Pistols at Dawn

by aherbez
Innovation★★★★★★★★★★3.20
Graphics★★★★★★★★★★2.93
Coolness★★★★★★★★★★17%
How to play:
1) Click to start game
2) Click to start round
3) in each round, wait until the "FIRE!" signal is given, then swipe with the mouse to fire. The direction and length of the swipe will set the angle and force of the bullet.

More info:
I wanted to avoid doing anything time-based, as that seemed a bit obvious. Instead, I took "seconds" to mean the people that sometimes accompany combatants to a duel. In my game, the player takes on the role of a person summoned to duel (pistols at dawn, of course). This particular duel allows each party to bring up to five seconds along, leading to... 10 seconds on the field.

The seconds themselves don't directly participate in the duel, but they can catch bullets, making it harder for the combatants to hit each other.

Gameplay consists of rounds where both the player and AI opponent fire a single shot. To fire a shot, the player must swipe with the mouse (web) or finger (tablet), which sets both the angle and force with which the bullet is fired. Firing before the signal is given is poor form, and will not count. Any seconds that are hit are killed. This continues until either the player or the opponent is hit.

I wrote the game in HaXe, which means that it can go to multiple platforms easily. I find it a lot more satisfying to play on my ipad, as the swipe-to-shoot mechanic is much better on a touch screen, but I've also created a SWF version for ease of sharing.

Comments10

awppy26 Aug 2013, 13:23
Controls for shooting felt a little finicky - oftentimes if I moved my mouse out of the canvas after clicking it just wouldn't shoot, but I eventually got the hang of it. Round 1 headshots are very satisfying! Nice entry, and clever take/wordplay on the theme
aherbez
aherbezauthor26 Aug 2013, 20:09
thanks, awppy!
Mase
Mase26 Aug 2013, 20:24
I notice I can re-shoot if I've missed and the bullet is still on-screen.
Nice comically ridiculous physics in this.
bukt
bukt26 Aug 2013, 22:53
Seconds, but not time (or angle) :) Great idea and nice graphic. But it's a very difficult to do `mouseup` action in the stage borders. Maybe it will be better to call the same handler for the `stage.mouseUp` event and `stage.mouseLeave`?
OkayHughes
OkayHughes28 Aug 2013, 02:35
I love the interpretation, but yes, shooting is a bit odd. Finicky and a little inconsistent. Overall a very nice entry. Very clever.
zillix
zillix28 Aug 2013, 06:02
I love the take on the theme and the olde timey presentation. great job!
PaperBlurt
PaperBlurt30 Aug 2013, 15:13
weird controls, but I like the Terry Gilliam style.
noddy2006
noddy20062 Sep 2013, 01:29
Hilarious! Mouse controls are a bit weird, but totally fits the style of humour.
danhett
danhett7 Sep 2013, 11:25
Haha, this is hilariously awesome :D
lordjosephdeburg
lordjosephdeburg15 Sep 2013, 15:42
I liked the controls it added something fresh to the pistol duel. good jam
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