missile command/asteroids hybrid game advice

[paul_nicholls]

Hi all,
I am planning on making a game that is a cross between missile command and asteroids, and I wanted some advice :-)

The earth is under attack, and I was wondering where to put 'her' :-)

(1) in the middle of the screen for 360 degrees 'enemy' action.

(2) at the middle bottom so attacks can only come from above and the sides.

(3) variant of (2), but with only half the earth showing...

See the proto-type screenshots below.

(1)
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/6030/testscreenshotmiddle.png

(2)
http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/2362/testscreenshotbottom.png

(3)
http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/9536/testscreenshotbottom2.png

Your thoughts would be very helpful :)
cheers,
Paul

[arthurprs]

1 looks more interesting

[Wizard]

I would also go for 1 :)

[WILL]

You could go for 2 modes of play. (I like games to mix it up every so often ;))

Mode 1 - Do what you propose in (3), but make the planet a bit larger to have some surface to hit. Then instead of having exactly 180 degrees of play just use say... 120 degrees or so. This will allow the player some space for any HUD screens you may want to show, plus he/she won't be so easily overwealmed.

Mode 2 - Have an All-round Defense Stage! (Bonus Stage?) This gives the player a new experience from the usual gameplay that can be used sparingly so that it's a challenge to earn special power-ups or skills/features in the regular game.

[NecroDOME]

Vote for 1 :)

[chronozphere]

Another vote for 1 here. :)

[paul_nicholls]

Thanks for all your votes/comments, they really helped :)

I actually now have another question about the game...

With the incoming enemy attacks, do you think it would be a good idea to have them affected by the pull of the earth's gravity, or just travel in a straight line?

Affected by gravity would add some more interest, but would probably add some difficulty to the game when guessing the incoming paths of the enemy projectiles.

I'm thinking of using the gravity, but I welcome your thoughts :)

Thanks again,
cheers,
Paul

[NecroDOME]

For the first levels/waves of enemies or certain things you can disable the gravity. But it would indeed make it more interesting the add the earths gravity field.

Vote for gravity on :)

[chronozphere]

I vote for gravity too. ;)

One thing you could do is use some "gravitational radius". If the object is inside this circle, it will be pulled towards earth. So, If you respond quickly you can take out any incoming projectiles more easily because their path is more predictable. In the harder levels, alot of things will be thrown at you and you won't have time to do this. :)

[WILL]

I vote for gravity option! :) You can leave it as default on though... ;)

[Wizard]

I would also go with gravity, it will make the game so much more interesting :yes:

[paul_nicholls]

Thanks all for your votes and comments again :)

You all have been very helpfull :)

I will put in gravity,
cheers,
Paul