Gravity Arena

[eekaydee]

Initially I intended to enter this into the Vectorized contest, but I missed the deadline by a mile. So I just kept working on it, and I think I finally got it to a playable state (barely), though it's still nowhere near done. Please, I'd appreciate any feedback I get.

Gravity Arena (http://webpages.charter.net/edoi/gravityarena.sit)

Screenshot Here (http://webpages.charter.net/edoi/gravityscreen1.gif).

Controls:
Spacebar-Select, fire, detonate shot, end turn when in "move" mode
Left/Right-Turn ship
Up/Down-Increase/decrease power when in "fire" mode
S-Hold it down for precision when changing power or turning the ship
Q-Quit

ï When a shot explodes due to impact with a ship, the ship gets hurt twice as much as from just the explosion alone
ï When a player's life goes into the red, (you start with the 10 red lifebars) his ship's max shot power drops
ï When in "move" mode, the turn is ended by pressing the spacebar.

[aaronsullivan]

I really wanted to try one player, but I had to play against myself. :) You've obviously given this a lot of thought and care and it has a good polish to it. It never did anything I didn't expect as far as interface and controls. I didn't realize it was turn based at first but that makes it interesting, especially with 3 and 4 players I'd imagine.

Of course, sound would be nice. :) It could really help add to the drama.
Also as many effects as possible would help spruce up the turn by turn pace.
Also, even though I read the instructions I forgot I could increase the power of the shot. I wonder if you could make that more clear somehow during game play... maybe an up and down arrow next to the bar or something.

This type of game is not my cup of tea, but you've done a good job with it!

[aaronsullivan]

Okay, two more little tweaks you should think about:
When choosing the number of players, the Player number is highlighted and pressing the space bar does nothing... you have to move down to the more button or done. It's sort of like a button that does nothing. I then expected you could just type in the number of players you wanted, but that didn't work. I don't see a reason why the Player number should have the selection box around it. It's just confusing.

Also, changing the power of your shot seems too fast for usability. It should be at the "s" speed by default and the s key should make it even slower. Turning could be a little slower by default as well.

[eekaydee]

Thanks for the feedback!

Ok, powerbar arrows coming soon.
The player box is there so you can change your name...there's a blinking cursor there, see it? Maybe I should have made it clearer.
Thanks, I needed help deciding if it's better to have the "s" speed the default.

[funkboy]

Fun game.

Power bar would be nice, as would computer AI.

I like the idea, though, and the graphics are fun.

Of course, not having the game quit after a single game would be good, too, but I realize it's still under development.

[aaronsullivan]

I thought the player box was merely there to tell you how many players there were.

But you say it's for entering a name... The flashing cursor did make me think of typing. That's why I tried typing a number. Nothing happened so I assumed I couldn't type a name in. I also tried typing a name in after you clued me in and nothing happens when I type letters either... the expected behavior with a cursor on the left is that either new letters will push the letters on the right over or possibly type over the letters that are already there. As it is now there is no feedback when any key is pressed (except for the secret key you want people to press... the delete key.)

There are other problems with that interface as well, then... in that you can't change the name of the first player after you add a second player.

[eekaydee]

Funkboy: You mean a power bar like the one on the bottom of the screen? ;)

[funkboy]

Funkboy: You mean a power bar like the one on the bottom of the screen? ;)

Exactly. I didn't read the prior post really, but you said something about a powerbar, so I just assumed... meh. My bad :)

[eekaydee]

Thanks again for the feedback. :D I added interface sounds, power bar arrows as a reminder that the power can be changed with the up and down keys, and changed the turning speed and power bar change to the "s" speed. Any more suggestions/advice?