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Wrecking Ball Survival

Archive: 59 posts

Wrecking Ball SurvivalTig-W
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/7676/aphoto18.jpg
Swing the power ball to crush your enemies! Can you survive long enough to face the Boss?
all

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/7676/aphoto18.jpg
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/2019/aphoto13.jpg
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/9080/aphoto21e.jpg
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/1622/aphoto4.jpg



This is a Survival level along the lines of Geometry Wars, but with a twist.



I've been thinking about this idea for a while.
I hadn't seen it done anywhere else; and as an arena challenge, I thought it would be relatively speedy to make (meaning I might have a hope of finishing it :hero


Well... it wasn't speedy to make. It actually turned into a huge pain.
But I think the final result is really cool? And, I hope, pretty unique as well.



I was hoping to achieve the following:
A really satisfying gameplay mechanic.
Addictive ? I want everyone to play this twice!
A rock solid high-score challenge ? No 'quirky' deaths or lame scoring tactics.


I think I got 1 and 2, and some amount of 3. But you guys are the judges
Enjoy!


Also, I must thank cornontheCOD for his great level Frost (https://lbpcentral.lbp-hub.com/index.php?t=t=10294) ? those who've played it will spot where the seed of this idea came from! So, thanks for making awesome levels cornontheCOD 		2009-09-18 03:20:00

Author:
Tig-W
Posts: 106

high score HAZZAH!

lol that was awsome better than a real arcade game.
i give it five stars
:star::star::star::star::star:

also i checked out your lama level lol
epic lamas		2009-09-18 03:51:00

Author:
Littlebigdude805
Posts: 1924

WoW!!! Great job!!!

Killer idea! Great execution!!!

It was fun and so addicted! i can't manage to get to the big boss but i will try some more for sure!!!

Just only one thing. I got stuck but tons of worm in front of the spawn. I lost 3 life because of those worm army!!! I couldn't get any where T-T

Of course :star::star::star::star::star: and Heart!!!

Ps: I have so many question about creating this lvl to ask you like how do you reduce the paint meter with the ball? Can we talk?

F4F		2009-09-18 10:20:00

Author:
SiXth
Posts: 59

Hey, thanks for the good feedback!
I'm glad you guys enjoyed it.




Just only one thing. I got stuck but tons of worm in front of the spawn. I lost 3 life because of those worm army!!! I couldn't get any where T-T



Yeah, sometimes enemies can get too close to the spawn point. I haven't found a way around this yet.
In the meantime, I'd suggest leading enemies tactically away from the spawn

It's very tricky for me to solve this problem because my thermo is totally maxed out... A single extra switch or piston pushes it over the limit. gaah.




Ps: I have so many question about creating this lvl to ask you like how do you reduce the paint meter with the ball? Can we talk?


Yeah, please ask whatever you like!


The enemy contact damage is done like this:
The ball has red magnetic keys around its circumference. Each enemy has a red magnetic switch inside it. If the ball comes in contact distance with an enemy, an emitter inside the enemy releases a paintball, reducing its health by one. This is backed up by special effects making the enemies satisfying to hit and kill.		2009-09-19 02:11:00

Author:
Tig-W
Posts: 106

This level was brilliant.

-It was a bit hard to swing the ball, but it's still fine.

-It was very satisfying to smash those blue creatures.

-I like the laser grid in the background, I didn't notice it at first either.

-The worms are a little irritating, they take a while to defeat.

-Never got past that part, I think I'll try it later for more!

I gave it :star::star::star::star::star: and one heart.		2009-09-19 04:23:00

Author:
warlord_evil
Posts: 4193

First things first: HIGH SCORE!!!

Secondly: Um, why is this not on Cool Levels?! This is easily one of, if not the best level on LittleBigPlanet. If you haven't played this you're missing out.		2009-09-20 05:40:00

Author:
EVOin3D
Posts: 91

As I posted in your comments section, the greatest survival/challenge game in LBP! Enough said. This work needs more recognition.2009-09-20 15:53:00

Author:
antman
Posts: 84

I had the chance to play this jewel a few minutes ago. And what can I say???

THIS LEVEL ROCKS

You wrote that you had 3 things in mind:

1. A really satisfying gameplay mechanic.
2. Addictive ? I want everyone to play this twice!
3. A rock solid high-score challenge ? No 'quirky' deaths or lame scoring

Word !!!! Word to all of them!!!

You knock me off with your level. The idea is brilliant, the tech behind seems to be awesome, because I haven't recognized any real bugs (just two little things happend: one time, the second enemy came 30seconds after the first enemy was crushed / and once a "worm" couldnt be crushed by my weapon: the indicator doesn't react to my weapons contact to the worm's head = but these two issues are not really important to me).

The style of the enemys is really cute, the gameplay itself is very funny and absolutely addictive, the tags that appears after crushing the enemys are brilliant in style - the checkpoint setting to give you four lifes is pretty cool (because I don't like levels where you die one time and go to the scoreboard in the next scene...). I like the way, players can collect the bubbles, because it's your choice to go a higher risk way (collect them only every minute or so to get higher multiplyer - this is very high risk when you have just one life left :-) ) or go the secure way and collect them as soon as possible. And oh boy: your stage-bosses are so great - I mean I actually just managed to reach the first one, but this one is so unique and cool - I love that stuff! And I hope that one day I get to the point where I face the final boss :-) so, I think, I'm on a mission right now :-))))

So, long story short: godlike!!!!
Nothing more to say....

:star::star::star::star::star: and of course a heart.

And one last thought: thank you very much for creating this level!!!!

Greets Neo

(due to the F4F-subject it would be nice if you can take a closer look at my Memsut Level - thx in advance)		2009-09-20 16:19:00

Author:
(___NEO___)
Posts: 206

guys, I am totally overwhelmed by these comments. Thanks so much! You guys are awesome! :hero:

I'm off to play your levels now, F4F coming soon NEO



once a "worm" couldnt be crushed by my weapon: the indicator doesn't react to my weapons contact to the worm's head

yeah, I've seen this problem a few times.

I think I know what causes it... Sometimes the physics goes a bit nuts, and a small but essential component inside the worm enemy is crushed. Effectively making it 'invincible'. It is pretty annoying, I'll try and find a fix for it very soon.		2009-09-20 16:37:00

Author:
Tig-W
Posts: 106

Sometimes the physics goes a bit nuts, and a small but essential component inside the worm enemy is crushed. Effectively making it 'invincible'. It is pretty annoying, I'll try and find a fix for it very soon.

Nevermind Tig-W - in my view this is not a big issue - I mean, I played it 10 times and it just happens with one single opponent! If this happens in 10% of the enemys or so it could be a worth a fix - but a little bug now and then: hehe, it HAS TO BE an editor-failure ;-) it wouldn't be the first time LOL		2009-09-20 19:07:00

Author:
(___NEO___)
Posts: 206

Fantastic level - just brilliantly executed. I cannot begin to imagine the mechanics that went into building it! Anyway, great fun to play and absolutely addictive. I'm terrible at it and I still replayed about 10 times!
Loved the visuals too and great use of sound effects.

Hope it gets more recognition.

BTW Loved the llamas too! Any chance of more of them or something similar?		2009-09-20 22:08:00

Author:
shropshirelass
Posts: 1455

Thanks for the comments shropshirelass!

yeah, the level isn't getting much attention on the various LBP forums at the moment. But I'm surprised how well it's doing in-game... It's had double the activity over three days than my last level managed over 5 months.
:hero:


I know this is a slightly more massmarket idea than llamas. but still. kinda weird.




BTW Loved the llamas too! Any chance of more of them or something similar?

yay, glad you liked the llamas as well!


Sadly I think I'm all llama'd out now. (You'd be surprised how fast that theme runs dry.)


Maybe I'll do one on hamsters.		2009-09-21 00:40:00

Author:
Tig-W
Posts: 106

Pure excellence!

I loved swinging that ball into enemies, especially when you pin them up against the wall and just annihilate them!

I used to love swinging around an unsecured tethered jetpack and launching it, but I never thought to build onto it! Awesome concept!

Also, I have a couple great ideas for rewarding points for trick shots, if your interested... PM me?? Not that I want to take credit for anything in a future level of yours, I just love swinging my wrecking ball and letting it go into some poor unsuspecting worm-fools face

5 :star:'s, and <3'd big time. Definetely going to go in for the highscore. I'll have it by wednesday :hero:		2009-09-21 00:43:00

Author:
ThrashOmen
Posts: 7

This level is genius! I like the nice laser effect in the background which don't show up in the pictures. As I said in your level comment, Mm should crown you for the originality in this level. They love survival challenges so I'm sure if they get their hands on this one they'll love it. 5 stars and heart which I don't usually do for survival challenges.2009-09-21 00:45:00

Author:
brnxblze
Posts: 1318

many thanks for the comments guys!



Also, I have a couple great ideas for rewarding points for trick shots, if your interested... PM me?? Not that I want to take credit for anything in a future level of yours, I just love swinging my wrecking ball and letting it go into some poor unsuspecting worm-fools face

dude, I would love to hear this idea :arg:


I've recently noticed that the only way to feel 100% badass in this is to swing the ball, release it, smack an enemy and 'catch' the ball on the rebound. Nigh-on impossible, but awesome all the same


I doubt I'll be able to implement any more rewards systems in this version of the level - A single extra mag switch makes the thermo explode - but ideas are always good to hear 		2009-09-21 01:05:00

Author:
Tig-W
Posts: 106

Pure excellence!

Definetely going to go in for the highscore. I'll have it by wednesday :hero:

Not if I can help it. I have the high score on a number of levels, but this is the only one I genuinely care about.


I've recently noticed that the only way to feel 100% badass in this is to swing the ball, release it, smack an enemy and 'catch' the ball on the rebound. Nigh-on impossible, but awesome all the same

I haven't done that, but I did "catch" a worm with my ball once. I dragged it across the field, draining its health in the process, only to slam in into the wall and escape death at the last second. 110% badass. 		2009-09-21 03:29:00

Author:
EVOin3D
Posts: 91

Yeah I totally understand Tig, Thats how Thrashed by Plasma is. I have so many things that become emitted that emit so much plasma and one of my turrets towards the end takes up like a 6th of my thermo. I just recently consolidated alot of stuff on the switch board, which is totally a jumble of wires with labels on them, nothing fancy like when some genius LBP'r shows you his epic switch board that looks like a blue ball factory... blurp...

But after I published my level, i noticed I wasn't getting many views, so I searched for what other plasma dodger levels are out there. I didn't find many good ones, I found a couple which seemed hurried together and rather generic, but one that stood out was an MMSC entry, called H4Heartbreak. It has randomly dropping plasma balls, and a floor that slowly deteriorates. It's pretty addictive but after you play for about 30 seconds you realize its a little too rediculous.

But anyways, after you finish it, one opens up called S4Stylebreak right next to it, which is the same level, but in a fashion that makes you do trick moves, such as getting close to plasma or jumping over it, and its pretty insane. I imagine the wiring is pretty rediculous. You should search for it, it's one of my favorites. H 4 Heartbreak that is.

Anyways, i'm thinking you could take your same level, minimize maybe the amount and types of creatures emitted to clear some space and toy around with the idea...

think when online create comes out... You should come over to mah pod... 		2009-09-21 03:49:00

Author:
ThrashOmen
Posts: 7

Not if I can help it. I have the high score on a number of levels, but this is the only one I genuinely care about.

Ok... Well tell me how that goes...

Hope that goes to show you how much I like this level.

Definetely, I have to say this is one of my top 5 community levels I've ever played. Just too much fun...		2009-09-21 08:54:00

Author:
ThrashOmen
Posts: 7

Definetely, I have to say this is one of my top 5 community levels I've ever played. Just too much fun...

WORD.... in the "mini-game" section it is just the best I've ever played. Nevertheless in my view it's very difficult to compare levels of one specific theme to levels of different themes (story-level to music-level, plattforming to survival-challenge for example). I think each level-theme should be viewed seperately: and Wrecking Ball is a defenitely one of the best mini-games ever published!! YEAH!!! :-) AMEN! :-)		2009-09-21 18:13:00

Author:
(___NEO___)
Posts: 206

Public service announcement: ThrashOmen has just detonated an epic skill megaton all over my scoreboard. Give the man a cigar: he's the official Wrecking Ball King :kz::kz:


when ThrashOmen says he's taking a highscore, he ain't messing around.

EVOin3D... you've got your work cut out here man!



ThrashOmen, I'd love to hear your feedback on this. Does the difficulty curve start flagging at the high end of play? Did you find any exploits? We gotta talk!





But anyways, after you finish it, one opens up called S4Stylebreak right next to it, which is the same level, but in a fashion that makes you do trick moves, such as getting close to plasma or jumping over it, and its pretty insane. I imagine the wiring is pretty rediculous. You should search for it, it's one of my favorites. H 4 Heartbreak that is.


Sounds very cool, I'll definately check this out. Also, I need to get back into your level and earn a score I'm not ashamed to admit to.




think when online create comes out... You should come over to mah pod...

this has got to happen. didn't I say we think alike?

I'm mulling over the idea of a "pro edition"... Remove the boss, and use the spare thermo on more gameplay mechanics, enemy types or something. Who knows.		2009-09-22 00:38:00

Author:
Tig-W
Posts: 106

This level looks great, I'll definitely be checking it out. If I don't post again here within the next few days, spam my PM box until I remember. 2009-09-22 00:46:00

Author:
BSprague
Posts: 2325

I haven't done that, but I did "catch" a worm with my ball once. I dragged it across the field, draining its health in the process, only to slam in into the wall and escape death at the last second. 110% badass.

haha, awesome. I wish LBP had a share-replays function for stuff like this.


I think each level-theme should be viewed seperately: and Wrecking Ball is a defenitely one of the best mini-games ever published!! YEAH!!! :-) AMEN! :-)

Thanks dude! :hero::blush:

Also... I think this just made it onto page 1 of cool levels. I'm not sure if it'll stick.		2009-09-22 00:52:00

Author:
Tig-W
Posts: 106

Wow, brilliant level. Very original, and fantastic baddies!
I loved how the enemies splattered, and the wrecking ball was a helluva lot of fun.

I've just got two suggestions.
First, I would increase the pacing just a bit at the beginning. Even on my first try I found a few time gaps where I would be waiting for the next round for a little too long. After you get skilled at it, those gaps become that much longer.

Second, cutscene textbox @ boss = BIG nono to me. With enemies surrounding my position as I frantically try to weave in and out while dealing heavy blows, on my last life, I was very bummed when the boss popped out with cutscene-enabled text and I frantically tried to get out of it before it was too late.

...It was too late.


So yeah, as cool as it is to see the boss come out with the close camera, I would ditch the text entirely and instead - if you've got the thermo space available - put in some of your nifty custom text to announce the boss's arrival. It killed me (literally) when the text + camera came in with the boss.

Also, that leads me to the awesome little addition of "Ok" and "Good!" text that appeared when you smashed the enemies apart. Great stuff!


Anyways, probably the best survival mini-game ever. Incredible stuff. I'd love to see you milk the series and create more versions of this.

5 stars and a heart!		2009-09-22 01:00:00

Author:
hilightnotes
Posts: 1230

Many thanks hilightnotes! That's really useful feedback.



First, I would increase the pacing just a bit at the beginning. Even on my first try I found a few time gaps where I would be waiting for the next round for a little too long. After you get skilled at it, those gaps become that much longer.



hmm, I've recieved a similar comment in-game.
Although I really want to keep it accessible for newbies, I think you're right. It takes too long to get going.




Second, cutscene textbox @ boss = BIG nono to me. With enemies surrounding my position as I frantically try to weave in and out while dealing heavy blows, on my last life, I was very bummed when the boss popped out with cutscene-enabled text and I frantically tried to get out of it before it was too late.


Noooo! I suspected that camera would create problems.

I tried to leave a long-enough pause, so that players could kill everything before the big enemy shows up. But not a long-enough pause to leave experienced players waiting.
It seems the compromise doesn't really work, though.


How about having the cutscene triggered only when the arena is empty of enemies? I have a system for doing this before the final boss battle. Perhaps I could do the same thing here.


Failing that, I could ditch the cutscene camera altogether. But I'd be sad to get rid of it. It's cool.		2009-09-22 01:40:00

Author:
Tig-W
Posts: 106

How about having the cutscene triggered only when the arena is empty of enemies? I have a system for doing this before the final boss battle. Perhaps I could do the same thing here.


Failing that, I could ditch the cutscene camera altogether. But I'd be sad to get rid of it. It's cool.

That could definitely work. I really have no idea how the boss is meant to play out (ie., with enemies still floating around to attack, or as a standalone challenge). I haven't yet gotten past the cutscene of doom . If it is enough of a challenge to stand by itself, then that sounds like a good fix.		2009-09-22 01:49:00

Author:
hilightnotes
Posts: 1230

Ok... Well tell me how that goes...

26,000?!



*shakes fist*

EDIT: 28,690. Ball's in your court, Trash. 		2009-09-22 08:26:00

Author:
EVOin3D
Posts: 91

28,600? http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/9019/melt.gif


I can barely keep up with all the mad skills flying around here!
amazing work EVOin3D! :kz:		2009-09-22 14:05:00

Author:
Tig-W
Posts: 106

I seen someone say before that is was a fantastic idea and well executed...

I'd have to disagree, the concept in itself sounds quite poor and like it could have a lot of flaws...however you have managed to executed it perfectly.

Absolutely fantastic survival level. One of the best for sure. I love the fact you have 4 lives, that's a great touch.

It's so satisfying smashing those enemies to pieces too. It really is fantastic work.

The only thing I have to comment on, and it's not a criticism in the slightest, more of an observation...

The wrecking ball is quite hard to swing. You get one swing out of it and then the weight pulls you down so you can't really get any momentum going. Now this isn't necessarily a bad thing. It depends which angle you take on it, it definitely means it's not as user friendly, but it also means that there's a bit more skill and timing involved instead of just wielding it like a mad Sackboy

5 stars, heart. Absolutely amazing job.		2009-09-23 19:52:00

Author:
jackofcourse
Posts: 1494

good job. this is the best mini game on lbp. very original and perfectly executed2009-09-23 21:23:00

Author:
deboerdave
Posts: 384

Hi there Tig-W I just wanted to let you know that I'll be writing my opinions on this level when SackCast Top 3 of the week comes out. 2009-09-23 21:35:00

Author:
olit123
Posts: 1341

I seen someone say before that is was a fantastic idea and well executed...

I'd have to disagree, the concept in itself sounds quite poor and like it could have a lot of flaws...however you have managed to executed it perfectly.

Absolutely fantastic survival level. One of the best for sure. I love the fact you have 4 lives, that's a great touch.

It's so satisfying smashing those enemies to pieces too. It really is fantastic work.

The only thing I have to comment on, and it's not a criticism in the slightest, more of an observation...

The wrecking ball is quite hard to swing. You get one swing out of it and then the weight pulls you down so you can't really get any momentum going. Now this isn't necessarily a bad thing. It depends which angle you take on it, it definitely means it's not as user friendly, but it also means that there's a bit more skill and timing involved instead of just wielding it like a mad Sackboy

5 stars, heart. Absolutely amazing job.


Hey jackofcourse, thanks for taking the time to play my level! :hero:
I'm glad you enjoyed it.


I agree with you on the point of the wrecking ball. It's always felt slightly too heavy.



However - this might sound weird - I'm not sure how to change it. The ball must be made of a material which isn't broken by explosions. That only permits metal, wood or glass - all of which are heavy or medium-weight. (I ended up using wood.)

Making it smaller isn't an option- so what does that leave?

I think I'll try making the wooden ring slightly thinner on the inside. I could also remove the flashing lights; although that would make it a lot uglier. If anyone's got any better ideas on this, I'd love to hear them.



Thanks again for the great feedback! 		2009-09-24 01:25:00

Author:
Tig-W
Posts: 106

Now I'm not sure what the mechanics of this level are and what if any internal components the ball has ... but is the only reason you "can't make it smaller" because you "can't resize the jetpack on a chain"?

Because you should be able to using the emitter trick.

Also ... tinfoil is destructable, no? I think it is, but I'm not actually sure. I know it's at least approximately cardboard weight. If it turned out to be indestructable, that's always an option.		2009-09-24 01:33:00

Author:
Jagrevi
Posts: 1154

Ooh. I never thought of tinfoil. I don't even know if I've got it unlocked. :blush:

According to this page (http://www.littlebigplanetguide.com/page/Complete+Materials+List), the only indestructible materials are metal, stone, glass, wood and rubber. The last three all weigh the same. Tin foil counts as cardboard, and is therefore destructible (?).


I couldn't make the ball smaller without editing pretty much everything in the level. For example, all the enemies look for the ball's centerpoint within a specific distance to register a 'hit'- and so on.


I could edit all of that stuff if I wanted... but wouldn't a smaller ball look a bit puny? 		2009-09-24 01:54:00

Author:
Tig-W
Posts: 106

Ooh. I never thought of tinfoil. I don't even know if I've got it unlocked. :blush:

According to this page (http://www.littlebigplanetguide.com/page/Complete+Materials+List), the only indestructible materials are metal, stone, glass, wood and rubber. The last three all weigh the same. Tin foil counts as cardboard, and is therefore destructible (?).


I couldn't make the ball smaller without editing pretty much everything in the level. For example, all the enemies look for the ball's centerpoint within a specific distance to register a 'hit'- and so on.


I could edit all of that stuff if I wanted... but wouldn't a smaller ball look a bit puny?

Here are the relative weights for all materials.

Polystyrene 1 lb2
Cardboard 1 lb2
Dissolve .75 lb2
Sponge 2 lb2
Wood 10 lb2
Rubber 10 lb2
Glass 10 lb2
Stone 20 lb2
Metal 20 lb2

Even though tinfoil is housed with the cardboards, if I remember correctly, it actually weighs the same as all the other metals.		2009-09-24 02:00:00

Author:
jackofcourse
Posts: 1494

Even though tinfoil is housed with the cardboards, if I remember correctly, it actually weighs the same as all the other metals.

This just feels off to me. My vague memory of tinfoil is that it is cardboard weight with it's other attributes being those of metal - which makes a kind of intuitive sense. What you're saying is that it's at the given "metallic weight" with all it's other attributes being those of cardboard - which seems very counter-intuitive to me.

If no one actually goes into create mode to double check, I'll have to do that myself after dinner. Again, I could be completely wrong, but I'm not yet convinced I am.		2009-09-24 02:06:00

Author:
Jagrevi
Posts: 1154

I've just fashioned an extremely crappy set of scales in order to learn the following:

Tinfoil is as heavy as basic metal. It is also indestructible.
Neither of these facts seem entirely logical.


Edit:
I just discovered that by making the wooden ring a bit thinner, I can make the ball much lighter. Allowing for perpetual circular swings. This changes everything. :kz:

Now... the question is whether this will make it too easy...		2009-09-24 02:25:00

Author:
Tig-W
Posts: 106

I've just fashioned an extremely crappy set of scales in order to learn the following:

Tinfoil is as heavy as basic metal. It is also indestructible.
Neither of these facts seem entirely logical.

Yeah that's what I thought. It's basically just been housed wrong and shouldn't be with the cardboards at all.		2009-09-24 02:38:00

Author:
jackofcourse
Posts: 1494

I am so confused! When I start, I can't even see myself! How do you do this? HELP!2009-09-24 02:56:00

Author:
Sunrise_Moon
Posts: 469

I am so confused! When I start, I can't even see myself! How do you do this? HELP!

erm. when you start playing, a platform should rise instantly with you standing on it.

If this doesn't happen, it means something has gone horribly wrong. (It wouldn't be the first time, believe me)		2009-09-24 03:29:00

Author:
Tig-W
Posts: 106

Edit:
I just discovered that by making the wooden ring a bit thinner, I can make the ball much lighter. Allowing for perpetual circular swings. This changes everything. :kz:

Now... the question is whether this will make it too easy...

Huh - I wouldn't upload it like that too soon than. Get some people to playtest a version with a "lighter" ball. It would be a shame if there was no challenge left to the level. It's too fun a score challenge to unbalance.

Perhaps it might be possible to make the rings not quite that thin, find the right weight so that a swing is easier but so that "continual swinging" threshold is not met.		2009-09-24 03:37:00

Author:
Jagrevi
Posts: 1154

"If it ain't broke..."

Honestly, I like it just the way it is.

On another note, I was playing this last night and I came to thinking: is this the first "smart" AI in LitttleBigPlanet?		2009-09-24 04:10:00

Author:
EVOin3D
Posts: 91

Huh - I wouldn't upload it like that too soon than. Get some people to playtest a version with a "lighter" ball. It would be a shame if there was no challenge left to the level. It's too fun a score challenge to unbalance.

Perhaps it might be possible to make the rings not quite that thin, find the right weight so that a swing is easier but so that "continual swinging" threshold is not met.

Yeah, this is the conclusion I've come to.

I'm now so familiar the heavy ball, that anything lighter just feels wrong, somehow.
If I do make it lighter, it'll be a very minor change, and I'll get some people to road-test it first.



On another note, I was playing this last night and I came to thinking: is this the first "smart" AI in LitttleBigPlanet?

heh

I'd say 'smart' is too strong a word... they're about as clever as this guy:

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/5446/94786847.jpg
(anyone who played serious sam will know that ain't very clever)		2009-09-24 11:54:00

Author:
Tig-W
Posts: 106

Played this last night and loved it. Great fun altogether!

Well put together with some great gameplay.

5 stars and a heart		2009-09-24 12:11:00

Author:
wexfordian
Posts: 1904

When I start all I see are two speech bubbles that say "Swing the ball around to survive" or something like that.2009-09-25 18:06:00

Author:
Sunrise_Moon
Posts: 469

Well this was just wonderful.
Hearted and fivestarred and I'll be coming back again

One problem - when I destroy a boss arm, it always sends out shards of electric fragments from the bombs not destroying everything properly. I have yet to not get hit by these. :/		2009-09-25 20:49:00

Author:
Loius
Posts: 342

Yeah, I like it how it is - I wouldn't make it lighter.

But I still say you should milk this idea and make more versions of it! Maybe in one version you could use a lighter wrecking ball.		2009-09-25 21:07:00

Author:
hilightnotes
Posts: 1230

When I start all I see are two speech bubbles that say "Swing the ball around to survive" or something like that.

darn.

I've just found out that a small percentage of people who play this get a glitch which prevents the spawn platform from working properly.
I've absolutely no idea why it happens... I've never been able to recreate the problem on my PS3.


I've just republished the level with some changes to the spawn system.
Could I ask you to try again, and see if the problem remains? It would be super helpful.


For anyone who is interested, here's the other changes:

The "cutscene of doom" is no more. Now the big enemy will wait politely for you to finish killing his friends before he makes his entrance.
The prize for kiling the boss is a bit more generous.
Players can't fly down the hole in the center of the spawn platform to escape the arena. (Sneaky little...)
The player is now handed a paintinator for 0.5 seconds before the level starts. I found that this removes the glitch where the blue 'blood' from enemies sometimes fails to appear on the walls and floor. I like the blood. It looks cool.




Well this was just wonderful.
Hearted and fivestarred and I'll be coming back again

One problem - when I destroy a boss arm, it always sends out shards of electric fragments from the bombs not destroying everything properly. I have yet to not get hit by these. :/

Thanks for the feedback! :hero:

I'll see if I can fix that problem by making the bombs bigger. (I'm trying not to make them too big... or they might kill the player accidentally...)		2009-09-25 21:52:00

Author:
Tig-W
Posts: 106

This is easily one of the best survival challenges I've ever played (tied with "The Seventh Idol for my favorite). There is such a perfect balance of looks, gameplay, difficulty, points, enemies, and everything else. There is absolutely nothing I would change about this level. Fantastic job, :star::star::star::star::star: and a heart from me. 2009-09-25 22:04:00

Author:
BSprague
Posts: 2325

Thanks for the comment BSprague! :hero:



Significant change: Any enemies huddling around the respawn hatch now get backblasted away as the hatch opens. So you can no longer be insta-killed upon respawning.


This should make it significantly less frustrating for beginners, and slightly easier to play in general. I expect a few more people will be able to reach the boss now.		2009-09-26 12:40:00

Author:
Tig-W
Posts: 106

I loved the all retro touches in this, the emitted pixellated signs are such a great touch. Great work all round, its a really fun level!2009-09-26 12:48:00

Author:
julesyjules
Posts: 1156

But I still say you should milk this idea and make more versions of it! Maybe in one version you could use a lighter wrecking ball.

I actually wouldn't. Diminishing marginal utility.

This level is great as it stands, and I don't think the idea should be done to death.		2009-09-26 13:14:00

Author:
Jagrevi
Posts: 1154

Just gone done playing this... had to come on this thread just to say "Awesome!". Once again, someone has found a way to create a new gameplay style and keep LBP fresh - I had a blast with this one. I put it on my permanent playlist.2009-09-26 16:02:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

I can honestly say this is my favourite survival challenge by a long shot. I first played it a while back and swung my wrecking ball into one of the hatches rendering it trapped :blush: It didn't matter so much as I just dodged the enemys until another one came out of the hatch, quite fun though, lol.
Don't know if this was kind of a one off since I havent played LBP since tuesday.

Anyway, loved it! It's one of those levels where you just sit there and think, "Darn why didn't I come up with that!?!" 		2009-09-26 16:33:00

Author:
RobbieT_4
Posts: 77

Thanks for the generous comments guys! :hero:
Glad you enjoyed it.


I first played it a while back and swung my wrecking ball into one of the hatches rendering it trapped :blush: It didn't matter so much as I just dodged the enemys until another one came out of the hatch, quite fun though, lol.
Don't know if this was kind of a one off since I havent played LBP since tuesday.

yeh, I've made a few little improvements and tweaks since then.
The main thing being that enemies can no longer kill you upon respawn. (I'm pleased with that one... it looks pretty cool when a whole mass of enemies get blasted away from the respawn hatch.)


Also, I knew players would inevitably lose the ball down hatches, or crush it in sliding doors. A new ball should appear immediately if that ever happens.		2009-09-27 01:54:00

Author:
Tig-W
Posts: 106

I haven't read any of the posts on this thread, but I just played this level:

I freaking rocked! Reminded me of Geometry Wars, which is one of my favorite shooters. It really was a lot of fun, and I liked that you are using 4 lives rather than the typical 1 for a survival challenge.

The pixelated signs were awesome. This stands as my favorite survival challenge.

My only complaint would be timing - it's a little slow at the start before the difficulty ramps up.

Great work!!!		2009-09-27 02:46:00

Author:
phife211
Posts: 62

Im too lazy to describe how awesome this level is, so I'll just say this:

ITS AWESOME!!!!

I can't believe you fit that into the thermo. Actually, I thought that sphere thing was the boss. But when I saw the picture in your post my jaw dropped. I'm gonna have to play this again and again. Wow man just wow. Outstanding 		2009-09-30 04:22:00

Author:
Incinerator22
Posts: 3251

darn.

I've just found out that a small percentage of people who play this get a glitch which prevents the spawn platform from working properly.
I've absolutely no idea why it happens... I've never been able to recreate the problem on my PS3.


I've just republished the level with some changes to the spawn system.
Could I ask you to try again, and see if the problem remains? It would be super helpful.


For anyone who is interested, here's the other changes:

The "cutscene of doom" is no more. Now the big enemy will wait politely for you to finish killing his friends before he makes his entrance.
The prize for kiling the boss is a bit more generous.
Players can't fly down the hole in the center of the spawn platform to escape the arena. (Sneaky little...)
The player is now handed a paintinator for 0.5 seconds before the level starts. I found that this removes the glitch where the blue 'blood' from enemies sometimes fails to appear on the walls and floor. I like the blood. It looks cool.





Thanks for the feedback! :hero:

I'll see if I can fix that problem by making the bombs bigger. (I'm trying not to make them too big... or they might kill the player accidentally...)

Ok, I'll replay it soon as I can...		2009-10-05 06:35:00

Author:
Sunrise_Moon
Posts: 469

Ok, I played it and it worked finally! It was fun. Hearted 2009-10-07 17:03:00

Author:
Sunrise_Moon
Posts: 469

Ok, I played it and it worked finally! It was fun. Hearted

hooray! :hero:
thanks for testing it for me. I still don't know what the problem was before, but I guess whatever I changed fixed it.		2009-10-09 13:38:00

Author:
Tig-W
Posts: 106


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