Both problems can be solved also replacing this:patters wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 11:04 pmI also spent some time coding that then I realised it results in quite significant red colour clash (more so than for the obstacles). Also I saw some collision detection issues relating to the grid alignment and only checking every 2 pixels of line progression, so this deterred me from implementing.Einar Saukas wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 9:40 pmHowever, gameplay works much better if the gate becomes gradually narrower after each level, instead of reducing size only once at level 10. This change will also make this code a lot shorter.
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FOR x=5 TO 125
Code: Select all
FOR x=5 TO 124
I wrote "sacrifice gameplay" because I think the game looks much more exciting when the gate gets gradually narrower after each level. Instead of 9 levels with a large gate, followed by 11 levels with a small gate. However that's just my opinion. It's your game so it's your decision!
Again, it's non-intuitive because many players won't read the instructions, they will assume the game doesn't have an ending so they won't persevere to finish it.patters wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 11:04 pm This is a great improvement because it means the game no longer needs instructions. To cover the only remaining non-intuitive aspect, I had wondered about putting LEVEL x/20 at the top left, to make it clear that there is a goal, but in my opinion it spoils the clean presentation.
If the gate gets narrower after each level, this will provide a clear goal for them, without the need for explanations.
It will make the game more accessible in the beginning, and more challenging in the end. I don't think that's a bad thing.
You are welcome!
I'm sure we can save a few more characters, so you can add a second BEEP. How much more space do you need?patters wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 11:04 pm I have been able to reinstate the satisfying pattering sound of the obstacle placement and the level-up plink sound, which I think are actually quite catchy elements of the game. The only thing I'm not entirely happy with now is the death sound. I need it to be long enough you can see how you died before the screen is redrawn (without relying on a PAUSE), and I want it to be an irritating sound to contrast the nicer sounds. However, a single tone doesn't seem enough...
To save a few more characters, replace this:
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READ p,e,l,d$: ... FOR n=0 TO 1: PLOT 249-n,63+l: DRAW 0,n-57-l: DRAW n+n-248,0: DRAW 0,163: DRAW 247,0: DRAW 0,-n-57-l: NEXT n: ... DATA 23620,21,1,"//"
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READ p,l,d$: ... FOR e=19 TO 20: PLOT 268-e,63+l: DRAW 0,e-76-l: DRAW e+e-286,0: DRAW 0,163: DRAW 247,0: DRAW 0,-e-38-l: NEXT e: ... DATA 23620,1,"//"