Fun with Vacuums by dcRfj15

[raw]
made by dcRfj15 for LD32 (JAM)
Update (4/22/15 at 9:15PM EST):
Renamed the downloadable file from "LD32 -- Fixed_Version" to "Fun with
Vacuums"

Update (4/20/15 at 11:25PM EST):
Original file that I uploaded was broken because I forgot to include images
in the download (*facepalm*), added a fixed version which isn't broken.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fun with Vacuums, my first LD entry, is a game about defeating ants by sucking them up with a vacuum. I started this Sunday morning ~10AM and worked up to 9 PM Monday.

The goal of the game is to defend your picnic against ants which are trying to devour it.

Controls:
- Mouse Click : Turn on the vacuum (Hold click to keep the vacuum on)

Tools Used:
- Java SE w/ Eclipse
- Paint.NET
- Audacity, a vacuum and Bfxr for sound

Ratings

Coolness 55% 3
Overall(Jam) 2.46 1019
Audio(Jam) 2.24 617
Fun(Jam) 2.50 882
Graphics(Jam) 2.00 939
Humor(Jam) 2.28 790
Innovation(Jam) 2.19 954
Mood(Jam) 2.30 933
Theme(Jam) 3.12 690

Feedback

DefectiveMelon
21. Apr 2015 · 21:08 UTC
Simple and fun, and surprisingly difficult. Things could maybe have been improved with ants spawning on the top half of the screen, or maybe some enemy variety, but otherwise a nice little time waster :)
Muffin
21. Apr 2015 · 21:17 UTC
You should probably remove the jar option, since it doesnt work :) Managed to kill 232 ants before they got my cereal, had some fun with it. Its a bit simple though, it could use more vacuum modes, or use vacuum strength as a resource. It's also really hard to catch the ants coming from below if they're fast. Also, the vacuum image isnt on my mouse after I resize, but that's a small thing. Good job.
Sakuyan
22. Apr 2015 · 00:24 UTC
Neat! I'm was surprised to see a pretty distinct rise in difficulty. Good job on your first LD submission :D
smikulcik
22. Apr 2015 · 00:59 UTC
Great Job. It was harder than I expected it to be. The vacuum makes a pretty cool game mechanic.
rinat.kh
22. Apr 2015 · 10:53 UTC
Cool and simple, but hard. I have managed to kill only 90 ants(
TeamCalcium
23. Apr 2015 · 07:09 UTC
Nice Game! The picnic isnt much of a picnic since its just a box of cereal, but that didnt bother me at all. Solid entry!
resty
23. Apr 2015 · 14:40 UTC
Interesting sound effects~. Good job for a 1st time entry.
The game is difficult. Got lost quickly, but fun.

If I had to suggest something that could be improved, I would say the red-white background could be changed to sth more suitable, it makes me seeing illusions and feeling dizzy (especially when ant running on it).

Keep on and make more better games!
LD_LAN_Party
23. Apr 2015 · 22:08 UTC
Sounds like a supercharged ant sucker! Gets quite difficult.
🎤 dcRfj15
24. Apr 2015 · 00:26 UTC
Thanks for all the great advice! I am planning on making a Post-Jam version over the next few weeks, and I will try to listen to all the feedback I get.

So the difficulty of the game is partially due to a major bug in the game, every successive restart makes the game harder because the initial speed of the ants is greater every round (over the course of a game the speed of the ants increases, however I forgot to reset this speed increase, and so it rolls into the next game). I am planning on balancing the game a lot and making it easier.
Pix3M
24. Apr 2015 · 01:48 UTC
Apparently when I tried to run it, the level isn't rendered properly so I watched the health bar on top lower and lower as I stare into a blank white screen. Eh.
🎤 dcRfj15
24. Apr 2015 · 02:18 UTC
@Pix3M -- Yeah, sorry that happened. I looked into it, and I think it is fixed.
12 Pechás Of Souls
24. Apr 2015 · 20:04 UTC
Very nice use of the theme. It's funny. Well done :D