control you implement!

 

Fantastic news on the update!

 

cool - what type of iPad did you get ?

It really is a better experience on there - especially with the new stuff.

 

the air2, i was waiting for it since last year. I was between mini retina and air, but decided to skip them both and get this year's ipad.. so far my patience is rewarded

 

Nice. The max-settings on the air-2 are essentially what I am making the flagship experience to.