LudumData

Batt(l)ery by Richard Jedlicka

[raw]
made by Richard Jedlicka for LD 39 (JAM)

Hi, this is my first LD. I'm skilled programmer, but not the game developer, so this is one of my first games. I'm quite satisfied with the result. I like the graphics even though I'm not a designer. Hope you will enjoy it.

The game is for two player. You are controling a robot in an arena and your goal is to kill your opponent. The problem is your robot is powered by a battery (which is shared for both players) and your actions like walking and firing comsumes battery's power. When the battery is draind out, both robot will fall into sleep mode and will wake up after the restoring of 25% of battery's power. Battery is slowly charging itself, 1% per second. To charge a battery quicker, use power-ups which can be picked up a used on demand. When you are wounded by your opponent, there are two places with first-aid kits.

final.gif

Tools used: PhaserJS + Meteor, Visual Studio Code, GIMP, Bfxr, Audacity

All graphics is made from scratch (especially robots), some a little inspired (heart) by other pixel art games. Sound effects created using Bfxr, mostly selected from random generated sounds and slightly modified (didn't understand the syth options well, so it was in fact blind experimenting).

HTML5 (web) https://uiii.itch.io/battlery-ld-39
Other (web)
Original URL https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/39/battlery

Ratings

Overall 650th 3⭐ 28🧑‍⚖️
Fun 609th 2.852⭐ 29🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 210th 3.444⭐ 29🧑‍⚖️
Theme 98th 4.037⭐ 29🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 409th 3.556⭐ 29🧑‍⚖️
Audio 508th 2.56⭐ 27🧑‍⚖️
Humor 334th 2.6⭐ 27🧑‍⚖️
Mood 611th 2.84⭐ 27🧑‍⚖️
Given 26🗳️ 29🗨️

Feedback

HoldMeImScared
01. Aug 2017 · 00:43 UTC
Played both players on my keyboard, which was a bit of a braintwister - especially as I kept trying to WASD for the left player and F to shoot, which is not at all what the controls are, no matter how many times I reminded myself of this. Also had to move my hand to access the special keys for the right player, LoL, but at least I was able to test this :) The control layout makes perfect sense for side-by-side multiplayer, so very well thought out on your part.

I absolutely LOVE the shared power PvP mechanic, nice idea! Everyone's doing such awesome things with this theme, I've loved seeing what people come up with.

I like your graphics a lot, and, I mean, I'm never going to say no to cute robots ;)

Solid entry, nice work!
boboman
01. Aug 2017 · 00:55 UTC
Note: Did not get to play it extensively on multiplayer.

Really enjoyed the graphics, and the sound too. Love the shared energy game mechanic, prevents AND incentivizes troll mechanics like burning energy shooting a wall! to keep your enemy from killing you too quickly, or getting the jump on you with health. The emergency battery regen I think could be quicker as I sat for a good amount of seconds after obliviously burning energy -- but I like that an emergency battery regen occurred, well thought out! Recharging it from anywhere on the level could be OP, but I like the strategy involved with saving up battery packs so that your enemy doesn't have the energy and then only burning the batteries when you're ready to own.

Well done and great stuff, hope to see you here more in the future!
José Alvim
01. Aug 2017 · 02:22 UTC
It's really rather cute; I didn't buy the controls all too much but it's no biggie; The shared battery makes for a really solid concept!
My only bickering is their collision boxes are their sprites, it seems, if it was a little box around their feet it'd be a lot better!
neowhoru
01. Aug 2017 · 13:38 UTC
graphics are good, controls are okay but you can only really win when one player doesnt move. it tooks too long until the oponent dies.
Would decrease more per hit.

also it is a good idea - so keep on :)
🎤 Richard Jedlicka
01. Aug 2017 · 13:52 UTC
@neowhoru, yes it needs more playtesting to find the appropriate configuration to be balanced and well playable.
hkay
01. Aug 2017 · 15:27 UTC
I really like the concept of sharing power with your opponents! Graphics also look really nice. However I think it takes too long to kill the other player and the power regeneration in sleep mode is too slow.

Well done!
prettylucky
01. Aug 2017 · 15:49 UTC
Big Question: Why do we BOTH power down?
It slows the pace of the game arbitrarily. Why don't we each just manage our own batteries and the player who manages theirs poorly gets punished? I'd also add a movement mechanic like a dash or a jump with cooldown or battery consequences. There's not enough I can get do to get advantage on the other player, so the battle will just drag.

The robots are freakin adorable though!:D And I like the style, it's really clean looking.
andrewbwm
01. Aug 2017 · 16:05 UTC
The controls are a bit finicky, but I really like the idea. Big props for making a multiplayer game too!
Xsior
02. Aug 2017 · 09:13 UTC
I find the whole idea of shared battery pointless as it punishes both player... for everything. If you manage your battery and enemy doesnt not only he gets more hit on you, he also makes your work go to waste. Also there is really no point in keeping players unable to do anything for so long. Graphics are cute though and concept could work very well in co-op game.
🎤 Richard Jedlicka
02. Aug 2017 · 10:14 UTC
@xsior, this game is an experiment. I like the idea of a game which is a competitive, where both players are opponents, but they also have to be somehow cooperative by maintaining the battery to be able to win. The game probably need to be better configured and balanced, maybe there can be more game elements giving the player the advantage over the other. The long time in sleep mode was intended as a punishment for draining the battery as a motivation to keep it charged, but maybe this is not necessary, i will shorten it probably in the next release.
hav24
02. Aug 2017 · 11:58 UTC
Unfortunately I can't test it with another friend but both the game idea and the realization are good!
The only complaint is that to pass through the wall you need to fit perfectly the sprite, but visually the head of your bot should go over the base of the wall!
BTW good game, I loved the idea of the shared power! :)
pcmaster
02. Aug 2017 · 12:47 UTC
Very nice and original. The mechanics are good. I just got stuck a lot when moving around. And I also didn't have a change to play with anyone. I love the sounds, the simple graphics. The whole game is very solid!!!
matita
02. Aug 2017 · 15:36 UTC
The concept of a shared battery is very interesting, but I don't think that it opens up to a lot of strategy, since it penalize both players at the same manner.
But I played alone, so I don't know how would I react in a real game against an opponent.

When I first picked up the batteries I did wonder why the main power didn't recharge, then I saw the batteries near the heart and I understood I should have to use them.

As others already said the time you need to kill the opponent and to recharge is a bit too much (25 seconds? Ouch, make it 3!).

It seems I only have negative comments, but actually I liked the game very much, it sure has potential!

And the visuals are so cute!

Good job!
Syl-WhatsUpDesign
06. Aug 2017 · 10:28 UTC
Overall that's a good game. You can add a 8-bit music as background when we are playing (just an idea). You're pixel are is cool. As the comment above I have some question around the shared battery, it's probably a good idea but hard to implement. But that stays a Good Job :)
Viliar
06. Aug 2017 · 10:43 UTC
nice one! i'd suggest to try a few hearts decreasing by one whole heart at a time and bullets. it will be more easy to balance for a few difficulties and definitely more easy to understand. i didn't get the idea that heart will decrease slowly for the start. also sounds are a bit creepy, wanted smth more cartoonish considering graphics
h.attila
06. Aug 2017 · 10:55 UTC
Overall, it's a very nice game, with a pretty unique idea for the theme. The graphics and audio were fun, however maybe the recharging time could be shorter.

Keep it up!
🎤 Richard Jedlicka
06. Aug 2017 · 11:01 UTC
@viliar the heart isn't decreasing slowly for the start, it is decreasing the same speed all the way. Maybe it just looks so.
🎤 Richard Jedlicka
06. Aug 2017 · 11:03 UTC
yeah and the sound making isn't my strongest point :-)
arctic_allosaurus
09. Aug 2017 · 10:17 UTC
I liked the game and new concept of sharing power! A bit more polish and some music would be great. Overall good, solid game.
Schu
09. Aug 2017 · 15:58 UTC
Sharing battery power was a really cool concept. I was playing as both players but it seemed like it could actually be fun to play with someone. My biggest gripe is that I had no idea when anyone was taking damage because the health display was cut off. Eventually I noticed that they have battery indicators but I think there should be a more obvious indicator when players are taking damage. The movement also felt a little stiff but I love the idea!