LudumData

My 1st Game: Water Ball Challenge 10S by Thanks4AllTheFish

[raw]
made by Thanks4AllTheFish for Ludum Dare 51 (COMPO)

Hi Guys! This is the very first game I made :smile_cat:

I learned a lot during this game jam including how to shot projectiles and make them interacting with other objects.

The goal is: Fire water balls to break boxes until they hit the target!

You only have 10 seconds to break all the boxes that block your way to the target! Think fast!

Click to PLAY: https://thanks4allthefish.itch.io/water-ball-challenge-10s

Capture4.PNG

There are three kind of boxes in the game: the paper box, the plastic box, and the plaster box. Each box has a different durability (took multiple hits to break) . There is also a cruel setting of this game: If you fail to hit the target, you'd have to start from the beginning.

I wish I could add more features in the game including random reward boxes (allow you to upgrade your weapon, freeze time, fire huge bullets to break a lot of boxes at one time, etc.), explosion boxes, moving boxes, and moving targets. But sadly I don't have enough time to add those features, create more levels, and draw a nice background within the two day period. So I'm making an update version to add those things to the game and make it better.

Hope you like the gameplay and the music.

At last, Thank you so much for trying out my game. Feedback is highly appreciated!:smile:

itch.io link https://thanks4allthefish.itch.io/water-ball-challenge-10s
itch.io link https://thanks4allthefish.itch.io/water-ball-challenge-10s
Original URL https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/51/water-ball-challenge-10s

Ratings

Overall 433th 2.924⭐ 35🧑‍⚖️
Fun 377th 2.924⭐ 35🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 429th 2.727⭐ 35🧑‍⚖️
Theme 433th 2.97⭐ 35🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 408th 2.788⭐ 35🧑‍⚖️
Audio 285th 2.97⭐ 35🧑‍⚖️
Given 32🗳️ 20🗨️

Feedback

cogcomp
03. Oct 2022 · 18:53 UTC
Neat idea. I really liked how if you plan strategically you get a lot of reuse of each ball by getting it to bounce back at the boxes. I think the game was a little too easy. I could just point the cannon right up and make it through all the levels.
LDJam user 298364
04. Oct 2022 · 03:27 UTC
Hi @cogcomp! I also notice that after I posted the game to the itch website. I think that could be something relied to the update function that makes the cannon shot a lot faster than it should be. I'd try to fix that with the FixedUpdate function and create more levels. Thanks a lot for the feedback! :smile_cat:
Papaya
04. Oct 2022 · 03:43 UTC
Solid first time entry! Loving the music and explosion effect of the tiles. Definitely more varieties in the destructible boxes can increase the difficulty and improve gameplay. Still awesome game, bravo!
Phantom49
04. Oct 2022 · 04:22 UTC
I loved the idea of making a more "chaotic" space shooter in order to hit the target quickly, I just wish there was more stages to play, but really cool entry. Had a lot of fun with the game.

Also seems like we're both with the infamous Unity's Blue Background Screen in our games :v:
LDJam user 298364
04. Oct 2022 · 04:57 UTC
Hi @papaya Thanks a lot for the feedback! Yes It took a while to draw the explosion effect in pixel art, I'm very glad you likes it :) And yes I'd create more destructible boxes in the future
LDJam user 298364
04. Oct 2022 · 05:03 UTC
Hi @phantom49 Thanks a lot for your feedback. I'd definitely create more stages in the future! For the background, yes lol I actually used disco diffusion to get some AI generated pictures and wanted to use them as background. However those pictures would make the bullets hard to track by eye so I had to remove them.
rosypenguin
04. Oct 2022 · 06:58 UTC
Always love seeing people's first games! This is a solid attempt, I always like these kinds of brick-breaker type games. Wish there was a bit smoother frame rate so I can see the trajectory of the shots better. And wish there were more levels. Keep it up!
LDJam user 298364
04. Oct 2022 · 20:42 UTC
Hi @rosypenguin :smile: I'll use the fixedupdate() method to make sure there is a constant frame rate across multiple platforms. Thanks a lot for your feedback!
clonze
04. Oct 2022 · 23:12 UTC
nice job on your first game! I like to use game-jams to practice polishing projects quickly and when it comes to polishing, every little thing you can do makes a difference. Like adjusting the camera background color or adding sound effects to things that are happening. Hope you keep game jamming in the future! :balloon:
ThaProfesional
05. Oct 2022 · 08:15 UTC
Great music and cool retro style graphics. Had a lot of fun I think it's 'cause the water balls fire so quickly watching those things bounce around / pile up / go nuts was awesome. On that note I'm glad there weren't any "water hitting stuff" sound effects. Block breaking sound effects would have been cool though..

More levels would have been great definitely would have kept playing.
INCD021
05. Oct 2022 · 11:02 UTC
Well that was fun :D Nice progression of the difficulty of the levels. Liked the idea and the music :D Great job :thumbsup:
milq
05. Oct 2022 · 12:09 UTC
To be your first game is great! The truth is that you have done the most difficult part: innovating with a new concept. It's a twist of Breakout game and it's really funny. You have to polish the game but I can only say congratulations! Great game!
Vivat-vector
05. Oct 2022 · 12:23 UTC
I liked how the balls bounced around to break more boxes. A logic game could be built on such an idea. Due to time constraints, I didn't think and just put the cannon up.
LDJam user 298364
05. Oct 2022 · 15:50 UTC
@clonze Thanks so much for your advice. Yes I sure definitely add sound effect when the the water ball hit those boxes :smile: I'll try to think up some nice way to make similar sounds lol
clonze
05. Oct 2022 · 16:41 UTC
ohh another idea: u could try editing the physics layers so the balls dont collide with themselves
hungryroy
06. Oct 2022 · 07:50 UTC
Good job on your first game! Might want to consider the difficulty as it was a bit too easy and there was little reason to aim anywhere other than straight up. A fun little arcad-y game!
LDJam user 298364
07. Oct 2022 · 01:41 UTC
@thaprofesional I'm so glad you like this game :smile_cat: Part of the reason I created this game is that I feel it will be stress relief. I'll definitely add sound effect when those blocks are broken. Thanks a lot for your advice!
LDJam user 298364
07. Oct 2022 · 01:49 UTC
@incd021 Thanks for your comment. I'm glad you like this game. I actually made a longer version of the current music track, and will add it in the derived version of this game :smile_cat:
LDJam user 298364
07. Oct 2022 · 02:11 UTC
@milq I'm happy you like this concept :smile_cat: More updates are on their way
LDJam user 298364
07. Oct 2022 · 02:17 UTC
@Vivat-vector @hungryroy lol yes I've adjusted the difficulties of those stages now it takes more tactical thinking to clear them :smile: I'll upload the game in another link
LDJam user 298364
07. Oct 2022 · 02:26 UTC
@clonze Oh I think it is fun to see how those water balls bounce and collide with each other lol :smile: I think it is also one of the feature: you need to pile up enough water balls to break some bricks
PurpledArtFrog
07. Oct 2022 · 08:37 UTC
@thanks4allthefish Interesting that the fire rate was based on the distance to the cursor :smile: Was that on purpose? And this being your first game - actually really impressed.... mine did NOT look or feel nearly as good :smile: :thumbsup_tone1:
As for input... to me it seemed that the speed of the bullets was a bit too high... or my eyes are to old. I think it might feel better if the player had a better sence of them.
Corporation
07. Oct 2022 · 17:25 UTC
Great concept and implementation of base mechanics) adding more harder level probably should be the next thing, cause current can be passed by just shooting in the corner
LDJam user 298364
07. Oct 2022 · 20:58 UTC
Hi @purpledartfrog Thanks for the feedback! I'm sorry that I didn't set a fixed rate for the bullet so it fired too fast after I upload it. I'll fix that in the updated version~
PurpledArtFrog
07. Oct 2022 · 21:15 UTC
@thanks4allthefish no worries .. one thing with feedback is that you don't need to follow all advice :smile: I might be the only one with that preference :smile:
AntonioTheReis
07. Oct 2022 · 22:16 UTC
Great stuff for your first game! I just have a few notes. Adding a visual border around the screen could make it clearer that the balls bounce off the walls instead of just flying off (which is what I thought of first). The balls also move just a bit too quickly to properly process what is happening, and slowing it just a bit would help a lot I think. Being able to continue from the level you lost at would also be helpful. Still great work, excited to see more of your stuff.
LDJam user 298364
08. Oct 2022 · 07:38 UTC
Hi @corporation Thanks for the feedback! I fixed this issue and add more stages in the derived version of this project. You can try it on https://thanks4allthefish.itch.io/water-ball-challenge Hope you like it! :smile:
LDJam user 298364
08. Oct 2022 · 07:40 UTC
Hi @antoniothereis Thanks for the feedback! I spent another day and made a derived version of this project. Seems like it has exactly what you asked for :smile_cat:
You can try it on https://thanks4allthefish.itch.io/water-ball-challenge
p-r
08. Oct 2022 · 21:13 UTC
I think the balls might be too fast, not sure if it's just me.
LDJam user 298364
09. Oct 2022 · 01:23 UTC
Hi @p-r Yes they are lol. I don't set the fixed frame rate for them, so they are faster after I upload the game online. Please try out the derived version to get a more stable speed and more stages.
LDJam user 299760
09. Oct 2022 · 03:12 UTC
Great work for a first game! I really like to hear when people list out what they learned/accomplished from a game jam. I don't have much to add that hasn't been covered by the other comments but keep at it! The derived version is already showing so much improvement.
LDJam user 298364
09. Oct 2022 · 17:18 UTC
Hi @mauvegrover Thanks a lot for your encouragement! I'll keep work on this game to make it better! :smile_cat:
Usenrame
10. Oct 2022 · 19:17 UTC
Played your game, and it's fun, but IT'S TOOO EASY, would be really happy to see procedural game levels for it.
LDJam user 298364
10. Oct 2022 · 19:22 UTC
@usenrame Do you want to try out the derived version? There is ten new stages in the game and I can guarantee it takes some tragical thinking :smirk_cat:
https://thanks4allthefish.itch.io/water-ball-challenge
Usenrame
10. Oct 2022 · 19:29 UTC
@thanks4allthefish I'm in!
Usenrame
10. Oct 2022 · 19:36 UTC
@thanks4allthefish still ez XD But still enjoyed it!

[screen shot](https://i.imgur.com/ovl0IfL.png)
LDJam user 298364
11. Oct 2022 · 05:15 UTC
@usenrame I'm glad you like it! :smile_cat:
SimplePotential
15. Oct 2022 · 23:42 UTC
Addicting! There is a lot to like here. I would suggest making the timer more visible or placed differently maybe. As a first game, this was very well done. Nice Job
albertnez
15. Oct 2022 · 23:43 UTC
It's an interesting idea and overall interesting combination of mechanics and theme.
For being you very first game, this is outstanding, even more so given the time restrictions. Congratulations on that!

PS: What changed from the Compo submission to the current game in the itch.io page? I see that the source code is "updated", but can't tell how the source was at submission, now what was updated.
LDJam user 185813
15. Oct 2022 · 23:47 UTC
I get that its your first game! My first game was pretty bad! But, I just want to give you some feedback so yeah! First of all, most of the game is trying to point your mouse to a place where you can get the ball to the goal. I didn't feel any real challenge. The art might need a bit of improvement too! But good job on your first game!
amarokczukay
16. Oct 2022 · 00:15 UTC
first of all, great job for your first game and your first compo entry, that must have been challenging! the idea behind your game is great and the mechanic interesting, and with some polish it can be awesome! however, congrats!
unprecedented
17. Oct 2022 · 20:06 UTC
This game was really satisfying to play. Loved the physics of the balls and enjoyed working my way through the levels. I also appreciate the clever level designs. Good work!
frozenfire92
19. Oct 2022 · 12:14 UTC
Great work for your first game! The constant stream of water balls was a bit of a surprise at first :smile: Keep on making games!
Bogden
19. Oct 2022 · 21:45 UTC
This is really, really, really good for your very first game! Well done!
LDJam user 303716
19. Oct 2022 · 22:59 UTC
Nice Game!
Sarah
20. Oct 2022 · 04:21 UTC
The way the balls bounce make it surprisingly fun haha, and actually hilarious to see. Nice job on your first game, it's well done! I like the idea that you have to quickly brute force your way to the target, interesting use of the theme!
upcharlie
21. Oct 2022 · 08:52 UTC
Great stuff for your first game! Simple game, but functioned a bit more complexly than I was expecting so I struggled until I realised there were a good few options avaialble!
Ginahe
21. Oct 2022 · 13:27 UTC
Nice done creating your first game that is an big accomplissement by itself . The lack of sound effect , audio feedback and juciness is for me a big issue with a gameplay that is that simple . Very nice idea to subvert this type of game into puzzle game but few more behavior would be great to enable more puzzle creation . Still had some fun so goal reached for the game :)
exofrenon
21. Oct 2022 · 21:52 UTC
This was a refreshing take on the breakout / arkanoid genre. Simple, addictive, you immediately get what you have to do and what the rules are. I also didn't encounter any bugs. A very solid first entry.