Postmortem: Pluto Strikes Back
A little bit over month ago I released my third experimental done-in-under-7-days game: Pluto Strikes Back. The game has gotten a very good response from players and it’s a game that even I still enjoy playing. Here are some of things I learned from the development of the game.
What Went Right
1. Toy First
Building the toy first turned out to be a very good idea. I created a very ugly physics toy, where I had some planets (blue circles), the bat (blue square) and I could launch asteroids (smaller blue circles) by a click of the mouse. And I used this toy to prove myself that the core mechanics where fun enough to build a game around.
I then spend almost half of the development time lubricating this ugly bugger so that it was even more smooth to play with. And toy turned out to be surprisingly fun to play with, unlike the toy that I created for Slimy Pete’s Singles Bar.
I then wrote down all the things that felt satisfactory to me in the toy. Like hitting a planet really hard so that collided with the other planets or managing to strike an asteroid so that ended up orbiting a planet. Then when I started working on the graphically intensive version of the game I made sure that the player would be awarded when he managed to perform these activities. The awards where in the form of sound effects, scores, animations and bonuses.
2. Juiciness
The game feels quite juicy. Credit for this goes to the fact that I did spend quite some time working on the basic strike an asteroid hit a planet sequence. I wanted it to feel very juicy. So I created a very simple spring system to pull the planets back to their original positions. This really did boost up the game and I think it’s the most important part of the juiciness factor.
Here’s a list of things I added to make the hitting of a planet feel really extra juicy.
Elements of juiciness in Pluto Strikes Back
- The already credited spring system
- The Candid Camera sound effects (when you hit a planet it sounds like it)
- Rising score message
- Running score counter
- The big bonuses that you get almost every time you strike an planet
Also the background song, which I encountered by pure accident, brings it unique flavor of spinning goodness to the game.
3. Let my baby take it’s course
The first two games that I did, I really prototyped the original idea that I had in my head. I didn’t want to change it or tweak it on the way, because basically I was creating a prototype of that idea. It felt like I would cheat if I changed my mind during the development. Pluto Strikes Back was different. It was much more like a series of prototypes than a one big one.
In terms of gameplay there was very little progress. The original gameplay idea turned out to be very fun so I kept it pretty much intact. Although all the bonuses where developed during the prototyping.
The story did change a little. As the original idea was from a weird dream I had. The player would defend Earth against an asteroid attack by swinging a baseball bat. But that really lacked a reason to try to aim the asteroids to something. Then I figured that maybe Pluto should play the main part, because of the all media coverage. That then quite easily turned into a game that was only about Pluto getting it’s revenge.
I think it’s good to let go of the original idea and let the development take it where ever it is going with it. Clinging too much to the original idea can really kill a good game.
Things That Went Avery
1. No real play testing
Unfortunately I couldn’t afford to use a industry leading QA department to test out my game. I mainly balanced the gameplay based on my own experiences. I should have used couple of friends as testers. In the past I have learned a lot from watching other people play my games.
The biggest problem was the too high gravity of Pluto, that caused some of the new players to get frustrated trying to get the asteroids out of Pluto’s gravity field. I didn’t realize that this was a problem until people started reporting about it at various game development forums. I then dragged a friend who had not played the game to my house and watched how he played. And that’s when I realized that maybe the Pluto’s gravity field was a bit too heavy.
After that I released a quick patch that fixed some random bugs, made the bat controls a bit more firm and eased on the Pluto’s gravity. The new players praised the new patch, but the hardcore players felt that it made the game too easy. Well, you cannot please everybody.
2. Bugs
There where some nasty bugs left in the game. The cause of this basically the same as the last items: no real play testing. The bugs where of that kind that the player would get unrealisticly big scores. Luckily it was quite easy to fix, but unfortunately it really twisted the comparing of the scores.
3. I ran out of time
With Pluto Strikes Back I really did run out of time. Luckily I managed to implement all the important features for the gameplay that I wanted (not including the destruction of planets). But some of the small things that I would have liked the game to have, I could not do in the 7 day limit.
Conclusion
Pluto Strikes Back was a prototype to prove that the core mechanics could work and where fun to play. Right now I don’t know what future holds for Pluto, but I would definitely like to continue the development of the game. Hopefully I have time to release a new version of the game that would include the much needed and desired highscore list.
Btw. Big thanks to everybody who downloaded and played the game. And even bigger thanks to all of you who took the time to write comments and suggestions about the game. The comments really motivated me (and still do) to work on the game further from it’s initial release.
February 27th, 2010 at 12:49 am
I think this is an awesome post, but I wish you had discussed some points differntly.
September 3rd, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Thank You..
Enjoyable Travel Guide
May 16th, 2011 at 7:16 pm
Thanks for your fascinating article. Other thing is that mesothelioma cancer is generally a result of the inhalation of fibers from asbestos fiber, which is a extremely dangerous material. It truly is commonly viewed among employees in the structure industry who’ve long experience of asbestos. It is also caused by living in asbestos protected buildings for some time of time, Genetics plays a huge role, and some individuals are more vulnerable to the risk in comparison with others.
May 18th, 2011 at 5:14 am
I am not completely sure if this is the correct spot, but I kinda figured you should be aware that I read this post a little while ago on a different site. I think it might have been a wordpress blog with a similar title. The content was practically the same, but I noticed that this one here has an older date. I reckon they took it from you, but maybe not who knows. Thought you may like to know.
May 18th, 2011 at 5:19 am
Great blog post. What I would like to contribute is that personal computer memory needs to be purchased should your computer is unable to cope with anything you do with it. One can install two random access memory boards with 1GB each, as an example, but not certainly one of 1GB and one having 2GB. One should look for the company’s documentation for one’s PC to make sure what type of ram is required.
May 19th, 2011 at 7:28 am
Excellent entry. I was looking at something like this a bit earlier. Nice to see it covered. Now that I think about it, I need to make my blog theme more like this.
May 21st, 2011 at 11:37 am
Hi there, I discovered your website via Google while searching for a related matter, your website came up, it appears good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
May 21st, 2011 at 8:02 pm
wow. lastly, I found something helpful for my paper to jot down about. this is fascinating and helps me with extra analysis in the future. Glad I found this blog.Thank you. And I do hope you’ll increase some of your concepts about this topic and I will sure come again and read it. Thanks for the hassle and time.
May 21st, 2011 at 10:49 pm
A powerful share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing just a little evaluation on this. And he in actual fact purchased me breakfast as a result of I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the deal with! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to debate this, I feel strongly about it and love studying more on this topic. If potential, as you turn into experience, would you thoughts updating your weblog with more particulars? It is extremely helpful for me. Big thumb up for this weblog post!
May 22nd, 2011 at 4:45 pm
i’d love to share this posting with the readers on my site. thanks for sharing!
May 22nd, 2011 at 9:41 pm
Im no professional, but I believe you just produced the top point. You certainly know a whole lot about what youre talking about, and I can actually get behind that. Thanks for becoming so upfront and so honest about the subject matter. I actually feel like I have a far better understanding now.
June 21st, 2011 at 3:23 pm
Thanks for your fascinating article. Other thing is that mesothelioma cancer is generally a result of the inhalation of fibers from asbestos fiber, which is a extremely dangerous material.
June 21st, 2011 at 3:27 pm
Hi there, I discovered your website via Google while searching for a related matter, your website came up, it appears good.
July 15th, 2011 at 2:30 am
Thank you for very informative article. I like this site and will be back for sure.
July 15th, 2011 at 2:31 am
Fantastic site! Love it and keep up the good work!
July 15th, 2011 at 2:32 am
Great post! Will be back this site more frequently now.
July 15th, 2011 at 2:33 am
Amazing article you have here. Very interesting!
July 15th, 2011 at 2:34 am
Well done! Hoping to see more post in the future. Congratulations!
July 20th, 2011 at 11:30 am
Great post and straight to the point. I am not sure if this is actually the best place to ask but do you people have any ideea where to get some professional writers? Thanks
July 20th, 2011 at 11:33 am
After research a couple of of the weblog posts in your web site now, and I truly like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website listing and will be checking back soon. Pls check out my web page as properly and let me know what you think.
July 25th, 2011 at 5:46 am
Thanks so much for the impressive and amazing guide.
August 4th, 2011 at 10:03 pm
LyDcGA is that australian >?>>
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:50 am
Now you make it easy for me to understand and implement the concept. Thank you for the post.
September 9th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed! Extremely helpful info particularly the last part
I care for such info much. I was seeking this certain info for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.
September 17th, 2011 at 12:58 am
I like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon.
September 17th, 2011 at 9:22 pm
After researching a number of of the blog posts in your website now, and I actually like your means of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web site record and will probably be checking back soon. Pls check out my website as properly and let me know what you think.
September 27th, 2011 at 5:29 am
The article in your blog reminds me some old memory .That is good .It gives me happy .I think we will have a harmonious talk.Do you agree?
October 12th, 2011 at 5:44 am
Really appreciate what you are doing and I’m excited about what I learned from that post. Best regards from California.
November 3rd, 2011 at 10:12 am
gvwiolwa
November 23rd, 2011 at 12:14 pm
I discovered your site internet site on the web and check some of your early posts. Keep on the fantastic operate. I recently extra encourage RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Looking for toward reading additional by you down the line!
November 30th, 2011 at 3:23 am
Wow! this cartoon type YouTube video I have seen when I was in primary level and now I am in school and watching that over again here.
December 7th, 2011 at 8:48 pm
Whats up very nice blog!! Man .. Excellent .. Wonderful .. I’ll bookmark your web site and take the feeds also¡I’m glad to find numerous useful information here within the submit, we want work out extra strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
December 9th, 2011 at 3:40 pm
penis extender…
That is really fascinating, You are a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and stay up for in search of extra of your great post. …
December 11th, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Hello my loved one! I wish to say that this post is amazing, outstanding written and come with nearly all important infos. I’d like to appear even more posts like this .
January 9th, 2012 at 11:47 am
Rattling nice layout and great subject matter, very little else we want :D.
January 9th, 2012 at 7:09 pm
That is the correct weblog for anyone who wants to seek out out about this topic. You notice so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really would need…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Nice stuff, just nice!
January 9th, 2012 at 7:13 pm
Kloonigames » Blog Archive » Postmortem: Pluto Strikes Back I was suggested this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my difficulty. You are wonderful! Thanks! your article about Kloonigames » Blog Archive » Postmortem: Pluto Strikes Back Best Regards Shane Nick
January 11th, 2012 at 8:12 am
radio live gratis
January 11th, 2012 at 10:04 am
An newsworthy discourse is designer mention. I conceive that you should indite much on this content, it power not be a preconception master but generally group are not sufficiency to verbalise on specified topics. To the next. Cheers like your Kloonigames » Blog Archive » Postmortem: Pluto Strikes Back.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:39 pm
Kloonigames » Blog Archive » Postmortem: Pluto Strikes Back you will have a terrific blog here! would you like to make some invite posts on my blog? Regards, Indonesia Furniture Manufacturers
January 13th, 2012 at 5:33 am
Simply wanna say that this is very beneficial , Thanks for taking your time to write this.
January 13th, 2012 at 11:09 am
We are a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with valuable info to work on. You’ve done an impressive job and our entire group will likely be thankful to you.
January 13th, 2012 at 1:33 pm
Kloonigames » Blog Archive » Postmortem: Pluto Strikes Back I was suggested this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my trouble. You are wonderful! Thanks! your article about Kloonigames » Blog Archive » Postmortem: Pluto Strikes Back Best Regards Lawrence Lawrence
January 13th, 2012 at 8:40 pm
I truly appreciate this post. I’ve been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thanks again!
January 13th, 2012 at 9:44 pm
I may deliver convey my passion for your understanding giving support upto people that requirement relief for that region of interest. Your special keenness upto obtaining the message all-around came to be very vital but has in each and every case activated opposite sex somewhat like me to be at their routines. This new humid and friendly coaching indicates a great deal to me and substantially alternative to actually my partners. Best wishes; from a lot of people.
January 13th, 2012 at 9:47 pm
This actually answered my drawback, thank you!
January 14th, 2012 at 5:14 am
Hi! Great Blog!
January 14th, 2012 at 6:23 am
It a wonderful idea! Just wanna say thank you of the information you have posted. Just continue publishing this sort of post. I’m going to a loyal reader, thanks a lot.
January 14th, 2012 at 9:44 pm
You have brought up a very good points , thankyou for the post. “Beginnings are apt to be shadowy and so it is the beginnings of the great mother life, the sea.” by Rachel Carson.
January 14th, 2012 at 10:24 pm
I truly appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thanks again! “Every time we remember to say thank you, we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.” by Sarah Ban Breathnach.
January 14th, 2012 at 11:21 pm
Absolutely composed content material , thanks for selective information .
January 14th, 2012 at 11:36 pm
Precisely what I was searching for, thankyou for putting up. “Every failure is a step to success…” by William Whewell.
January 14th, 2012 at 11:38 pm
Today, I went to the beach with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!
January 17th, 2012 at 6:47 am
Hey there! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on. You have done a marvellous job!
January 17th, 2012 at 3:23 pm
Kloonigames » Blog Archive » Postmortem: Pluto Strikes Back I was suggested this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my difficulty. You’re wonderful! Thanks! your article about Kloonigames » Blog Archive » Postmortem: Pluto Strikes Back Best Regards Cindy Lawrence
January 17th, 2012 at 4:31 pm
I got what you plan, thanks for swing up. Woh I am glad to feat this website through google. Thanks For Share Kloonigames » Blog Archive » Postmortem: Pluto Strikes Back.
January 17th, 2012 at 8:14 pm
Oh my goodness! an stunning article dude. Thank you Even so We are experiencing problem with ur rss . Do not know why Not able to join it. Could there be any individual acquiring identical rss dilemma? Anybody who knows kindly respond. Thnkx.
January 17th, 2012 at 8:15 pm
Kloonigames » Blog Archive » Postmortem: Pluto Strikes Back I was suggested this website by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my difficulty. You are amazing! Thanks! your article about Kloonigames » Blog Archive » Postmortem: Pluto Strikes Back Best Regards Rolf Andy
January 18th, 2012 at 12:13 am
Hi! Great Blog!
January 18th, 2012 at 2:53 am
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I don’t know who you are but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already
Cheers!
January 18th, 2012 at 11:50 pm
you’re actually a good webmaster. The web site loading speed is incredible. It kind of feels that you are doing any distinctive trick. Moreover, The contents are masterpiece. you have done a wonderful job on this subject!
January 19th, 2012 at 1:32 am
The very revealing sense of guilt thinks the robe. A new unavoidable coloring schedules the man before a good heart. An activity overlaps reverse a substance. A patched seminar talks beyond your mommy. The being thirsty coachs the actual article along with an additional attained frog.
January 19th, 2012 at 2:57 am
Enjoyed looking through this, very good stuff, thankyou . “To be positive To be mistaken at the top of one’s voice.” by Ambrose Bierce.
January 19th, 2012 at 10:55 am
Kloonigames » Blog Archive » Postmortem: Pluto Strikes Back I was suggested this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my trouble. You’re wonderful! Thanks! your article about Kloonigames » Blog Archive » Postmortem: Pluto Strikes Back Best Regards Shane Andy
January 19th, 2012 at 11:05 am
Kloonigames » Blog Archive » Postmortem: Pluto Strikes Back I was recommended this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my trouble. You are wonderful! Thanks! your article about Kloonigames » Blog Archive » Postmortem: Pluto Strikes Back Best Regards Craig Cassetta
January 19th, 2012 at 11:59 am
Kloonigames » Blog Archive » Postmortem: Pluto Strikes Back I was recommended this web site by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my trouble. You are amazing! Thanks! your article about Kloonigames » Blog Archive » Postmortem: Pluto Strikes Back Best Regards Andy Cassetta
January 20th, 2012 at 7:37 am
There is noticeably a bundle to know about this. I assume you made certain good points in options also.
January 20th, 2012 at 12:40 pm
Great items from you, man. I have bear in mind your stuff prior to and you’re simply too fantastic. I actually like what you’ve obtained right here, really like what you are saying and the way in which by which you are saying it. You’re making it enjoyable and you still take care of to stay it wise. I can not wait to learn much more from you. That is actually a terrific web site.
January 20th, 2012 at 1:36 pm
I should show my love for your particular understanding giving support to actually persons that need benefit on that state of great interest. Your special dedication upto acquiring the message all-around had become very significantly important and actually has in each and every situation activated girls similar to to become at their routines. This new humid and welcoming instruction indicates a great deal with me and substantially alternative upto my partners. Best wishes; from each one of us.
January 20th, 2012 at 4:42 pm
Hello, i believe that i noticed you visited my website thus i got here to “go back the desire”.I am attempting to find issues to enhance my website!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
January 20th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
I like this web site because so much useful material on here : D.
January 20th, 2012 at 6:42 pm
There is noticeably a bundle to know about this. I assume you made certain nice points in features also.
January 20th, 2012 at 10:20 pm
Enjoyed studying this, very good stuff, thanks . “Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish.” by Euripides.
January 21st, 2012 at 1:36 am
Whats up! Interesting post! I happen to be a regular visitor (somewhat more like addict :P) to your website yet I had a challenge. I’m just never certain whether its the right site to question, but there are no spam comments. I get comments every single day. May you assist me? With thanks!
January 21st, 2012 at 5:22 am
5MDS3 5MDS3 5MDS3 235889 5MDS3
January 21st, 2012 at 6:41 am
We’re really fan within your blog…will get answered properly as soon as possible. I’m really happy in addition to one’s writing skills and likewise with all the layout in your web site. Is that this a paid for theme or maybe you modify it your own? Anyway maintain the excellent top quality text, it’s uncommon to see a beautiful site like we are now one lately..
January 21st, 2012 at 8:23 am
naturally like your web site however you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I to find it very bothersome to tell the reality on the other hand I’ll certainly come again again.
January 30th, 2012 at 8:02 pm
Hello, Neat post. There’s an issue along with your web site Kloonigames » Blog Archive » Postmortem: Pluto Strikes Back in internet explorer, could test this… IE nonetheless is the market chief and a big element of people will pass over your magnificent writing due to this problem. Thanks … Layton Dentist ?