Zenith - a development inspired by The Sentinel (Crammond)

[AthenaOfDelphi]

The problem was largely that without a reference point, I lost where I was looking and so I couldn't work out how to look back to where I wanted.

Its hard to say, I think I'd personally prefer the option where you push the mouse at the end of the screen and it scrolls, otherwise, the cursor just moves around in that view.

[compsci]

Huehnerschaender, AthenaOfDelphi,

Mouse look is now the reverse of the previous configuration, to conform with the convention for FPS games.

The configuration options 'Reverse Vertical', 'Reverse Horizontal', 'Reverse Zoom', and 'Sensitivity' have been enabled, and can be found in Configuration > Control.

[compsci]

AthenaOfDelphi,

'Scrolling' when the mouse cursor enters the margin, as you suggest, certainly is possible. The closer to the edge, the faster the movement. I could offer it as a control preference, without it impacting game performance.

My concern is that it would lead to slower gameplay (try playing with a difficulty above about 40, and you'll need to work fast), and be difficult to make 'tidy' in a windowed game.

Thinking in terms of design, there are so many ways that the camera could be made to move. At the moment, cursor keys and mouse dragging are used (did you know about the cursor keys?). For me, dragging or 'throwing' the camera worked, so that's how I made it - but I'm not eveyone. While I'm eager to innovate to make the game better, I don't want to alienate players who are accustomed to other games.

Being disorientated is, oddly enough, part of the game! Every game starts with you looking towards the Sentinel, because chances are, that's the first thing you'd want to locate when you start a landscape. After that it's up to you to learn about your immediate surroundings and use them to your advantage. Try studying the map before the Sentinel is activated - plan you first few moves. If you're getting lost looking at the sky, then the first place to look is down to the horizon, where you can get your bearings.

If you're generally just lost, then perhaps remembering how far you turned, or trying to mentally complete a wrap-around picture outside the screen would help?

[AthenaOfDelphi]

Hi compsci,

Nope, didn't know about the cursor keys... will give it a try.

Having had a think about the problem, it wasn't so much getting disorientated, it was I think that when I moved it didn't do as I expected... net result... confusion in my lil' ol' head. It may also have been the fact that I needed to click and drag the view rather than just being able to scroll.

If you can tweak this kind of thing later on, then don't worry about it at this stage. Finish the game 'cos I wanna play

[compsci]

I've made a minor adjustment (synchronising cursor keys with Mouse Reverse options), which will be my last published 'tweak' for a while, unless anyone points out any big bugs.

For the future, I'll be releasing less often. Here's what I plan:

• Release a 'self complete' Freeware version (June 2006). This will have the functionality you see now, with the unimplemented options removed, and some of the console options removed. You didn't know about the console? Try pressing F9 in the game! Type 'HELP' for console documentation.
  
  After the Freeware release, work will be dedicated to extending the game.
  
• I'll be considering exactly how much more I want to add to the game - I have several game ideas that will work beyond the concept phase; it's just a case of making a roadmap for realistic commitments.
  
  Beyond the Freeware path, I'll look at the scope and policy for charging for software (unlocked and voluntary, limited functionality, limited time, or a transaction to deliver a completely separate build). I hope to reach a decision in July 2006.
  
• I don't think this is going to be Open Source for the foreseeable future. Although I like Open Source, I don't feel this title is ready for that.

All of the above is subject to change (ahead or behind schedule), and is intended as a guide only.

Your comments are welcome, as always: good ones make me feel good, and 'bad' ones improve the game; either way, I'll be happy to hear them.

[compsci]

Freeware v0.9.0 (Beta) Release. Improvements:

• Symbols in the energy display.
• Removed non-functional New Game and Configuration options.
• Refined rules for absorption.
• Landscape difficulty, and game balance improved.
• Removed non-functioning console options from Help.
• Persistent 'Hints' switch in Configuration.
• Landscape numbers can be used to replay games.
• Lighting and transitions more realistic and pleasing.

As usual, download from http://johnvalentine.co.uk/m00014.html

[Traveler]

Hi compsci,

I've tried your game today. I had never heard of it before so it was all quite new to me. At first I found it very confusing. How controls worked, how to get an overview etc. The manual helped though, but I guess it would hurt to have the controls listed in the options screen (perhaps even to customize them)

After a few games I got the hang of it and started doing some tougher levels. Its actually a pretty good game. The environment is a bit boring, and could IMO benefit from a few nice textures, but its not a real necessity.

The map algorithm could use a bit more work. I tried a few 40+ levels, but they all placed my in a impossible starting point. This is also where I realized that it might be nice to have some sort of signal to locate your character on the map. At the start of a level I found my self looking for my character for quite some time.

All in all a nice game though

:thumbup:

[compsci]

Zenith has been improved since my last post, and I'm about to lose the 'Beta' label.
<table border="0"><tr><td> Download:</td><td>http://www.johnvalentine.co.uk/zenith</td></tr>
<tr><td>Screenshots: </td><td>http://www.johnvalentine.co.uk/k00008a.html</td></tr><tr><td>Project:</td><td>http://www.johnvalentine.co.uk/m00014.html</td></tr></table>

[VilleK]

Cool! I always remember the original Sentinel-game as a work of genius.
Good choice for a remake!

[tanffn]

Great I’ll give it a try, I played your game a few month ago really enjoyed it.
One ~minor thing, I wasn’t able to play the game without reading the readme and as most end-users aren’t so patient I think you should add a tutorial mode of some kind.

Whoo and I love your website style