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Calculator Community => Other Calc-Related Projects and Ideas => TI Z80 => Topic started by: Hot_Dog on February 17, 2012, 08:50:39 pm

Title: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on February 17, 2012, 08:50:39 pm
Infiltration is a puzzle game which takes place in a parallel universe.  The game is meant to take a humorous approach.  Your goal is getting from level to level by entering the correct password at each exit.  Passwords are found by solving puzzles.  

The game engine is almost complete, so essentially I'm designing levels at this point.

In the screenshot, you find the character "H" in the password by draining the water through a very picky drainage system.  In this particular level, you also cannot reach the exit without draining the water.

You can read more about the game in the spoiler.  

Spoiler For Spoiler:

* The screenshot has beach levels, with harder puzzles.  There are many different worlds, and the first worlds have easier puzzles
* The alphabet characters are in another language for gameplay reasons.  The alphabet will be in the manual, along with what key to press to type a particular character.
* Most characters for the password are found in your surroundings or in puzzles.  Sometimes you can find a charcter by picking up a card.
* Almost every level has a jewel inside of it.  You do not need to collect jewels to proceed, but they can unlock levels.  Jewels are harder to get than password characters.
* Later in the game you will have access to a phaser.  Kill enemies to unlock levels!



The game engine allows great flexibility for many different kinds of puzzles, so feel free to PM me or write in this topic if you have a puzzle idea that you'd like to see in the game!  (Please, no puzzles with motion such as Tetris or Jewel Quest)  Just remember that the puzzle solution should reward a player one way or another with a character for the password.
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on February 17, 2012, 09:04:59 pm
Looks great! :O I like the fonts too but I like the concept so far.
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: TIfanx1999 on February 18, 2012, 01:56:54 am
I'd have to agree. The font size really suits the screen size, and it looks quite nice. This looks like a really cool concept, and I can't wait to see it developed more. :)
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on February 18, 2012, 10:21:44 am
I'm glad people like the concept.  I wanted to come up with something that has probably never been done before.

But it definitely requires some thought.  It's easy to create a puzzle where the solution rewards you with a character, but my goal (which is not so easy) is to create puzzles where the only solution IS the character
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on February 19, 2012, 02:37:51 am
One thing I love in particular is how you can modify the terrain/map like digging around to create rivers or something.

Anyway good luck with this project :)
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on February 20, 2012, 01:15:57 am
One thing I love in particular is how you can modify the terrain/map like digging around to create rivers or something.

That's the fun part of designing the game.  Of course, all the items and object interactions are pure Z80 code and text data, so the game definitely needs compression.
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on February 20, 2012, 01:20:29 am
How big is it so far in terms of data and code? (not that it matters much, but I'm curious about the ratio, since I remember one of my game, Metroid II Expansion, was about 15 KB of code and 110 KB of data, if we excluded the xLIB app)
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on February 20, 2012, 03:18:28 pm
How big is it so far in terms of data and code? (not that it matters much, but I'm curious about the ratio, since I remember one of my game, Metroid II Expansion, was about 15 KB of code and 110 KB of data, if we excluded the xLIB app)

I'm working on the next level, so it's about 3126 bytes so far.  The ratio of code-to-data is about 50/50.  Most of the data in the game is code for what to do with specific objects or events, which is why Infiltration can have many different kinds of puzzles.
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on February 20, 2012, 03:19:30 pm
Ah ok, and how big is the map (dimensions)? I wonder if you use any form of compression like RLE or half-byte?
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on February 20, 2012, 03:30:56 pm
Ah ok, and how big is the map (dimensions)? I wonder if you use any form of compression like RLE or half-byte?

RLE might be good, but I'm sticking with pucrunch because I'm used to it.  Maps are 16 wide x 32 high.
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on February 22, 2012, 01:26:46 pm
Don't forget, if you have a puzzle idea that you'd like to see in Infiltration, let me know.  I'm currently working on the next level, which will have a variation of picross.
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on February 27, 2012, 04:48:41 pm
I should have a new screenshot pretty soon.  I finished some beach levels, but I didn't want to put up any screenshots that would give away any solutions to puzzles.  So I had to go back and create textures/levels for the beginning portion of the game.  That way I don't give any puzzle portions away ;D
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on February 27, 2012, 04:52:10 pm
Yay! I can't wait for it :).

As for puzzles, you have those classic block pushing puzzles, right? (To make your way somewhere like in Zelda)
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on February 27, 2012, 07:17:59 pm
Yes I do!  You'll see push-blocks in the next screenshot :)  They're generally used to fill bottomless pits, although there are exceptions
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on March 01, 2012, 12:59:05 am
Here's a screenshot that gives gameplay without giving away puzzle solutions.  More screenshots will come!
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Stefan Bauwens on March 01, 2012, 08:06:54 am
That looks pretty sweet. Good job.
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on March 01, 2012, 09:39:08 am
Looks very good Hot Dog. :)
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Mighty Moose on March 01, 2012, 02:34:16 pm
Wow, that looks awesome already!  The screenshot kinda reminds me of a strange cross between Chip's Challenge and Pegs.
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: TIfanx1999 on March 05, 2012, 12:47:53 pm
Missed the last post... x.x Looks like this is coming along nicely. =)
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on March 07, 2012, 12:43:35 pm
New screenshot!

It takes me on average a week to design a level, depending on how long it takes me to think of creative puzzles.  (My goal is to have as few homogonous puzzles as possible)
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on March 07, 2012, 01:58:49 pm
Wow nice and I like the layout as well as the text placement. Glad you're still working on this :)
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: aeTIos on March 09, 2012, 01:42:50 am
Woah, those levels are big.
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on March 14, 2012, 09:52:37 pm
New screenshot!

Probably my best level so far, and also the most incomplete (Bugs, unfinished code, and the fact that I can't think of anything humerous for a couple of parts in the level)
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on March 14, 2012, 10:39:20 pm
Looks very nice Hot Dog :D. Glad to see more updates.
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: nxtboy III on March 14, 2012, 10:40:07 pm
So are you still working on Elimination, Hot Dog?
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Stefan Bauwens on March 15, 2012, 03:49:48 am
So are you still working on Elimination, Hot Dog?
Well I guess he won't have too much time if he's going to teach English in russia.
Also HotDog, congrats on the 404+ :P
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on March 15, 2012, 09:20:06 am
So are you still working on Elimination, Hot Dog?

Not for the moment at least.  With the current situation, that game is leaving me with a lot of pressure ;D
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on March 23, 2012, 01:40:56 am
New screenshot!  

As you can see, I implemented an aiming device so that you can use an item up, down, left or right without having to aim with the arrow keys.  (In older screenshots I always used the arrow keys to aim, which is why the character bounced back and forth a lot.  The item would be used in the direction your character last moved in)

EDIT: The "dirt" in the screenshot is a recording error, not a game bug.
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on March 28, 2012, 07:47:15 pm
I was inspired by ztrumpet's "Exodus" and added a world map (it's not complete).  Thanks ztrumpet!

When you select a level, you can see if you got the jewel, as well as how many enemies you've killed in the level.

Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on March 29, 2012, 10:16:44 am
*BUMP* ;D
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Xeda112358 on March 31, 2012, 04:33:58 pm
Wow, freaking awesome O.O This looks really nice and the type of game that I would like to play (I like puzzles that I didn't create). Great job :D
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on April 01, 2012, 12:13:18 am
Wow, freaking awesome O.O This looks really nice and the type of game that I would like to play (I like puzzles that I didn't create). Great job :D

Thanks!  Yeah, it's a lot of fun to create these puzzles, but then I know all the solutions so I can't really play it to the fullest
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on April 02, 2012, 12:42:28 pm
Progress Update! I finished a new level, though I think a screenshot for this level would be redundant.

Levels take a while because I'm trying to create several different kinds of puzzles...This isn't a "Portal" or "Chip's Challenge" approach.  Rather, it's a "7th Guest" or "Professor Layton" approach
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on April 07, 2012, 10:49:20 pm
Glad to see it's still progressing. I never tried 7th guest and Professor Layton or anything called like that, though, so I won't know what it is yet. I might check them out when I get some extra time.
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on April 10, 2012, 11:11:48 pm
The next screenshot won't be up until next week, but just to let you know that work is still being done on the game! :D
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on April 11, 2012, 01:09:44 am
Ok cool to hear it's still being worked on. :)

Do you think you will have time to finish the game before your mission starts?
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on April 11, 2012, 05:06:04 am
Ok cool to hear it's still being worked on. :)

Do you think you will have time to finish the game before your mission starts?

I'm pretty sure I'll have a decent chunk finished.  After that, if there's not enough time to do more levels during my mission, I'll release the game with whatever is done.
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Xeda112358 on April 12, 2012, 09:17:15 pm
Cool, can't wait :D
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on April 18, 2012, 01:17:12 am
New screenshot!  Since a jewel is normally very hard to collect (it requires more thinking), you will see a special animation when you collect one. 

The screenshot didn't record contrast changes, but when the jewel pauses in the middle of the screen, the contrasts lightens and darkens to give a "shimmering" effect
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on April 18, 2012, 02:32:18 am
Looks great and I love that jewel animation O.O
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on April 20, 2012, 02:17:12 pm
More progress!  Finished another level!  (So that's about 10 so far)

This screenshot will probably remind you of Chip's challenge, though the puzzle is different
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Xeda112358 on April 20, 2012, 03:22:21 pm
Are those bombs? o.o
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on April 20, 2012, 06:35:06 pm
Are those bombs? o.o

Bombs they are!  You can use enemies to blow them up, but if you stand too close, you get blown up too!
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Xeda112358 on April 20, 2012, 10:30:11 pm
Cool o.o Do they make surrounding bombs explode, too?
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on April 20, 2012, 11:12:28 pm
I like it Hot Dog. :)

You should have the ability to push bombs around and/or have indestructible/destructible blocks, so for example you can protect yourself from explosions or open new paths.
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on April 21, 2012, 12:36:37 am
Cool o.o Do they make surrounding bombs explode, too?

Usually not.  I had a puzzle planned where they would do so, but I have yet to implement it.

I like it Hot Dog. :)

You should have the ability to push bombs around and/or have indestructible/destructible blocks, so for example you can protect yourself from explosions or open new paths.

All great ideas, if I can find ways to implement them into puzzles.  It's not hard to code, I just need to be creative  ;D

Actually, you gave me a great brain strom with that indestructible/destructible block idea
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hayleia on April 22, 2012, 09:21:15 am
Your game reminds me of Robbox, so I like it :D
(If you don't know Robbox, it is a flash free (iirc) game, so you can google it, download it, try it, have fun and even maybe find inspiration for your levels from it. Some levels were quite hard O.O)
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on April 22, 2012, 09:23:55 am
What is it Hot Dog? I see the screenshot but I am unsure what in particular the puzzle is.
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on April 22, 2012, 12:34:36 pm
What is it Hot Dog? I see the screenshot but I am unsure what in particular the puzzle is.

It's a screenshot of the same level.  We were talking a lot about dieing when too close to a bomb, so I just put up a screenshot of the message saying that "you died in the explosion"

Your game reminds me of Robbox, so I like it :D
(If you don't know Robbox, it is a flash free (iirc) game, so you can google it, download it, try it, have fun and even maybe find inspiration for your levels from it. Some levels were quite hard O.O)

That game is indeed inspiring!  (And inspiration is what I need)  It also reminded me that I need to make some easier levels at the beginning of the game.
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hayleia on April 25, 2012, 02:48:00 am
(I am reposting deleted posts from my memory so excuse me if the words I use aren't the good ones. And you can post your "true" answers after my post (if you want), I'll edit mine after)


Hayleia
Will there be an "undo" option so we don't get stuck on a level because we pushed a wrong block ?



HotDog
Good idea.  I'm going to implement "undoing" because much of the gameplay is dependent on which direction you are facing (which leaves room for error)
(And I feel like someone posted someting in the meantime)
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on April 28, 2012, 11:02:26 am
New screenshot!  Since this is an easier level, I decided to record the whole level (except the jewel) to give you a better idea of what Infiltration is all about.

The game will make much more sense when you read the instructions, but here are some terms you need to know for the screenshot:

* A block is anything you can push around
* A push block is a white block with 4 circles.  They are multi-purpose, usually for triggers or bottomless pits
* A trigger is a black tile with a white circle, something you can walk on (or put a block on) to make something happen
* A keyhole is a wall with a keyhole on it. Keyholes are unlocked in different ways, and usually instructions are provided.
Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on April 28, 2012, 01:01:31 pm
Nice. Just one thing, though: Make sure the level order gradually increases in difficulty in the final version, or at least doesn't instantly go from a very easy level straight to a near impossible one. There can be a few harder ones from time to time but they should be within a certain difficulty average that gradually increases over the time.

Title: Re: Infiltration -- A Ti-83+ puzzle game
Post by: Hot_Dog on April 28, 2012, 02:26:31 pm
Nice. Just one thing, though: Make sure the level order gradually increases in difficulty in the final version, or at least doesn't instantly go from a very easy level straight to a near impossible one. There can be a few harder ones from time to time but they should be within a certain difficulty average that gradually increases over the time.



Agreed.  I'm constantly changing the order of levels that I designed to make sure this happens.  I only hope that this is an easy level once people read the instrctions.