SatOrbit by negativice

[raw]
made by negativice for Ludum Dare 47 (JAM)

Play in web browser!

Game Objective

Get your satellites close enough to the red planet to destroy it, before the unstable orbit dooms both planets.

Game Controls

Mouse Click to select object Mouse Drag a selected planet to launch a satellite Mouse Drag a selected satellite to redirect it Right mouse button to Pan the camera Middle mouse button to look around Space to follow the selected object You can use the list on the right to navigate objects Hold Z - path prediction[semi-implemented: kind a works but, selection is separate by pressing X]

Screenshots and concept idea

screenshot.png LD47 concept idea - orbital mechanics.png

Bugfix1

  • Made things more visible, presentable and less confusing
  • Added an object list for easier selection and navigation
  • Added victory condition
  • Limited player control to proper planets
  • Fixed trail flickering
  • Fixed some invincible objects
  • Fixed skybox seam and ugliness
  • Fixed path prediction(somewhat :thinking:)

TODO:Bugfix2

  • Fix rare camera lock up
  • Make object selection with mouse easier
  • Add limited fuel to satellites
  • Add some sort of limit to satellite spawning
  • Add way to see planet health, satellite fuel, other info
  • Improve camera controls and transitions
  • Add object renaming in navigation list

Ratings

Overall 1497th 2.875⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Fun 1380th 2.775⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 580th 3.525⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Theme 1237th 3.15⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 1402th 2.658⭐ 21🧑‍⚖️
Mood 1458th 2.475⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Given 8🗳️ 9🗨️

Feedback

Jam373
14. Oct 2020 · 17:29 UTC
Cool idea well implemented in a prototype stage. You have all the physics and mechanics pretty perfectly working with good clear visuals too. I really like the idea and think you should work on it more! I think what this game really needs is multiple scenarios with different locations for the green and red planet and different orbits, you could really go wild. Also maybe try adding different satellite types, that behave in different ways, do different attacks ect. Lastly some strong audio work would really carry this to the next level.
Aune
14. Oct 2020 · 17:31 UTC
As a great KSP fan I enjoy the idea :)
At the 8th satellite I managed to reach the red one!
It's a rather funny simulator I think there is a way to do funny things with it!

Well done for the pre visualisation
Flying Dog Fish
14. Oct 2020 · 18:40 UTC
Interesting idea and nicely implemented orbital mechanics, but getting that satellite in the right position is really hard. Some more levels would be great, especially an easier one to start.
🎤 negativice
14. Oct 2020 · 20:37 UTC
@jam373 Hey thanks for the great feedback! I fully agree with everything you said, and had thought about making some more interesting things, like different satellite types and maybe even more RTS type stuff, like capturing planets and maybe some resource management. Like you said it could get really wild haha, but obviously due to time limitation, I was only able to capture a little bit of the possible :sweat_smile:.

@aune Thanks! And yeah you can do some fun stuff, like SQUARE ORBITS! :sunglasses:

![squareOrbit.gif](///raw/f6f/1/z/3a28b.gif)

@flying-dog-fish Thanks! Yeah it can be hard, but then again space and rocket-science is hard :smile:. But yeah, as of right now, the planets are really close to the star, making their orbital periods quite fast and space for stable orbit around them very tiny, so hopefully in next bugfix I will remember to either move them further away to slow their orbital periods or to slow down the simulation.

At the same time currently there are no limitations on spawning satellites and using satellite fuel, so technically you can go crazy with spawning them and control them indefinitely.

As for adding more levels/content, I will consider doing that for Post-LD version! I also considered adding MULTIPLAYER but time will tell if that will happen.
Sli
14. Oct 2020 · 21:46 UTC
Wow great job. I think the mechanics are great. You just need more polish and gameplay. I managed to destroy the the planet after all, but I'd love if there was some easier control over the trajectory
Anguss
14. Oct 2020 · 22:07 UTC
Really cool game, definitely a refreshingly unique idea. I love to watch the traces of the orbits from different perspectives
🎤 negativice
15. Oct 2020 · 00:37 UTC
@sli Thanks! Haha I'm glad someone actually destroyed the planet! :smile:

@anguss Thanks, I hope it will only get better and prettier!
MoffKalast
15. Oct 2020 · 12:03 UTC
Won somehow after 8 sats, not sure what's the goal here exactly. In general I think it would be far better with about 2-3 times as long orbit predictions otherwise you're just guessing, and even better if the camera would follow the planet in relative rotation when you're aiming. At least you have unlimited delta v and enough TWR to kill a horse 1 megatimes over.
thesnide
15. Oct 2020 · 12:52 UTC
I didn't managed to destroy the planet, but I surely spend _waaaaay_ to much time than expected watching my experiments failing in unexpected ways. Rather nicely mesmerising :thumbsup:
Annie Owl
17. Oct 2020 · 15:08 UTC
I thought I would never do it, but after struggling with the controls for some time if finally did it! I have bombed the red planet with 25 satellites (most of which were sent into the nothingness of endless space, hehe). Very cool game concept! Controls need some polishing. I kept unselecting my satellites while trying to correct their course quickly and therefore was failing to put them on the right course most of the time. Also, some spacy background music is very needed for this type of game. But other than that, it's a pretty cool game! Good job!
Meatball
27. Oct 2020 · 20:03 UTC
Wow, gameplay a bit of a learning curve (heh) but clearly there's a lot going on here! Great interpretation of the theme, feels unique in this jam. Great stuff!
🎤 negativice
28. Oct 2020 · 02:12 UTC
@moffkalast, @thesnide, @annie-owl, @meatball Hey everyone thank you so much for playing, rating and giving me your feedback, I appreciate it a lot.