LudumData

Prime Planets by bazld

[raw]
made by bazld for LD 42 (JAM)

PRIME PLANETS is a maths/number puzzle game you play against the computer.

Maths gets harder as you run out of space...

Web build added (webgl) - or see windows download link below

https://goodreactions.com/prime-planets/

[Chrome/Opera/Firefox on Windows tested. iPad webgl doesn't work :( ]

MAINsshot3.png

The WebGL version is v1.01. This contains a bug fix that allowed the CPU to cheat :rolling_eyes:

(sorry, no time to add in-game instructions)

How to play

  • There are 15 rounds. In each round, the player has a turn, then the PC.
  • Each time, 3 random numbers are chosen.
  • Your aim is to use these 3 numbers, together with the 4 mathematical operations (add, subtract, multiply, divide) to claim an unoccupied tile on the board.
  • Click on the numbers, and the operators, to cycle through them, before hitting 'Submit'. There is no time limit.
  • You must use all 3 numbers. If not, the game will ask you to check and try again.
  • You cannot claim a tile already taken - you'll lose that turn.

Hitting 'ESC' will quit the game. You'll need this if running full-screen.

Scoring & Tips

  • You score the number on the tile you claim. So, aim high (the CPU will!).
  • Prime numbers are occupied by planets - these all score 50 points.
  • A good tactic is to grab the low primes as soon as possible.
  • Note: 1 is not considered a prime number since it has only 1 factor.
  • The winner has the most points after 15 rounds.

Extra tips: BIDMAS

You may remember from your maths classes that operations follow BIDMAS rules, ie division and multiplication are performed before addition and subtraction (regardless of order). Brackets take overall priority, and you can use the brackets button if you wish. The CPU currently doesn't attempt to use brackets for it's answers.

Examples:

2 + 4 x 3 = 14 (multiplication is done before addition)

( 2 + 4 ) x 3 = 18 (brackets are always done first)

Note

THANK YOU for playing! I really enjoyed making this one, and will do a blog/post-mortem asap. The CPU AI was a right pain to code, the rest was fairly straightforward. I usually enter the Compo, but circumstances meant I coded on Sunday/Monday, so entered into the Jam. It did make it a bit easier getting some extra sfx and graphics [have opted out of those categories since I've mixed my own assets with those].

BUGS: I've fixed the main AI bug and uploaded v1.01. v1.0 is the original jam version with the bug left in. Play that to recreate a cheating opponent.

Disclaimer: yes, I'm a maths + computing teacher! :smile:

Windows https://www.dropbox.com/s/p322u25ouckapzm/prime-planets-ld42.zip?dl=0
Windows https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DkHn_DcCrsjVZ05xNAZlQ8vNQEGrxdJA/view?usp=sharing
HTML5 (web) https://goodreactions.com/prime-planets/
Windows https://www.dropbox.com/s/ihxg6km8i94k2gc/prime-planets-ld42-v101.zip?dl=0
Windows https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UGksIPxU3y44I9oLKYW_G4LgeJzzbIz8/view?usp=sharing
Original URL https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/42/prime-planets

Ratings

Overall 298th 3.667⭐ 35🧑‍⚖️
Fun 429th 3.391⭐ 34🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 114th 3.803⭐ 35🧑‍⚖️
Theme 775th 3.281⭐ 34🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 617th 3.42⭐ 27🧑‍⚖️
Audio 528th 3⭐ 25🧑‍⚖️
Humor 887th 1.833⭐ 23🧑‍⚖️
Mood 698th 3.017⭐ 32🧑‍⚖️
Given 68🗳️ 16🗨️

Feedback

frozenfire92
14. Aug 2018 · 16:23 UTC
This was a fun little educational game. As someone who enjoys graph theory/combinatorics I could see a lot of games you could make with this as a framework. It would be cool if the map was a 3d graph formed from planets/stars. It would be helpful if you had arrows indicating the numbers/operators could be cycled through. Overall good work!

`BUGS: I’m sure I’ve seen the AI claim a tile that’s already taken, but can’t find bug yet. What a cheat!!`

I Encountered this, was a little frustrating, but its ludum dare so its forgivable :)
🎤 bazld
14. Aug 2018 · 17:51 UTC
Thanks, @frozenfire92 :smile:
I have a list of things that could be added, I will add your suggestions.
Yeah, the game board is a little flat - doesn't need to be. And there isn't much on the ui to help the first-time player - agreed.

Oh, I've been playing more, and that damn bug needs fixing asap. The CPU also misses some valid chances, which is another bug since the code tests **all** possible combinations! (there aren't many, 4 x 4 operations, then 6 ways to arrange the numbers). Ugh.

Will check out your game, of course :thumbsup:
digitaldude555
14. Aug 2018 · 18:41 UTC
I encountrered that ai claims a taken tile bug, but still won though. It's pretty enjoyable, I think a two player mode would be great. Also the sound effects are very good.
MikomiKisomi
14. Aug 2018 · 18:44 UTC
Definitely one of the more interesting and innovative entries I've seen this year- it takes a bit of getting used to changing the math to a number you want, but it's a very good entry. Great job on making this!
tgb20
14. Aug 2018 · 18:44 UTC
My first though was ugh math. Turned out to be quite fun. The computer does seem to be unbeatable but maybe I am just really bad at math.
Flaterectomy
14. Aug 2018 · 18:47 UTC
I am pretty sure I would have won if the CPU didn't score 100 points by picking prime numbers that were already taken. I Shall shake my fist at it accordingly.

A clever game, but to me it feels like it might do better as an actual board game. It just strikes me as more enjoyable with friends than against an AI (though maybe with a timer, then).
mouthlessgames
14. Aug 2018 · 18:47 UTC
I likes the strangly creepy atmosphere in your game. The CPU player is pretty good in this. Maybe you could add multiple levels of difficulty for the player to choose in the beginning. Also I was a bit confused when it exactly was my turn and when the CPU's - maybe graying out the other's side could help with this. Do the fields with the planets have any special meaning? Well done, I like this entry. :smiley:
mDiyo
14. Aug 2018 · 18:48 UTC
The game itself is pretty fun. The mechanic is solid, it has a good educational element to it, and it feels like there's a good amount of problem solving as you get closer to the end. The space ship flying by and the astronaut near the numbers is a nice touch.

I found the layout of the numbers frustrating. I would have preferred them laid out left to right. It took until turn 9 to figure out that they were laid out in a spiral shape rather than somewhat randomly.

Overall, I give this a solid out of 10.
OadT
14. Aug 2018 · 18:53 UTC
Cool game! I only read the how to play part before playing and thougt while playing: "It would be cool if fields have different values". Turns out you already did this :smile: (Maybe you can make this more obvious for idiots like me)
maartene
14. Aug 2018 · 18:53 UTC
Really cool puzzle game! Best I player so far. This would be fun as a multiplayer/mobile game also. I hope you develop it further.
PSiv
14. Aug 2018 · 18:54 UTC
As a fellow maths nerd I love this game! This would be such a great way to teach kids about primes, BIDMAS (or BODMAS where I was taught) and basic arithmetic. Challenging and fun, and also the graphics and everything are really good too, like the little floating spaceman, amazing! Found another bug for you, when you get 2 of the same number, you can use it for all three, screenshot:
![spaceMath.png](///raw/bc2/41/z/195ff.png)
ps. I made a maths game last ludum dare, feel free to check it out!
Jake White
14. Aug 2018 · 18:54 UTC
This is excellent! The only gripe from me is the bug where they can take your tiles, otherwise I was having a lot of fun. Really well done UI for operation selection, and great concept.
AlexKishchinskiy
14. Aug 2018 · 18:54 UTC
Cool math game with clear goal, rules and interface. It would benefit from help button - I needed to go back to LD page to read the rules^) It is also a little strange, that I can change my numbers by clicking on them - is it designed or a bug? Also, some kind of backstory can benefit the game - what is going on? Are you fighting crazy ai, which took control of space ship, breaking it's codes? Or you are student trying math exam at space academy? Great work, overall^)
AFlatThrasher
14. Aug 2018 · 18:55 UTC
Overall well done. Good use of sound. The two bugs don't really hurt the game much (and at least one helps the computer and one hurts it, so it's a bit of a balance). My only complaints, and they are very mild, were that by the end, I was slightly annoyed that the rolling of the numbers took so long and it sometimes was tough to find a number to check it because they weren't in order. If you do anything after the jam with this, the game is ripe for more modes (2 player, timed turns, target score instead of # of turns, etc.).
Monkosum
14. Aug 2018 · 18:56 UTC
the only complain i have with this game is that it's too much luck. if the enemy has perfect rng, this game is impossible. but everything else is pretty good. the graphics are good enough, the game is unique, it hits the theme and the ai is not completely buggy. that happens to me everytime i make an ai. well done!
🎤 bazld
14. Aug 2018 · 18:57 UTC
So, you don't like the cheating AI then... I'm on it. It only affects primes(?). Spaghetti code debugging time.

@frittatenbank the planets are on the prime numbers. They all score 50, so best tactic is to grab them (before the AI does).

@mdiyo probably, yes. There was no need for the spiral. Correct...
ChaosTheLegend
14. Aug 2018 · 18:59 UTC
I love math, so I must love this game. Nothing to say here honetly, everything about this game is great. It has awsome space-themed graphics, intuitive interface, fair AI, but most importantly, it makes you THINK. I really love this game, want to see more games like this
Xerozylir
14. Aug 2018 · 19:02 UTC
Creative and unique game. The CPU was also pretty intelligent(Beat me D:).
SpeedySloth99
14. Aug 2018 · 19:03 UTC
Very enjoyable game! While the mechanic isn't something new, it's plain to see from the amount of polish and what-not that this game was developed with a technical focus rather than a design-based focus in mind, so I feel like it should be rated that way. The AI seemed to work well, and the graphics and sound are incredibly good for having been made in 72 hours. The only thing I can thing to give criticism on is that I think the game would be much better if the game showed what number your string of numbers and operators would make. My brain's still fried from doing Ludum Dare myself, so I made quite a few stupid mistakes because of this, but that's really the only negative thing I can say. Overall, it's just a fantastic game!
🎤 bazld
14. Aug 2018 · 19:03 UTC
Thank you for all your kind comments. And the bug reports. Will play/rate all your games, after debugging :scream:
cheers @chaosthelegend . I'm biased, love maths and computing (college+ adult ed teacher).
ango97
14. Aug 2018 · 19:03 UTC
Good game but I think the CPU cheated, matched 13 multiple times
ThatSommeS
14. Aug 2018 · 19:10 UTC
Ugh.. making me think after 3 days of game jam :stuck_out_tongue: It's a bit hard to understand what you're supposed to do without reading the description on this page. I'll def play this some more tomorrow after getting a good nights sleep :wink:
Blurred Lines
14. Aug 2018 · 19:17 UTC
Great concept and visualization. It would be more challenging if you could add some more tricks to find the prime number. You can also add a hint option for limited times. Thanks for making this.
🎤 bazld
14. Aug 2018 · 19:21 UTC
@blurred-lines yup, a hint feature is on my list (limited uses, as you say). Still can't find the AI bug, oh well.

@psiv thanks, not spotted that one. I have a function to check use of all 3 numbers, its clearly rubbish... :sob:
unnamed1334
14. Aug 2018 · 19:43 UTC
The game was interesting. Playing greedily appeared to be optimal strategy. I did find the layout of the board a bit confusing. I liked being able to tell where the numbers were in relation to each other and the spiral pattern made that hard.
🎤 bazld
14. Aug 2018 · 20:27 UTC
** UPDATE: all versions updated with bug fix, incl web version**

No more AI cheating :smirk_cat: . Let me know if I've introduced any new bugs in the process.

Calling it V1.01, was a 1-line bug - AI checking the wrong tile!
Left the v1.0 downloads here, in the spirit of game jam bugginess.
Slojanko
14. Aug 2018 · 21:01 UTC
Enjoyable math game :D Great idea.
🎤 bazld
14. Aug 2018 · 22:20 UTC
@frittatenbank yes, needs difficulty levels. Currently the AI plays a 'perfect' game. So, well done if you win! Could easily reduce the types of maths it will attempt for easy/medium/hard. :thumbsup:
Lost Dutchman Software
14. Aug 2018 · 22:36 UTC
We both did educational games this time, yours is a lot more educational and more of a game.. dang! This is fun and I have some other nerd friends I need to show it to.
newokmyne
15. Aug 2018 · 08:42 UTC
Nice game. At first I didn't understood how to play. You should have added a help menu.
So the mechanics is finally pretty simple and that's still a nice game.
I guess making the AI was a big deal to you.
If you're going to improve it I'd be curious keeping an eye on it
PixelJerry
15. Aug 2018 · 18:15 UTC
Very nice! I always enjoy puzzle games, especially when they involve math. The game is nice and simple to play while still forcing you to put your thinking cap on. Well done!
Weine
15. Aug 2018 · 20:08 UTC
Nice puzzle game! I actually played it through despite being to tired, and won over the computer. Yay!. Using math for the rules means that most people can get started without having to learn lots of game-specific rules. Making prime number score maximum forces the player to consider more combinations than just the highest possible numbers.

The user interface, graphics and visual theme are all well done and doesn't distract from the puzzling.
dmtroy
16. Aug 2018 · 05:04 UTC
I like the puzzle and the presentation.
Personally I didn't find it very challenging, it wasn't hard to beat the computer because I had plenty of time to crunch the numbers and work out the best response, maybe if there was a time limit on each turn it might help.
Shapkofil
16. Aug 2018 · 10:46 UTC
Its a great game for playing with more people and every one is thinking different thinks
Thanks for the fun. Well done dude^^
🎤 bazld
16. Aug 2018 · 11:20 UTC
Thanks all, appreciated.

@weine well spotted. as you might guess, quite a few maths games use the idea of forming numbers like this. It does allow players to work at their own level.

@newokmyne yes, I must add instructions, that is very lacking, agreed :/

@dmtroy yeah, was a bit wary of rushing the player into an answer, though that would be the normal thing to do in game like this. With easy/regular/hard modes I'd add that.

I have a long list of entries still to play. Played about 60.
Star Garden
16. Aug 2018 · 17:44 UTC
Wow, being a math/physics guy I can tell you I loved this game! I would love even more to play against someone else rather than the computer. What a clever game. Awesome job.